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Asbestos Related Disease Support Society QLD Inc. 16 Campbell Street, Bowen Hills QLD 4006 PO Box 280, Spring Hill QLD 4004 Phone: 1800 776 412 [email protected] www.asbestos-disease.com.au Autumn Newsletter April 2013

Autumn Newsletter - ADSS...Brisbane North Social Support Group 31 Brisbane South Social Support Group 31 ... Day 2 Sunday 3rd March - We restocked the ... officials and/or asbestos

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Page 1: Autumn Newsletter - ADSS...Brisbane North Social Support Group 31 Brisbane South Social Support Group 31 ... Day 2 Sunday 3rd March - We restocked the ... officials and/or asbestos

Asbestos Related Disease Support Society QLD Inc.16 Campbell Street, Bowen Hills QLD 4006

PO Box 280, Spring Hill QLD 4004Phone: 1800 776 412 [email protected] www.asbestos-disease.com.au

Autumn Newsletter

April 2013

Page 2: Autumn Newsletter - ADSS...Brisbane North Social Support Group 31 Brisbane South Social Support Group 31 ... Day 2 Sunday 3rd March - We restocked the ... officials and/or asbestos

2 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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In this issue...

The Courier Mail Home Show 2013 4

Is there a safe level of asbestos exposure? 9

Cause-specific mortality in a Chinese chrysotile textile worker cohort 10

National action to tackle Australia’s deadly asbestos legacy 14

Hunt for truckie who dumped asbestos outside pre-schools 16

Effect of children’s age and life expectation on mesothelioma risk 17

An increase in future incidences of mesothelioma is being predicted as a result of the home renovation boom 21

MP sues over illness 22

European Parliament Adopts Report on Asbestos 22

Andrew Ramsay QARDSS Vice President 23

Renovators should be wary of asbestos risk 26

Workers Memorial Day 27

Research study: The nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition and quality of life of patients with an asbestos related disease 28

The university of Queensland Study 29

May Day / Labour Day 2013 BBQ 30

Entertainment Book 30

Brisbane North Social Support Group 31

Brisbane South Social Support Group 31

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 3

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The Courier Mail Home Show 2013

Asbestos Awareness

As you may be aware one of the main roles of this Society is creating a greater public awareness of the dangers of asbestos containing materials, and the many places this sinister dust (Asbestos) can be found.

It was with this aim in mind that we decided to commit to a stall at the 2013 Home Show. As this was our first attendance at the Home Show we had no idea how much information we would need or how many people would be required daily to man the stand - we had to learn on the job. We invited the Department of Workplace Health and Safety QLD, the Department of Queensland Health, Allens Industrial Products and Parsons Brinckerhoff – Environmental Consultants to join us on the stand to put out the asbestos awareness safety message.

We were told in excess of 35,000 people attended the 2012 Home Show. With this as our base figure we estimated that 1 in every 9 people may show an interest in Asbestos Awareness. We then ordered 5,000 bags and arranged for Helen, Kay and Kerrie as well as a number of our very special volunteers (Ciaran Ehrich, Rod & Wendy Towerton, Brian & Vera Edgar, Trish Ramsay, Bev Robertson, Lorraine Parker, Bill & Jean Mitchell, David Agudelo and Martin Rogalski), to fill them with asbestos awareness information, in particular, the Society’s blue book, the Workplace Health and Safety book “Information for DIY and trades people”, brochures from Allens Industrial Products and Parsons Brinckerhoff – Environmental Consultants, information on testing of asbestos containing materials.

Everything was going to plan except there were no bags. We had been promised they would be processed on Thursday night and delivered 9am Friday 1st March. No bags arrived and after several calls to the carriers and the importers we finally found out why. All the boxes containing our bags had to be opened and searched. Why you might ask? It appears a very stubborn pooch (drug sniffing K9), would not leave our boxes alone. The dog had made its mind up the boxes were suspicious. Each box had to be opened and searched. This resulted in an extensive delay and a number of the boxes and the bags in them became quite wet. (Some of the boxes were checked out in a wet area as we had very heavy rain that night). This created another job for our volunteers, drying them out before they could be packed. Eventually after extreme diplomacy and pleading the boxes arrived at 12.30pm.

We filled 2,000 bags between 12.30pm and 5pm, Friday 1st March, this was a massive effort.

Day 1 Saturday 2nd March - We had 1,000 bags at the stall all requiring a Queensland Workplace Health and Safety booklet in them. Despite the lack of space, Helen and Kerrie did a fantastic job of not only packing the bags but also handling information and awareness questions. All up there were four (4) volunteers being from QARDSS, Workplace Health and Safety QLD, QLD Health, Allens Industrial Products and Parsons Brinckerhoff – Environmental Consultant, to handle information and awareness questions and hand out bags to those who asked for them. At the end of the day we had handed out 760 bags.

4 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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Day 2 Sunday 3rd March - We restocked the stall with 800 more bags from the CFMEU utility with Andrew and Trish Ramsay. As with the day before these bags required the extra book to be put into them - another load for Helen, Kerrie and Trish. What a day it was, frantic with people coming from all directions with questions and wanting information. We gave out 960 bags and an urgent message went out to our loyal volunteers - please come in on Monday to fill more bags!

Day 3 Monday 4th March - What a difference a day makes. After the crowds on the weekend it was very quiet and 200 bags given out. It was suggested the volunteers only do 1,000 bags.

Day 4 Tuesday 5th March - Same as day three with 200 bags given out – allowing us to catch our breath.

Day 5 Wednesday 6th March – Crowds building up again with 274 bags given out.

Day 6 Thursday 7th March – Crowds still increasing with a further 364 bags given out. Arrangements were made to fill a further 2,000 bags on the Friday as we only had 260 of the original 3,000 bags left and there was no doubt that we would need at least 1,500 bags over the 3 days if the first weekend was any indication.

Day 7 Friday 8th March - This was a steady day with 320 bags given away. That night the stall was restocked with 1,000 bags with a further 1,000 stored in the CFMEU van for Sunday.

Day 8 Saturday 9th March - This was a very different day with many different questions. Some attendees thought we were government officials and/or asbestos removalists. We gave out 650 bags – very busy.

Day 9 Sunday 10th March – Restocked with bags and we were really happy that this would be the final day. It had been a very draining experience for all involved although very rewarding. The pack up had to be done before we could go home. Very tired at the end but a job we felt was well done.

A total of 4,438 information bags were handed out at an average over the 9 days of almost 500 bags per day. This exercise was no mean feat to achieve and was due to the tenacity of Helen in her drive of the program, the expertise of Kay and Kerrie in facilitating the preparation of the information required and the efforts of Trish and Andrew Ramsay cannot be overstated.

We have booked in for next year’s Home Show with a double stall. With this amount of lead in and the experience gained this year, we can improve on what we did and we know what we shouldn’t do.

Some of the questions that were asked and the answers given over the 9 days were as follows:-

Do you remove asbestos? No, but you can contact the Asbestos Industry Association, they will refer people in your area;

Are you asbestos removalists?No, we are a Support Society for people diagnosed with asbestos diseases. Our aim is to work toward greater awareness to the dangers of asbestos exposure;

Where can I find a list of asbestos removalists?By contacting the Asbestos Industry Association. The number is in the blue book in your bag;

Do I have to have a license to remove asbestos?No, homeowners may remove up to 10 Square Meters of bonded asbestos containing

The Courier Mail Home Show 2013... continued

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 5

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material without a license. However, you must follow the safety procedures contained in the booklet in your bag “Asbestos a guide for minor renovations’. You can read about it in the DIY book in your bag. Home owners removing more than 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos materials must hold a certificate, obtained through Queensland Health, call 13 74 68;

How can I get a license?You must contact the Department of Workplace Health and Safety and ask them where you could enrol in a training course. I believe there is a certificate course you can do on line through Queensland Health, you should contact the Queensland Government on 13 74 68 (Please note the Society does not endorse the online asbestos removal course or its certification)

Is there any government subsidy for asbestos removal?No, not at this time;

What should it cost to remove asbestos?The cost would vary according to the location and volume to be removed. For example, removing an asbestos product in a bathroom may involve a considerable amount of preparation and restoration work as well as the actual removal;

Where can I dump Asbestos? You need to contact your local council to find your nearest facility which accepts asbestos waste. You must never put asbestos in your wheelie bin or in with green waste. Asbestos must be double bagged, sealed and labelled Asbestos Waste and can only be disposed of in select facilities in accordance with regulation;

Can I put Asbestos in my wheelie bin?No! All asbestos waste must be double bagged, sealed and labelled Asbestos Waste, then contact your local council for your nearest asbestos disposal facility;

How can I tell if my fibro contains asbestos?The only sure way is to have it tested. However, if you are unsure always treat it as containing asbestos and take full safety measures;

How much do I need to swallow for it to kill me?It is not a matter of swallowing asbestos - it is breathing in the asbestos dust. There is no safe level of exposure;

Are you guys trying to scare people?No we want people to be aware of the danger of incorrect handling of asbestos and exposure to asbestos dust. If we can stop asbestos exposure we can stop asbestos diseases;

About ten years ago, I lived next to a house that had fibro removed from it by men dressed in white suits. No one told us what was going on at the time. Do you think I have been affected?Without knowing the full circumstances we cannot say – it depends on what was removed and whether the removal was done properly. Asbestos can be removed safely by most licensed asbestos removalists;

Did you know that there is a doctor in Germany who has treated me and cured my Mesothelioma?No, we are still of the belief that there is no cure for Mesothelioma. Do you have any literature or particulars of the Doctor concerned, his name or clinic;

How do I drill and cut asbestos fibro and not do any harm?There is a very good example here on the DVD, (The gentleman watched DVD) it is also set out in the DIY book;

How do I remove it safely? Do I need a mask?Yes, you will need a respirator designed specifically for working with asbestos (showed him the mask on the mannequin) you need to

The Courier Mail Home Show 2013... continued

6 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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wear a half face filter respirator fitted with a class P1 or P2 filter cartridge or a class P1 or P2 disposable respirator appropriate for asbestos, but please enrol in an asbestos removal course for a license to remove asbestos or get the professionals to do it for you. You cannot mess with Asbestos;

How old has my house got to be to have asbestos in it, and where would I find it?Houses built pre 1989 should be treated as containing asbestos. The asbestos product could be anywhere in particular wet areas, if in doubt of materials, have them tested.

A comment worthy of note:-A female senior citizen was quite shocked at being asked if she would like information on asbestos awareness. Her response was, “Asbestos!, there is no homes in Queensland made of asbestos. When did they build with asbestos in Queensland? No! They only used

asbestos down south New South Wales and the other states. I did not know they used asbestos in Queensland;

The Questions listed above is a sample of the many questions asked. Hundreds of questions were asked and answered and we do hope the Society’s hard work in conjunction with Allen’s Industrial Products, Parsons Brinckerhoff – Environmental Consultants, The Department of Workplace Health and Safety QLD Inspectors and the Queensland Health Officers at the Courier Mail Home Show has raised Asbestos Awareness and will save lives. There is no magical solution to the ongoing problem of asbestos exposure – Asbestos Awareness and Education is the only key, “Stop Asbestos Exposure and that will Stop Asbestos Disease”;

Raymond Colbert SECRETARY

One of the parking areas at 8am - filling up very quickly

The many boxes of our

information bags

Information bags galore!

Our Volunteers on Friday 1.3.13

Trish Ramsay - One tired volunteer

Our Volunteers

The Courier Mail Home Show 2013... continued

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 7

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Our week at the Courier Mail Home Show

8 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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Without doubt exposure to all types of asbestos are dangerous. The three

main commercial types of asbestos used in Australia were white asbestos – Chrysotile, brown asbestos – Amosite and blue asbestos – Crocidolite.

