22 porn-film actors got HIV since 2004

Health officials in Los Angeles said Friday that 22 actors in adult-sex movies had contracted HIV since 2004, when a previous outbreak led to efforts to protect employees in California's multibillion-dollar pornography industry.

The officials accused an industry-supported health clinic of failing to cooperate with state investigations and of failing to protect industry workers and their sexual partners.

"We have an industry that is exposing workers to life-threatening diseases as part of their employment," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of public health for Los Angeles County.

The latest controversy began Thursday, when the Los Angeles Times reported that an adult-film actress had tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. The infection was confirmed by the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation, a clinic founded by a former adult-film actress.

The foundation's Web site states that the actress tested negative for HIV on April 29, but a positive test result was confirmed June 4. The woman performed in a film June 5. A second test came back positive last Saturday.

Co-stars of the woman have tested negative for HIV but have been quarantined from acting for the time being and advised to be retested in two weeks.

Clinic officials refused to comment Friday.

Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said the clinic "is not cooperative with us."

"We don't even know who the employer is in the most recent case, we don't know who the talent is."

Regulations require filmmakers to provide protection against the transmission of disease, such as condoms or using film techniques that involve simulations. "There is no reason these infections should be occurring if these employers are following these precautions," Fryer said.

The pornographic-film industry is centered in the San Fernando Valley, northwest of downtown Los Angeles. An estimated 200 production companies in the region employ up to 1,500 performers, making up to 11,000 films and earning as much as $13 billion a year.

Some health advocates have pressed for legislation requiring condom use in sex scenes.

Steven Hirsch, chief executive of the sex-movie company Vivid Entertainment, said condoms were optional among its actors. "Performers have the right to choose to use or not use condoms. They're adults, they know what industry they're in."

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.