NIOSH Testimony to DOL on Possible Hazards of Arsenic and Its Inorganic Compounds by E. J. Baier, September 20, 1974

摘要

The testimony given before the U.S. Department of Labor Fact Finding Hearing summarized current findings concerning exposures of workers to arsenic (7440382) and its compounds. Since 1820 the possibility that arsenic might be a carcinogen has been recognized. Several recent studies among smelter workers indicated a mixed report. Some have noted significantly increased lung cancer mortality which was correlated with length of employment and with increasing degrees of inorganic arsenic exposure. Excessive mortality due to tuberculosis, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver was also reported. A study of workers in an insecticide facility in England also indicated that inorganic arsenic may be a human carcinogen and corroborated the smelter results as this was the only compound to which both groups of workers were exposed. NIOSH has urged the lowering of the standard for arsenic exposures to at least as low as 0.05 milligrams of arsenic/cubic meter.