Document MMbwZXw47qbDmaVvQmnzNZed9

ReylusslGsStafisttsn > ' *AU Corporate OlVISlON Trumbull LOCATION * TO: Messrs. R. M. Gordon W. S. Simpson ,,! /' t OATS: February 7, 1977 subject: Executive Committee Meeting International Asbestos Information Conference London - February 1, 1977 Mr. Mr. Dr. Mr. Dr. Mr. Mr. Dr. Mr. Alexandre Angelotti Costa Cross Gaze Marsh Piuze Robock Van der Rest -- France - Italy -- Italy -- Director General -- U.K. (Presiding) -- U.S.A. -- Canada -- Germany -- Benelux ORGANIZATION The duties of the Director General, a draft having been cir culated previously by Dr. Gaze, were agreed upon. Although the title Director General was considered a bit pretentious, it was retained because alternatives, such as Executive Secretary, do not carry the appropriate connotation in some translations. A minimum budget of 44,200 was approved with the understanding it would probably be found to be inadequate. Suitable quarters for the Secretariat have been located nearby the Cape office. Mr. Van der Rest suggested and the Committee agreed that a lease be negotiated and the Secretariat be staffed as soon as possible. Initially the Secretariat will consist of a secretary and the part-time services of Mr. Cross. Dr. Gaze explained that Cape had had difficulty in locating a replacement for Mr. Cross and were not able to relieve him of his responsibilities at Cape as early as had been anticipated. Member Associations will be billed according to the attached schedule as agreed upon in Hamburg and the funds will be deposited in a Swiss Bank Account. 2 February 7, 1977 CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A. Dr. Gaze asked each member present to comment on the present situation in his country. The present situation in the United Kingdom is extremely delicate. The Government Advisory Committee on Asbestos established in May, 1976 has just issued a short interim statement, "to put the risks from asbestos in perspective in the light of present knowledge". Although the Committee does not recommend, at this time, a change in the standard, the following excerpts from the report give a clear indication of the thinking of the majority. "Exposure to all forms of asbestos dust should be reduced to the minimum reasonably practical". "In issuing this statement, the Committee emphasizes that there are a number of topics which will have to be investigated further before it can offer definite recommendations. These topics are; a. b. c. d. ' e. the ingestion of asbestos; dose-response relationships for various diseases; asbestos waste disposal; asbestos in the general environment; the substitution of safe or less hazardous substances for asbestos." The BOHS Asbestos Sub-Committee has not been able to come to agreement concerning a revision in the standard. The Chairman, Dr. Gilson has resigned. Non-industry representatives on the Committee are in favor of reducing the present exposure limits from 100 fibre years to 43 fibre years. Industry members are not in agreement and dispute the statistics on which the proposed standard is based. Dr. Gaze believes industry must take some initiative to resolve the deadlock. Dr. David Muir of the University of Edinburgh has been commissioned to study the statistics and give industry his opinion. Italy as yet has no official regulations. However in the present national labor contract, there is a provision limit ing exposure to 5 fibres/cc. as is the case in mining operations in Quebec. The next national contract may specify a lower level. According to Mr. Angelotti, data compiled by Dr. Vigliani, show no excess of lung cancer among miners. In Germany a new MAC (Maximum Allowable Concentration) list has just been published and within the next two to three 3 February 7, 1977 months will be translated into law. The permissible exposure limits for chrysotile and amosite asbestos are 2 fibres/cc. and relate only to fine (respirable) dusts. A gravimetric standard is also being developed. A decision has not yet been made with respect to a standard for exposure to crocidolite. Dr. Robock stated that in Germany only 10% of asbestosis cases lead to lung cancer, as contrasted with 50% to 60% in the U.K. The question is why the difference? Mr. Piuze reported that Quebec miners are finding it easier to meet the present gravimetric standard. Mr. Hutchison was not able to be present because of the current uproar over the Quebec government's proposal to take over or acquire a substantial interest in mining operations. He also, reported measurements of ambient air concentrations in the town of Thetford varied