Asbestos as a Public Health Risk: Disease and Policy

Optimal societal benefit from public policy decision making concerning en­ vironmental and occupational health issues can be obtained only when these decisions are fully and appropriately based on existing scientific knowledge. Regarding asbestos and its use in our society, this important goal has been elusive for a number of reasons. First, scientists have been unwilling or unable to communicate technical issues to decision makers, in part due to their complexity, but also because the forum for this interaction has often been adversarial in nature. Second, the public and their policymakers have some­ times mistrusted science and technology; particularly recently, technological progress is often viewed as detrimental to society, particularly in environmental matters. And third, scientists' opinions have, at times, been based more on personal choice than on professional expertise. These, and possibly other factors, have made for an uneasy union between scientists and policymakers in areas in which communication is essential if society is to deal effectively with many of these complex expectations. Nevertheless, communication between these two sectors is improving. Sci­ entists, recognizing the importance of these concerns (and that decisions must often be made, with or without scientific input), are becoming increasingly willing to participate in dialogues concerning public policy issues. The public,