Document o9Y45xmVkdrXYq2GDzeL0RK38

Assessment NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ASBESTOS CONFERENCE JUNE 1978 !U3i The Generic Po1 icy on the Regulation of Carcinogens is involving the full time efforts of OSHA and the Office of Toxic Substances, ho action Is expected on asbestos until resolution of the procedure in 1979. Pressure is now building by researchers, the U.A.V., and the Government to lower the 2 fiber/cc standard. High probability exists of a 1 fiber/cc standard. However, the new British approach consists of asbestos' concentrations being reduced to the lowest attainable level under the 2 fiber/cc max.ceiling. Further regulation will encourage the use of substitutes. The possibility remains for a more stringent standard of .5 fiber/oc or lower. This would virtually eliminate asbestos usage. In the interim, the issue is attaining'conti ttued worldwide involvement and concern as evidenced from the publicity it received from the Meet the Press telecast Sunday June 25, 1978 and the large international representa tion at the conference. ighlights of Presentations Canadian (McGill Study) * Withdrawl from exposure does not halt, the progress of the carcinogenic condition. . The longer and/or greater the exposure, the greater the number.of deaths. - Smoking influences the incidence of larnyx cancer under conditions ' of asbestos exposure. - Carcinogenic conditions are most prevalent 20-30 years from first exposure. - Each year cancer deaths are on the uprise from equal sample sizes of eaqposed populations. uenaari * One fiber will not produce tumors. ^ * Asbestos fiber could act as an absorber of carcinogens. Knowledge, is lacking on the initiation of cancer. ' The current U.S. standard allows.for adequate control. ` Conditions have changed from the past and the issue should be updated in that perspective. -.stos was discussed by Mt. Sinai, J-M,ani the (J.A.W. Industry was . convincing enough to sway the debate from a pro.~rogul sticu^f&er.ce. a JX *. p. 1 Of 3 HFM -004185 V eh 5 cl e Ma fcer 1st; .1 uly 1978 SCF-ALLF-07270