Malignant mesothelioma incidence among talc miners and millers in New York State

Abstract

I conclude that: (1) mesothelioma has been diagnosed among members of the cohort at a rate in excess of that in the general population; (2) fibers of tremolite and anthophyllite have been detected in dust and the lungs of talc workers; and (3) these fibers are known causes of mesothelioma. It is prudent, on the balance of probabilities, to conclude that dusts from New York State talc ores are capable of causing mesothelioma in exposed individuals.

Mortality experience among Minnesota taconite mining industry workers

“…In a 2002 mortality study of talc miners, Honda et al 22 reported an excess in mortality from all cancers, lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and non-malignant respiratory disease. A 2012 follow-up commentary argued that talc ore exposure also increases the risk of mesothelioma,11 though that conclusion has been debated 12. Though the authors argue, the lack of an exposure-response relationship indicates the lung cancer excess may not be related to talc ore dust; rather it might be explained by a relatively high smoking rate in the population,22 it is unlikely that confounding by smoking accounts fully for the lung cancer excess observed in the study 4.…”

Pneumoconiosis and malignant mesothelioma in a family operated metal casting business that used industrial talc from New York state

“…The author has previously discussed the controversy about the fibrous nature (or lack thereof) of the constituents of New York talc [Finkelstein, 2012]. According to the authors from the US Geological Survey, some amphiboles in the Gouverneur talc ores have been ''controversially'' described as ''fibrous'' [Van Gosen et al, 2004].…”

“…A recent paper in this Journal reported additional cases of mesothelioma among these miners and millers subsequent to the Honda report and suggested that it is prudent, on the balance of probabilities, to conclude that dusts from New York State talc ores are capable of causing mesothelioma in exposed workers [Finkelstein, 2012].…”

“…It has been recognized for many years that miners and millers of talc deposits are at risk for pneumoconiosis [Siegal et al, 1943;Kleinfeld et al, 1955]. The author recently reported that it is prudent, on the balance of probabilities, to conclude that dusts from New York State talc ores are capable of causing mesothelioma in exposed workers in talc using industries [Finkelstein, 2012].…”

The Story of Talc

“…Nitekim yapılan çalışmalarda talk madenlerinde çalışan işçilerde plevral mezotelyomanın sık görüldüğü ortaya konmuştur (10).…”