Anthophyllite Asbestos: The Role of Fiber Width in Mesothelioma Induction Part 2: Further Epidemiological Studies of Occupational, Domestic and Environmental Exposure to Finnish Anthophyllite Asbestos

Abstract

Although people in all sectors of the Finnish anthophyllite industry, including their families, have been heavily exposed to anthophyllite there is no evidence for even a single proven case of attributable mesothelioma. A few cases have been claimed but the evidence either, that they were mesotheliomas or that amphibole exposure was solely to anthophyllite is, in every case examined, insufficient. Even among the population who lived in Karelia in Central Finland who were exposed domestically or enviromentally to anthophyllite released during agricultural and various domestic activities and during transport from the mines, Finnish epidemiology found no risk of mesothelioma. There is also an absence of mesotheliomas reported in the earlier Finnish literature. This anomaly compared to the effects of exposure to other amphiboles is strong support for the role of fiber width in mesothelioma production. Anthophyllite, though, is not without clinical effect. As screening techniques improved it was discovered that of every person over the age of 65 years, one third living in Karelia had bilateral pleural plaques. The area was henceforth called the Endemic Pleural Plaque (EPP) zone. Radiographic analysis of the residents living in the district of Kuusjarvi led to suggestions that the cases resulted from asbestos blown from the Paakila facility via fiber drift as far away as 30 km. Later studies showed that 'fiber drift' was very unlikely to be a factor in the radiological findings thus observed.

Um OLHAR SOBRE OS MINERAIS DE ASBESTO: ASPECTOS HISTÓRICOS E GEOLÓGICOS E ESTUDO DE CASO DO SÍTIO XILILI (PE), PORÇÃO CENTRAL DA PROVÍNCIA BORBOREMA

“…Com depósitos mundialmente conhecidos na Finlândia (Ilgren & Hoskens, 2018), a antofilita hospeda-se principalmente em talco-e biotitaxistos. Ocorre como lentes formadas pelo produto de zona de reação (anfibolização e serpentinização) entre rochas ultramáficas (e.g.…”

Reply to the Readership regarding Ilgren & Hoskins (2018) Anthophyllite Mesothelioma Articles

“…During my Finnish visit in 2015 Prof. Huuskonen said the issue of domestic exposure had never been looked at. Former Paakilla residents were also very concerned about their own health but never received any information from the FIOSH regarding their level of future risk from the historical exposures (vs) [see Ilgren and Hoskins, 2018]. Thus, whilst the Paakilla families and Tapinilla workers were concerned, the FIOH deemed "domestic exposure "just" an 'area of its own'" [Huuskenon, 1978] and apparently not own of theirs.…”