from 0.02 to 0.06 fibres/cc. Presumably this represents the concentrations to which the general public has been exposed to for many years and the information may be of value in estimating the biological effects of non-occupational exposure. At one point last year, the government in Holland was on the point of prohibiting any use of asbestos without special permission. Due to the intervention of industry representatives, including Mr. Van der Rest, the ban without special permission is limited to crocidolite and sprayed asbestos. All other uses of asbestos will be held to a maximum (not TWA) exposure of 2.0 fibres/cc. It is expected that Belgium will shortly have regulations limiting exposure to 2 fibres/cc. (TWA) without any exceptions for crocidolite. France, as yet, has no regulations. It is expected that recommendations will be made sometime this year. The industry has mounted an extensive information campaign to offset the negative reports that have been widely circulated. Following a meeting last December at the International Center for Cancer Research at Lyon, Dr. Selikoff called a press conference, which according to Mr. Alexandre, had a very bad effect.; At the press conference, Selikoff announced the intention of NIOSH to recommend to OSHA that the U.S. asbestos standard be lowered to 0.1 fibres/cc. WORK OF THE COMMITTEE The Committee reviewed and approved the program of work for the Secretariat (attached) first proposed at the Hamburg conference. Dr. Gaze stated that he believed the first priority of the Secretariat should be to collect, edit and distribute to the 4 February 7, 1977 Member Associations information on asbestos and health. It was agreed that in order to expedite the distribution of such information during the interim period when Mr. Cross' services will be available only on a part-time basis, Executive Committee members will distribute to each other as well as to Mr. Cross any pertinent information which-comes to their attention. With respect to future operations of the Secretariat, Dr. Gaze stated he felt that any attempt to conduct public relations activities should be avoided at this time and that the Secretariat and the Executive Committee should concentrate on matters of practical and immediate value. In this connection, certain assignments were given to members of the Committee and others. Medical Scientific Advisory Committee - It was suggested that either Dr. Wright or Dr. Kotin be asked to chair such a Committee. Dr. Gaze will take this up with Johns-Manvilie. Bag Opening Methods - Mr. Piuze will provide information on best available methods. Fiber, Packaging, Shipping and Waste Disposal Including Disposal of Bags - Mr. Dorner and Mr. Angelotti. Asbestos Cement Processing - Mr. Alexandre. Asbestos Textile Processing - Mr. Verrill. Use and Handling of Asbestos Containing Friction Materials Mr. Marsh. International Standards or Codes of Practice for Countries Without Regulations - Dr. Robock. EUROPEAN -ECONOMIC COMMUNITY A detailed communication (attached) concerning the objective evaluation of the risk to human health caused by asbestos has been circulated by the EEC to various European industrial societies for comment. It was agreed that Mr. Cross and Dr. Robock will represent the Executive Committee in dealings with the EEC office. ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIZED LABOR A representative of the International Metal Workers Federation attended the IAIC Conference in Hamburg last November. There appears to be an opportunity to revise the resolution taken up at Oslo last August- (a 0.1 fibre/cc. limitation). It has been suggested that it would be useful to have a meeting of -5 - February 7, 1977 four or five representatives from the IMF and four or five from the Executive Committee to review responsible scientific papers and come to a pragmatic solution with respect to exposure levels. .. - Charles Levinson, Secretary General of the International Federation of Chemical and General Workers Union (7 million members) has issued a document calling for the industry to come down to a zero exposure level. In December the Trades Union Congress (U.K.) recommended to the Government Advisory Committee on Asbestos that exposure levels be reduced to a 0.2 fibres/cc. level and that the use of asbestos be banned entirely within 10 years. This was done without consulting some of the member unions including the Transport and General Workers Union, which is not in favor of such a recommendation. SUMMARY It is now clear, to those who have followed events, that the asbestos industry, internationally, is literally engaged in a struggle for survival. Recent developments, an -increasing concern with potential environmental hazards (i.e. risk to the general public) and association with cancers other than lung cancer and mesothelioma have greatly increased the scope of the problem. Those seeking to ban the use of asbestos altogether or impose regulations which for technical or economic reasons would have the same effect are extremely vocal and powerful and command the attention of the news media and the politicians. . . The crux of the matter is that science has not yet been-able _ to establish a level of exposure below which disease will not-occur. Insufficient time has lapsed to permit epidemiological studies of occupational groups working-under modern well, controled conditions. In such circumstances, we are confronted with a social-political issue in which technical and economic issues are secondary. If the industry is to survive, exposure levels in the processing and use of asbestos and asbestos products must be reduced to the lowest possible of achievement (regardless of any existing arbitrary numerical limits) and scientific studies to determine more accurately the level of risk must be strongly supported. The final question will be whether the benefits of asbestos are worth the risk entailed in its handling and use. /as attachments John H. Forecast of Expenditures Duties of the Director-General Marsh INTERNATIONAL AFN-i-TTOS I?!FOr,fV.TTO'T CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMIITTEE Meeting on 1st February 1977 Forecast of Expenditure for Administmtion Salaries - Director General SecretaryAssistant Pension contributions, National Insurance etc. Travelling, Entertainment, Car Expenses Office expenses - Rent Rates etc. Telephone, telex, post Copying Stationery & printing 5,000 2,00C 1,000 1,500 1,000 Contingencies Provision for inflation during 1977 C 16,000 2,400 10,000 10,500 2,000 40,900 4,000 44,900 Suggested Income at rate of 2,000 per share per annum Existing Members - Canada, Japan, USA 6,000 total 18,000 Prance, Germany, Italy, UK, South Africa 4,000 20,000 Australia, Benelux, Scandinavia 2,000 6,000 44,000 Potential Members - India Greece Spain Thailand . Austria Switzerland 4,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 4,000 1,000 12,000 58,000 / -i -i 1* . IHTEH.vatto!?al nr.?.r.r'rn r.TrrtATtnM cr'rrFz>22:c: STRIDING OMtUTTlii Proframe of VoA I977A8 I 1. Information 1.1 Collection and circulation of information affecting occupational and environmental problem associated with asbestos in accordance with the objects of the IAIC. (a) Opinions, criticisas, ccaplaints, campaigns affecting the use of asbestos as a consequence of anxieties about its effect on health. 0>) Existing or projected legislation or changes in legislation . . affecting asbestos. (c) Criteria for identification of hamful concentrations of asbestos dust, and aethods of environmental measurement and monitoring. > (*) Kethods of dust control and worker protection. 1.2 Publication for the use of members of a quarterly nev3 letter. * 1.3 Preparation of information and advisory publications for members; codes of practice, guidance to users, recommended procedures " .a sin11ar to those produced by some members for use in their own - . countries. It 13 recommended that "pilot" documents of this kind should be cade available as a basis for members1 own publications in order as far as possible to avoid conflicting or Inconsistent advice. 1.4' Assembly of information or data not available from existing sources. 2. Coordination of Investigation (where appropriate- by the establishment of working or study groups.) in the following areas: (a) - dust measurement techniques and. equipment; (b) dust control, protective equipment, cleaning equipment; (c) problems of packaging, handling, labelling; (d) worker education and training. 3* Epidemiology To assist, where appropriate and helpful, the medical profession in the improvement of epidemiological studies on a consistent international baai 4. International Standards for Protection Promotion of consistent international standards for the safe use of asbes . Increasing use of asbestos is reported in countries with little earlier experience of asbestos manufacture or experience of protective measures. The ILO, with the participation and endorsement of industry represents::, v . has recommended that measures comparable with those of cast LHC members should be universally applied, and the Standing Committee believes that t TITS should actively encourage and assist countries vnere the accepted ______measures have not yet been recognised as necessary. _ ___________ Put 1 r s nf f h o Plr^ftor-Hmor-il I The Director General will l-o responsible to the Executive Committee through the Chairman. The following guidelines' define his duties and earner of operation. 