โ Scribed by Lorenzo Tomatis
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
In 1968, when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was asked to prepare lists of chemical carcinogens, it was faced with the double difficulty of the surprising scarcity and the unevenness of the data available, even for chemicals for which carcinogenic activity was strongly suspected. This was particularly although not exclusively evident for chemicals related to occupational risks. It rapidly became clear that obtaining objective information would only be feasible by an exhaustive, concerted effort at an international level.
The assembling, critical analysis, and evaluation of existing data was made possible by contributions from multiple sources, organizations, and scientists of different countries. More importantly, the critical analysis and balanced evaluation of the data were only realized with the input of competent and independent scientists of varied nationalities and background. The IARC Monographs Series on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans is the result of their efforts.
International cooperation can allow for the assembling of sufficiently large cohorts to permit correct and conclusive ascertainment of possible risks related to any given exposure. The feasibility of this approach for prospective studies aimed at detecting possible risk at its first appearance is currently being investigated.
While collection and analysis of data with the aim of providing sound secondary information is essential, no less important is the identification of gaps in knowledge and areas needing intensified investigation. There too, international initiatives appear particularly rewarding in both epidemiological and experimental approaches to the identification of occupational carcinogens.
A pertinent example is the study that the IARC initiated a few years ago in industries on the production of man-made mineral fibres-materials whose uses include replacement of asbestos in several applications. It was compiled with the collaboration of scientists in seven countries and the support of the Joint European Medical Research Board. This study, while requiring an adequately long follow-up to provide a clear-cut answer on the presence or absence of health risks, undeniably represents the premise for detection of possible hazardous effects earlier and more promptly than those conducted on limited populations. This is the first example of an epidemiological study aimed at monitoring the possible adverse effects of chemicals with the virtual absence of observations in man to raise suspicions of their existence. It underlines the importancc of strengthening international collaboration and indicates that similar initiatives are possible and deserve increasing attention.
๐ SIMILAR VOLUMES
Occupational causes of cancer have not been well-evaluated among women. An increase in the number of women in the work force in jobs with potentially hazardous exposures during the past few decades raises the question as to whether there is a need to enhance our efforts in this area. The inability t
In the United States about 15% of cancer in men and 5% of cancer in women is probably due to occupational exposures. Yet, among the popplations actually exposed, occupational cancer is a major health hazard. Further, occupational carcinogenesis should be studied because of its scientific interest an