Particularly in relation to mesothelioma it has been stated for many years that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer of the lining of the lung (and occasionally the lining of the abdomen). Persons with what would seem to be fairly low level asbestos exposure such as from home renovations and washing clothes have developed mesothelioma. This has led doctors and scientists to propose that a single fibre – one asbestos fibre, can cause mesothelioma.

It is however impossible to prove whether it is a single fibre or multiple fibres that cause mesothelioma. No-one really knows how a mesothelioma actually develops. We do know that some persons seem to be more susceptible than others. For instance a husband who worked as a builder for many years cutting thousands of fibro sheets may develop no asbestos disease whilst his spouse develops mesothelioma from washing his clothes – a much lower level of asbestos exposure than the husband.

Recently Government Departments in Australia had been producing and distributing leaflets, brochures and DVDs regarding “Safe Handling of Asbestos”. It is no doubt the case that there are still millions of tonnes of asbestos present in our community often in homes built in the 1980s and earlier. Newly manufactured fibro still contained asbestos as at about 1982 or 1983. Distribution of information is crucial

The Society has been involved to a certain extent in development of some of these publications. The Society’s message on asbestos exposure is clear – all asbestos exposure should be avoided. The Society has come across statements by medical practitioners to the affect that the human body can sustain or deal with small levels of asbestos exposure. The message seems to be that isolated instances of asbestos exposure are okay and the body can deal with that level of asbestos exposure. This is not a message that the Society condones. The Society does not support such a message for two reasons:-

Firstly, the Society is not aware of any medical evidence that would suggest that the body can truly deal with small levels of asbestos exposure given that the Society is aware of persons developing mesothelioma after what is seen as low level asbestos exposure;

Secondly, such a message could give persons a false sense of security. If one isolated asbestos exposure can be dealt with by the body why can’t two, three, four and so on.

The Society’s message is clear – all asbestos exposure needs to be avoided. Only through

firm adherence to this stance can we eradicate asbestos disease.

From Our Legal Adviser – Mr Thady Blundell

Is there a safe level of asbestos exposure?

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 9

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Cause-specific mortality in a Chinese chrysotiletextile worker cohortXiaorong Wang,1,4 Sihao Lin,1 Ignatius Yu,1 Hong Qiu,1 Yajia Lan2 and Eiji Yano3

1JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 2Department of Occupational Health, Huaxi School ofPublic Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; 3School of Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

(Received September 21, 2012 ⁄ Revised October 27, 2012 ⁄ Accepted October 30, 2012 ⁄ Accepted manuscript online November 3, 2012 ⁄ Article first published online December 12, 2012)

Chrysotile asbestos has continued to be mined and used in China,but its health effects on exposed workers have not been welldocumented. This study was conducted to give a completepicture about cause-specific mortality in Chinese asbestos work-ers. A cohort of 586 males and 279 females from a chrysotile tex-tile factory were prospectively followed for 37 years. Their vitalstatus was identified, and the date and underlying cause ofdeath were verified from death registry. Cause-specific standard-ized mortality ratios by gender were computed with nationwidegender- and cause-specific mortality rates as reference. Maleworkers were 11 years older, and had 6 years longer exposureduration than females; 79% in males and 1% in females smoked.In males, the mortality rate of all cancers doubled; both larynxand lung cancer were four-fold, and mesothelioma was 33-fold.In females, there was slightly excess mortality from lung cancerand all cancers, and significant increase in mesothelioma andovarian cancer. Other significantly increased mortality was seenfrom cancers of thymus, small intestine and penis in males, andcancers of bone and bladder in females. In addition to asbestosis,mortality from pulmonary heart disease was significantlyelevated in both genders. The data confirmed significantly excessmortality from mesothelioma in either gender, lung and larynxcancers in males, and ovarian cancer in females. A gender differ-ence in mortality from lung cancer and all cancers could bemainly due to the discrepancies in age, exposure duration andsmoking between the male and female workers. (Cancer Sci 2013;104: 245–249)

A sbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral, is animportant cause of human disease, which may cause

asbestosis, a progressive, debilitating fibrotic disease of thelungs, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and laryngeal cancer, andmay cause ovarian, gastrointestinal cancers and other can-cers.(1,2) Although 52 countries have banned production anduse of all types of asbestos,(3) there remain about 125 millionpeople in the world who are currently exposed to asbestos intheir working environment; more than 107 000 people die eachyear from asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.(4) Chrys-otile asbestos has been intensively mined, imported and usedin many developing countries. Thus, the topic of occupationalexposure to asbestos and its related adverse health outcomesremains interesting, though not new to the scientific commu-nity, policy makers and the general public.(5) Overall, anincreasing amount of evidence for chrysotile related lungcancer and mesothelioma in relation to asbestos has been accu-mulated.(6–10)

In China, production and use of chrysotile asbestos hascontinued, and over 100 000 workers are estimated to becurrently exposed to asbestos occupationally. However, asbes-tos-related diseases, in particular, asbestos-related cancers,have been understudied. Although asbestos-related lung can-cer has been defined officially as occupational disease since

the 1980s, national data of the incidence ⁄prevalence or mor-tality of lung cancer and other malignant diseases amongasbestos workers are lacking. There have been several indi-vidual studies that addressed the risks of lung cancer andmesothelioma in either asbestos textile workers(11–13) orasbestos miners in China.(14) We recently reported excessmortality from lung cancer and nonmalignant respiratory dis-eases in male workers from a chrysotile textile manufactur-ing factory, who were prospectively followed for37 years.(10) The risks for lung cancer and respiratory diseasedeaths in the asbestos workers were over threefold that inthe unexposed controls. We also observed an exposure-dependent mode with asbestos exposure level and lung can-cer mortality in both smokers and nonsmokers. In the currentanalysis, we computed all cause mortality, including bothmalignant and non-malignant outcomes, in these workers andfemale workers from the same factory. The latter was neverreported before. The aim of the analysis is to provide a com-plete picture of the cause-specific deaths observed in thiscohort, and to make a comparison of the mortality ratesbetween the males and females.

Materials and Methods

The cohort was established on 1 January 1972 in an asbestostextile factory in China, where only chrysotile was used since1958 to manufacture asbestos textiles, friction and rubbermaterials, and construction materials, such as asbestos cementand tiles. The factory did not hire females until 1970. Theconcentrations of dust and fibers measured at different work-shops periodically were generally far higher than the Chinesenational standards.(12) A more recent measurement conductedin 2002 indicated that the asbestos fiber concentrations inair samples were 18 f ⁄ cm3 in the raw material section, and6 f ⁄ cm3 in the textile section; the fiber concentrations inpersonal samples were 6 and 8 f ⁄ cm3 in the two sections,respectively.(10) Analysis of available chrysotile samples byX-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicateda very low level of tremolite contamination.(12) The cohort,consisting of 586 males and 279 females, who had been hiredby the factory for at least 1 year at the beginning of 1972, wasprospectively followed through the end of December, 2008.About 30% of the males worked in the raw material andtextile sections, 22% as maintenance, 28% in rubber andcement sections, and 20% in administration or real service. Infemales, 9% were in raw materials, 9% in rubber and cement,16% in administration or real service, and the remaining 68%in the textile section. Only nine men and two women got lostin the end of follow-up, leaving a follow-up rate of nearly99% in both genders.

4To whom correspondence should be addressed.E-mail: [email protected].

doi: 10.1111/cas.12060 Cancer Sci | February 2013 | vol. 104 | no. 2 | 245–249© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

10 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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Cause-specific mortality in a Chinese chrysotiletextile worker cohortXiaorong Wang,1,4 Sihao Lin,1 Ignatius Yu,1 Hong Qiu,1 Yajia Lan2 and Eiji Yano3

1JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 2Department of Occupational Health, Huaxi School ofPublic Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; 3School of Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

(Received September 21, 2012 ⁄ Revised October 27, 2012 ⁄ Accepted October 30, 2012 ⁄ Accepted manuscript online November 3, 2012 ⁄ Article first published online December 12, 2012)

Chrysotile asbestos has continued to be mined and used in China,but its health effects on exposed workers have not been welldocumented. This study was conducted to give a completepicture about cause-specific mortality in Chinese asbestos work-ers. A cohort of 586 males and 279 females from a chrysotile tex-tile factory were prospectively followed for 37 years. Their vitalstatus was identified, and the date and underlying cause ofdeath were verified from death registry. Cause-specific standard-ized mortality ratios by gender were computed with nationwidegender- and cause-specific mortality rates as reference. Maleworkers were 11 years older, and had 6 years longer exposureduration than females; 79% in males and 1% in females smoked.In males, the mortality rate of all cancers doubled; both larynxand lung cancer were four-fold, and mesothelioma was 33-fold.In females, there was slightly excess mortality from lung cancerand all cancers, and significant increase in mesothelioma andovarian cancer. Other significantly increased mortality was seenfrom cancers of thymus, small intestine and penis in males, andcancers of bone and bladder in females. In addition to asbestosis,mortality from pulmonary heart disease was significantlyelevated in both genders. The data confirmed significantly excessmortality from mesothelioma in either gender, lung and larynxcancers in males, and ovarian cancer in females. A gender differ-ence in mortality from lung cancer and all cancers could bemainly due to the discrepancies in age, exposure duration andsmoking between the male and female workers. (Cancer Sci 2013;104: 245–249)

A sbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral, is animportant cause of human disease, which may cause

asbestosis, a progressive, debilitating fibrotic disease of thelungs, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and laryngeal cancer, andmay cause ovarian, gastrointestinal cancers and other can-cers.(1,2) Although 52 countries have banned production anduse of all types of asbestos,(3) there remain about 125 millionpeople in the world who are currently exposed to asbestos intheir working environment; more than 107 000 people die eachyear from asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.(4) Chrys-otile asbestos has been intensively mined, imported and usedin many developing countries. Thus, the topic of occupationalexposure to asbestos and its related adverse health outcomesremains interesting, though not new to the scientific commu-nity, policy makers and the general public.(5) Overall, anincreasing amount of evidence for chrysotile related lungcancer and mesothelioma in relation to asbestos has been accu-mulated.(6–10)

In China, production and use of chrysotile asbestos hascontinued, and over 100 000 workers are estimated to becurrently exposed to asbestos occupationally. However, asbes-tos-related diseases, in particular, asbestos-related cancers,have been understudied. Although asbestos-related lung can-cer has been defined officially as occupational disease since

the 1980s, national data of the incidence ⁄prevalence or mor-tality of lung cancer and other malignant diseases amongasbestos workers are lacking. There have been several indi-vidual studies that addressed the risks of lung cancer andmesothelioma in either asbestos textile workers(11–13) orasbestos miners in China.(14) We recently reported excessmortality from lung cancer and nonmalignant respiratory dis-eases in male workers from a chrysotile textile manufactur-ing factory, who were prospectively followed for37 years.(10) The risks for lung cancer and respiratory diseasedeaths in the asbestos workers were over threefold that inthe unexposed controls. We also observed an exposure-dependent mode with asbestos exposure level and lung can-cer mortality in both smokers and nonsmokers. In the currentanalysis, we computed all cause mortality, including bothmalignant and non-malignant outcomes, in these workers andfemale workers from the same factory. The latter was neverreported before. The aim of the analysis is to provide a com-plete picture of the cause-specific deaths observed in thiscohort, and to make a comparison of the mortality ratesbetween the males and females.

