Electricians' chrysotile asbestos exposure from electrical products and risks of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Abstract

Both mechanistic and epidemiology studies indicate chrysotile asbestos has a threshold below which it does not cause mesothelioma or lung cancer. We conducted a critical review to determine whether electricians are at increased risk for these cancers and, if so, whether their exposure to chrysotile in electrical products could be responsible. We found that most, but not all, epidemiology studies indicate electricians are at increased risk for both cancers. Studies that evaluated electricians' exposure to asbestos during normal work tasks have generally reported low concentrations in air; an experimental study showed that grinding or drilling products containing encapsulated chrysotile resulted in exposures to chrysotile fibers far below the OSHA permissible exposure limit and the cancer no observed adverse effect level. Studies of other craftsmen who often work in the vicinity of electricians, such as insulators, reported asbestos (including amphibole) exposures that were relatively high. Overall, the evidence does not indicate that exposure to chrysotile in electrical products causes mesothelioma or lung cancer in electricians. Rather, the most likely cause of lung cancer in electricians is smoking, and the most likely cause of mesothelioma is exposure to amphibole asbestos as a result of renovation/demolition work or working in the proximity of other skilled craftsmen.

• Authors: Julie E Goodman, Michael K Peterson, Lisa A Bailey, Laura E Kerper, David G Dodge
• Journal: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP (Regul Toxicol Pharmacol) Vol. 68 Issue 1 Pg. 8-15 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1096-0295 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24189076 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Asbestos, Amphibole
• Asbestos, Serpentine

Topics

• Asbestos, Amphibole (analysis, toxicity)
• Asbestos, Serpentine (analysis, toxicity)
• Electrical Equipment and Supplies
• Europe
• Humans
• Inhalation Exposure (adverse effects, analysis)
• Lung Neoplasms (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Mesothelioma (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects, analysis)
• Risk Assessment
• United States