title: Chrysotile biopersistence: the misuse of biased studies.
abstract: Although it is widely accepted that exposure to any asbestos type can increase the likelihood of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung and pleural disorders, manufacturers and some chrysotile miners' unions contend that chrysotile either does not cause disease or that there is insufficient evidence to reach a conclusion. At the same time, Dr. D.M. Bernstein has published several animal studies, financed by the Québec Chrysotile Institute, to determine chrysotile biopersistence in the lungs. Bernstein's study protocol induces a very short fiber half-life, from which he concludes weak chrysotile carcinogenicity. Bernstein's findings contradict results obtained by independent scientists. Bernstein's results can only be explained by an aggressive pre-treatment of fibers, inducing many faults and fragility in the fibers' structure, leading to rapid hydration and breaking of long fibers in the lungs.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Scientific Research, 3 rue Michel Ange, 75794 Paris Cedex 16, France. henri.pezerat@tele2.fr
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pezerat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning; D015982:Bias; D001682:Biological Availability; D002617:Chemical Industry / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine