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Mr. Kevin T. Haroff <br /> Page 7 0 0 <br /> In addition to the concern for free crystalline silica, is the <br /> concern regarding amorphous silica. in 1987, the IARC, in its <br /> "monograph" for silica, stated that "since amorphous silica is less <br /> fibrogenic than crystalline silica, silicosis has rarely been <br /> observed after exposure to pure amorphous silica" (p93) . IARC <br /> concluded that there was inadequate evidence for the <br /> carcinogenicity of amorphous silica to humans or experimental <br /> animals (p109) . It did state, however, that experimental evidence <br /> indicate that, ". . .amorphous silica can be fibrogenic, but is less <br /> so than pure crystalline samples" (p85) . <br /> There is evidence that in experimental systems, amorphous silica <br /> elicits in vitro cytotoxic responses (Davies, 1981) , in vivo immune <br /> responses (Burrell, 1981) , inflammatory responses (Hemenway, et <br /> al. , 1986) , and nodular fibrosis, along with significant <br /> alterations in respiratory function (troth, et al. , 1981) . Recent <br /> evidence suggests that man-made mineral fibers made of amorphous <br /> silica such as glass wool and mineral wool are associated with <br /> increased risk of mortality from lung cancer and chronic pulmonary <br /> disease [Enterline and Marsh (1982) , Saracci and Simonato (1982) , <br /> Weil, et al. , (1983) , . <br /> NIOSH, in reports dated December 1986 (Report Number 92.5.5) and <br /> December 1988 (Interim Report No. 1; HETA 88-119) , evaluated <br /> potential health affects from the breathing of sugar cane smoke <br /> containing amorphous silica particles. In Report Number 92.5.5, <br /> NIOSH stated that ". . .although the health effects of inhaling <br /> amorphous silica fibers are unknown. . . , the similarity of these <br /> fibers with other fibers which are known to cause serious health <br /> effects is reason for concern." (p.9) <br /> Although not enough scientific research has been conducted to <br /> conclusively establish amorphous silica as a causative agent for <br /> silicosis or pneumoconiosis, the questions and suspicions revolving <br /> around amorphous silica warrant a conservative approach by the <br /> Department regarding this waste or any waste containing amorphous <br /> silica. Based on data provided in Wadham's March 9, 1990 report by <br /> ENSR, the concentration of respirable amorphous silica in the ash <br /> is 0.393 percent (from analytical reports by RJ Lee) . <br /> The information obtained from both AIHL and Wadham shows that <br /> particles of respirable size do exist in the Wadham ash. Although <br /> the proportion of particles less than five µm in the samples <br /> appears to be relatively small (less than one percent by weight) , <br /> other information provided by Wadham raises concern. In the <br /> November 22, 1989 application, on page 5 of the Appendix, the <br /> following was stated: <br /> "It should be noted that the sieve test involves a <br /> certain amount of mechanical shaking that can break up <br /> the test material into finer particles, thus tending to <br />