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| > | Press Releases | > | 2002 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Additional Information:
Phone: (703) 684-0084 • Fax: (703) 684-0427
E-mail: click here for online contact form
IARC Removes Glass, Rock And Slag Wool Fibers From Its List Of Possible Carcinogens
Full Report Made Available October 2002
Following a review of all available scientific literature by a working group of the world's leading experts on the health and safety of man-made vitreous fibers, held late last year in Lyon, France, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has removed glass, rock, and slag wool fibers from its list of substances "possibly carcinogenic to humans". A complete report documenting the science behind this change in classification, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 81, Man-Made Vitreous Fibres, was made available in October 2002 through IARC.
In a press release announcing the updated report, IARC emphasizes that "Epidemiologic studies published during the 15 years since the previous IARC Monographs review of these fibres in 1988 provide no evidence of increased risks of lung cancer or of mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the body cavities) from occupational exposures during manufacture of these materials, and inadequate evidence overall of any cancer risk." [bold emphasis added] IARC further stated that "the more commonly used vitreous fibre wools including insulation glass wool, rock (stone) wool and slag wool are now considered not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3)."
Ken Mentzer, president of NAIMA said "the IARC re-evaluation confirms NAIMA's confidence in the safety of these products for workers and consumers."
For more detailed information contact NAIMA.
To obtain a copy of the IARC Monograph, "Man-Made Vitreous Fibres" 9-16 October 2001, Vol. 81 visit the IARC Web site at http://www.iarc.fr and click on the button for IARCPress, E-mail your request to: press@iarc.fr or fax to +33 (0) 4 72 72 83 02
For further details of current research at IARC on man-made vitreous fibres, inquire by E-mail to boffetta@iarc.fr.
For more general information, contact Dr. Nicolas Gaudin, Chief, Communications (gaudin@iarc.fr).
About NAIMA
NAIMA is the association for North American manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. Its role is to promote energy efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation, and to encourage the safe production and use of these materials.