Exposing the "myth" of ABC, "anything but chrysotile": a critique of the Canadian asbestos mining industry and McGill University chrysotile studies.
BACKGROUND
Beginning in the 1930s, the Canadian asbestos industry created and advanced the idea that chrysotile asbestos is safer than asbestos of other fiber types.


METHODS
We critically evaluate published and unpublished studies funded by the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association (QAMA) and performed by researchers at McGill University.


RESULTS
QAMA-funded researchers put forth several myths purporting that Quebec-mined chrysotile was harmless, and contended that the contamination of chrysotile with oils, tremolite, or crocidolite was the source of occupational health risk. In addition, QAMA-funded researchers manipulated data and used unsound sampling and analysis techniques to back up their contention that chrysotile was "essentially innocuous."


CONCLUSIONS
These studies were used to promote the marketing and sales of asbestos, and have had a substantial effect on policy and occupational health litigation. Asbestos manufacturing companies and the Canadian government continue to use them to promote the use of asbestos in Europe and in developing countries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:540-557, 2003.
Clinical Associate Professor, Brown University, Department of Community Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
David
D
Egilman
Corey
C
Fehnel
Susanna Rankin
SR
Bohme
D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002170:Canada; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011634:Public Health; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015871:Scientific Misconduct
D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos