Literature Review
The January-March 2007 issue of the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health1 contains a number of papers with an asbestos focus. They are:
Asbestos Fiber Dimensions and Mesothelioma
Rochdale Asbestos Studies and Politics
Asbestos Diaphragms in Chlorine Production
Industry Influence on OEH
Corporate Manipulation of Epidemiology
Integrity of Scientific Evaluations of Government Agencies
FIOH-sponsored Newsletter Misrepresentation of Asbestos Hazards in ZimbabweThe Department of Health and Pension's Improving Claims Handling for Mesothelioma Cases, a 20 page document published on March 1, 2007, outlines proposals by the Secretary of State John Hutton to “speed the settlement of claims for those with mesothelioma.”2 Proposals under consideration include changes to improve both civil and state benefit schemes; these suggestions will be discussed with stakeholders during March 2007 before any final decisions are taken.
Investigation of the Chrysotile Fibres in an Asbestos Cement Sample (HSL/2007/11)3 concludes that:
“The fibres found from a well-characterised asbestos cement sample showed that both the bulk and air samples had the same morphology as a reference standard of chrysotile asbestos…
The analysis carried out showed that the samples contained fibres of chrysotile asbestos and released chrysotile asbestos fibres to air when substantially disturbed. There is no evidence that any chemical or structural alteration changes have occurred to the majority of chrysotile fibers since they were added to the cement…
The claims being made to HSE and in internet articles and in some sections of the newspaper industry could not be reproduced and the majority of chrysotile fibres in asbestos ment are unchanged and retain their hazard.”
March 8, 2007
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1 http://www.maneyonline.com/toc/oeh/13/1
2 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2007/iidb/mesothelioma-cases-consultation-report.pdf
3 http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2007/hsl0711.pdf
