Assessing the power and quality of epidemiologic studies of asbestos-exposed populations

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Toxicol. Ind. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/074823378500100407· OSTI ID:6271500

Davis, D L; Mandula, B; Van Ryzin, J V

This paper briefly discusses criteria for evaluating epidemiologic studies for risk assessment purposes, using asbestos as an example. Asbestos is one of the few carcinogens for which substantial data exist on exposures to humans. However, there are major difficulties in using these data for conducting risk assessments. In particular, exposure data are often incomplete, and risk assessments usually involve extrapolating from the higher exposures of the occupational environments to the lower levels typically encountered in the nonoccupational environment. The term asbestos refers to the fibrous form of several minerals, and levels of exposures to these fibers are not easily assessed. Criteria for evaluating epidemiologic studies used in an Ontario Royal Commission report on asbestos are discussed. The importance of considering the statistical power of studies to detect an excess risk is examined using as examples major cohort studies of asbestos-exposed workers, as summarized in a report by the U.S. National Research Council.

• Research Organization: National Research Council, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 6271500
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Ind. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Toxicol. Ind. Health; (United States) Vol. 1:4; ISSN TIHEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASBESTOS
CARCINOGENESIS
DISEASES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EXTRAPOLATION
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MATHEMATICS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEOPLASMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PATHOGENESIS
RISK ASSESSMENT
STATISTICS
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS