Industry study withheld data on carcinogen -report (hexavalent chromium)

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/misc/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=uri:2006-02-26T160415Z_01_N24403898_RTRIDST_0_ENVIRONMENT-CHROMIUM.XML

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Workplace watchdogs and industry advocates agree: too much hexavalent chromium -- the same chemical at the heart of the movie "Erin Brockovich" -- puts people at risk for lung cancer. But how much is too much?

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is set to rule on that on Tuesday. But in the run-up to the decision, the journal Environmental Health reported that industry-commissioned scientists withheld data suggesting even small amounts of the known carcinogen, which is used in the steel, aerospace, electroplating and industries, can be deadly.

"We think we have an example in which all of the standard elements of scientific distortion are present: hiding behind the lawyers, statistical manipulation, failure to publish ... all that kind of stuff which comes right out of the tobacco industry playbook," said Dr. Peter Lurie, one of the report's authors.

<snip>

The film "Erin Brockovich" focused on the dangers of contact with hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium VI, through polluted water. The current matter deals with airborne chromium VI that some 380,000 U.S. workers might inhale on the job.

At present, there is no OSHA standard for how much chromium is acceptable in American factories; the only standard that exists dates from 1943, when the maximum on-the-job dose was set to prevent "nasal perforation" and skin irritations.

...more...

[babylonsister]

1. No OSHA standard, withheld data,deadly?

No standard since 1943.
We really are screwed, aren't we?

[I_Make_Mistakes]

2. Self delete

[The Straight Story]

3. makes me laugh really

I worked around this 3 years in my early 20's. I also helped rehab some really old houses with lead paint and lord knows I probably spent a lot of time around asbestos (now I am in computer field, maybe a little safer).

Now I have people telling me I cannot smoke at home or they won't hire me (or will fire me), that I am a health risk to myself,I weigh too much, eat the wrong foods, etc and so on. But the things that probably were the worst for me was working - just trying to make it by. Not to mention the crap spewing from cars, planes, factories, who knows what else.

Fuck em all. Something is gonna kill me and I sure as hell ain't going to live my life to please them so they can feel all good. When the BIG problems are fixed I will feel safer, until then time for some more rum and another smoke.

Rant off. For now :)

[I_Make_Mistakes]

4. I took back a post (a gave to much personal info.), but the

chemical industry to my knowledge was informed by the late 80's to early 90's that Chrome was a problem (I can not attest to hexavalent Chromium).

My family is in the industry and knew they had to go chrome free in x number of years.

If you want to smoke at home go for I do. If you want to drink at home go for it, I do. You get my point. Yes, we should have our choices to chose our poisons there are so many.

I think the issue is that when you go to work, there should be an implied trust that your employer is not gonna poison you, without informing you of the risk.

Would you walk into a company that has a sign "Enter at your OWN RISK"