| In stating that a threshold of effect has never been found for asbestos, Rall
stands behind the outdated one fiber can kill theory of carcinogenesis.
However, Rall fails to mention data supporting a threshold for chrysotile in
lung cancer (11, asbestosis (12), and mesothelioma (13) as well as a panel
report from the Health Effects Institute-Asbestos Research (HEI-AR) detailing
animal and in vitro dose-response studies exhibiting no-observed adverse effect
levels (NOAELs) for asbestos (14). Our recent work documents a dose-dependent
increase in asbestos-induced proto-oncogene activation in mesothelial cells with
no induction at lowest concentrations of fibers tested and an enhanced potency
of crocidolite asbestos in comparison to chrysotile (15). |
| Dr. Finkelstein also cited five cases of mesothelioma among former
Holmes workers. Three of the five workers died at less than fifty years
of age and all were less than sixty years old! |
| A spatial cluster of pleural mesothelioma cases was detected in
Broni, in the Province of Pavia (northwestern Italy). Eighteen
deaths due to malignant pleural neoplasms were observed in the years
1980-87 (SMR: 556; 95% confidence interval:
329-878) and the incidence of pleural mesothelioma in 1980-89 was 9.1
cases per 100,000 person-years among men and 4.3
cases among women. These findings are discussed with reference to the
presence in Broni of a plant manufacturing asbestos
cement products.
_____________________________________________________________ |
| Mr. Bichard finds it hard to contain his anger over his medical problems
and those of colleagues who are dead or are suffering from lung cancer,
brain tumours, or mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung lining. |
| All cases of pleural malignant mesothelioma occurring in Tuscany were
collected, backdated to 1980 (to 1970 for the
provinces of Florence and Prato; to 1975 for the provinces of Pisa
and Siena), in order to evaluate the incidence of
occupational exposure to asbestos. The aim was to enhance primary
prevention in those workplaces still at risk nowadays. To
achieve information on the possible occupational, domestic or
environmental exposure, an interview was conducted using a
semi-structured questionnaire. An exposure classification was
produced to focus preventive intervention. This surveillance
system needs to be developed to contribute to epidemiological
research, especially on the effects of low level exposures, and to
primary prevention.
_________________________________________________________
Med Lav 1997 Jul-Aug;88(4):302-9 |
