Asbestos: scientific developments and implications for public policy

Article Abstract:

Exposure to asbestos, which contains natural fibrous minerals known as silicates, is associated with many health disorders. These include asbestosis; fibrosis, or abnormal proliferation of fibrous, scar-like connective tissue in the lung; lung cancer; and cancerous mesothelioma, a fatal tumor of the cells that line the body cavities surrounding the lungs, heart and gastrointestinal tract. The mechanisms behind asbestos-related inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer are being studied. There are many types of asbestos fibers, and the fiber type and size determine how harmful asbestos can be. The health hazards associated with asbestos are seen in individuals who work in mining or asbestos processing. There are no available data showing health hazards due to low-level exposure, as might occur from exposure to airborne asbestos in schools and other public buildings. The levels of exposure to asbestos in the air in most buildings are several thousand times lower than levels permitted by regulation. The type of asbestos found in schools and public buildings is the type that probably does not cause mesotheliomas. In fact, the unwarranted removal of undamaged or encapsulated asbestos can create airborne asbestos and can increase the level of exposure. Workers who remove asbestos, although protected, can also be exposed. Therefore, the fear of asbestos in the general public must be curtailed. Custodians, service workers, and others that come in contact with asbestos must be educated to avoid exposure. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, Causes of, Risk factors, Physiological aspects, Lung cancer, Asbestos, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma

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Punctuated equilibrium in scientific publishing

Article Abstract:

Editorial leadership at eight major US science and engineering journals changed hands in 1994-95. The journals publish thousands of scientific papers each year, and the passing of their long-time editors will likely change the face of science publishing. Several new editors are profiled.

Editorial, Management, Officials and employees, Appointments, resignations and dismissals, Editors, Journalism, Scientific, Science journalism

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Should non-peer-reviewed raw DNA sequence data release be forced on the scientific community?

Article Abstract:

The scientific community should be concerned about proposals to release to the public all genome sequence information before it is reviewed by peers. Such a release could encourage others to base their reports on data they had no role in gathering. Additional disadvantages are specified.

Standards, Analysis, Cover Story, Information services, Human Genome Project, Chromosome mapping, Peer review

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