REAL RISKS...

[Randall_F_Brich@RL.gov]

     Highly recommend reading a recent letter to the editor of the Risk
     Analysis journal by Bruce Ames that was recently identified on this 
     bulletin board.  According to Ames, et. al., in Risk
     Analysis, Vol. 16, No. 5, 1996, "The major causes of cancer are
     smoking, dietary imbalances, chronic infections leading to chronic
     inflammation, and hormones.  ... The age-adjusted cancer death rate in
     the U.S. for all cancers combined has declined 14% since 1950
     (excluding lung cancer, 90% of which is attributable to smoking), 
     while life expectancy has increased, which may in part be due to 
     better diet. ... The idea that there is an epidemic of human cancer 
     caused by synthetic industrial chemicals is not supported by either 
     toxicology or epidemiology."  Ames concludes with "...regulatory 
     policy aimed at reducing tiny exposures to synthetic rodent 
     carcinogens has confused the public about what factors are important
     for preventing cancer, and has diverted enormous resources from more
     important health risks."  
     
     Routine disclaimers apply...      
     Randall Brich
     USDOE, Richland Operations
     e-mail: randall_f_brich@rl.gov