Panel Discussion-Health Effects of Asbestos and Synthetic Vitreous Fibers: The Influence of Fiber Length

Resumen

ATSDR is holding a panel discussion to review and discuss the current state-of-the-art understanding of health effects related to asbestos and synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs), especially those of less than 5 microns in length. ATSDR has invited a cross-section of scientists with expertise in the fields of toxicology, epidemiology, pulmonology/pathology, and medicine to participate in 1\1/2\ days of discussions on a variety of topics, including depositional patterns of fibers in the lung and mechanisms of toxic action, the relationship of fiber size to toxicity, irritant effects of fibers, relationships between measured fiber levels and observed adverse health outcomes, and data gaps/research needs. ATSDR will use the scientific input received from the discussions of each of the individuals to aid in developing scientifically defensible public health evaluations for human exposures to smaller-than-5-micron fibers and in the formulation of future research proposals.