Asbestos mortality: a Canadian export

Amir Attaran; David R. Boyd; Matthew B. Stanbrook

doi:10.1503/cmaj.081500

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J. Christopher Wagner and Asbestos
Sergei V. Jargin

Posted on: 12 June 2015

Posted on: (12 June 2015)
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J. Christopher Wagner and Asbestos
Sergei V. Jargin, researcher
J. Christopher Wagner was the first researcher to emphasize the association between crocidolite and tremolite with malignant mesothelioma [1,2]. His research was pivotal in the introduction of the banning of crocidolite [2]. J. Christopher Wagner propagated the association of mesothelioma with crocidolite as opposed to chrysotile mainly on the basis of epidemiologic data, although it was in part contradictory to his own...
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J. Christopher Wagner was the first researcher to emphasize the association between crocidolite and tremolite with malignant mesothelioma [1,2]. His research was pivotal in the introduction of the banning of crocidolite [2]. J. Christopher Wagner propagated the association of mesothelioma with crocidolite as opposed to chrysotile mainly on the basis of epidemiologic data, although it was in part contradictory to his own experiments [3]. The epidemiological data were from the crocidolite- exposed workers, where the relatively large number of mesothelioma cases could have been caused by the well-aimed search. Furthermore, the higher incidence of mesothelioma in crocidolite miners could have been related to the lack of control for potential differences in exposure levels [4].
Current asbestos-related regulations are irrational: the manufacturing, importation and use are prohibited by some countries, while others continue to increase production and exports. At the same time, introduction of asbestos substitutes would not necessarily lower the health risks: some man-made fibers are more biopersistent than asbestos [5,6]. In conclusion, the "all fibers equal" approach to the asbestos- related regulations would be not only most plausible one but also compatible with the current knowledge, conflicting as it is [7,8].
References
1. Wagner JC. Asbestos-related cancer and the amphibole hypothesis. The first documentation of the association. Am J Public Health 1997;87(4):687- 8.
2. McConnochie K. Chris Wagner. The Guardian, 1 July 2000
3. Wagner JC, Berry G, Skidmore JW, Timbrell V. The effects of the inhalation of asbestos in rats. Br J Cancer 1974;29(3):252-69.
4. Stayner LT, Dankovic DA, Lemen RA. Stayner and colleagues respond. Am J Public Health 1997;87(4):688.
5. Larsen G. Experimental data on in vitro fibre solubility. IARC Sci Publ 1989;(90):134-9.
6. Donaldson K, Poland CA, Murphy FA, MacFarlane M, Chernova T, Schinwald A. Pulmonary toxicity of carbon nanotubes and asbestos - similarities and differences. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013;65(15):2078-86.
7. Jargin SV. The anti-asbestos campaign: in search for reasonable solutions. Ukrainian Med J 2013;5(97):153-5 (in Russian).
8.Jargin SV. Asbestos and its substitutes: International coordination and independent research needed. J Environ Occup Sci. 2015; 4(1): 1-4. doi:10.5455/jeos.20141223050627
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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Competing Interests: None declared.