1. Responsibility for all administrative matters concerned with the operation of the Conference; these to include th2 administration of the Secretariat in an efficient and economic..! manner, all financial and budgetary questions, arrangement.*, for meetings etc. and to ensure that all members of the IAIC are properly iniermtd or. ratters cf importance and interest. 2* To ensure that all relevant information concern mg asbestos and health questions is collected and made available as required. 3, To maintain contact with other bodies of rclat -interest. 4* With the agreement of the national member ascc c i.'.tien ?, to emml close contact with individuals, government bodies and ether- groups whose activities may in any way be related to the bus ini-;: cf the members of the Conference and'to the asbestos industry. 5* It is expected that the Director General will take such coper tun ties- as arise to promote the interests cf the asbestos industry 1 the safe and proper use of its products. At the same time it is not expected that the Conference will wish to.engage in prcmptic or advertising activities, it being accepted that these are bettu undertaken by individual national member associations. ---- 6# A major requirement is that the Director General should be able t bring to bear'the'best scientific, medical and negotiating skills on an international scale when problems arise ir.the asbestos and health field. In these circumstances it is expected that, action will be taken quickly and effectively. At'the same time it is essential that there should be' full prior consultation with the national member associations involved, and it is of paramount importance that their wishes and interests should be respected. Ir. cna first place, such consultation should be through the Chairman and members of the Executive Committee who have the responsibility of deciding what action should be taken. J--O---G--*- ---*' r : f X;r; ft for a Conrr.ini'Mt ion concernin'* the ob^ctivo evaluation of the `rink** to huren health from pollution 'by acbertos T:rnox'c?ic:T 4' 1. In tho progranno of Aot^on on tho Environment* (Par; II, 'Title I, Chapter l) aabooto3 is >ri8i<lcre<l as a first oategopy pollutant in aip^ . _ ^ ^ for priority investigation. The Cocniosion is required to Bubnit to the Counoil tho rcaulta of ltp Wor'< on the objectivo evaluation of the risks to human health and to tho environment from pollution by aaboaton. Thie communication oovepa the various aspeots outlined and contained in the above mentioned iphapter of the Action Prograjtmo. It seeks to establish tho oonsequenpea to publio health of the rpLse of t^sbeotoa. 'As a part of this progrjvxro the Cormninsicn was asked to undertakes &i <juickly as possible the following tasks with rogard to asbestos. compilation of as complete a bibliography an poopible on the effooto of the pollutants urijlcr consideration and c. critical analysis of this information; - determination of criteria for certain pollutants; standardisation or harmonization of tho measuring methods and infitru- nonto, r.o ao to render the results of pollution pcaourcmonts in the Community comparable; - ascertainment of ca?B in knowledge of pollutants and th,;ir effeu^i in order to select research cubjeots for inclusion, ap yppropriat<j, in the Community roaoaroh and development programme, , O.J. Cl12 of 20.12.71 r- jC i Lr; ft for a Cor.~ir;loatitr, concern inr tho ob^ctivo evaluation of tho 'rink-* to human health from pollution by p-nbeotos rmcoucTioir A1 1. In the programme of Aot:[cn on tho Environment* (Par? II, Title I, Chapter l) asbestos is yonaidcred an a first oateo;*y pollutant in aipt for priority investigation. i* The Commission it* required to eubait to the Counoil tho results of itp work on the objeotiv valuation of tho risks to human health and to the environment from pollution by asbestos. Thio communication coveps the various aspects outlined and contained in the above mentioned iphapter of the Action Pro^ra^mo. It seeks to establish the consequences to publio health of the r^se of qsbeetoo. 