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Cumulative, Not Just Recent Exposures To Asbestos,
Said To Play A Causal Role In Mesothelioma
Collegium Ramazzini, a group of experts in
environmental and occupational health from 35 countries, has issued a
press release in October rebutting what it calls the “false concept
that recent exposures to asbestos do not contribute to causation of
mesothelioma. Referencing the large number of cases of mesothelioma
that have been brought to the attention of the Italian courts as
possible occupational diseases, the Collegium Ramazzini concludes that
risk of malignant mesothelioma is related to cumulative exposure to
asbestos in which all exposures - early as well as late - contribute
to the totality of risk.”
Public Health Implications
The Collegium goes on in its statement to paint a clear
picture of the public health implications of false claims about
prolonged exposure to asbestos. According to the statement, the
Collegium “rejects as false, mendacious, and scientifically unfounded
the claim put forth by the Italian asbestos industry and its expert
witnesses that in cases of prolonged exposures to asbestos only the
earliest periods of exposure contribute to mesothelioma induction,
while all subsequent exposures have no causal role. The Collegium
Ramazzini is deeply concerned that acceptance of this false claim will
contribute to the unjust denial of workers' compensation and civil
damages to affected workers, that it will hinder efforts to diagnose
and prevent malignant mesothelioma, and that ultimately it will
undermine the health of the public in Italy and in countries around
the world.”
Readers
who wish to view the entire statement can do so at:
https://tinyurl.com/oa8849a
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