Materials and Methods

The cohort was established on 1 January 1972 in an asbestostextile factory in China, where only chrysotile was used since1958 to manufacture asbestos textiles, friction and rubbermaterials, and construction materials, such as asbestos cementand tiles. The factory did not hire females until 1970. Theconcentrations of dust and fibers measured at different work-shops periodically were generally far higher than the Chinesenational standards.(12) A more recent measurement conductedin 2002 indicated that the asbestos fiber concentrations inair samples were 18 f ⁄ cm3 in the raw material section, and6 f ⁄ cm3 in the textile section; the fiber concentrations inpersonal samples were 6 and 8 f ⁄ cm3 in the two sections,respectively.(10) Analysis of available chrysotile samples byX-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicateda very low level of tremolite contamination.(12) The cohort,consisting of 586 males and 279 females, who had been hiredby the factory for at least 1 year at the beginning of 1972, wasprospectively followed through the end of December, 2008.About 30% of the males worked in the raw material andtextile sections, 22% as maintenance, 28% in rubber andcement sections, and 20% in administration or real service. Infemales, 9% were in raw materials, 9% in rubber and cement,16% in administration or real service, and the remaining 68%in the textile section. Only nine men and two women got lostin the end of follow-up, leaving a follow-up rate of nearly99% in both genders.

4To whom correspondence should be addressed.E-mail: [email protected].

doi: 10.1111/cas.12060 Cancer Sci | February 2013 | vol. 104 | no. 2 | 245–249© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

In addition to detailed information on workers’ occupationalhistory and personal data that were collected from eitherpersonnel records or individual contacts,(10) workers’ vital statuswas verified by using a combination of active follow-up andrecord linkages to death certificates kept in the factory. Person-nel records including workers’ addresses and vital status infor-mation were well kept in the factory. For those deceased, thedate and underlying cause of death were retrieved and verifiedfrom hospitals and a local death registry. All causes of deathswere coded according to the Tenth Revision of the Interna-tional Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). There were ninedeaths in men and one death in women with unknown causeof death. The study was approved by the Research EthicsCommittee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.The data analysis was centered on computing cause-specific

standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) by gender. The expectednumber of deaths was calculated based on person years multi-plied by the Chinese nationwide gender- and cause-specificmortality rates adjusted for 5-year age groups. Person yearswere accrued from the date of entry into the cohort until thedate of death or the end of follow-up. Mortality rates fromthree available national censuses during 1973–1975,(15) 1990–1992(16) and 2004–2005(17) were used as reference mortality,which corresponded to three calendar periods, i.e. 1972–1981,1982–1995 and 1996–2008, respectively. National mortalityrates of pneumoconiosis were used to calculate SMRs for asbes-tosis due to unavailability of a mortality rate for asbestosis inthe general population. SMR for mesothelioma was estimatedbased on the third national survey (2004–2005) because thistype of cancer was not coded until the application of ICD-10.Ninety five percent confidence intervals (95% CI) of SMRswere estimated based on an assumption of a Poisson distribu-tion for the observed deaths.(18) All data analyses were carriedout with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Soft-ware version 16.0 for Windows and EXCEL 2007.

Results

Table 1 gives the main characteristics of the cohort by gender.The follow-up observation generated 17 508 person years inmales and, 9 967 person years in females. Male workers were40 years old when entering in the cohort (at entry), on aver-age, as opposed to 29 years old in females. Correspondingly,males had employment duration of 6 years longer than didfemales either at entry or in total. The majority of males

(79%) smoked, whereas only three females (1%) did; 127males (22%) and 23 females (8%) were diagnosed as havingasbestosis. Overall, 259 deaths (44%) in males and 26 deaths(9%) in females were identified over the period of observation.Table 2 shows the observed and expected numbers of deaths

and SMRs from all sites of malignant disease. In males, therewere 96 deaths from all cancers, leading to twofold mortalitythat in the national level (SMR 2.09; 95% CI 1.71–2.55).Significantly excess mortality was observed from cancer ofsmall intestine, larynx, lung cancer (including tracheal and bron-chial cancer), mesothelioma, thymus cancer and penis. Mortalityfrom either larynx or lung cancer was over four-fold and thatfrom mesothelioma and cancers of thymus and penis were 31–59-fold, as opposed to the excepted, although the calculationswere based on only one or two cases in most of these cancers.In addition, there was elevated mortality from leukemia and kid-ney cancer, and slightly increased mortality from cancer of pros-tate, esophagus, liver and bile duct. In females, 10 deaths fromdifferent forms of cancer were observed, leading to a slightlyexcess mortality rate (SMR 1.34; 0.73, 2.46). There were twodeaths from lung cancer, with a slight increase in the mortality.Meanwhile, one death from mesothelioma (peritoneum), cancerof bone, ovary, bladder, respectively, was observed, leading tosignificantly excess mortality from these cancers. Mortalityfrom stomach and uterus cancers was also increased.Lung cancer mortality in workers with or without asbestosis

was calculated. There was no lung cancer death observed infemale workers with asbestosis. In males, lung cancer deathsaccounted for 17% (22 ⁄ 127) in those with asbestosis, and onlyfor 7% (31 ⁄450) in those without asbestosis. Furthermore,mortality from lung cancer and all cancers by smoking wasalso analyzed in males. The mortality rate of lung cancer insmokers was 10% (47 ⁄452), which was double that (5%, 6⁄125) in nonsmokers. The rate of all cancers was 18% (79⁄452) in smokers and 14% (17 ⁄125) in nonsmokers.Table 3 displays observed and expected deaths and SMRs

from non-malignant diseases. Thirty-seven men and threewomen died from asbestosis, accounting for a major cause ofdeaths in respiratory diseases. Mortality from pulmonary heartdisease was significantly increased in either gender, with 13times in men and eight times in women than expected.Besides, deaths from diabetes mellitus were significantlyincreased in females and from accidents (including injury andpoisoning) in males. When deaths from all causes werecombined, mortality was significantly increased in males(SMR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.16–1.48), but not in females.

Discussion

Since the 1970s, International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC) has classified all types of asbestos as carcinogenic agentsof larynx, lung, mesothelioma and ovary cancers with sufficientevidence in humans and of colorectum, pharynx and stomachcancers with limited evidence.(19, 20) We estimated cause-specificSMRs in both male and female asbestos workers, and confirmedsignificantly excess mortality from mesothelioma in either gen-der, lung and larynx cancers in the males, and ovary cancer in thefemales. There were 53 deaths from lung cancer, and two deathsfrom larynx and mesothelioma, respectively, in male workers.The deaths from lung cancer and mesothelioma (one pleural andone peritoneal) were reported previously.(10,12) SMR from eitherlarynx cancer or lung cancer was fourfold and that frommesotheli-oma was 33-fold that expected. SMR from mesothelioma was166.7 and ovarian cancer 7.7 in the females, although that wasbased on only one death.These observed results, overall, were consistent with other

studies observed from chrysotile exposed workers in differentcountries. In a follow-up study of chrysotile textile workers in

Table 1. Basic data of males and females in asbestos textile worker

cohort, China, 1972–2008

Males

(n = 586)

Females

(n = 279)

Total person-years of

follow up

17 508 9967

Year of birth, median

(P25, P75)

1930 (1922, 1944) 1946 (1936, 1950)

Age at entry, mean (SD) 39.8 (11.9) 28.8 (8.6)

Employment years at

entry, mean (SD)

10.8 (6.7) 4.6 (4.4)

Total employment

years, mean (SD)

25.5 (8.4) 19.4 (9.3)

Ever-smoking, n (%) 460 (78.5) 3 (1.1)

Asbestosis, n (%) 127 (21.7) 23 (8.2)

Vital status, n (%)

Alive 318 (54.3) 251 (90.0)

Deceased 259 (44.2) 26 (9.3)

Lost 9 (1.5) 2 (0.7)

SD, standard deviation.

246 doi: 10.1111/cas.12060© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 11

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South Carolina,(6) SMR from all cancers were significantlyelevated in males, and slightly increased in females, while sig-nificantly excess SMR for lung cancer was observed in bothmales and females. There were three cases of mesothelioma inthe South Carolina worker cohort, all in males. Mortality from lar-ynx in both males and females was over twofold that expected,

though not significantly. No ovarian cancer was reported specifi-cally. In a Quebec cohort study,(21) increased mortality wasobserved from lung cancer (SMR 1.40), larynx (SMR 1.3) andstomach (SMR 1.17), but neither confidence interval nor P-valuewas provided in that study. Apart from these cancers, we alsoobserved significantly increased mortality from cancers of

Table 2. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all sites of cancer in asbestos textile worker cohort, China, 1972–2008

Cause of death (ICD-10)Males (n = 577) Females (n = 277)

Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI) Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI)

All cancers 96 ⁄ 45.96 2.09 (1.71, 2.55)† 10 ⁄ 7.47 1.34 (0.73, 2.46)

Digestive system

Esophagus (C15) 7 ⁄ 5.59 1.25 (0.61, 2.59) 0 ⁄ 0.39Stomach (C16) 3 ⁄ 6.98 0.43 (0.15, 1.27) 2 ⁄ 1.04 1.92 (0.53, 7.01)

Liver and bile duct (C22) 15 ⁄ 11.21 1.34 (0.81, 2.21) 0 ⁄ 1.02Small intestine (C17) 1 ⁄ 0.11 9.09 (1.60, 51.50)† 0 ⁄ 0.02Colon and rectum (C18–20) 3 ⁄ 2.80 1.07 (0.36, 3.15) 0 ⁄ 0.45

Respiratory system

Larynx (C32) 2 ⁄ 0.47 4.26 (1.17, 15.52)† 0 ⁄ 0.02Nasopharynx (C11) 1 ⁄ 0.98 1.02 (0.18, 5.78) 0 ⁄ 0.12Trachea, bronchus and lung (C33–34) 53 ⁄ 13.00 4.08 (3.12, 5.33)† 2 ⁄ 1.62 1.23 (0.34, 4.50)

Bone cancer (C40–41) 0 ⁄ 0.61 1 ⁄ 0.11 9.09 (1.06, 51.50)†

Mesothelioma‡(C45) 2 ⁄ 0.06 33.33 (9.14, 121.55)† 1 ⁄ 0.006 166.67 (29.42, 944.18)†

Thymus (C75) 1 ⁄ 0.02 58.82 (10.38, 333.24)† 0 ⁄ 0.006Lymph sarcoma (C81) 2 ⁄ 0.87 2.30 (0.63, 8.38) 0 ⁄ 0.35Leukemia (C91) 1 ⁄ 1.05 0.95 (0.17, 5.40) 0 ⁄ 0.63

Male genital organs (C60–63)

Penis (C60) 1 ⁄ 0.03 31.25 (5.52, 177.03)† –

Prostate (C61) 1 ⁄ 0.59 1.69 (0.30, 9.60) –

Female genital organs(C51–58)

Breast (C51) – 1 ⁄ 0.78 1.28 (0.23, 7.26)

Ovary (C56) – 1 ⁄ 0.13 7.69 (1.36, 43.58)†

Uterus (C55) – 1 ⁄ 0.33 3.03 (0.53, 17.17)

Urinary organs (C64–68)

Kidney (C64) 1 ⁄ 0.33 3.03 (0.53, 17.17) 0 ⁄ 0.12Bladder cancer (C67) 0 ⁄ 0.07 1 ⁄ 0.04 25.0 (4.41, 141.63)†

Brain (C70) 1 ⁄ 1.16 0.86 (0.15, 4.88) 0 ⁄ 0.42Unspecific site of cancer 1 – –

Exp, expected number of deaths; Obs, observed number of deaths. †95% CI does not include unity. ‡Mesothelioma mortality was computedbased on the third national survey (2004–2005).

