Document nkdX5OBp6GMeMYyn1b0DoE1d6

sponsored or cooperated in by the world asbestos industry. In fact, two of the largest non-governmental sources of funds for asbestos-health research are the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health (IOEH) in Montreal, which is sponsored by the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association, and the Asbestosis Research Council, sponsored by the British asbestos manufacturing industry. The results of research sponsored by these two agencies and also by individual companies acting independently have contributed significantly to our knowledge of the biological effects of asbestos. In addition, industry environmental control experts are constantly working to develop new or improved methods of handling asbestos and asbestos-containing products safely. . Much has been learned about asbestos and health in a very short time - especially when you consider that the greater part of all medical information about asbestos-related disease is less than a decade old. According to Dr. Premysl Pelnar of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, approximately 90 per cent of all information and data now available is the result of medical studies undertaken during the past ten years. Much more is still needed: In late 1972 The International Agency for Research on Cancer made recommendations for further research and indicated priorities for work of immediate and long-term value. Emphasis was placed on epidemilogical and pathotogical studies, and high priorities were urged for certain projects. These included: 1. Usefulness of early detection in the prevention of progressive fibrosis and asbestos cancers and in the identification of hazardous conditions; 2. Assessment of excess cancer risks following exposure to only one variety of asbestos; 3. Amount and type of asbestos in the lungs of mesothelioma cases; 4. Secular changes in incidences of pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas nationally and internationally; 7