Mineral fibre problems: a management view

Fibre is a form of matter that imparts exclusive properties to end-products; however, most fibres have been associated with health problems. Although management has a responsibility to ensure the safety of products and processes, data on which to base risk-equation decisions are often inadequate. The limitations of current dust measurement technology suggest that apparently precise numerical exposure data are as subjective as use of the terms 'heavy', 'moderate' or 'light'. Control of any useful but hazardous material is preferable to the ultimate sanction of prohibition. The man-made mineral fibre industry and national and international regulatory agencies should learn from the asbestos industry. It is suggested that a process of consultation, rather than one of confrontation, is more likely to produce widely acceptable solutions in each generation.