Table 3. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for non-malignant diseases in asbestos textile worker cohort, China, 1972–2008

Cause of death (ICD-10)cMales (n = 577) Females (n = 277)

Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI) Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI)

Respiratory diseases

Asbestosis (J66) 37 ⁄ 0.37 100.00 (72.55, 137.83)† 3 ⁄ 0.038 78.95 (26.85, 232.14)†

Others (Pneumonia, abscess) (J18, J44) 5 ⁄ 6.67 0.75 (0.32, 1.75) 2 ⁄ 1.33 1.50 (0.41, 5.48)

Lung tuberculosis (A19) 4 ⁄ 2.21 1.81 (0.70, 4.65) 0 ⁄ 0.91Digestive diseases (K25–27) 3 ⁄ 1.62 1.85 (0.63, 5.45) 0 ⁄ 0.78Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases (K72–74) 5 ⁄ 4.27 1.17 (0.50, 2.74) 0 ⁄ 1.55Diseases of heart

Pulmonary heart disease (I26) 36 ⁄ 2.75 13.09 (9.46, 18.12)† 2 ⁄ 0.24 8.33 (2.29, 30.39)†

Other diseases of the heart (I11, I09, I25, I50) 15 ⁄ 17.34 0.87 (0.52, 1.43) 3 ⁄ 2.95 1.02 (0.35, 2.99)

Cerebrovascular diseases (I62–63) 22 ⁄ 22.50 0.98 (0.65, 1.48) 1 ⁄ 3.51 0.28 (0.05, 1.61)

Diabetes mellitus (E10–14) 3 ⁄ 3.16 0.95 (0.32, 2.79) 3 ⁄ 0.80 3.75 (1.28, 11.03)†

Nervous system disorders (G00) 3 ⁄ 1.16 2.59 (0.88, 7.60) 0 ⁄ 0.86Accidents (V71–72, Y17–18, T50, T97) 21 ⁄ 13.50 1.56 (1.02, 2.38)† 1 ⁄ 3.21 0.31 (0.05, 1.76)

Unknown cause‡ 9 – 1 –

All causes§ 259 ⁄ 197.27 1.31 (1.16, 1.48)† 26 ⁄ 31.57 0.82 (0.56, 1.21)

Exp, expected number of deaths; Obs, observed number of deaths. †95% CI does not include unity. ‡Includes deaths with a missing cause, SMRnot reported. §Including deaths from both malignant and nonmalignant diseases.

Wang et al. Cancer Sci | February 2013 | vol. 104 | no. 2 | 247© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

12 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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South Carolina,(6) SMR from all cancers were significantlyelevated in males, and slightly increased in females, while sig-nificantly excess SMR for lung cancer was observed in bothmales and females. There were three cases of mesothelioma inthe South Carolina worker cohort, all in males. Mortality from lar-ynx in both males and females was over twofold that expected,

though not significantly. No ovarian cancer was reported specifi-cally. In a Quebec cohort study,(21) increased mortality wasobserved from lung cancer (SMR 1.40), larynx (SMR 1.3) andstomach (SMR 1.17), but neither confidence interval nor P-valuewas provided in that study. Apart from these cancers, we alsoobserved significantly increased mortality from cancers of

Table 2. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all sites of cancer in asbestos textile worker cohort, China, 1972–2008

Cause of death (ICD-10)Males (n = 577) Females (n = 277)

Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI) Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI)

All cancers 96 ⁄ 45.96 2.09 (1.71, 2.55)† 10 ⁄ 7.47 1.34 (0.73, 2.46)

Digestive system

Esophagus (C15) 7 ⁄ 5.59 1.25 (0.61, 2.59) 0 ⁄ 0.39Stomach (C16) 3 ⁄ 6.98 0.43 (0.15, 1.27) 2 ⁄ 1.04 1.92 (0.53, 7.01)

Liver and bile duct (C22) 15 ⁄ 11.21 1.34 (0.81, 2.21) 0 ⁄ 1.02Small intestine (C17) 1 ⁄ 0.11 9.09 (1.60, 51.50)† 0 ⁄ 0.02Colon and rectum (C18–20) 3 ⁄ 2.80 1.07 (0.36, 3.15) 0 ⁄ 0.45

Respiratory system

Larynx (C32) 2 ⁄ 0.47 4.26 (1.17, 15.52)† 0 ⁄ 0.02Nasopharynx (C11) 1 ⁄ 0.98 1.02 (0.18, 5.78) 0 ⁄ 0.12Trachea, bronchus and lung (C33–34) 53 ⁄ 13.00 4.08 (3.12, 5.33)† 2 ⁄ 1.62 1.23 (0.34, 4.50)

Bone cancer (C40–41) 0 ⁄ 0.61 1 ⁄ 0.11 9.09 (1.06, 51.50)†

Mesothelioma‡(C45) 2 ⁄ 0.06 33.33 (9.14, 121.55)† 1 ⁄ 0.006 166.67 (29.42, 944.18)†

Thymus (C75) 1 ⁄ 0.02 58.82 (10.38, 333.24)† 0 ⁄ 0.006Lymph sarcoma (C81) 2 ⁄ 0.87 2.30 (0.63, 8.38) 0 ⁄ 0.35Leukemia (C91) 1 ⁄ 1.05 0.95 (0.17, 5.40) 0 ⁄ 0.63

Male genital organs (C60–63)

Penis (C60) 1 ⁄ 0.03 31.25 (5.52, 177.03)† –

Prostate (C61) 1 ⁄ 0.59 1.69 (0.30, 9.60) –

Female genital organs(C51–58)

Breast (C51) – 1 ⁄ 0.78 1.28 (0.23, 7.26)

Ovary (C56) – 1 ⁄ 0.13 7.69 (1.36, 43.58)†

Uterus (C55) – 1 ⁄ 0.33 3.03 (0.53, 17.17)

Urinary organs (C64–68)

Kidney (C64) 1 ⁄ 0.33 3.03 (0.53, 17.17) 0 ⁄ 0.12Bladder cancer (C67) 0 ⁄ 0.07 1 ⁄ 0.04 25.0 (4.41, 141.63)†

Brain (C70) 1 ⁄ 1.16 0.86 (0.15, 4.88) 0 ⁄ 0.42Unspecific site of cancer 1 – –

Exp, expected number of deaths; Obs, observed number of deaths. †95% CI does not include unity. ‡Mesothelioma mortality was computedbased on the third national survey (2004–2005).

Table 3. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for non-malignant diseases in asbestos textile worker cohort, China, 1972–2008

Cause of death (ICD-10)cMales (n = 577) Females (n = 277)

Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI) Obs ⁄ Exp SMR (95% CI)

Respiratory diseases

Asbestosis (J66) 37 ⁄ 0.37 100.00 (72.55, 137.83)† 3 ⁄ 0.038 78.95 (26.85, 232.14)†

Others (Pneumonia, abscess) (J18, J44) 5 ⁄ 6.67 0.75 (0.32, 1.75) 2 ⁄ 1.33 1.50 (0.41, 5.48)

Lung tuberculosis (A19) 4 ⁄ 2.21 1.81 (0.70, 4.65) 0 ⁄ 0.91Digestive diseases (K25–27) 3 ⁄ 1.62 1.85 (0.63, 5.45) 0 ⁄ 0.78Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases (K72–74) 5 ⁄ 4.27 1.17 (0.50, 2.74) 0 ⁄ 1.55Diseases of heart

Pulmonary heart disease (I26) 36 ⁄ 2.75 13.09 (9.46, 18.12)† 2 ⁄ 0.24 8.33 (2.29, 30.39)†

Other diseases of the heart (I11, I09, I25, I50) 15 ⁄ 17.34 0.87 (0.52, 1.43) 3 ⁄ 2.95 1.02 (0.35, 2.99)

Cerebrovascular diseases (I62–63) 22 ⁄ 22.50 0.98 (0.65, 1.48) 1 ⁄ 3.51 0.28 (0.05, 1.61)

Diabetes mellitus (E10–14) 3 ⁄ 3.16 0.95 (0.32, 2.79) 3 ⁄ 0.80 3.75 (1.28, 11.03)†

Nervous system disorders (G00) 3 ⁄ 1.16 2.59 (0.88, 7.60) 0 ⁄ 0.86Accidents (V71–72, Y17–18, T50, T97) 21 ⁄ 13.50 1.56 (1.02, 2.38)† 1 ⁄ 3.21 0.31 (0.05, 1.76)

Unknown cause‡ 9 – 1 –

All causes§ 259 ⁄ 197.27 1.31 (1.16, 1.48)† 26 ⁄ 31.57 0.82 (0.56, 1.21)

Exp, expected number of deaths; Obs, observed number of deaths. †95% CI does not include unity. ‡Includes deaths with a missing cause, SMRnot reported. §Including deaths from both malignant and nonmalignant diseases.

Wang et al. Cancer Sci | February 2013 | vol. 104 | no. 2 | 247© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

thymus, small intestine and penis in the males, and cancer ofbone and bladder in the females, but all were based on one case.Two deaths from stomach cancer were found in the females,resulting in nearly doubled mortality that expected. There wasno increased SMR from colorectal cancer in either gender.There was an obvious gender difference in mortality from

all cancers and lung cancer observed in the cohort. Signifi-cantly increased SMR from all cancers was seen in males, butnot in females. Furthermore, the females had a slightly ele-vated SMR (1.23) from lung cancer, in contrast to the malesthat had fourfold SMR that expected. A different distributionin workshops ⁄departments or job titles between the gendersdid not seem to be an explanation for the discrepancy incancer mortality between genders. The majority of the femalesworked in either textile or raw material sections where asbes-tos dust or fiber concentrations were higher than othersections.(10,12) Nevertheless, there were several other possibleexplanations. First of all, their ages were significantly differ-ent: the females were 11 years younger than the males whenthey entered the cohort. At the end of follow-up, the malesreached an average 77 years old, whereas the females were66 years old. It was not surprising that more deaths fromcancers occurred in an older age group. It would be reasonableto expect that more deaths than expected from cancers, as wellas other diseases, would be observed in the females during thenext 10 years or so. The second explanation is the differentexposure duration between the genders. The males had averageexposures of 11 years when entering the cohort, and 26 yearsin total, compared to the females who had nearly 5 years whenentering the cohort and 19 years in total. Exposure durationwas found to be a significant determinant for mortality fromlung cancer and all cancers in our previous analyses.(10,12)

Besides, only males were employed during the first 10 yearsafter the factory started to operate. A dust control procedure inthe factory was not implemented until the 1970s. Althoughasbestos dust ⁄fiber concentrations always exceeded thenational occupational standards, they were generally decreasedover time. Therefore, workers (male workers) employed in theearly years in the factory were likely to be exposed to a higherlevel of asbestos than those hired later on, due to higher dust⁄fiber concentrations and poorer working conditions in theearly years. Another important factor for explaining the genderdifference in cancer mortality, especially lung cancer mortality,is smoking. There was a big difference in smoking statusbetween the genders: most of the males (79%) were smokers,while only a few females (1%) smoked. The male smokershad a doubled rate of lung cancer, compared to the nonsmok-ers. It was not beyond the expectation that more deaths fromlung cancer were observed in the males, given the interactiveeffect of smoking and asbestos exposure on lung cancerobserved in the male asbestos workers(10) and chrysotile asbes-tos miners.(14) On the other hand, the prevalence of smokingwas about 60% in males and 3–5% in females in the general

population of China. It is possible that the estimated SMR forlung cancer has been overestimated in the males and somewhatunderestimated in the females by using the mortality data ofthe general population as reference, because of different pro-portions of smokers from these workers. In addition, the dataindicated that more lung cancer deaths occurred in workerswith asbestosis than those without.In terms of mortality from nonmalignant diseases, there were

