Charles W. Axten
Health, Safety, and Environmental Affairs, North America Insulation Manufacturers Assoc., 44 Canal Ctr. Plaza, Ste. 310, Alexandria, VA 22314
To date, several scientific research studies have been published discussing the health effects of exposure to fibrous glass. Although the majority of these studies have failed to demonstrate any causal association between exposure to fibrous glass and adverse health effects, the material has nevertheless been classified/labeled as a ``possible carcinogen.'' This paper discusses the basis for this classification/label as well as a more realistic ``weight of the evidence'' approach to evaluating the scientific data on fiberglass. Using such an approach and integrating the substantial toxicological, epidemiological, exposure, and chemical data accumulated on fibrous glass over the past 50 years, one is led to the conclusion that the material poses little, if any, risk to the public health under normal conditions of use.