Breathing asbestos fibers into the lung causes an increased risk of lung cancer. Smokers have a greatly increased risk from asbestos fibers. EPA plans to take no action on the study and will not recommend any new regulations or programs in the next three years, except to beef up a training program to increase the supply of asbestos control professionals. EPA argues further that starting a program now to deal with asbestos in commercial buildings, when professional staff are not available to do the job right, would increase the hazard beyond its present level, making the problem worse instead of better. The union wants the agency to help maintenance workers identify hazardous work sites.
Every issue brings useful news for toxics fighters everywhere.
A California state Public Utilities Commission Report accuses Southern California Gas Company of ignoring health risks by buying and distributing gas drawn from a landfill and contaminated with vinyl chloride and other gases known to cause cancer. The utility defends itself saying the landfill gas was diluted with natural gas before it was piped into peoples' homes, thus diluting the hazard. A Citizen's Guide for Community Health Studies is available free from the Michigan State Toxic Substance Control Commission. Outlines the pluses and minuses of conducting a community health study, and offers a process that provides a clear role for, and a degree of control by, the affected community. P.O. Box 559, Capitola, CA 95010.