37 males and three females who died of asbestosis-relatedconditions. Altogether, 127 males and 23 females in the cohortwere diagnosed as having asbestosis according to the Chineseradiographic diagnosis criteria, with prevalences of 22% and8%, respectively. Again, the gender difference in the preva-lence of asbestosis may be explained by discrepancies in age,exposure duration, and a higher level of exposure by the malesin the early years. In addition, 36 deaths in the males and twodeaths in the females were coded as pulmonary heart disease,leading to significantly increased SMR in either gender. Therewas no excess mortality from cerebrovascular disease in eithermales or females in this study, although some studies reporteda higher mortality rate in asbestos workers. In South Carolinachrysotile textile workers, significantly increased SMR fromcerebrovascular disease was observed in males, but not infemales.(6) A recent mortality study among British asbestosworkers also reported statistically significant excess mortalityfrom the disease in both men and women, which were associ-ated with asbestos exposure and birth cohort.(22) However, noincrease in SMR (1.06) from the disease was found in theQuebec miner cohort.(21) These indicated no consistentevidence regarding the association between cerebrovasculardisease and asbestos exposure.In summary, we estimated cause-specific SMRs in the Chinese

male and female asbestos textile workers who were exposed toonly chrysotile and confirmed significantly excess mortalityfrom mesothelioma in either gender, lung cancers and larynx inthe males, and ovary cancer in females, although the casenumber in some cancers was limited. In addition to asbestosis,mortality from pulmonary heart disease was significantlyincreased in either males or females. A gender difference in mor-tality from lung cancer and all cancers observed in this cohortcould be mainly explained by the discrepancies in age, exposureduration and smoking between the male and female workers.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Pneumoconiosis Compensation FundBoard, Hong Kong SAR, China. The authors wish to thank Professors Mi-anzhen Wang and Zhiming Wang and Dr Du Lili for participating in datacollection and all workers in the asbestos factory for their cooperation.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest.

References

1 Selikoff IJ, Seidman H. Asbestos-associated deaths among insulation workersin the US and Canada, 1967–1987. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1991; 643: 1–14.

2 Straif K, Benbrahim-Tallaa L, Baan R et al. A review of human carcinogens– part C: metals, arsenic, dusts and fibres. Lancet Oncol 2009; 10: 453–4.

3 International Ban Asbestos Secretariat. Current Asbestos Bans and Restric-tion. Compiled by Laurie Kazan-Allen. [Cited 08 Dec 2010.] Available fromURL: http://ibasecretariat.org/alpha_ban_list.php.

4 World Health Organization. Asbestos: elimination of asbestos-relateddiseases. [Cited 20 Aug 2010.] Available from URL: http://www.who.int/me-diacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/index.html.

5 LaDou J, Castleman B, Frank A et al. The case for a global ban on asbestos.Environ Health Persp 2010; 118: 897–901.

6 Hein MJ, Stayner LT, Lehman E, Dement JM. Follow-up study of chrysotiletextile workers: cohort mortality and exposure-response. Occup Environ Med2007; 64: 616–25.

7 Loomis D, Dement JM, Wolf SH, Richardson DB. Lung cancer mortalityand fibre exposures among North Carolina asbestos textile workers. OccupEnviron Med 2009; 66: 535–42.

8 Finkelstein MM, Meisenkothen C. Malignant mesothelioma among employ-ees of a Connecticut factory that manufactured friction materials usingchrysotile asbestos. Ann Occup Hyg 2010; 54: 692–6.

9 Clin B, Morlais F, Launoy G et al. Cancer incidence within a cohort occupa-tionally exposed to asbestos: a study of dose–response relationships. OccupEnviron Med 2011; 68: 832–6.

10 Wang XR, Yano E, Qiu H et al. A 37-year observation of mortality inChinese chrysotile asbestos workers. Thorax 2012; 67: 106–10.

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11 Zhu H, Wang Z. Study of occupational cancer in asbestos factor in China.Br J Ind Med 1993; 50: 1039–42.

12 Yano E, Wang ZM, Wang XR, Wang MZ, Lan YJ. Longitudinal study ofthe mortality of lung cancer in chrysolite workers. Am J Epidemiol 2001;154: 538–43.

13 Yano E, Wang ZM, Wang XR et al. Mesothelioma in a worker who spunchrysotile asbestos at home during childhood. Am J Ind Med 2009; 52: 282–7.

14 Wang XR, Lin SH, Yano E et al. Mortality in a Chinese chrysotile minercohort. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2012; 85: 405–12.

15 National Office for Cancer Prevention and Control. Investigation of ChinaCancer Mortality (1973–1975). Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House,1980.

16 National Office for Cancer Prevention and Control. Investigation of ChinaCancer Mortality (1990–1992). Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House,2008.

17 National Office for Cancer Prevention and Control. Report of the 3rdNational Death Cause Retrospective Sampling Survey. Beijing: People’sMedical Publishing House, 2010.

18 Breslow NE, Day NE. Statistical Methods in Cancer Research. The Designand Analysis of Cohort Studies, Vol. 2. Lyon: IARC, 1987.

19 International Agency for Research on Cancer. Asbestos. IARC Mornogr EvalCarcinog Risk Hum 1977; 14: 1–106.

20 Cogliano VJ, Baan R, Straif K et al. Preventable exposures associated withhuman cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst 2011; 103: 1827–39.

21 McDonald JC, Liddell FDK, Dufresne A, McDonald AD. The 1891–1920birth cohort of Quebec chrysotile miners and millers: mortality 1976–88. BrJ Ind Med 1993; 50: 1073–81.

22 Harding AH, Darnton A, Osman J. Cardiovascular disease mortalityamong British asbestos workers (1971–2005). Occup Environ Med 2012;69: 417–21.

Wang et al. Cancer Sci | February 2013 | vol. 104 | no. 2 | 249© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

THE HON BILL SHORTEN MP Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation

MEDIA RELEASE

16 March 2013

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations today introduced legislation into Parliament to establish the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.

Minister Shorten said that Australia’s history of widespread use of asbestos has left a deadly legacy of asbestos-containing material in our built environment.

“It’s been almost a decade since asbestos was banned in this country and still, today, the dangers of this silent killer remain. Asbestos is the worst industrial menace that will go on killing for decades,” Mr Shorten said.

“The sad truth is that asbestos-related deaths are not expected to peak until 2020, and that tragically, we are expecting another 30-40,000 people to be diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the next 20 years. There are children not yet born who will die of asbestos related diseases. We owe it to future generations to come to grips with the blight of asbestos.”

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2013 will establish the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency and will work with jurisdictions for a nationally consistent approach on asbestos eradication, handling and awareness, including environmental and public health issues.

National action to tackle Australia’s deadly asbestos legacy

14 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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11 Zhu H, Wang Z. Study of occupational cancer in asbestos factor in China.Br J Ind Med 1993; 50: 1039–42.

12 Yano E, Wang ZM, Wang XR, Wang MZ, Lan YJ. Longitudinal study ofthe mortality of lung cancer in chrysolite workers. Am J Epidemiol 2001;154: 538–43.

13 Yano E, Wang ZM, Wang XR et al. Mesothelioma in a worker who spunchrysotile asbestos at home during childhood. Am J Ind Med 2009; 52: 282–7.

14 Wang XR, Lin SH, Yano E et al. Mortality in a Chinese chrysotile minercohort. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2012; 85: 405–12.

15 National Office for Cancer Prevention and Control. Investigation of ChinaCancer Mortality (1973–1975). Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House,1980.

16 National Office for Cancer Prevention and Control. Investigation of ChinaCancer Mortality (1990–1992). Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House,2008.

17 National Office for Cancer Prevention and Control. Report of the 3rdNational Death Cause Retrospective Sampling Survey. Beijing: People’sMedical Publishing House, 2010.

18 Breslow NE, Day NE. Statistical Methods in Cancer Research. The Designand Analysis of Cohort Studies, Vol. 2. Lyon: IARC, 1987.

19 International Agency for Research on Cancer. Asbestos. IARC Mornogr EvalCarcinog Risk Hum 1977; 14: 1–106.

20 Cogliano VJ, Baan R, Straif K et al. Preventable exposures associated withhuman cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst 2011; 103: 1827–39.

21 McDonald JC, Liddell FDK, Dufresne A, McDonald AD. The 1891–1920birth cohort of Quebec chrysotile miners and millers: mortality 1976–88. BrJ Ind Med 1993; 50: 1073–81.

22 Harding AH, Darnton A, Osman J. Cardiovascular disease mortalityamong British asbestos workers (1971–2005). Occup Environ Med 2012;69: 417–21.

Wang et al. Cancer Sci | February 2013 | vol. 104 | no. 2 | 249© 2012 Japanese Cancer Association

“The Gillard Government is committed to a plan of action for asbestos eradication and handling across Australia that eliminates exposure, and establishing the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is a critical step in that process,” Mr Shorten said.

“We lead the world in mesothelioma rates. Today we have the chance to lead in action.”

“We have been reminded this week of the risks of asbestos to the community, with disturbing vision circulated of a truck illegally dumping asbestos material outside a preschool in Sydney. I am disgusted at the reckless, deliberate and callous behaviour displayed by the truck driver.”

“The Agency we are setting up will have amongst its first tasks the implementation of a plan to tackle illegal dumping and to encourage safe disposal across Australia.”

“The agency will work in tandem with all levels of government, unions, industry and support groups to implement a plan of action to eliminate asbestos exposure. This is the first time that we will have a coordinated approach to eradicating, and handling asbestos beyond our workplaces.”

The establishment of an independent national agency was a key recommendation of the Asbestos Management Review (the Review) 2010.

The Review makes it clear that we must act quickly to prevent further Australians from being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres and put in place a plan which addresses identification of asbestos containing materials in buildings, asbestos removal, handling and storage and asbestos awareness and education.

“The Government trusts that all sides of politics will see the value in prioritising the passage of this legislation through both houses of Parliament,” Mr Shorten said.

“This Labor Government has a consistent track record of action to tackle the scourge of asbestos.”

The Government established the Office of Asbestos Safety in August 2012 to commence work with jurisdictions and stakeholders to start the development of the new national strategic plan by 1 July 2013. It is intended that the new Agency will be operational from 1 July 2013.

We encourage input for the plan to address asbestos; removal, handling, storage and disposal; awareness and education; ways to achieve a coordinated approach across all levels of government; and identification of asbestos containing materials (including in residences).

Public feedback on the draft plan is encouraged and will be available on the Office’s website at http://deewr.gov.au/office-asbestos-safety. The plan will provide a road map for tackling asbestos issues.

Mr Shorten’s Media Contact: Jessica Lindell 0408 642 804

National action to tackle Australia’s deadly asbestos legacy... continued

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March 19, 2013

A truck driver has been caught on CCTV illegally dumping asbestos outside two pre-schools in inner Sydney.

Go to www.youtube.com and search ‘driver dumping asbestos’ and you will see the video in full.

The driver dumped two tonnes of construction waste in Wattle Lane in Ultimo around 4pm on Friday, December 14.

Parents who arrived to collect their children after the spill inadvertently drove over the asbestos material.

Today the council released CCTV footage of the “brazen and despicable” incident, appealing to the public to help find the truck and its driver.

The footage shows the truck with its tipping tray up and the rear tray gate swinging open, spilling asbestos into the roadway as it passes over two speed bumps installed to protect pre-school children.

The truck, a white Daihatsu Delta, had a cloth tied over its license plate. It had prominent scratches on the tray and on the driver’s-side door. It also has a non-standard bar welded across the top of the tip tray, while the frame of the tip tray has a large crack near the driver’s door.

The truck was earlier filmed driving around nearby streets with its number plate covered.

The council’s director of city operations, Garry Harding, says the driver faces a $1 million fine and up to seven years in jail.

