Document bB6knxO1Xe6GJkGeEnOY4Lv1

JON* 17, 1967 LEADING ARTICLES THE LANCET 1311 Control of the Asbesto* Hazard the Ministry of Labour has been seeking to improve In his Rode Carting Manorial Lecture last week on conditions for a very long time; and much credit for the the prevention of cancer Dr. RIchard Doll noted that advance must also go to those medical research-workers malignant mesothelioma seemed to be associated in some who have studied the problem for so long with un cases with very small exposures to asbestos, and be remitting care, particularly, in this country, the MJLC. advocated a system of control by lioence of the impart Pneumoconiosis Research Unit at Penarth, led by and use of what is probably the most dangerous form of Dr. J. C Gilson and Dr. J. G Wagner, and the team asbestos--croridolitc or blue asbestos. These views from London headed by Dr. Muriel Newhouse. But accord with the change in attitude noticeable lately in the time far complacency has not yet arrived. The official statements on this subject from several sources. Draft Regulations as they stand contain provisions Until a few months ago pronouncements were being which, on the one hand, may be too stringent to be made that only blue asbestos can produoe mesothelioma,1 * *p4ra* c*t*ic*a9l i1n0 industry, and which, on the other, may be that exposure sufficiently gross as to produce clinical objectionable to the community outside the factory. asbestosis is required before malignant disease can An example of the first shortcoming is the requirement develop, and that the hazards of contracting either that equipment be installed which " produces an asbestosis or malignant disease from asbestos arc con exhaust draught which prevents the escape into the air fined to those engaged in the mining of the mineral or of any workplace of dust consisting of or containing in the manufacture of goods for which crude asbestos asbestos ". Such an outcome would be ideal, but is it must be processed.* Another statement * was that really possible? Legislation which cannot be enforced dockers had been informed that it was impossible to pack' tends to be neglected. Might it not be more realistic to asbestos in airtight containers because the asbestos specify a maximum allowable concentration,which would ' " would die and would be useless for certain types of allow some action to be taken if an infringement manufacture." Now it has been declared unequi occurred? The second difficulty is exemplified by the vocally that " croddolite is not necessarily the only type dause which requires any premises to be used in the of asbestos that may be involved and investigations future to have ** installed in it a fixed vacuum cleaning in the U.S-A.1 * support this view. At a coroner's equipment which has ducts ... (and) is so designed that inquest* s mesothelioma was presumed to be due to no dust consisting of or containing asbestos can escape asbestos exposure in a man who did not have asbestosis or be discharged from it into the air of any workplace ". or even asbestos bodies. British Rail announced * It b possible to envisage a situation where such dust that asbestos was no longer used as insulation in railway might be discharged to atmosphere through a vent carriages because of possible danger to men in the work outside the premises covered by the Factories shops. where panelling was removed, and glass fibre was Act. What protection would dwellers in the neighbour used, instead. The British Asbestos Industry last month hood (hen lave ? To meet this situation, could not some | announced* measures to protect the health of those more specific dause be provided than the one appearing working with or handling asbestos; these include under the hading " storage and distribution " which proposals that all asbestos frbre shipped to this country reads: " No loose asbestos or asbestos waste shall be shall be packed in dustproaf bags, and that all blue received into, distributed within or despatched from a asbestos shall in addition be shipped on pallets which factory except in suitable dosed containers which pre can be handled mechanically. Also die industry is vent the escape of dust therefrom " ? Discussion will " urgently examining afresh the use of Mae asbestos for -doubtless produce a better Draft, but it will probably be processes and products where there is the slightest risk a long rime before the Regulations pass into law. The of the emission of respirable dust, with the intention of Carcinogenic Substances Regulations, the first Draft of limiting its use and rendering the processes and products which was circulated in August, 1964, have not yet come themselves safe beyond any doubt ". Finally, the long- into force. awaited draft Asbestos Regulations,** to supersede Furthermore, measures under- the Factories Act those of 1931, have been issued and circulated to cannot protect users who do not themselves come under " interested parties " for criticism. that Acl It seems quite plausible that inhalation of dust from such activities as sawing or sanding material These positive acts and proposals are a welcome sign containing asbestos may present a small hazard outside of a more rational approach by the industry and some as well as inside industrial situations. It seems not concerns using asbestos. The Factory Department of unreasonable, therefore, to insist that materials contain 1. Nn, M. I SAT, SIS. STS. t Livkom Smith, A. M. Occupation*! Hcatch Circular w. M. 1/166. Medical Department. Fort mt London Authority, 1066. I Unit, V. O. non, Now. If. 1966. p. |L 4. Gttaon, J. C. Ttpur, |. C Nfm, L*+4 1967, 213, 117a *. Idftoff, I. Ourr. J., Hammond. E. C N*m B*g(. J. MU. 1961,272, 260. 9. 0*0cond(, V. M., Mann, R. 114). Croah, J. l_ Ctn, fil.Y 1966, 16, 2. See Lttrn, May I). 1967, p. 1054. . Tour*, Apc9 It. 1967. 9. Albertoa In/ormetion Committee. Prm relate. Mar 12, 1967. 10. Daft Statutory Imtrumrmj. Factoma: The Aabcatoi Refulatsom MlnUtry of USmtr. ing asbestos should he clearly marked to show this, so thst adequate precautions can be taken by the users. For instance, amateur handymen sawing materials containing asbestos could easily wear a makeshift mask, and either work out of doors or in a weU-ventiUted room. On the other hand, there is a danger that workers' representatives may overrate the dangers of dealing with asbestos under good conditions. It would be ludicrous to outlaw this valuable and often irreplaceable material