Posted on AsbestosHUB
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is convening a workgroup for the purpose of addressing inconsistencies and inconclusive evidence which have led to uncertainties in identifying and applying the term asbestos for health and regulatory purposes.
On June 30, 2008, NIOSH issued for public comment a revised draft strategic research document, “Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research.”
The revised draft incorporates public comments and peer review comments on the initial version of the draft scientific document, which was issued for open review in 2007 is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/099-A/.
The document is intended to address scientific uncertainties about occupational exposure and toxicity issues related to asbestos fibers and other elongated mineral particles; identify needs and opportunities for research to resolve those uncertainties; and stimulate such research, providing a sound scientific foundation for future policy developments. It does not contain any new recommendations for exposure limits or other policy issues.
NIOSH said it will incorporate public comments on the revised draft into a final document that will inform national research. Once the final draft document is prepared, NIOSH plans to seek independent scientific review through the National Academies, in line with NIOSH’s policy on making its research transparent to stakeholders and the public.
NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. said, “We appreciate the participation and assistance of our diverse stakeholders in this effort to move the state of scientific knowledge about the health effects of asbestos fibers and other elongated mineral particles into the 21st Century.
“Achieving agreement on needed research is an important step in answering questions that need to be answered for protecting workers’ health. After decades, these uncertainties continue to consume time, concern, and resources for the whole range of parties who have a stake in asbestos health issues.”
The draft document requests that comments be sent by Sept. 30, 2008 to NIOSH by e-mail through a link at the Web page; by fax to the NIOSH Docket Office at (513) 533-8285; or by mail to NIOSH Mailstop: C-34, Robert A. Taft Laboratory, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