“The difficulty we have now is that the number is covered up, and it was deliberately covered up with a cloth,” he said.

“We have some distinguishing marks on the vehicle and that’s why we’re appealing to the public, if they have seen the vehicle, to please come forward with that information.

“Anyone who sees this footage will be outraged by it.

“This man showed a complete disregard for the children’s safety and there is simply no excuse. To do it in broad daylight right near two childcare centres is an

absolute disgrace.”

The council spent $13,000 cleaning up the area after the alarm was raised.

It says the investigation into the dumping began as soon as the clean-up was over, but it has taken three months to get clearance for all the CCTV footage from nearby buildings to be released.

“Our teams have been trying to locate this truck without tipping-off the owner and possibly compromising the case,” Mr Harding said.

“But it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It’s time to enlist the help of the people of Sydney in trying to find this vehicle.”

PHOTO: Do you know who drives this truck? A still from the CCTV vision (Supplied: City of Sydney Council).

Hunt for truckie who dumped asbestos outside pre-schools

Noted Vehicle identification points:

1. Paint scratches on tip tray, door and bumper bar.

2. Advised that bar across top of tip tray is custom, not standard fitting.

3. Black welding burn marks on right hand side of tip tray bar.

4. Front right tip tray frame broken.

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Robin Howie2, Robin Howie Associates, Edinburgh

It is generally accepted that the major risk from “low” level exposures to asbestos is the development of mesothelioma.

Children have a greater likely life expectancy than adults. It is therefore essential to assess whether such longer life expectancy relatively increases the children’s risk of developing mesothelioma as compared with equally exposed adults.

Doll & Peto (1985), (D&P), commented that “The risk of mesothelioma is very much higher when exposure occurs early in life ...” and Peto (1989) tabulated data predicting that the mesothelioma risk, expressed as deaths before age 80 per 1000 men resulting from a 5 fibres/ml.years cumulative exposure over 5 years, was 7.5 for exposure from age 0, 2.1 for exposure from age 20 and 0.3 for exposure from age 40. That is, the risk from exposure from age 0 was 25 times greater than from an equal exposure from age 40. Peto et al (2006) indicated that the effect of exposure to asbestos from birth increased the mesothelioma risk by a factor of 5.

Conversely, Hodgson and Darnton (2000), (H&D), concluded that mesothelioma risk levelled out after about 60 years from exposure and therefore that for mesothelioma risk to age 80 there was no further increase in risk from exposures below age 20.

The above H&D assumption was based on falling mesothelioma incidences with long follow up in some cohorts.

However, H&D failed to address the fact that most cohorts involved workers whose likely age at death would have been significantly below age 80 and also failed to address earlier deaths due to asbestos-induced deaths other than mesothelioma. For example, in the Quebec cohort the median age at death was about 68 years and out of 8009 deaths there were 657 deaths from lung cancer, 174 more than expected, and 108 deaths from pneumoconiosis, Liddell et al (1997). 33 cases of mesothelioma were observed in men not exposed to crocidolite. If only 12% of these additional lung cancer or pneumoconiosis cases had survived to develop mesothelioma, the number of mesothelioma cases would have been doubled.

Dr. Darnton has very kindly provided an excel spreadsheet that permits non-truncated relative mesothelioma risks to be quantified down to first exposure at age 0.

From Dr. Darnton’s spreadsheet adjustment factors to convert estimates of mesothelioma mortality prior to age 80 due to asbestos exposure starting at age 30 to other start ages are as shown in Table 1 on page 18:

1 This is the text of a submission by R. Howie to the (UK) Committee

on Carcinogenicity for its review of the Relative Vulnerability of

Children to Asbestos.

2 Occupational Hygienist Robin Howie can be contacted by email

at: [email protected]

Effect of children’s age and life expectation on mesothelioma risk

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Table 1

Start age 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 40 45 50

Factor 7.0 5.3 4.0 3.0 2.1 1.5 1 0.4 0.2 0.1

Table 1 above is effectively an expanded version of Table 9 of H&D.

From Table 1, pre-school and school aged children are significantly more likely to develop mesothelioma by age 80 than equally exposed adults.

For example, if a class of five year olds and their 30 year old teacher were all exposed to a cumulative exposure of, say. 0.01 fibres/ml.year of amosite, the mesothelioma risks, from H&D, would be ~ 160 per million for each of the children as compared with 30 per million for the teacher.

A further factor that must be addressed is increasing life expectancy.

From ONS (2011) the Cohort life expectancies of babies born in 2012 are 90.5 years for boys and 94.0 years for girls. In addition, it is anticipated that about one third of the babies born in 2012 will survive to age 100, ONS (2012).

It is therefore necessary to assess the consequences of survival to ages 90 and 100.

Dr. Darnton’s spreadsheet has been modified to take account of such increases in survival. Table 2 shows the adjustment factors for children to age 90 relative to 30 year old adults surviving to age 80 and Table 3 shows the corresponding adjustment factors for children to age 100 relative to 30 year old adults surviving to age 80. Adjustment factors relative to adults to age 80 have been calculated to permit the H&D model to be to applied to give quantitative risk estimates

Table 2: Adjustment factors for children and young adults likely to survive to age 90 relative to adults at age 30 who will survive to age 80

Start age 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Factor 11.3 8.9 7.0 5.3 4.0 3.0 2.1

Table 3: Adjustment factors for children and young adults likely to survive to age 100 relative to adults at age 30 who will survive to age 80

Start age 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Factor 17.3 14.0 11.3 8.9 7.0 5.3 4.0

From Tables 2 and 3 the “absolute” mesothelioma risk to pre-school and school aged children increases with increasing life expectancy. However, the children’s risk relative to that of 30 year old adults with likely survival to the same ages as the children declines. This decline is due to the

Effect of children’s age and life expectation on mesothelioma risk... continued

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relatively larger increase in initiation/development times for the 30 year olds as compared with the younger children, e.g. for 5 and 30 year olds to age 80 the times available for initiation/development of mesothelioma are 75 and 50 years respectively whereas for 5 and 30 year olds to age 90 the times available for initiation/development are 85 and 60 years respectively, 75 years to 85 years for 5 year olds v 50 years to 60 years for 30 year olds.

If the above example of a 0.01 fibres/ml.year cumulative exposure to amosite were applied, the risk to the 5 year old children with life expectancies of 80, 90 and 100 years would be ~ 160, ~ 270 and 420 per million per child respectively and the risk for 30 year olds with the same life expectancies would be 30, ~ 60 and 120 per million respectively.

Increasing life expectancy therefore has a significant impact on mesothelioma risk for both children and young adults.

Some experts may contend that the effects of biological clearance, particularly for chrysotile, will become progressively more important as life expectancy increases.

Any such contention would be based on the fallacy that what counts is clearance between exposure and diagnosis of mesothelioma rather than clearance between exposure and the start of the process that initiates the steps/stages that result in mesothelioma.

Many studies of mesothelioma latent periods have been based on cohorts likely to have been heavi ly exposed to asbestos, e.g. Yates et a l (1997) studied 272 mesothelioma cases, of which 189, 70%, had worked in occupations where “heavy” exposures were likely.

Some papers have suggested that mesothelioma latent periods increase as exposure levels decrease, e.g. Bianchi et al (1997), Yeung et al (1999). For example, Bianchi et al (1997), reported that mean latency periods (years) were 29.6 among insulators, 35.4 among dock workers, 43.7 in a heterogeneous group defined as various, 46.4 in non- shipbuilding industry workers, 49.4 in shipyard workers, 51.7 among women with a history of domestic exposure to asbestos, and 56.2 in people employed in maritime trades.

Increased life expectancy may therefore result in persons with low level exposures who might not previously have lived long enough to develop mesothelioma now living long enough to develop the disease.

It is considered that the increased risk to children and the further increased risk due to increasing life expectancy should be reflected in permissible airborne asbestos fibre levels in buildings.

HSE (2005) comments that the Clearance Indicator of 0.01 fibre/ml is used in the interpretation of reassurance and background samples. Note that “Reassurance” samples are effectively measures of environmental fibre levels in the buildings of interest. Although the above comment in HSE (2005) is directly contrary to the Approved Code of Practice, HSC (2006) which states that the Clearance Indicator is “not an acceptable permanent environmental level”, the above comment is widely interpreted as implying that as long as 0.01 fibres/ml is not exceeded, the environment is “safe”

The environmental levels necessary to maintain the same mesothelioma risk as imposed on 30 year olds by annual exposures to 0.01 fibres/ml.years of amosite can be quantified from H&D.

3

Effect of children’s age and life expectation on mesothelioma risk... continued

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If a background cumulative exposure of 0.01 fibre/ml.year were deemed acceptable for today’s adults, background levels would have to be reduced to 0.001, 0.0005 and 0.0003 fibres/m1 for 5 year olds with life expectancies of 80, 90 and 100 years respectively and to 0.0007, 0.0004 and 0.0002 fibres/ml respectively in residential properties where babies may be exposed to asbestos from birth.

It will be appreciated that for a given airborne asbestos fibre concentration the cumulative exposure over any given period varies directly with the number of hours of exposure per week, e.g. in residential premises where a baby may be exposed for 16 hours per day for 7 days a week, the exposure duration per week would be 112 hours compared with 40 hours for a nominal occupational exposure.

Such increased exposure per week would increase the cumulative exposure and therefore increase the mesothelioma risk.

Peto et al (2006) suggested that young children exposed for 168 hours per week are at a 10-20 fold increased risk of developing mesothelioma. It is assumed that this increased risk includes the factor of 5 increase for exposure from birth.

The above environmental levels in residential properties therefore have to be reduced to take account of occupants’ likely exposure durations.

In addition, it is essential that more stringent clearance and background requirements be applied to asbestos operations in buildings likely to be occupied by children than in buildings occupied only by adults.

REFERENCES

Bianchi C, Giarelli L, Grandi G, Brollo A, Ramani L, Zuch C (1997).

Latency periods in asbestos-related mesothelioma of the pleura. Ear

J Cancer Prey, 6, 162-6.

Doll R and Peto J (1985). Asbestos Effects on health of exposure to

asbestos. Health and Safety Commission: London.

Health and Safety Commission (2006). Work with materials containing

asbestos. Approved Code of Practice. LI43. HSE Books: Sudbury.

Health and Safety Executive (2005). Asbestos: The analysts’ guide for

sampling, analysis and clearance procedures. HSG 248. HSE Books:

Sudbury.

Liddell, FDK, McDonald, AD and McDonald, JC (1997). The 1891-

1920 Birth Cohort of Quebec Chrysotile Miners and Millers:

Development from 1904 and Mortality to 1992. Annals of Occupational

Hygiene, 41, 13-36.

Office for National Statistics (2012). What are the chances of surviving

to age 100? ONS website: downloaded 27th June 2012.

Office for National Statistics (2011). Release: Interim Life Tables,

2008-2010. ONS website; downloaded 27th June 2012.

Peto J (1989). Fibre carcinogenesis and environmental hazards.

In: Non-occupational exposure to mineral fibres. IARC Scientific

Publication No. 90: 457-470. IARC: Geneva.

Peto J, Rake C, Gilham C, Darnton A, Hodgson J (2006). Observations

and speculations on mesothelioma risks and asbestos exposure in

Britain. Presentation at BONS Autumn Meeting, 4th October 2006.

BOLLS website.

Yates DH, Corrin B, Stidolph PN, Browne K (1997). Malignant

mesothelioma in south east England: clinicopathological review of

272 cases. Thorax, 52, 507-512.

Yeung P, Rogers A, Johnson A (1999). Distribution of mesothelioma

cases in different occupational groups and industries in Australia,

1979-1995. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 14,

759-67.