2. *Ao & port of thio projrjmno the Convnioaion was aakc?L to ur.dortako as <Tuickly as possible the following tasks with regard to asbestos. compilation of as complete a bibliography as possible on the effeoto *c of the pollutants unjlcr consideration and a critical analysis of this information; -- determination of criteria for certain pollutants; standardization or harmonization of the nea3urinj methoda ard inetru* nento, so as to render the results of pollution poaouremonts in the Community comparable; asoert.ain.~ont of gaps in knowledge of pollutants and th.jir offers in order to select rccoarch cubjeots for inclusion, a# ippropriat^, in the Coununity roaearch and development prognosis. , O.J. CU2 of 20.12.73 ~ "V 3. To perform this work tfio Comusqion has, in collaboration j.-ith national experts, carried out studies tot establish the. public health risks from cxpo3uro to asbeotos, -- standardise the diagnosis of mcsothelial tumourp, -- .inventor/ the data available in the Community op tho presenoe of * asbestos in the various environmental media, -- initiato an intercomparison programme between laboratories conocr-' .< ning the sampling and no&suring of inbalable asbestos duct at low *i . levels. 4. ' This communication is in the nature of an interim report which summar* rises tho results of the tasks so far performed. It contains tho following cain sootions: t I Uses II Tieasure.ments III Exposure and Eff<^ots. 4 IV Reooranandationa. . I USES %^ It There are six main types of aabeotiforn minerals which belong to twcj large groups of rockfarming minerals, i.e. the oorpentine? (chry6otilo) and the anphiboleo (ac,tinolite, tremolite, anthophyllito, amosite |d orooidolite). Mining c,f aabsatoo (chryootile) in the Mepbpr Stateo only ocours in It aly. 2. Asbestos has certain cf.iquo properties: tenoilo strength; rc8iotor.c,e to depredation, in particular by abrasion and by chemical*j finer.os^ of incombustible fibres} and thermio and electrical insulation ' qualities. 3. It is employed in various ways, in maivy industries. Tho main fields of application aro tho building, construction, engineering, shipbuilding . and autonobilo industries. Tho major uoo of aabeotos fibres ia in a . . mixture with oonont w^ioh is utilised for construction purposes or.d Linited environmental measurements of oabootdo in air, Kfl.t/?r and foodstuffs (beverages), have been carried out_ in pcr*o of tip a Member States* I 1 , Optical microscopy suffices in .the situation where there io oifpnificant pollution with asbestos fibro3,Where only tracer of fine fibres ore present in air ar.d water, sophisticated and expensive techniques ir.clu-* dins eleotron microsoopy are requirod. Research into the m^ano of iden tifying and taoasuring fibres more economically is needed* 4' An intarcomparison programme between laboratories fyao been initiated by the Cosamiseion conc<|rnins the techniquoa used for the sampling ar.d , the measurement of asbestos present in air, and to study t);e conparo-r bility of data. 5iarnoni,sation of apimplin^ bjtA oamplo preparation methods would bo considered, afj naoesoary, in a Beooni oto^a. ' * k l III EXPOSURE AID E7PEC75 . Wan*d exposuro to asbestos oan occur in several waysx ft) occupational expooure -- direct, suoh as work in asbestos nines, factories, eto. - indirect, Buch ai> workers in the vioinity of asbestos oontaminctod work situations. b) Para-oooupational * domestio exposure of members of hounoholdo, ao a recult of expo-* sure to asbestos'contaminated clothing of asbestos workers, oxposuro through leisure tine activities, Duoh as the use of "do it yourself" aobc3tos-containin product^, arid through "second jobs". o) '.'elchbourhood exposure: ao may ocour in the vicinity of asbostoa ninos, asbostoa factories, otc. d) Environmental cxponuro not due to any of tha noupoen nctitionfid ahova "but which occurs through aabcotoo present in tho ambicr.if air, food, wator, bavoragcs, oto. Tho eourco of oo.t.o of this asbestos and other fibrous ninoralo io the naturally occurring ninojralo in tho earth's crust and their air-q anti water-borne dispersion* Exposures to tho general public occun mainly fpom thcoe eourcea* tThe main expoouras to ^Gbeotoa arise from occupational, ar.d occupa* | tionally related conditions. e* The principal node of (pntry of asbestos into tho human body is through inhalation* Ingestion via the digestive tract, either diroctly by food and drinking water, or indirectly by ingested sputum following inha- * lation of asbestos, alpo tokos place* There io uncertainty about vhethor ingesttd asbestos fibr-po pass through tho gut into other organs. The' asbestos content of goods as such is not necessarily an induction of health risk* A potential health riBk exists when fine asbestos fibre* of inhalablo geonetrio dimensions (diameter Gcaller than 3yu) ors