NIOSH Presents Research Roadmap Draft

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NOISH) has recently released a draft outlining its strategies to research and examine issues dealing with asbestos and other dangerous mineral fibers and the illnesses they cause.

The draft suggests plans to answer scientific questions regarding asbestos and provide a solid foundation of scientific knowledge on which to base future asbestos policies.

The document, “Asbestos and Other Mineral Fibers: A Roadmap for Scientific Research” has been made available for public comment. It was developed by scientists and engineers with experienced in analytical chemistry, toxicology, epidemiology and industrial hygiene.

The Problem

While the scientific community has made many advancements in the understanding of asbestos and the related diseases in recent years, there are still many questions and areas of uncertainty.

“Uncertainty is never desirable when human health is at issue,” said John Howard, M.D., director of the NIOSH. “By posting the draft roadmap for scientific research, we seek to stimulate a public dialog that will define the pressing scientific questions about asbestos and other mineral fibers, identify new scientific advancements that may be brought to bear on those questions, and lay out the research most likely to bring certainty out of the uncertainty.”

Proposals

Some of the objectives and research goals put forth in the document include:

· Development of greater knowledge of occupational asbestos exposure and the resulting health outcomes
· Development of a greater understanding of the circumstances that affect and determine asbestos toxicity
· Development of improvements in asbestos sampling and analysis methods

Harmed by Asbestos?

If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related disease, please contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced asbestos exposure attorney who can examine your case thoroughly, answer your questions, and help you plan the best course of action. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your pain, medical expenses and more.