Posted on May, 18 2016
Members of Collegium Ramazzini, including ADAO Science Advisory Board Co-Chairs Dr. Arthur L. Frank and Dr. Richard Lemen along with ADAO Science Advisory Board Member Dr. L. Christine Oliver and ADAO’s 2016 Dr. Irving Selikoff Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dr. Phillip Landrigan, recently published commentary on the 2014 Helsinki Consensus Report on Asbestos. This commentary, which appeared in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, expresses concern for statements made in the report. Below is a summary of the commentary, while the full commentary can be found by clicking here. ~ Linda
Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D, MSPH, Assistant Surgeon General (Ret.)
The Collegium Ramazzini, an international scientific society of 180 medical professionals has issued a commentary on the2014 Helsinki Consensus Report on Asbestos expressing concern that its pathological discussion contains scientifically unsupportable statements which can lead to problems including 1) missed diagnoses of cases of diseases caused by asbestos, 2) failure of workers’ compensation systems to properly compensate workers who have been exposed to asbestos., and 3) lost opportunities for public health authorities to recognize asbestos hazards and to prevent asbestos-related diseases. This commentary points out pitfalls encountered when not following appropriate and scientifically validated methods in disease assessment. Major concerns discussed within the commentary point to the over-reliance on the detection of “asbestos bodies” as indicators of past exposure to asbestos; Over-reliance on asbestos fiber counts within lung tissue as an indicator of past exposure to asbestos; Inadequacy of using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at low magnification as a tool for evaluation of asbestos-related disease; absence to recognize that chrysotile is the predominate type of asbestos fiber found in pleural mesothelioma tissue; and the use of fiber-years of exposure rather than a detailed occupational history for determination of the role of asbestos in disease attribution. Finally, short asbestos fibers, less than 5 microns in length, are not discussed in the Helsinki consensus report nor is their contribution to the pathogenesis of asbestos-related diseases.
This commentary points to how misinterpretation of scientific facts and misuse of scientific equipment can undermine the role of asbestos as it relates to an individual’s illness. It is hoped that this paper will provide support in the adequate diagnosis and attribution of disease from exposure to asbestos.
Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D, MSPH
Assistant Surgeon General (Ret.)