Document 6brx28EqrpoOKj7a4Eor3j981

5. Predicted rate of asbestos linked disease has not materialized: experts say risk estimates were not realistic "The huge number of asbestos- evidence shows that the actual mating asbestos-related cancer related cancer cases once forecast figure is even lower than this. A rates. The EPA based its 1986 by the [US] government and its study conducted by P.E. ruling to ban and phase out almost advisors hape not materialized, Enterline of the University of all uses of asbestos on estimates, and experts say the dire Pittsburgh concludes that only which purported that eliminating predictions of the 1970's were 1% of cancers are related to past asbestos- would `save' more than overblown", reports the Journal asbestos exposure -- almost 20 one thousand lives over 15 years. of the National Cancer Institute times less than the original HEW In 1988, this figure was revised in its April 15th edition. estimates. to 315.8 cases of cancer, and again in 1989 to 148-202. In 1978, Joseph Califano, secretary of the U.S. Marvin Schneiderman, Ph.D, one of the Department of Health Education authors of a and Welfare (HEW) predicted, report upon EPA'S ESTIMATES OF CANCER CASES AVOIDED BY ASBESTOS BAN IN THE FUTURE based on estimates provided by which the 1978 PERIOD OF 13-15 YEARS Dr. Irving Selikoff and others, estimates were that about 17% of all cancers in based, now be Type of products 1966 1988 1989 the future would be caused by lieves that the Vinyl-asbestos floor tiles 468 0 0 asbestos -- an annual total of overestima Friction products 386 282 99.4- 143.7 between 58,000 and 75,000 tion resulted Asbestos-cement pipes 82 6 2.1 - 4.4 asbestos-related cancer deaths were anticipated. from applying Selikoffs data, Asbestos-cement plates Gaskets Other 31 0 33 0.9 14 12.9 0.7-1.5 6.7 - 42.5 39.1 - 9.9 on heavily ex Scientists have believed for posed workers Total 1 000 315.8 148-202 more than a decade that these to a much larger projections were much too high. population whose exposures were In light of the ruling by the At a 1981 conference, cancer generally much briefer. "We made U.S. Court of Appeals, which epidemiologists rejected the the inappropriate assumption overturned the EPA's asbestos government estimates believing that short-term exposures were ban, serious doubts remain as to that they were more than 10 just as carcinogenic and deadly the accuracy of even the latest times too high. More recent as long-term exposures." revised risk estimates. There are Schneiderman two principal reasons why these said: "Now it estimates are being questioned. ESTIMATES OF PERCENTAGE OF LUNG CANCER DEATHS RELATED TO ASBESTOS IN THE USA looks as ifyou Firstly, they fail to take into have to have account the carcinogenicity of 20- t fairly con substitutes, and secondly, many 18- tinuous expo experts are concerned that the 16- sure to cause risk estimates are based on 14jgm 12- mm the worst faulty assumptions. Among the effects" skeptics is Philip Enterline, 10- Ph.D., of the University of 8- Pittsburgh School of Public 6- 11.2 FLAWED EPA Health who- recalls his 4- 2- -- 1 J1 mm 5 m. 2 3 4 5' 6'7 ESTIMATES LED TO BAN RULING HEW was incredulous reaction to inflated estimates of future asbestosrelated cancers. "If it were true," Dr. Enterline said, "it would 1. Nation* Cartcar Inaftuts (EtlmatM Papar) [75,000 cwwar daatWywrj 2. National Cancar Irattuto (Etlmalaa Papar) 58,000 cancar daatWyaarl 3. L Safkott (OSHA Haarngc, June 1978) I50,600 cancar daafha/yaarj 4. Mcholaoo at *. (B<anbury ftaport No. 9, Cotd Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1981) [10,000 daatw/yaar] 5. Ndiolton at al. (Branbury RaportNo. 9, Coid Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1981) [6,500 daatWyaarl 6. Hogan and Hoal (Riak MaMa, V*. 1, pp. 67-76,1981) 7. Entadira (Branbury FWporl No. 9. Cold Sprirg Bwbor Laboratory, 1981) not alone in overesti have been the best news I've ever heard. If we could eliminate 17% (see EXPERTS on page 6) If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas for future stories or special reports, we would be delighted to hear from you. If you would like to be on our mailing list, you can reach us at: The Asbestos Institute, c/o Editor, 1130 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 410, Montrdal, Qudbcc, Canada H3A 2M8, telephone: (514) 844-3956, fax: (514) 844-1381. This newsletter is also published in French. HWBUI0005014 6. EXPERTS... RCFs.... of all cancers just like that, it In the mid-1980's, researchers would be marvelous. But it was found that rats injected with RCFs too good to be true." developed lung fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma Then in In its final rule, the EPA 1988, a team of toxicologists attributed almost 200 projected headed by Richard Mast, chief cases of cancer to exposure to toxicologist at the Carborundum friction materials. With respect Co., began a study in which rats to friction materials, the Court of and hamsters inhaled aerosolized Appeals noted that the EPA had RCFs. The research team found "failed to evaluate the toxicity of that animals that inhaled RCFs likely brake substitutes." It developed far more lung tumors mentioned specifically that the than control animals did. In EPA had "overlooked credible addition, mesothelioma rates contentions that substitute were higher than those of most 'products might actually increase forms of asbestos fibres. fatalities7* Discussions centered around Scientists are also beginning to question how the EPA deter the generalizability of the data, the existence of a threshold level mined that almost 200 people of exposure . necessary to produce would develop cancer due to disease and the potential for asbestos in friction materials. regulatory responses by the EPA. Professor F. Valic, consultant to the WHO's International Pro In general, there was gramme on Chemical Safety agreement that the overall risk (IPCS), believes that the basic to the population is low because premise, which extrapolated RCFs are used in industrial incidents of mortality in industry equipment rather than in public workers exposed to amphiboles buildings or homes, and or to amphiboles and chrysotile therefore few people outside the to a general population which industry are exposed to comes into contact with very low dangerous levels of them. levels of chrysotile fibres, is seriously flawed. EPA scientist Jim Willis nonetheless believes that "there In a recent paper presented are a fair number of workers at the International Colloquium who manufacture and use RCFs. on Dust Measurement Techniques We've determined that RCFs and Strategy, Prof. Valic goes on present or will present a to say that "these [EPA's] risk significant [cancer] risk." A assessments were obtained using decision from EPA on how it a geometric mean of risks~Serived plans to proceed is expected from 11 studies in different within a few months. industries of which the friction materials industry is only one". The report goes on to cite a number of highly reputable studies, which found little or no excess lung cancer amongst U.S. to standardize risk assessment procedures brake industry workers. On the basis of this and other credible evidence, an IPCS/WHO working According to inside sources, the group concluded that "provided White House is expected to issue good work practices are followed an executive order designed to and no amphiSolefibres are used, standardize risk assessment 'detectable risks in vehicle procedures. The new review pro maintenance and repair workers cedure, under the auspices of the are not expected " Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), would require regulatory agencies to base their health and safety assessments on realistic estimations of risk -- as opposed to worst case hazards. "Science is subordinated in the decision-making process", according to Thorne Auchter, director of the Institute for Regulatory Policy and former OSHA administrator. "This (new order) would let scientists have their day in the regulatory process." Auchter also believes that contrary to prevailing criticism, the regulatory process is manipulated less by `big business' interests than by federal regulators and policy makers. "An effort to standardize the risk assessment process would eliminate the opportunity for some 'manipulation'," he said. - -- Given that those sectors currently being regulated did not undergo the same risk assessment review procedure, the new executive order would provide a process in which agencies could be petitioned by the public to revise risk assessment and risk manage ment decisions on the basis of new scientific information. Source: Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, 6-3-92 On a sad note It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of JeanPierre Chevalier-Bultel, the Institute's Director of Research and Development und International Relations. Mr. Chevelier-Bultel, who has been with The Asbestos Institute since 1986, is survived by his wife Franfoise and three children. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends. THE ASBESTOS INSTITUTE 11.40 Sherbrooke Sifevt WVsi Sulio -UO. Montreal (CJuohci Canada H3A 2M.S rHcphom*- i ' I 11 .s soSo k-k-N i!\ST.\M: Tclfo ' ^! i i t f I l HWBUI0005015