On June 10, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services? released the 12th Report on Carcinogens.? The Report on Carcinogens, mandated by Congress, is a science-based, public health document prepared by the National Toxicology Program which? identifies substances which are known or reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in people.? The 12th Report on Carcinogens has reaffirmed that exposure to asbestos causes cancer.? Asbestos was first listed in the 1st Report on Carcinogens, issued in 1980. The latest report concludes that ?all commercial forms of asbestos are known to be human carcinogens?.
?This report has confirmed that ?exposure to asbestos causes respiratory tract cancer, mesothelioma of the lung and abdominal cavity . . .? and cancer in other tissue sites.?? In addition to confirming that asbestos exposure causes lung cancer and mesothelioma, the report cites numerous studies confirming an increased risk of laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer in asbestos exposed workers as well as limited studies linking exposure to asbestos to colon cancer, pharyngeal cancer and stomach cancer.
?The report also reviewed the historical use of asbestos.? Asbestos use peaked in the 1960s and 1970s in industrial sites and products. There are seven grades of asbestos classifications, with grades 4, 5, and 6 including fibers used in the production of asbestos-cement pipes and sheets, clutch facings, brake linings, pipe coverings, and asbestos paper and packaging.? By 1950, the U.S. was the world?s largest user of asbestos, but by the early 1970?s the demand for asbestos declined as people became aware of the health risks. In 2002, the U.S. produced 6 million pounds of asbestos, down from 300 million pounds in 1973. By 2009, the amount of asbestos consumption had decreased to 1.6 million pounds from 1.8 billion pounds in 1973.
?The main source of human asbestos exposure is through ingestion or inhalation. Releases from asbestos pipe wrappings and brake linings account for a majority of the emissions into the air. Although the potential for asbestos exposure has decreased, the Report highlights that at one point the entire U.S. was exposed to some degree.
?People that reside near asbestos-containing waste sites or industries are exposed to higher-than-average levels of asbestos in the air. The Report states that families of asbestos-exposed workers are also at a high risk from contaminated clothing being brought home. People living with asbestos-exposed workers are a target for lung disease, including mesothelioma and cancer, and have the potential of being in the same category as individuals who are occupationally exposed.
Occupational exposure still occurs among workers who use asbestos products, such as asbestos insulation workers, brake repair workers, and building demolition workers. The National Occupational Exposure Survey, in the early 1980s, estimated that approximately 215,265 workers were still exposed to asbestos. In 1990, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimated about 680,000 workers in production, service, and construction industries were exposed to asbestos. Although asbestos products are being eliminated from the market, this is a slow process and many people are still at risk of exposure.
Source: Congressional Report on Carcinogens (2011) ? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Source: http://doranandmurphy.com/2011/10/05/12th-report-on-carcinogens-asbestos/
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