5

Effect of children’s age and life expectation on mesothelioma risk... continued

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REFERENCES

Bianchi C, Giarelli L, Grandi G, Brollo A, Ramani L, Zuch C (1997).

Latency periods in asbestos-related mesothelioma of the pleura. Ear

J Cancer Prey, 6, 162-6.

Doll R and Peto J (1985). Asbestos Effects on health of exposure to

asbestos. Health and Safety Commission: London.

Health and Safety Commission (2006). Work with materials containing

asbestos. Approved Code of Practice. LI43. HSE Books: Sudbury.

Health and Safety Executive (2005). Asbestos: The analysts’ guide for

sampling, analysis and clearance procedures. HSG 248. HSE Books:

Sudbury.

Liddell, FDK, McDonald, AD and McDonald, JC (1997). The 1891-

1920 Birth Cohort of Quebec Chrysotile Miners and Millers:

Development from 1904 and Mortality to 1992. Annals of Occupational

Hygiene, 41, 13-36.

Office for National Statistics (2012). What are the chances of surviving

to age 100? ONS website: downloaded 27th June 2012.

Office for National Statistics (2011). Release: Interim Life Tables,

2008-2010. ONS website; downloaded 27th June 2012.

Peto J (1989). Fibre carcinogenesis and environmental hazards.

In: Non-occupational exposure to mineral fibres. IARC Scientific

Publication No. 90: 457-470. IARC: Geneva.

Peto J, Rake C, Gilham C, Darnton A, Hodgson J (2006). Observations

and speculations on mesothelioma risks and asbestos exposure in

Britain. Presentation at BONS Autumn Meeting, 4th October 2006.

BOLLS website.

Yates DH, Corrin B, Stidolph PN, Browne K (1997). Malignant

mesothelioma in south east England: clinicopathological review of

272 cases. Thorax, 52, 507-512.

Yeung P, Rogers A, Johnson A (1999). Distribution of mesothelioma

cases in different occupational groups and industries in Australia,

1979-1995. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 14,

759-67.

5

March 22, 2013

QUEENSLAND’S ombudsman has recommended a new department be set up to handle the problem of asbestos.

It comes as the state braces for an increase in asbestos-related diseases linked to the home-renovation boom.

A report tabled in State Parliament yesterday said any buildings built before 1990 in Queensland could contain asbestos but there was a lack of co-ordination and understanding about how to deal with it.

In one case outlined in the report, a woman who called her council about asbestos on a neighbour’s property in September 2011, received no response until her lawyer got involved six weeks later.

After more to-ing and fro-ing between agencies, resulting in a Workplace Health and Safety investigation, the distressed woman sold up and moved.

Ombudsman Phil Clarke identified confusion with housefire-related asbestos issues, including which agency was responsible for removing the material from neighbouring properties and who should pay for the clean-up.

The report highlighted a case at Maroochydore, in which a vacant, unfenced house with asbestos roof and fibro walls was severely damaged by fire.

Despite talks between Workplace Health and Safety, council and Queensland Health, no one could agree who was responsible for the Maroochydore site.

It took over a month for a fence to be erected, during which time members of the public - including children - entered the property and were potentially exposed to asbestos.

If breathed into the lungs, airborne asbestos fibres can

cause asbestosis, lung, larynx and ovarian cancer, mesothelioma and other diseases affecting the linings around the lungs and stomach.

Asbestos-related diseases can take between 10 and 40 years to develop, and were responsible for 640 deaths in Australia in 2010.

The report said incidents of mesothelioma were expected to peak between 2013 and 2021.

“An increase in future incidences of mesothelioma from non-occupational exposure from home renovation has also been predicted,’’ the report noted.

An increase in future incidences of mesothelioma is being predicted as a result of the home renovation boom

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MP sues over illness

Ernie Bridge

Former West Australian Labor MP Ernie Bridge, 76, is suing the state government, the Shire of Ashburton, CSR Limited, Midalco, Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting and Angela Bennett’s Wright Prospecting after being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.

Mr Bridge - a father of four who was WA’s first Aboriginal MP, the first indigenous cabinet minister in Australia and the member for the Kimberley for more than 20 years from 1980 - has claimed he was exposed to asbestos fibres and dust when he was the minister in charge of withdrawing government services from Wittenoom, in the Pilbara, in the late1980s.

In the 1950s and 1960s blue asbestos was mined in Wittenoom - hundreds of Wittenoom mine workers and residents have since died from mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis - and the risk of deadly disease from airborne asbestos to those in the town was eventually made public, with the state government starting a “winding down” of the town, which is now degazetted, in1978.

European Parliament Adopts Report on Asbestos

On 23 January 2013, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament adopted a report drawn up by Stephen Hughes. This report is largely in line with the stated aims of the European Trade Union Confederation and organisations representing asbestos victims in different countries.

The report explores over the different areas in which the European Union can intervene. It calls for a policy that protects workers and the population effectively. It notes that millions of tonnes of asbestos in existing buildings and facilities continue to represent a health hazard in Europe. It calls on the European Commission to implement a coherent strategy. It recommends establishing a registry for buildings containing asbestos, to ensure the qualification and training of workers responsible for asbestos removal, to ensure better compensation for occupational diseases caused by asbestos, to put an end to exemptions that allow chrysotile asbestos to be imported into the European Union, and to ban exports containing asbestos to developing countries.

The report was adopted by a very wide majority: 40 votes for, two against and one abstention. Its adoption is all the more important as the European Commission has not defined the contents of the occupational health and safety strategy for the period 2013-2020.

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In my capacity as the CFMEU QLD & NT Work Health and Safety Coordinator, and QARDSS Vice President I have a lot of Asbestos issues come to my attention.

Here is a couple of recent examples.

On Monday 3 December 2012, myself and fellow CFMEU Official Paul Cradden attended the site of the old Ford Motor Car Factory after a tip off about unsafe demolition taking progress there. On arrival we witnessed workers removing SUPERSIX fibro roof sheeting with not even a shirt on, let alone any PPE.

As there was no one apparently in charge of the worksite, we immediately started taking photos, of many square metres of broken and damaged SUPERSIX fibro roofing that was lying around the site. Shortly after our arrival, the Demolition Contractor arrived on site to talk to us. We asked him what method he had used to bring the large roof area down. He replied that it was near impossible to remove the SUPERSIX sheets from on top of the roof as there was no safety mesh to protect the workers from falling through it. He also went on to say that he had tried to remove the sheeting by working from underneath in a scissor lift, but it was taking way too long, Paul and I could see the area where this had already happened. I believe after he realised what he had just said, he changed the story to “there was too much structural steel in place” to use this method. The process they had used was to remove and weaken some of the support structure and then pull the building over with a large excavator and let it crash to the ground. Blind Freddy could see that this method would

no doubt, release many thousands of deadly asbestos fibres into the air.

We could see no evidence of any foam or sealant being used to encapsulate the fibres before the building fell. The demolisher claimed that they had saturated the roof with water during the process, but once again we could see no evidence of this. The only water we saw was pouring out of a water pipe that had been broken in the progress of the demolition. This had probably been wasting many litres of water for who knows how long?? With what we were seeing, I believe the roof was brought down by the drop method because it was the quickest way to bring the building down. My first thought was to contact WHS Qld. Paul and I believed that the workers on site were in imminent risk from the way the demolition was being carried out. ASBESTOS AWARENESS WEEK was held the week before??? WHS Qld told me they would dispatch an inspector straight away. I took a sample of the roof sheeting for testing, and then Paul and l left the site. A safer work procedure would be hopefully put in place. We proceeded straight to Parsons Brinckerhoff - Environmental Consultants with the sample for testing and had the test results within two hours. Of course no guessing here, the sample contained Chrysotile and Amosite (white and brown asbestos). I rang to enquire about what the department had found and was a much safer method going to be used on the rest of the buildings to be demolished. I could not believe my ears when the inspector stated he had found no breaches of WH&S and based on the evidence given by the Demolisher, it was the only way to remove the old roof.

Andrew Ramsay QARDSS Vice President

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On another jobsite I attended two weeks before, a wall being demolished at the Indooroopilly Shopping Town, was found to contain AC sheeting hidden behind plasterboard. The proper action was taken with the area quarantined, and the ACM removed and disposed of properly out of hours. But this old factory, which I am told was built in the mid 1920’s did not seem to warrant this same concern. An email containing photos and our concerns to the then Senior Director of WPHS Qld soon shed a different light on what was going to be the way the remaining asbestos roof sheeting was to be removed. Many positive recommendations including spraying of the roof and the underside of the roof to encapsulate the asbestos

Ford Motor car factory at Eagle Farm

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fibres with a mixture of PVA glue and water or some other surfactant by using airless spraying equipment from out of an Elevated Work Platform or Scissor Lift.

Removing the roof sheeting from underneath as was originally done by the demolisher, or a controlled lowering of the building to the ground that does not create any dust. Mist spraying to be used, and of course static air monitoring to be done during this process. I more than welcome this decision and the method that the demolition contractor was asked to use could only be a step in the right direction in our fight against asbestos exposure.

The other asbestos related incident that came to our attention was the demolition on the 6th February this year of the old Gladstone Civic Cinema.

The old picture theatre had stood proudly in Goondoon Street since the 1930’s, but like lots of old buildings it was demolished to make way for a new development. After receiving complaints from the public, and other inquiries about pieces of asbestos fibro sheeting, seen lying around the cleared site, one of the local CFMEU officials Ben Loakes went to investigate. Ben then rang me to say that he had found many pieces of broken fibro of which

he took two samples. I then asked him to send the safely bagged samples to me so I could get them tested. The tests came back positive for white and brown asbestos. Ben contacted WHS Qld to raise his concerns. WPHS Qld undertook an assessment of the complaint and obtained information from the contractor that the asbestos containing materials had been removed prior to the demolition work proceeding, and that a “clearance certificate” had been issued. The local papers were also asking questions that had been raised by both the local residents and the CFMEU. When the demolisher was contacted for comment on the finding of broken pieces of asbestos cement sheeting, they claimed that the pieces were not a result of their demolition process, but already in the ground? Ok so if the AC fibro was already in the ground, then it would have to have been left there sometime before the Cinema was built in the 1930’s. Possible? But in my opinion, not likely. One also wonders how an independent asbestos clearance certificate could have been issued in these circumstances. With employer groups and the Newman Government trying to water down the current Asbestos laws and regulations, like the Independent Inspections I often wonder where we are heading when the basic laws and rules that are currently in place, are treated with disregard. We all know one thing for sure is, that it is a proven fact, that asbestos fibres handled dangerously and treated with contempt, will cause a lot of unnecessary suffering for victims, their families and their friends!

WE MUST STOP ASBESTOS EXPOSURE AND DISEASE NOW

Andrew RamsayVice President

Andrew Ramsay QARDSS Vice President... continued

Gladstone Civic Cinema

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21 Feb, 2013

DIY enthusiasts and renovators must be mindful of the dangers associated with asbestos when completing their home improvement projects over the summer period.

Master Builders Australia warns that about one third of all houses contains asbestos and poses a potential health risk unless carefully managed.

Master Builders Australia’s Richard Claver said asbestos was widely used in building materials until the mid-1980’s and could be found in every room of a house.

“However, home renovators and DIY enthusiasts should not downplay the importance of seeking professional advice to avoid disturbing asbestos in order to complete their projects safely,” he said.

“In good condition, asbestos in a home does not pose a serious health risk, however, issues arise when asbestos containing materials are disturbed during home renovations or DIY projects”.

“Asbestos is difficult to identify and, once disturbed and airborne, it can pose serious health risks.” Master Builders offers three tips for all budding home renovators and DIY enthusiasts to avoid exposing themselves to potentially harmful asbestos:

• Check with a building expert regarding the age of your home and the likelihood of the existence of asbestos.

