Asbestos In Drinking Water And Cancer Incidence In The San Francisco Bay Area - (1980)

Asbestos in Drinking Water and Cancer Incidence: Legal Implications for Asbestos-Related Disease Cases

Abstract

The study "Asbestos in Drinking Water and Cancer Incidence in the San Francisco Bay Area" by Marty S. Kanarek, Paul M. Conforti, Lorene A. Jackson, Robert C. Cooper, and Jack C. Murchio, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 1980, investigates the relationship between chrysotile asbestos in drinking water and cancer incidence in the San Francisco-Oakland Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA). The researchers analyzed cancer data from 1969-1971 across 722 census tracts, correlating asbestos fiber concentrations in drinking water with cancer rates. The study found statistically significant associations between asbestos exposure and increased rates of digestive tract cancers, among others. These findings were independent of confounding factors such as socioeconomic status, occupational exposure, and population mobility. The study highlights the potential health risks of environmental asbestos exposure and calls for further research to strengthen these findings.

Legal Relevance

This study is a critical resource for legal cases involving asbestos-related diseases, particularly those stemming from non-occupational exposure. It provides evidence that asbestos exposure through drinking water can lead to serious health consequences, including cancer. Attorneys can use this research to:

• Establish Causation: Demonstrate that environmental asbestos exposure contributed to the plaintiff’s illness, even outside occupational settings.
• Highlight Negligence: Argue that water suppliers and regulatory bodies failed to ensure safe drinking water, potentially supporting claims of negligence.
• Counter Defense Claims: Address arguments that asbestos-related diseases are solely linked to occupational exposure by presenting evidence of environmental exposure risks.
• Support Long Latency Periods: Emphasize the delayed onset of asbestos-related diseases, which aligns with the study’s findings.

Occupation Groups at Risk

While the study focuses on environmental exposure, certain occupational groups may be indirectly affected due to their involvement in water infrastructure or asbestos-related work:

1. Construction Workers: May disturb asbestos-containing materials in water systems during repairs or renovations.
2. Pipefitters and Plumbers: Likely to encounter asbestos in water distribution systems.
3. Utility Workers: Operate in facilities where asbestos-containing materials may be present in water treatment plants.
4. Asbestos Abatement Professionals: Handle asbestos-related issues, including contamination in water systems.
5. Water Treatment Plant Operators: Work in environments where asbestos fibers may be present in water supplies.

Current Medical Understanding

The study aligns with current knowledge that asbestos is a carcinogen, capable of causing cancers such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers. Modern research has further refined the understanding of asbestos-related health risks, emphasizing the role of fiber type, exposure duration, and cumulative exposure. While the study’s methodology remains relevant, advancements in technology and longer follow-up periods have provided more comprehensive insights into the health impacts of asbestos exposure.

Citation

Kanarek, M. S., Conforti, P. M., Jackson, L. A., Cooper, R. C., & Murchio, J. C. (1980). Asbestos in drinking water and cancer incidence in the San Francisco Bay area. American Journal of Epidemiology, 112(1), 54-72. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112976

National Library of Medicine Link

For additional details, visit the National Library of Medicine’s page for the study: Asbestos in Drinking Water and Cancer Incidence.

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If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, stomach cancer, throat cancer, colon cancer, asbestosis, or pleural plaques, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced legal team specializes in asbestos exposure cases and can help you navigate the legal process to secure the justice and financial support you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.