Why Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

Researchers out of Brazil have published findings from a new study that begins to help explain how asbestos ultimately causes mesothelioma in the human body.

Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil exposed pleural mesothelium cells in mice to crocidolite and chrysotile asbestos fibers and found that the asbestos exposed cells began over producing inflammatory cytokines, a type of protein. The healthy mesothelial cells also began experiencing apoptosis (programmed death) and necrosis (death from injury) at higher rates.

Researcher’s then neutralized the cytokines with antibodies to confirm their findings, and found that neutralizing the proteins effectively prevented further death to healthy mesothelial cells.

We know that mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are ingested or inhaled, and lodge themselves in the tissue of the body. What is not known, is by what mechanisms asbestos causes the cell mutation that ultimately leads to the growth of cancerous cells. Identifying the proteins responsible for this mutation will hopefully allow researchers to develop preventative treatment for those exposed to asbestos.

Read the abstract here.

World Nations Deny Dangers of Chrysotile Asbestos

Seven nations won out against 143 others in the debate over whether chrysotile asbestos should be added to the United Nation’s Prior Informed Consent (PIC) list of hazardous substances in the Rotterdam Convention. India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe all objected to the addition at the sixth meeting of the Rotterdam Convention which took place April 28 – May 10, 2013, in Geneva Switzerland. It comes as no surprise that the countries which objected to the listing are home to a booming asbestos industry. Russia alone mines an estimated 1,000,000 tons of asbestos annually and is the supplier for half of the world’s chrysotile production.

In September of 2012, Canada, which was the sole objector to the addition at the 2011 conference, announced it would no longer object to the listing. Russia, which had not yet been party to the convention, quickly filled Canada’s place. In November of 2012, Russia hosted  the “scientific” conference: “Chrysotile Asbestos: Risk Assessment and Management”, at which “scientists” presented studies showing that chrysotile is safe and presents no danger to human health. The consensus at that conference was that chrysotile shouldn’t even be included on the Rotterdam Convention’s ballot for addition to the PIC.

The Russian Chrysotile Association’s website (eerily mirroring Canada’s taxpayer-funded “Chrysotile Institute” which closed its doors in early 2012) states that chrysotile is safe, and the attempts worldwide to ban its use are aggressive ploys by asbestos replacement products manufacturers. There is even a comic which depicts the big, bad corporations of alternative products pitting war against the poor, beleaguered working man, the hero of the story is Super Chrysotile, of course.

What does come as a surprise is India’s objection. They had received a standing ovation at the 2011 convention when they withdrew their objection to the listing. In this article,  India’s own media expresses confusion as to why Indian representatives at the conference objected to the listing.

Thailand’s media also expressed frustration of their government’s handling of the asbestos issue in the article “Asbestos kills, that's for sure” published April 26, 2013 in the Bangkok Post. It reports that the Thai government approved a ban on asbestos in 2012, but the ban has not yet been implemented. This article regarding trade between Russia and Thailand sheds some light on the issue stating: “Russia has urged Thailand to think carefully about a proposed ban on asbestos imports because of concerns over the health and safety of consumers. Thailand and Russia have set up a working committee to consider the issue. Romanov expects it to come up with concrete solutions to allow asbestos imports to Thailand.”

New additions to the PIC list of hazardous substances include the insecticide Azinphos-methyl, two flame retardants, PentaBDE and OctaBDE, and a fabric protector PFOS. The only two substances under consideration which were not added are chrysotile asbestos and the herbicide paraquat, whose addition was opposed by Guatemala and India.

Paraquat is toxic to human beings and animals and according to the Centers for Disease Control, research has shown that it is linked to development of Parkinson's disease. Ingestion of 2 teaspoons of paraquat is enough to cause liver, lung, heart, and kidney failure and lead to death. It is already banned in more than 40 countries, including Switzerland, the main manufacturer of the formulation.

The convention’s objective is to promote accountability among nations and protect human health. Inclusion does not imply that a substance has been banned, just that its import, export and use is severely regulated requiring warning labels and the exchange of information regarding safe handling practices. Decisions are determined by consensus, but groups such as the Rotterdam Convention Alliance are working to change procedure so that decisions are decided by the majority, and cannot be hijacked by a few Industry funded outliers who place profits above human health. If corrupt industry officials are allowed to influence the decisions of the convention, it defeats the purpose of the convention itself.

Canada Drops Opposition to Chrysotile Addition to List of Controlled Hazardous Substances

The United Nation’s list of Controlled Hazardous Substances is maintained by an international treaty made up of representatives from around the world known as the Rotterdam Convention. The Convention’s purpose is to set standards of protocol for the regulation of global trade of hazardous materials in an effort to protect human health and the environment.

Chrysotile has been on the list of considered additions to the list of Controlled Hazardous Substances since the Convention’s first meeting in 2004. However, in order for chrysotile to be added, the vote needs to be unanimous among the represented countries. The addition of chrysotile has been strongly opposed by countries with large stakes in the asbestos industry including Brazil, Canada, China, India, Kazakhstan and Russia. Inclusion does not imply that the substance has been banned, but that its import, export and use is severely regulated.

India withdrew its objection to the addition of chrysotile at the 2011 Rotterdam Convention, but Canada, which was exporting thousands of tons of chrysotile asbestos to other countries, objected on the basis that it was a propaganda ploy by groups wishing to benefit from the trade of replacement products such as cellulose and ceramic.

That same year the last operating asbestos mine in Canada ceased operations and the Canadian government committed to lend the mine $58 million to restart production. But in 2012, the newly elected government announced it would not honor the commitment. The new Ministry also announced that it would no longer oppose the addition of chrysotile to the list of Controlled Hazardous Substances.

The sixth meeting of the Rotterdam Convention runs from April 28 to May 10, 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland. While it is unlikely that other countries in opposition will follow suit, Canada’s change in stance is an important step toward placing of public health above corporate gains.

Chrysotile asbestos is a fibrous magnesium silicate mineral that is the most abundant variety of asbestos found on earth. The largest known natural deposits of chrysotile are located in Quebec, Canada and the Ural Mountains in Russia. Chrysotile is most commonly exported to developing countries which have failed to implement proper safety regulations to protect citizens.

Due to the unyielding of vested corporate interests, the danger of chrysotile asbestos continues to remain a contentious topic. However, in February 2013, the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer called for an end to all uses of asbestos reiterating all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.