• Do not start any renovation work unless you are sure that you will not disturb asbestos. If in doubt, assume that your home contains asbestos.

• Engage a licensed professional to handle and dispose of any asbestos containing materials, regardless of the quantity.

Asbestos can be commonly found in:

• Roofs - as loose fill insulation and corrugated cement roof tiles;

• Floors - as part of concrete, flooring underlay and adhesives;

• Kitchens and bathrooms - splash-backs, tile products and adhesives;

• Wall and ceiling products; and

• Outside - gutters, downpipes and fences.

Renovators should be wary of asbestos risk

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Wednesday 24th April, 2013

Workers Memorial Day was started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1984.

The 28th April was chosen as it was the anniversary of Workers Compensation Act passed in Canada in 1914 (the Canadian equivalent to our Workcover) The Canadian Government passed an Act respecting a National Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or suffering from a Workplace disease.

Workers Memorial Day is recognised by the International Labor Organisation and the International Trade Union Confederation.

The day has been celebrated right around the world since 1996 and in Australia since 1997. The biggest highlight in recent years in

Queensland was after decades of lobbying by the Union movement, the CFMEU and the QCU, finally succeeded in getting our very own Worker’s Memorial Monument placed on the footpath at the front of Emma Miller Place, Roma Street Forum Brisbane in 2010

According to the International Labor Organisation, across the world each year more than 2 million workers, both men and woman die as the result of work related accidents and diseases.

Workers suffer approximately 270 million work related accidents each year, over 2 million die and there is 160 million incidents of work related illnesses.

Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers each year with ASBESTOS claiming more than 107,000 lives alone.

Australia has the highest rate of recorded MESOTHELIOMA in the world. It is a little known fact that more people die at work than those lost in all World Wars.

‘Remember the dead, fight for the living’

INVITATION

We would like to invite you to join with us for the Workers Memorial Day ceremony and refreshments which will follow the ceremony.

Where: Emma Miller Park – Roma Street Forum – Alongside the Traders Hotel at Roma Street Railway Station.

Date: Wednesday 24th April, 2013Time: 10.00am Sharp till 10.45am

Please call the office on 1800 776 412 to register your attendance, we look forward to seeing you there.

Regards

Andrew RamsayQARDSS Vice President

Workers Memorial Day

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The University of Queensland is seeking volunteers to participate in a nutrition study so researchers can further understand the effect of asbestosis or mesothelioma on nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition and quality of life.

Patients with an asbestos related disease may experience symptoms such as lack of appetite and fatigue that may impact their dietary intake, change body composition (particularly muscle mass) and decrease quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition (muscle mass), and quality of life in patients with an asbestos related disease.

There are gaps in the current knowledge about how nutritional status, body composition and dietary intake affect quality of life in patients with an asbestos related disease particularly mesothelioma. In other conditions similar to mesothelioma where cancer wasting is a feature of the disease, poor nutritional status, loss of muscle mass and inadequate dietary intake have a negative impact on the quality of life of patients. This research to our knowledge will provide the first assessment of nutritional status, body composition, dietary intake and impact on quality of life in this patient group.

The study seeks to recruit approximately 150 patients with an asbestos related disease (75 asbestosis/75 mesothelioma) over a period of 12 months.

This research will involve assessment of nutritional status by interview and examination, assessment of body composition by specialised equipment, completion of a survey to determine quality of life and an interview to assess dietary intake.

If unable to attend the University for nutritional status and body composition assessments, then dietary intake and quality of life questionnaires can be posted for completion.

a. Dietary Intake Assessment: You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the foods and fluids you usually consume.

b. Quality of Life - EORTC – C30 Questionnaire: This is a 30-item quality of life questionnaire developed by the European Organization for Research Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), which helps us to understand your perceived quality of life.

c. Nutritional status: An interview and examination using a standard assessment questionnaire.

d. If possible, body composition assessment: Assessment using DEXA, a technique commonly used world-wide for the measurement of bone density.

e. You will be asked to bring the results of your most recent CT scan if you have this available.

This research will advance the theory and evidence base for the nutrition care process. It will be used to develop specifically targeted individualised nutrition intervention programs that may significantly contribute to current treatment and positive outcomes for patients with asbestos related disease and provide guidance to health professionals working with these patients.

To find out more information or to be involved:

Contact Associate Professor Judy Bauer and Maeli Campbell-McNulty

Email [email protected] and cc [email protected]

Phone (07) 3365 4718

Address School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072

Research study: The nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition and quality of life of patients with an asbestos related disease

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Address. School of Human Movement Studies

The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia

T +61 7 3365 4718

E [email protected]

School of Human Movement Studies Associate Professor Judy Bauer

STUDY The nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition and quality of life of patients with an asbestos related disease The University of Queensland is seeking volunteers to participate in a nutrition study so researchers can further understand the effect of asbestosis or mesothelioma on nutritional status, dietary intake, body composition and quality of life. Eligible participants must be adults with a diagnosis of asbestosis or mesothelioma. All studies are conducted at no cost to participants To find out more information or to be involved: Contact Associate Professor Judy Bauer Email [email protected] Phone (07) 3365 4718 Address School of Human Movement Studies, University of

Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Location of trial

The School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland and The Wesley Research Institute, Level 8, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, QLD 4066

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 29

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May Day / Labour Day 2013 BBQ

Would you like to help us?

If you have a few hours to spare on Sunday 5th May 2013, we would appreciate your assistance at the May Day / Labour Day BBQ.

We need people to cook and prepare hamburgers as well as serve the marchers when they arrive at the showgrounds.

If you are able to help, please call the office on 1800 776 412 and Kay or Kerrie would be very happy to add your details to the volunteer list.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping us to make this a very special and memorable event.

Entertainment Book

In this edition of our newsletter you would have received a flyer with information on the Entertainment book. The Entertainment book is packed with hundreds of up to 50% off and 2 for 1 offers for the best restaurants, cafes, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel and more.

By purchasing the book through the society, 20% of the purchase go towards the society’s fund-raising. So if you have purchased the book in previous years you would know the value of the entertainment book. Please consider purchasing the book through QARDSS.

If you require further information regarding the entertainment book, or if you’d like to purchase the book please do not hesitate to call Kerrie Williams at the office on 1800 776 412 and Kerrie will be very happy to answer any questions that you have on the procedure of purchasing this book.

30 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013

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Brisbane North Social Support Group

Meets on the 1st Wednesday

of every month at 9.30am

Chermside Library 375 Hamilton Road, (Corner Kittyhawk Drive) Chermside

Upcoming dates:

1st May, 5th June, 3rd July, 7th August, 4th September, 2nd October and 6th November.

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact either Lyn Parks on 3886 3112 or Kerrie Williams at the office on 1800 776 412

Brisbane South Social Support Group

Meets on the 3rd Friday of every

month at 9.30am

Sunnybank Hills Library, Ground Floor Sunnybank Hills Shopping Centre Corner Compton & Calam Roads, Sunnybank Hills

Upcoming dates:

19th April, 17th May, 21st June, 19th July, 16th August, 20th September, 18th October, and 15th November.

If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact either Pat Cini or Kerrie Williams at the office on 1800 776 412

Any members needing assistance or knowing of anyone needing assistance, please do not hesitate to call: Helen Colbert – President – 1800 776 412

April 2013 Autumn Newsletter | 31

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Support Those Who Support The Society

Your consideration of these organisations would be greatly appreciated—their assistance is invaluable

Corporate Members

The contact details for all of our corporate sponsors and corporate members are available by ringing

the QARDSS office on 1800 776 412

QARDSS is an endorsed charity (ABN 29 150 479 514).Membership and donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

We thank all members for their ongoing support.

Air Liquide Healthcare Pty Ltd AMWU - Your Rights at Work

Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers

Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industries UnionAustralian Services Union

Aust Federated Union of Locomotive Employees

Beaudesert RSL sub-branchBuilders Labourers Federation

CEPU Plumbing Union – Qld BranchCEPU Electrical Division – Qld Branch

Chemmart Loganholme

Communication Workers UnionCPSU (Community & Public Sector Union)

DOTS Allied Health Services Pty LtdHigh Street Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd

Logan FuneralsNiagara Therapy

PFG Financial ServicesQueensland Independent Education UnionQueensland Nurses Union of Employees

Safe Work College of Workplace Health & Safety

United VoiceWorkplace Health & Safety Queensland

CORpORATE SpONSORS

2

SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE SOCIETY SponCorporate sors

Trident Trades & Labour Hire

Your consideration of these organisations would be greatly appreciated —their assistance is invaluable

Corporate Members

Air Liquide Healthcare Pty Ltd AMWU - Your Rights at Work Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industries Union Australian Services Union Aust Federated Union of Locomotive Employees Beaudesert RSL sub-branch Builders Labourers Federation CEPU Plumbing Union – Qld Branch CEPU Electrical Division – Qld Branch Chemmart Loganholme

Communication Workers Union CPSU (Community & Public Sector Union) DOTS Allied Health Services Pty Ltd High Street Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd Logan Funerals Niagara Therapy PFG Financial Services Queensland Independent Education Union Queensland Nurses Union of Employees Safe Work College of Workplace Health & Safety United Voice Workplace Health & Safety Queensland

The contact details for all of our corporate sponsors and

corporate members are available by ringing

the QARDSS office on 1800 776 412.

QARDSS is an endorsed charity (ABN 29 150 479 514).

Membership and donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

We thank all members for their ongoing support.

2

SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE SOCIETY SponCorporate sors

Trident Trades & Labour Hire

Your consideration of these organisations would be greatly appreciated —their assistance is invaluable

Corporate Members

Air Liquide Healthcare Pty Ltd AMWU - Your Rights at Work Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industries Union Australian Services Union Aust Federated Union of Locomotive Employees Beaudesert RSL sub-branch Builders Labourers Federation CEPU Plumbing Union – Qld Branch CEPU Electrical Division – Qld Branch Chemmart Loganholme

Communication Workers Union CPSU (Community & Public Sector Union) DOTS Allied Health Services Pty Ltd High Street Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd Logan Funerals Niagara Therapy PFG Financial Services Queensland Independent Education Union Queensland Nurses Union of Employees Safe Work College of Workplace Health & Safety United Voice Workplace Health & Safety Queensland

The contact details for all of our corporate sponsors and

corporate members are available by ringing

the QARDSS office on 1800 776 412.

QARDSS is an endorsed charity (ABN 29 150 479 514).

Membership and donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

We thank all members for their ongoing support.

2

SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE SOCIETY SponCorporate sors

Trident Trades & Labour Hire

Your consideration of these organisations would be greatly appreciated —their assistance is invaluable

Corporate Members

Air Liquide Healthcare Pty Ltd AMWU - Your Rights at Work Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industries Union Australian Services Union Aust Federated Union of Locomotive Employees Beaudesert RSL sub-branch Builders Labourers Federation CEPU Plumbing Union – Qld Branch CEPU Electrical Division – Qld Branch Chemmart Loganholme

Communication Workers Union CPSU (Community & Public Sector Union) DOTS Allied Health Services Pty Ltd High Street Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd Logan Funerals Niagara Therapy PFG Financial Services Queensland Independent Education Union Queensland Nurses Union of Employees Safe Work College of Workplace Health & Safety United Voice Workplace Health & Safety Queensland

The contact details for all of our corporate sponsors and

corporate members are available by ringing

the QARDSS office on 1800 776 412.

QARDSS is an endorsed charity (ABN 29 150 479 514).

Membership and donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

We thank all members for their ongoing support.

32 | Autumn Newsletter April 2013