NIOSH testimony on asbestos before the Subcommittee on Toxic Substances, Environmental Oversight, Research and Development Committee on Environment and Public Works by Richard A. Lemen, April 26, 1990

Technical Report · Thu Apr 26 04:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6142784

The testimony concerns the position of NIOSH regarding the science and health effects caused by exposure to asbestos. Based on studies of workers exposed to asbestos before general governmental regulations were in place, it is known that asbestos causes specific diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Asbestos exposure for smokers increases the risk of lung cancer approximately 55 times. Asbestos is also associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal and other cancers. Chrysotile is much more chemically and biologically reactive than amphibole fibers. There is no compelling evidence at this time to justify different public health policies for different asbestos fiber types. NIOSH reaffirmed its position that no distinction be made between the types of asbestos fibers with regard to regulatory purposes. The scientific evidence suggests that fiber shape and size are the most critical factors in the pathogenicity of the material.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6142784
• Report Number(s): PB-91-132852/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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