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Title: Report on cancer risks associated with the ingestion of asbestos

Abstract

Cancer risks associated with ingestion of asbestos are discussed. Asbestos contamination of drinking water is considered. At least 66.5% of the United States water systems are capable of eroding asbestos cement pipes. The ability of water to leach asbestos from asbestos cement pipes can be modified by coatings applied to the inside pipe surface. Asbestos contamination in foods or pharmaceuticals is discussed. Asbestos fibers at concentrations of 1.1 to 172.7 million fibers per liter have been found in beverages. To date, studies supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have provided no evidence that ingesting asbestos results in an increased cancer risk. The FDA has determined that no prohibition on using asbestos filters in processing food, beverages, and non-parenteral drugs is needed. Toxicological studies on asbestos ingestion and carcinogenicity are reviewed. Epidemiological evaluations of the association between drinking-water supplies containing asbestos and cancer mortality are discussed. It is concluded that the available information is insufficient for assessing the risk of cancer associated with ingesting asbestos.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
7243069
Report Number(s):
PB-90-130527/XAB
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; ASBESTOS; INGESTION; DRINKING WATER; DRUGS; FOOD; NEOPLASMS; RISK ASSESSMENT; CARCINOGENS; DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS; EPIDEMIOLOGY; FIBERS; GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT; TOXICITY; DIGESTIVE SYSTEM; DISEASES; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; INTAKE; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; WATER; 560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology; 550900 - Pathology; 290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment, Health, & Safety

Citation Formats

Lemen, R, Meinhardt, T, Becking, G, Cantor, K, and Cherner, J. Report on cancer risks associated with the ingestion of asbestos. United States: N. p., 1986. Web.
Lemen, R, Meinhardt, T, Becking, G, Cantor, K, & Cherner, J. Report on cancer risks associated with the ingestion of asbestos. United States.
Lemen, R, Meinhardt, T, Becking, G, Cantor, K, and Cherner, J. 1986. "Report on cancer risks associated with the ingestion of asbestos". United States.
@article{osti_7243069,
title = {Report on cancer risks associated with the ingestion of asbestos},
author = {Lemen, R and Meinhardt, T and Becking, G and Cantor, K and Cherner, J},
abstractNote = {Cancer risks associated with ingestion of asbestos are discussed. Asbestos contamination of drinking water is considered. At least 66.5% of the United States water systems are capable of eroding asbestos cement pipes. The ability of water to leach asbestos from asbestos cement pipes can be modified by coatings applied to the inside pipe surface. Asbestos contamination in foods or pharmaceuticals is discussed. Asbestos fibers at concentrations of 1.1 to 172.7 million fibers per liter have been found in beverages. To date, studies supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have provided no evidence that ingesting asbestos results in an increased cancer risk. The FDA has determined that no prohibition on using asbestos filters in processing food, beverages, and non-parenteral drugs is needed. Toxicological studies on asbestos ingestion and carcinogenicity are reviewed. Epidemiological evaluations of the association between drinking-water supplies containing asbestos and cancer mortality are discussed. It is concluded that the available information is insufficient for assessing the risk of cancer associated with ingesting asbestos.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7243069}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986}
}

Technical Report:
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