US EPA

3083091 

Journal Article 

Editorial 

Asbestos blues 

Rossiter, CE 

1987 

1 

Medical Journal of Australia
ISSN: 0025-729X
EISSN: 1326-5377 

AUSTRALASIAN MED PUBL CO LTD 

SYDNEY 

NIOSH/00174917 

147 

4 

162-163 

English 

3657624 

WOS:A1987J579400002 

The relationship between the occurrence of mesothelioma and blue asbestos or crocidolite (12001284) mining in Australia was discussed. Particular mention was made of workers at the Wittenoom mine in Western Australia, which mined crocidolite between 1938 and 1966. Mesothelioma accounted for six deaths per year for the 6000 persons who had worked in the mine. The Australian Mesothelioma Surveillance Program reported that approximately 63 percent of the cases of mesothelioma occurring annually involved occupational exposure to asbestos. The high incidence of mesothelioma in Australia was discussed with respect to the proposal by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that asbestos use be banned within 10 years and the decision by the Canadian government to oppose the proposal. The Australian evidence supported the Canadian contention that chrysotile (12001295) represented less of a health hazard than the amphiboles, crocidolite and amosite (12172735). Lung fiber burdens and mesotheliomas showed positive associations with crocidolite and amosite, but not with chrysolite. The author concludes that policy decisions regarding the future use of asbestos should be based on further scientific investigation. 

Asbestos; 1332-21-4; Index Medicus; Mesothelioma -- etiology; Australia; Lung Neoplasms -- etiology; Occupational Diseases -- etiology; Asbestos -- adverse effects