sot free Relatively short terra, high expocuros raay oause health effects, in par ticular certain tumours, but health offeots usually oocur after longexposures. Tho variability in concentration of tho dust and of the cieo distri bution of fibres', which affects the dose to the lunge, nakoa rotron-.. _ pcctivo measurement of the oeverity of exposure difficulty But boenuoo asbestos is long retained in the lung after inhalation, measurement of tho content nay give a useful index of tho integrated exposure of the individual, though the rato of elinination nay differ with the type of fibre* At the present time only a few systematic studios regarding the pre sence of asbostos in lung tissues havo been oonducted in $ho European Coamunity, arvl thorafopo the results of measurements of asbestos In tioouea can not bo di?ootly related to cnvironmntal loveli/* % The evaluation of public health rinka ia based on a determination of any increased inc'idenoo of thono dinooseo whioh ocour in occupational exposure or in population groups with neighbourhood oxposure, # Ashes ton is, a progressive lung fibroaio, Id rootrictci to nastiivo and prolonged occupational exposure, and aa suoh doon not preticnt a risk for the general publio. -- rBronchial c?.rcir.o~,i:;. A clear relationship with asbestos exposuro hoa been established, with cigarette smoking aa a highly contribu*tive faotor, usually in combination with existing asbostoaia. Occupational exposure need not nooesnarily be long duration, but a high intensity usually lias ocourred. There i3 not yet enough evi--. denoe to excludo completely the existence of a xiok of cnvironnon- tally related bronchial cancera, arioins from asbestos exposure, io the general public. But present evidonce indicates that the risk, if present, ip likely to be very small compared \rith that due to cigarette smoking, i Tm.ryn~r>al carcinomas. Certain of these tumourB |fiay havq been causod by high level exposure to asbestos but a causal relationship ia not proven. There is no evidcnco to indicate the existence of a risk from environmental asbestos exposure, Gastrointestinal carcino'-as. Some studicn have shown an increased prevalence of enroinoma of stomach, colon, rootuin, wid oesophagus in occupationally exposed workers, particularly h innulatorn. There is no evidence at present of .an increased risk of concern from asboatos fibrc3 present in water, baveruge?, food or in fluids used for the administration of drugs. The evldc-nde io difficult to establish sinco \h<i inoiuenco of gastrointestinal "concurs varies both in time and p]aco. In addition the geographical prov.alonco of gastrointestinal tumours usually is not oongiotent with asbestos expocuro; so exposure to asbestos oven if aaeumed to bo associated. with gastrointostinal caroinonas oould bq regarded op only or.o of the oauool factors# i  _ rccotlWionv:, Pleural moGothclionao arise in th,.c cuperficinl (r.csothclial) .layort, of the pie ora, and peritoneal mesotheliomas in the ceeothelial layers of the peritoneum. Tho osjority of pleural ncsothelicnas are occupationally or para-occupai iorially. related to past expoouro to asbestos; a certain proportion of pleural nrpo- thelionas do not appear to be go related. It is ur.ooriain whether these are cauocd by other amenta or undetected ]p:ovioua oxposare to acbe3to3. but it would be unusual for a tumeur typo to be associate^ 9i with pnly one facto;*. .1 There in general agrIeement that tho rink of plc\ral nesothe*lionaa is fibro related in tho order crocidolito ^asjo^ite ^ chryootilo $ ^ anthophylitc but the magnitude of the diffonjr.ee between, for , example, crocidolitp and chrycotilo io not well established. Peritoneal r.eootheliona ia probably only related to rather intenaivo* occupational exposure* Regional differenceo in inoidenoe of ncsothclial tuncurs in ITorth America of from I to 6. cases per nillion inhabitants por ycaxr appear to relate to sourocs of asbeotos uoed in industry. A number of factors such as the usually long term exposure, tho changes in technical dovelopnept and so in exposura over a period of time, the-long latency period of asbestos induced tunoura, the changes in methods of sampling and analysis make it very difficult, almost impossible to present reliable exposure levels, and so of quantitative exposur*response relationships. With regard to occupational exposure a quantitative exposvire reoponao relationship is the basis of the present hygiene 6tv-rtnrds for tho oontrol of asbectooio lut similar quantitative information does not exist for determining tho ricks of certain corncobs