US EPA

3082249 

Journal Article 

Review 

Comparative dose-response relationships of asbestos fiber types: magnitudes and uncertainties 

Nicholson, WJ 

1991 

Yes 

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
ISSN: 0077-8923
EISSN: 1749-6632 

NEW YORK ACAD SCIENCES 

NEW YORK 

NIOSH/00206647 

643 

74-84 

English 

1809177 

10.1111/j.1749-6632.1991.tb24446.x 

WOS:A1991BW42W00006 

The carcinogenicity of different types of asbestos (1332214) fibers was examined. In response to an argument that exposure to chrysotile (12001295) asbestos does not present a health risk, an evaluation of studies on cancer risk due to asbestos exposure was provided. The reduced risk theory stemmed from findings that demonstrated more amphibole than chrysotile fibers in the lungs of occupationally exposed workers at the time of death. Problems with this belief and interpretations of other studies were presented. A review of studies on mortality due to lung cancer in asbestos exposed workers demonstrated that the risk of lung cancer per cumulative fiber exposure was similar for all exposures, with the exception of chrysotile mining and milling; and, that the risk of mesothelioma was essentially the same even with exposure to different fiber types. Experiments using laboratory animals showed that the cancer rates after exposure to different fibers were virtually identical, even though the chrysotile fibers did not persist in lung tissue as long as amphibole fibers. Difficulties associated with asbestos measurements in the air of public buildings and estimation of cancer risk from chrysotile exposure were discussed. The author concludes that exposure to chrysotile asbestos presents a health risk in the asbestos industry and in the environment. 

asbestos; dose-response-relationships; Toxicology Abstracts; reviews; X 24250:Reviews 

LANDRIGAN, PJ; KAZEMI, H; 

0-89766-678-X 

CONF ON THE THIRD WAVE OF ASBESTOS DISEASE - EXPOSURE TO PLACE : PUBLIC HEALTH CONTROL 

NEW YORK, NY