Document EvOpyrZx7npgMgz73K3zey9Z4

FOREWORD During the past year, a number of industrial materials have come under attach in public news media as a result of heightened public interest in the environ ment. The potential of such materials to adversely affect the, health of the general population through environmental contamination has been raised. One such material is asb'estos. Jbere have been articles in the profes sional literature^' ^ and in the lay press which present highly exaggerated views of the nature and extent of the potential problem. Prompt criticism has followed pointing to erroneous interpretation of existing facts and publication of misinfor mation. ^ At the suggestion of several of its members. Industrial Hygiene Founda tion held a meeting on July 19, 1966 to summarise what industry is doing to develop information to protect the health of its employees and the public from potential environmental hazard. Such information should be of considerable value to all those responsible for planning of environmental and occupational health research, whether in industry, universities or government. It is appropriate that Industrial Hygiene Foundation, a nonprofit research association of industries for advancement of health conservation in matters re lated to industry's operations, products and wastes, should assist in development of national environmental and occupational health research to help insure that industry's needs are provided for at all stages of program development. 1. Thomson, J.G. andGraves, W.M. "Asbestos as an Urban Air Contaminant. " Arch. Path. fU:458. May 1966. 2. Thomson, J.G. andGraves, W.M. "Asbestosis in'Urban Populations. " JAMA 196:732-733. May 1966. 3. Anonymous. "Asbestos: Awaiting 'Trial'." Chem. Week, p. 32, Sept. 10, 1966. 4. Gross, P. Letter to Editor "Today's Pressing Question--How Safe is Urban Air." Arch. Path. 82:195. Aug. 1966. 5. deTreville, R.T.P. Letter to Editor. Arch. Path, (to be published) 6. Gross, P. Letter to Editor. JAMA, (to be published) 7. Hackney. R. Letter to Editor. Chem. Week, p. 7, Oct. 8, 1966. 8. Brown, M. C. Letter to Editor. Ibid. 9. Editorial Note (following refs. 7 and 8). Ibid.