SCIENTIFIC Studies

• Chrysotile as a Cause of Mesothelioma: An Assessment Based on Epidemiology

  06/01/2006 12:14:00

  One of the most important, recent, epidemiological papers is by Yarborough. His study not only shows that: “[A] review of 71 asbestos cohorts exposed to free asbestos fibers does not support the hypothesis that chrysotile, uncontaminated by amphibolic substances, causes mesothelioma. He also notes that failure to resolve the debate has hampered proper risk assessments: “A firm understanding of any health risks associated with natural chrysotile fibers is crucial for regulatory policy and future risk assessments of synthesized nanomaterials.” The paper underlines that the current mess of regulations and mis-understanding is a reflection of public policies not science.

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  C.M. Yarborough

  Crit Rev Toxicol 2006;36:165–187

  Chrysotile Mesothelioma

• Asbestosis: A Marker for the Increased Risk of Lung Cancer Among Workers Exposed to Asbestos

  06/01/1999 12:18:00

  While the main cause of lung cancer at the present time is cigarette smoking it can also result from occupational exposure to asbestos. Weiss reviewed studies of lung cancer in groups of workers who had been exposed to asbestos and developed asbestosis. He found that the studies indicated that asbestosis is a much better predictor of excess lung cancer risk than measures of exposure and could be used as a marker for lung cancer cases attributed to asbestos.

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  W. Weiss

  Chest 1999;115:536-549

  Asbestosis Cancer