Assessing specific causation of mesothelioma following exposure to chrysotile asbestos-containing brake dust
Freeman, MD; Kohles, SS
HERO ID
2554714
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Year
2012
Language
English
PMID
| HERO ID | 2554714 |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Review |
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2012 |
| Title | Assessing specific causation of mesothelioma following exposure to chrysotile asbestos-containing brake dust |
| Authors | Freeman, MD; Kohles, SS |
| Journal | International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Page Numbers | 329-336 |
| Abstract | <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>The question of whether chrysotile asbestos-containing brake dust can plausibly serve as a cause of mesothelioma in an exposed individual has become a matter of heated debate in the medical literature despite multiple international, federal, and state governmental agencies acknowledging a causal association.<br /><br /><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>We describe and provide an analysis of various industry and academic perspectives contributing to the debate.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>A framework is presented for evaluating the general and specific causal relationship between brake dust exposure and mesothelioma utilizing the principles of forensic epidemiology, and by applying the Bradford-Hill criteria.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: </strong>We conclude that there is a "net" of evidence favoring a causal relationship between brake dust-associated chrysotile exposure and mesothelioma. The industry-sponsored position that there is insufficient evidence to support a contiguous "chain" of causation is specious from both a methodologic and evidentiary perspective. Finally, we suggest a semiquantitative approach for the evaluation of individual causation in putative cases of mesothelioma with a history of significant brake dust exposure. |
| Doi | 10.1179/2049396712Y.0000000002 |
| Pmid | 23433294 |
| Wosid | WOS:000312824200009 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | Mesothelioma; Asbestos; Chrysotile; Brake dust; Forensic epidemiology; Bradford-Hill criteria; Specific causation |