Friday, November 29, 2013

US manufactures try to stop carcinogen classification

Today's post is shared from tuc.org

US industry groups are trying to reverse a decision by the U.S. National Toxicology Program to styrene to its list of substances that are "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also considers styrene to be "possibly carcinogenic to humans". There is no doubt that styrene is dangerous as high exposure to styrene can cause headaches, lethargy, memory loss, dizziness, confusion and other symptoms. However the industry is trying to deny that it poses a risk to the 90,000 US workers exposed to it every year. The National Toxicology Program classification in part is based on two studies that showed increased risks for leukaemia and lymphoma among some workers, but employers groups are claiming that the findings are based on faulty conclusions and a flawed review process. An industry group, the Stryrene Information and Research Center Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against the decision but this was thrown out, yet two years ago, industry groups persuaded Congress to appropriate funds for the National Academy of Sciences to review the NTP's report. The review's conclusions are due next year. Mike Wright, the director of health and safety for the United Steelworkers union makes it clear that "We think the evidence is good that styrene is a carcinogen. It is not proper for the industry to try to mess with that."Related articles

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