Document KR6B6Jmx1jddDxnO89k5gVOxK

Research MEMORANDUM By R. J. Lee Basic Research-Physics Omtm March 30, 1979 Subject EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF 932 NEW YORK TUNNEL WORKERS BY MT. SINAI HOSPITAL The attached paper by Dr. I. Selikoff presents the results of a study of 932 New York tunnel workers. These workers were exposed to dust from the Manhattan formation of Manhattan Island which is rich in amphiboles. The data show that there was no ' ' increase in lung cancer among the tunnel workers over-that- potentially due to smoking. This epidemiological study should be considered as very significant. Discussion''. In January 1976, Drs. R. M. Fisher, J. S. Lally and myself.-, visited the Mt. Sinai Laboratory. At that time,-Dr...-Selikoff ;-i stated that .two studies .-formed the underlying basis :;for hisrcon--cern about .- the possible-carcinogenity .of .non-asbestos 'amphiboles (presumably this concern led to his testimony in the Reserve Mining case). One was the Homestake study, which he suggested was faulted, and the second was an on-going study of New York tunnel workers conducted by his group. Dr. Selikoff indicated that they had noticed some puzzling abnormalities in the chest x-rays of"these workers which resembled those produced by asbestos - disease. - Dr. Langer, of their group, had written his Ph.D. thesis on the Manhattan formation,`and alerted Dr. Selikoff:of-the presence of significant quantities of amphiboles in the rock.. Putting twoand-two together. Dr. Selikoff felt this was the first bonafide indication of asbestos disease caused by non-commercial asbeBtos. The following are some-numbers which I extracted from the- paper for comparison. They illustrate the incidence of lung cancer and mesothemiola in three groups;'two groups of .-insulation workers and one group of New-York tunnel workers, and-also;an-estimate of the expected incidence of lung cancer due to cigarette .smoking -in each group. --. Comparison of Expected and Observed Deaths Due to Lung Cancer and Mesothemlola _______________________________________________________ Asbestos Insulation Workers 1 2 Lung Cancer Expected Observed 92 427 12 89 Mesothemiola Expected Observed Total Deaths 0 144 2003 0 35 - 451 Populatic 17,000 632 New York Tunnel Workers 3 13 21 . 0. .: . 0 29.4 ... 932 Expected Number of Deaths Due to Lung Cancer From Cigarette Smoking Asbestos Insulation Workers (70-90% Smokers) 1 .2 New York Tunnel Workers (70-90% Smokers) 3 Expected Range 112-150 25-33 ' 16-22 Total Deaths 2003- r '451 Mortality Rate ' 5 .'6 :-1 7 (5% ' 5.6 `--'7.5% " : '' ;t`. 294 5.6 - 7.5% The mortality rate among white.-workers ,(50%- smokers) ,in a similar age group due to lung cancer is about;4.4%. As indicated in Selikoff's paper (see Tables 8-10)-there is no evidence of an increase in lung cancer among the tunnel workers over that potentially due to smoking. - However, . Selikoff concludes that quartz is not carcinogenic, and dismisses; the exposure of ..the. workers to amphibole fragments from the Manhattan formation. In fact, he' suggests that hornblende and actinolite have not been identified as significant risks, yet up to 40% of the amphiboles in Lake Superior are of those mineral species. We plan to obtain some detailed mineralogical information about the Manhattan formation and some representative rock samples for analysis. RESEARCH MEMORANDUM EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF 932 NEW YORK TUNNEL WORKERS BY MT. SINAI HOSPITAL March 30, 1979 In summary, this paper should represent a significant contri bution to the thesis "non-asbestos amphiboles are not carcinogenic." RJL/d cc: C. F. R. L. R. M. J. L.G. W. T. C. W. Beuketna Bleifuss Fisher Gross Hendrickson Lankford, Jr. Niemi pi mr *