Critical review of epidemiologic studies related to ingested asbestos

Marsh, GM

HERO ID

709660

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1983

Language

English

PMID

6662094

HERO ID 709660
In Press No
Year 1983
Title Critical review of epidemiologic studies related to ingested asbestos
Authors Marsh, GM
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 53
Page Numbers 49-56
Abstract Thirteen epidemiologic studies of ingested asbestos conducted in five areas of the United States and Canada were reviewed and evaluated for the definitiveness and applicability regarding the development of ambient water quality standards. One or more studies found male or female associations between asbestos in water supplies and cancer mortality (or incidence) due to neoplasms of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, gallbladder, pancreas, peritoneum, lungs, pleura, prostate, kidneys, brain, and thyroid, and also due to leukemia. Several methodologic weaknesses and limitations were found in each study, leading to the determination that no individual study or aggregation of studies exist that would establish risk levels from ingested asbestos. A binomial probability analysis of the eight independent studies suggested that, while the level of male-female agreement was generally low, the number of observed positive associations in males and females for neoplasms of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and prostate was unlikely to have been generated by chance factors alone, and thus, may have a biological basis related to ingested asbestos. Cancers of the small intestine and leukemia were implicated to a lesser degree in this analysis. The patterns of integrated findings for most gastrointestinal cancers were somewhat consistent with patterns observed among asbestos-exposed occupational groups, whereas the patterns found for pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and leukemia were not consistent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Doi 10.1289/ehp.835349
Pmid 6662094
Wosid WOS:A1983RX81900006
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Asbestos; 1332-21-4; Index Medicus; Water Supply -- standards; Epidemiologic Methods; United States; Sex Factors; Environmental Exposure; Asbestos -- adverse effects; Neoplasms -- mortality; Neoplasms -- epidemiology
Is Qa No
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