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Biomedical subjects

P F Infante

Publications and source records attributed to P F Infante.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Fibrous glass insulation and cancer: response and rebuttal.

In response to our commentary on fibrous glass and cancer [Infante et al., 1994], three letters have been received by the journal. The arguments put forth in these letters do not lead us to alter our scientific view that fibrous glass insulation is carcinogenic. No information is given in the letters that has not previously been stated. Even though these letters raise the same diaphanous arguments, we believe that to preserve occupational and public health we must respond in detail to ensure that the contentions of the fibrous glass industry do not gain further acceptance. Thus, we respond to each letter in turn: The first by Weiss questions and distorts epidemiologic findings, the second by McConnell attempts to recant his past views on the carcinogenicity of fibrous glass and on the value of rodent bioassays in general, and the third by Hesterberg and Chase impugns our analyses demonstrating a positive cancer response in their study. Lastly, we have not debated every issue raised in these three letters because of space limitations, and have centered our responses on what we consider the major incongruities and falsities in each letter. Likewise, we have been selective in citing only relevant literature, or those reports used by the industry or its consultants to support their views.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Fibrous glass and cancer.

Some argue that fibrous glass (glass wool) should not be considered as a likely human carcinogen and hence should not be listed in the Seventh Annual Report on Carcinogens (ARC) prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and mandated by the U.S. Congress. In examining this issue, data from both laboratory experiments (animal studies) and epidemiologic studies (human data) are reviewed with the results evaluated according to the criteria established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and adopted in slightly modified form by the NTP for classifying substances as human carcinogens or likely human carcinogens. From our comprehensive review of the available information, we conclude that fibrous glass materials are carcinogenic, and in view of the NTP and IARC definitions should be listed in the ARC. Our review then examines the carcinogenic potency of glass fibers to humans in comparison with asbestos fibers and concludes that on a fiber-per-fiber basis, glass fibers may be as potent or even more potent than asbestos. The implications of these findings are then presented for regulatory purposes in the occupational setting.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

A historical perspective of some occupationally related diseases of women.

The study of occupational diseases among women has been minimal, and when observations of adverse health effects have been made, they often have been obscured, ignored, or mismanaged. Occupational exposures of women to beryllium, benzene, and vinyl chloride serve as past examples of indifference to the plight of women in the workplace. The lack of regulation for waste anesthetic gases and antineoplastic drugs to protect health care workers and veterinarians indicates that this indifference continues today.

Anesthetics↗
PubMed1993

Use of rodent carcinogenicity test results for determining potential cancer risk to humans.

A high proportion of "human" and "probable human" carcinogens as categorized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer have been identified through observations in workers. The excess cancer risk has often been quite high. Most substances known to cause cancer in humans are now known to cause cancer in animals. In the past two decades, an increasing number of substances first shown to cause cancer in animals are now known to cause or are highly suspected of causing cancer in humans (and quite often in workers). The observations necessitate the use of rodent cancer test results for identifying and regulating potential environmental carcinogens. The role of cell proliferation (CP) in the carcinogenic response is important from a regulatory view in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evidence. If CP influences the carcinogenic response, the use of such data to modify dose response in the low-dose range is another factor that needs to be considered. Presentations at this symposium, however, indicate that CP data at the present time should not be incorporated into cancer risk assessments. More simple concepts that affect quantitative dose response and that may result in an artificially low estimated risk but could be adjusted for in the bioassay protocol have usually been ignored. A balanced approach would be to incorporate all known factors that influence quantitative estimates of cancer risk when conducting animal cancer bioassays and extrapolating those results to humans.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗
PubMed1993

State of the science on the carcinogenicity of gasoline with particular reference to cohort mortality study results.

As a result of the content of benzene in various streams of refinery products, including gasoline, it is not surprising that over the years studies and case reports have linked gasoline exposure to lymphopoietic cancers (LPC), particularly leukemia and multiple myeloma (MM). Of three recently conducted studies of gasoline-exposed workers, one shows strong associations with leukemia and MM, a second suggests some association with leukemia and did not analyze data for MM, and the third study is not possible to evaluate because of a major problem with study design. Other diseases of particular interest in relation to gasoline exposure are kidney cancer, malignant melanoma, and heart disease. One study suggests an association with kidney cancer, but the second study did not. There appears to be no association between employment in refineries or gasoline exposure and heart disease. However, evaluation of risk of kidney cancer and heart disease is somewhat difficult because investigators did not control for cigarette smoking, even though it is related to these diseases. This is of particular concern when studying gasoline-exposed workers, who because of the explosive nature of gasoline probably smoke less than the general population used for comparison of mortality. Some studies of refinery workers and gasoline-exposed workers in particular show an excess risk of death from malignant melanoma. Whether this latter association is the result of benzene/gasoline exposure, sunlight exposure, or a combination of the two cannot be determined with the data currently available.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed1989

Development of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed standard to protect workers from contracting bloodborne diseases in the workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is in the process of developing a health standard to protect workers by reducing occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and other bloodborne pathogens. This article reviews the history of the standard, the steps involved in OSHA standard development, and--most specifically--how the dental professional can participate in this process.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Living in a chemical world: actions and reactions to industrial carcinogens.

The synthesis of chemical substances has resulted in technological benefits for society and has also caused increased chemical exposures and risks of related cancers. Although progress has been made in cancer treatment, there has been little improvement in real survival time for people who develop the major forms. Therefore, the need to prevent cancer is paramount. The greatest chemical exposures and risk of associated preventable cancers are found in the workplace, but generally environmental exposures receive greater public attention. Chemical causes of cancer have been identified, and in some cases decades have passed before controls have been adequately instituted. Some companies show a high regard for worker health, while others may minimize or misrepresent the hazards to exposed workers. Medical personnel receive relatively little education in the recognition of industrially related diseases. Workers are often unaware of their risks or are trapped in jobs because of economic necessity, and government has been slow to regulate, in part because of lobbying efforts. Experience has shown that when chemicals are regulated relatively soon after they are identified as hazardous, lives are saved, and the industry is economically healthy; however, when regulation is delayed, thousands of people die unnecessarily, and the cost to industry and society are phenomenal. Society has the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned from these experiences as we address current problems of chemical pollution.

Attitude to Health↗