Database

This study finds evidence that exposure to PCBs is associated with increased risk of adult onset diabetes 25 years after exposure (PCB concentrations greater than 5 ppb in blood samples) was confirmed. The association only applied to women. There was no link with PBBs. PCBs are still found in food, decades after strict controls were introduced. Evidence from: O Vasiliu et al. Epidemiology (2006) Vol.17 p 352 – 359 “Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), Body Weight, and Incidence of Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus” Further detail: 6#3-4 4

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is likely to be tested on an industrial scale in the UK, within the next ten years. Many of the liability related risks can be predicted from experience with industrial chemistry and oil production. Commercial liability risks would depend on the economic model imposed by policy makers. Long term liability for stored CO2 [to be stored for hundreds of years] would probably damage the economic case for private industry investment and operation of CCS. The current practice of dumping CO2 into the atmosphere incurs no third party commercial liabilities and is usually free of liabilities for personal injury or environmental harm. Evidence from: House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. February 2006. “Meeting UK Energy and Climate Needs: The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage” The risk is that storage would be insecure. Gradual release of CO2 over a period of decades or less would defeat the object, sudden release could, in addition, caus

Several autoimmune diseases, with the notable exception of rheumatoid arthritis, were found to be predictive of a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Autoimmune diseases have been repeatedly linked with silica exposure. However, an acquired autoimmune disease may not be equivalent to one primarily linked to genetic factors. Evidence from: WW Eaton et al. Am J Psychiatry (2006) Vol. 163 p 521 – 528 “Association of Schizophrenia and Autoimmune Diseases: Linkage of Danish National Registers” This could be problematic if a potent cause of autoimmune disease was detected. Silica exposure is associated with autoimmune disease. Further detail: 6#3-4 2

The report provides detailed analysis of actual exposures in industry from the mid 1980s to the early 2000s. The report focuses on silica, toluene and wood dust and provides useful information derived from a database of other exposures. Overall there are clear signs that occupational exposures are below the acceptable standards and are reducing, the main exception being exposure to flour dust. Evidence from: KS Creely et al. HSE Research Report RR460 (2006). “Trends in Inhalation Exposure Mid 1980’s till Present” By comparing actual exposures with WEL values it is possible to estimate how frequently there would be good evidence of a breach of duty. Actual exposure rates can also be used to estimate case frequency – based on dose-response data. Further detail: 6#3-4 1

Evidence from: R Kanwal et al. JOEM (2006) Vol.48#2 p 149 – 157 “Evaluation of Flavorings-Related Lung Disease Risk at Six Microwave Popcorn Plants” O A Taiwo et al. JOEM (2006) Vol.48#3 p 275 – 282 “Incidence of Asthma Among Aluminum Workers” WHO Fact Sheet No 299 March (2006) “Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Static electric and magnetic fields” HSL/2006/19 “Summary Report on Additional Work Carried Out on the Monitoring of Chrysotile Containing Textured Decorative Coatings” Health Protection Agency RCE-2 “Dose Criteria for the Designation of Radioactively Contaminated Land” Health Protection Agency “Tuberculosis Update” Further detail: 6#1 48BB

Evidence from: EW Skorpinski et al. J Allergy and Clin Immunol. (2006) February p 463 – 464 “Two cases of accidental epinephrine injection into a finger” H Aksoy et al. Journal of Applied Tox. (2006) Vol. 26 p 10 – 15 “Genotoxicity study in lymphocytes of offset printing workers” T Murayama et al. Am J Ind Med (2006) Vol.49 p 1 – 7 “Estimation of Future Mortality From Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma in Japan Based on an Age-Cohort Model” TP Brown et al. Env Health Persp (2006) Vol.114#2 p 156 – 164 “Pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease—Is There a Link?” SK Obendorf et al. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. (2006) Vol.50 p 31 – 44 “Distribution of Pesticide Residues Within Homes in Central New York State” L Hou et al. Epidemiology. (2006) Vol.17 p 302 – 307 “Pendimethalin Exposure and Cancer Incidence Among Pesticide Applicators” HSE RR408 “Genetic variation in susceptibility to chronic effects of organophosph