Man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF)

From

Summary

TBD.

Studies and Reports

• Lipworth L et al., Occupational exposure to rock wool and glass wool and risk of cancers of the lung and the head and neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis, J Occup Environ Med. 2009 Sep;51(9):1075-87.
  • Conclusion. "Despite a small elevation in RR for lung cancer among MMVF production workers, the lack of excess risk among end users, the absence of any dose-risk relation, the likelihood of detection bias, and the potential for residual confounding by smoking and asbestos exposure argue against a carcinogenic effect of MMVF, rock wool, or glass wool at this time. Similar conclusions apply to HN cancer risk among workers exposed to MMVF."
• Lee I et al., Man-made vitreous fibers and risk of respiratory system cancer: a review of the epidemiologic evidence, J Occup Environ Med. 1995 Jun;37(6):725-38.
  • Abstract. "Because asbestos has been demonstrated to cause lung cancer, the issue regarding safety of other fibers, including man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), has been raised. We reviewed the available evidence, in particular the epidemiologic data, on MMVF and the risk of respiratory system cancer. Glass fibers (especially glass wool) have been studied most extensively. Taken together, the data indicate that among those occupationally exposed, glass fibers do not appear to increase risk of respiratory system cancer. Of six studies that specifically examined rock and slag wool workers, three reported excesses in respiratory system cancer among such workers. Two of these three studies, however, did not control for cigarette smoking, a powerful predictor of such cancers. There are no published studies, in humans, of refractory ceramic fibers. Future studies evaluating the potential of MMVF to increase risk of respiratory system cancer will not add to existing knowledge if investigators do not address potential confounding by cigarette smoking and other workplace carcinogens."