cancer which may be due to some action of the fibrosis itself, but in this study this excess risk may also be due to an underestimate of asbestos exposure. New Information on the Levels of Asbestos Exposure Associated with Asbestosis in the Sound Medical-Scientific Evidence The Council noted there is new information available on the levels of asbestos exposure associated with asbestosis. The Council considered that some of the most important relevant new studies are by Harries, and van Oyen et al. An example of actual military data are studies by Harries, which were conducted in the British Naval Dockyards and provide information regarding asbestos fibre concentrations and exposure of naval personnel in the UK. There are others from, for example, the USA. Furthermore, the study by van Oyen et al is an example of a job-exposure matrix using TWA for occupational asbestos exposure in Australia (see New Information section from [93] and Appendix A. Table A4). Summary of Council’s View The Council’s attempt to compare a cumulative period of hours (from the SoPs) with fibre/mL-years (from the literature) did not reveal any relevant SMSE which could allow definite conclusions about the asbestos duration of exposure factors in Australian military personnel. The relevant SMSE in the information available to the Council was sufficient to show a dose of 25 does cause FILD and Asbestosis [67]-[80]. However, there were also studies that demonstrated the development of asbestosis occurring below this level at between 2-15 fibre/mL-years. , , , Additionally, the Council notes that fibre type should be considered along with estimates of the concentration of fibres, as there are data suggesting differences in rates of development of asbestosis depending on fibre type. The Council believes that the SoPs should ideally use historical measurements from military work environments to determine the relevant dose as well as a cumulative period of time. If these data are not available, then those doses from comparable environments (for example the building of Royal Australian Navy ships) in the
cancer which may be due to some action of the fibrosis itself, but in this study this excess risk may also be due to an underestimate of asbestos exposure. New Information on the Levels of Asbestos Exposure Associated with Asbestosis in the Sound Medical-Scientific Evidence The Council noted there is new information available on the levels of asbestos exposure associated with asbestosis. The Council considered that some of the most important relevant new studies are by Harries, and van Oyen et al. An example of actual military data are studies by Harries, which were conducted in the British Naval Dockyards and provide information regarding asbestos fibre concentrations and exposure of naval personnel in the UK. There are others from, for example, the USA. Furthermore, the study by van Oyen et al is an example of a job-exposure matrix using TWA for occupational asbestos exposure in Australia (see New Information section from [93] and Appendix A. Table A4). Summary of Council’s View The Council’s attempt to compare a cumulative period of hours (from the SoPs) with fibre/mL-years (from the literature) did not reveal any relevant SMSE which could allow definite conclusions about the asbestos duration of exposure factors in Australian military personnel. The relevant SMSE in the information available to the Council was sufficient to show a dose of 25 does cause FILD and Asbestosis [67]-[80]. However, there were also studies that demonstrated the development of asbestosis occurring below this level at between 2-15 fibre/mL-years. , , , Additionally, the Council notes that fibre type should be considered along with estimates of the concentration of fibres, as there are data suggesting differences in rates of development of asbestosis depending on fibre type. The Council believes that the SoPs should ideally use historical measurements from military work environments to determine the relevant dose as well as a cumulative period of time. If these data are not available, then those doses from comparable environments (for example the building of Royal Australian Navy ships) in the
asb_reasons10.12.2015.docx