Opinion ID: 326929
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Excess Gastrointestinal Cancer Among the Occupationally Exposed.

Text: 103 The affirmative evidence supporting the proposition that the ingestion of fibers poses a danger to health focuses on the increased rate of gastrointestinal cancer among workers occupationally exposed to asbestos dust. Plaintiffs' experts attribute this excess incidence of gastrointestinal cancer to a theory that the asbestos workers first inhaled the asbestos dust and thereafter coughed up and swallowed the asbestos particles. 104 The attribution of health harm from ingestion rests upon a theoretical basis. As Dr. Selikoff explained, there are several possible explanations for the increased evidence of gastrointestinal cancer, some of which do not involve ingestion. (A.11:41-43.) Moreover, as noted previously, the excess rates of gastrointestinal cancer are generally modest (A.10:220, 223, 226, 279.), and substantially lower than the excess rates of mesothelioma and lung cancer associated with inhalation of asbestos dust. Also, the experts advised that an analysis of a small exposed population may produce statistically unstable results. (A.10:278-80.) 105 The existence of an excess rate of gastrointestinal cancer among asbestos workers is a matter of concern. The theory that excess cancers may be attributed to the ingestion of asbestos fibers rests on a tenable medical hypothesis. Indeed, Dr. Selikoff testified that ingestion is the probable route accounting for the excess in gastrointestinal cancer. (A.11:44.) 47 The occupational studies support the proposition that the ingestion of asbestos fibers can result in harm to health. 106