whioh qould bo con sidered as duo to oxpoouro to asbeotos. However, thoro apparently exiot qualitative exposuro-renponno relation ships since, with both increasing concentrations apd incrcaning duration of cxpo3uro to anbcotoc, the health risk riooo. Larger cxpor.ures or a required to produce asbestoaio and probably bronchial cancers than r,oo- * -7 ~ # I I It is not know whether cone croups or members of tljo general publio have a higher susceptibility. The presence of truces of asbestos in the lungs of the general popu lation points to the p?33ibiligy of a risk of aebeutos related tumours, but it is not possible to come to a reliable quant itativo arser.cnent of the ri6k of asbestop related malignancies for tjio general public. Ambient air expesuro of the general public is of o,.i order of four to . six magnitudes snaller than in well controlled indpotry. Tho snail . ' magnitude of this oxposuro of the gcnoral populatipn may be cuffioicnt to reduoe the risk of tumours to o, level that cannot be distinguished 4* from the levels of tumours due to othor oauscs. Present evidonce docs not point to there being a threshold level of exposure, but there is very likoly a practical lovol of o^pocure bolow which it will bo impossible to do^eot any oxoooa cjortalit^ or morbidity due to asbestos. e iy nsco'irrntTic?^ Mesotheliomas, espeoi^lly of the pleura, are the aancors most closely related to ocoupational asbestos exposure and therefore most attention should be dirooted at establishing whether or not any ocour in the general publio as a result of environmental air pqllution. by asbestos. To acquiro thin ovidonoe requiroa: research to relate the burden of asbestos in the lungs to tho occur-* Tence of neoothelinl tunoura together with appropriate controls of those without these tumours; - standardisation of diagnosia of the tumours by export panels of pathologists and - centralication of information at a National and Community lcvol in nosotholioma registers with tho aim of prividing essential infor mation about Gocul,ar and rogional differences in incidence and mate rial for further rpacarch into the exposuro/offoct relationships. is therefore recoxptided that: a panel continuo in bein'; on a Community basis fo standardise the dianiocio of coaoth^lionaa, a harmonicod Iio3oth;iliorna Remoter, including curtorraphy, chould ho set up in tho various courttrico of the ESC in accoi\Janco with criteria and proccd,ixc3 o^roed upon "by a panel uf patholo^intn an! i . cpidcniolojistu, - further information is cathered on tho czposure/effoot relationships hy {jiving oupport tp the further development of tho noamo of idon-- tifyin.*; and mearmri;p" tho anqunt of asbcotoB eja<) other minerals ip lunj tissue, Uell epordinated atudioa between Jpotitutio within, . the Community aro also required to establish thj) validity and aoou-* racy of suoh sophisticated mothods. Asbestos dust Ghould bp reduoed to tho lowest practical lv/oln in tho general environment and thio ohould first of all apply to crooidolito ' ..fibres, Thio roquiroo; * --' improved hyjicno oontrol in processing, industrial use, transport and disposal; - . * r* tho indtroduotion of common oodcs 'of practioo to achiova those ; * improvements; . * ' > - that special attention is paid to unnecessary risks of exposure to .dsbestos dust by the ccncral public. The effeot of suoh measures should be chcokod by a combination of bio logical and linited environmental monitoring. 3# Support should be ^ivon to the usn,qc and development of substitutes, after careful evaluation of the economio and teoimical feasibilities end of tho health risks attached to them. lli.qh priority should bo friven to substitutes >r application where sufficient oontrol re^ardin^ duct ouinoiona is difficult to maintain in praotico. Aobeotoa and acbeutoa-oontainin.q products chould bp olcor.ly labelled where hazardous lcvclo of duct :uro likely to ooour; tho o;*le of raw \ aaoooto^ fibrua to tho ^er.oral publio should bo fppbidden^ Tho following ctudico ohould havo priority: . quantities and usage of aobcston-containing products, < biological significance of physical and chemioal .properties of asbestos fibres and other mineral fibres, presence of asbestos bodice, asbostos and other mineral fibres in lung tissues in cases of mesothelioma, *t yr relationship betwoon tho prcacnoo of asbestos bodies and fibrea in human orgar*a,.and, tho causo of death and past exposure, ! yr relationship between the inoidonoe of malignant tupoura ud exposure, . , oonditiono, * limited comparative q,tudy of tho presenoe of oabeptoo filproo in air