Report on the Expert Panel on Health Effects of Asbestos and Synthetic Vitreous Fibers: The Influence of Fiber Length
Prepared for:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Atlanta, GA
Prepared by:
Eastern Research Group, Inc.
110 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington , MA 02421
March 17, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Note
List of Abbreviations
Executive Summary
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Scope of the Expert Panel Review
1.2 Scope of the Expert Panel Review
1.2.1 Activities Prior to the Expert Panel Meeting
1.2.2 Activities at the Expert Panel Meeting
1.2.3 Activities Following the Expert Panel Meeting
1.3 Report Organization1.2.2 Activities at the Expert Panel Meeting
1.2.3 Activities Following the Expert Panel Meeting
2.0 Comments on Topic 1: Physiological Fate of Asbestos and SVF Fibers Less Than 5 Micrometers in Length
2.1 Depositional Pattern in the Lung
2.2 Lung Clearance and Biopersistence
2.3 Migration of Fibers Deposited in the Lung
2.4 Open Discussion Among Panelists
2.5 Observer Comments and Ensuing Discussions
2.2 Lung Clearance and Biopersistence
2.3 Migration of Fibers Deposited in the Lung
2.4 Open Discussion Among Panelists
2.5 Observer Comments and Ensuing Discussions
3.0 Comments on Topic 2: Health Effects of Asbestos and SVF Less Than 5 Micrometers in Length
3.1 Cancer Effects
3.4 General Comments and Interpretations
3.5 Research Needs
3.6 Observer Comments and Ensuing Discussions
3.1.1 Data from Cancer Mortality Studies
3.1.2 Data from Human Studies of Lung-Retained Fibers (Cancer)
3.1.3 Data from Laboratory Animal Studies (Cancer)
3.2 Noncancer Effects3.1.2 Data from Human Studies of Lung-Retained Fibers (Cancer)
3.1.3 Data from Laboratory Animal Studies (Cancer)
3.2.1 Data from Occupational Studies
3.2.2 Data from Human Studies of Lung-Retained Fibers (Noncancer)
3.2.3 Data from Laboratory Animal Studies (Noncancer)
3.3 Mechanisms of Toxicity3.2.2 Data from Human Studies of Lung-Retained Fibers (Noncancer)
3.2.3 Data from Laboratory Animal Studies (Noncancer)
3.4 General Comments and Interpretations
3.5 Research Needs
3.6 Observer Comments and Ensuing Discussions
4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
5.0 References
Appendix A: List of Expert Panelists
Appendix B: Premeeting Comments, Alphabetized by Author (includes bios of panelists and the charge to the reviewers)
Appendix C: List of Registered Observers of the Expert Panel Meeting
Appendix D: Agenda for the Expert Panel Meeting
Appendix E: Panelists’ Comments Submitted After the Meeting