Document 5k98EJD3XNBM0wo2jkRoRVyGR

THE PONTIAC 1>KESS. TUESDAY. OCTOBER 6, 19(4 TWELVE Suspect Asbestos as Medical Specialists a Cause of Cancer,, `X . By ALTON BLAKESLEE AP Science Writer Mucli of the specialists' evi more than 30,000 autopsies in a ] source that might incite ulti dence comes from autopsy stud- study of the general population i mate cancer. ; NEW YORK --Medical spe ies of men working with asbes-j sponsored by the .American Dr. Hammond said one worry cialists pointed -a strong finger tos as an insulation material. Cancer Society. is whether a'few or even a sin-' of-suspicion today at asbestos They said it also is possible as a cause not only of lung can that dust from products contain cer but also of another ex ing asbestos might be exposing, tremely rare form of fatal people generally to some risk of human cancer. cancers. How much risk there it it ' might be, they said, they could This cancer, known as meso not tell. thelioma, involves the lining of FLOORING MATERIAL HIGH INCIDENCE Other, studies showed a high incidence not only of lung can cer but mesotheliomas among persons who had asbestos parti cles in their lungs at the lime of their deaths, they said. "`It would appear that meso gie past exposure might set the stage for cancer. He said this is* a matter, calling for more re- j search.. . . . ' - . i *. * * Taking precautions to avoidbreathing-in asbestos dust is>a main protection for industrial, the abdominal and chest cavi Asbestos is used not wily for thelioma must be added to'the workers, be . and Dr., Selikotf ties. insulation but as a flooring ma neoplastic (cancer) risks of said. - ' : . * 1 A" - '-1 asbestos inhalation and joins | Serial, in automobile brake terials, or possibly from dust lung cancer (53 Out of 307 l shoes, and in mnfiy other appli- raised through normal, wear, deaths) and probably cancer of. 1 cations. Ordinary wear and they s,aid. ' ' the stomach and colon (34 of ?Q? (tear, they said,' might release dust into the atmosphere. MARKED INCREASE deaths) as a significant compli cation of such- industrial expo "We had previously found sure, jn the United .States," thea> ** * that lung cancer and possibly report said.' \.. - - `A i The report was presented to gastrointestinal cancer were the American Public Health markedly increased in incidence , The cancers may not - appear Association by Drs. Irving J. among asbestos insulation until 20 to 30 years'after asbes-* Selfkoff and Jacob Churg of. the workers," they said. ' ,. , tos dust is inhaled or swallowed,' jyioant Sinai Hospital, New . Now they also find a marked they said. Since the particles do York, and E. Cuyler Hammoud, ly high increase among such not dissolve, they may remain Sc.D., director of statistical workers of mesothelioma, a .-in -body, tissue'as. a continuous research for Lite American Can career go rare It is not classed cer Society. Dr. Hammond is separately as a cause of death ''known for his studies of cigar in the international classifica-, ette'smoking in relationship to tion of diseases. king cancer. ' ' it As a prime example, they' ' Asbestos is a mineral, mag reported finding 10 deaths due nesium silicate, and about 3* to this form of cancer In a study (million ' tans of, it are used of 307 deaths among New'York' : worldwide each year,1 they said. and New Jersey building trades In 1935, worldwide u sag e union members . engaged in amounted to about 500 tons, the using asbestos at least occasion .researchers said. ally as an insulation material. Tiny, hard particles of asbes By contrast, tills form -of can tos can lodge in the lungs during cer was found to be the cause of mining, processing and- applica death among only three out of tion'.of asbestos-containing ma- SPNY 000399