Document 0JJ82KeJwO8Zv86J1YY051Ldx
FILE NAME Corning OC
DATE 1962 Aug 21
DOC OC197
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Excerpt - Report from Dept of Health - Objectives and General Plan for Occupational Health Study of the Asbestos Products Industry
A
s
OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL FLAN
FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STUDY
OF THE ASBESTOS PRODUCTS PRODUCTS INDUSTRY
August 1962
|
Division of Occupational Health Public Health Service
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND WELFARE WELFARE
130
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a
malignancy associated with asbestosis The published data in this regard
are based largely on mortality statistics and topsy records of former
employees in asbestos incustries While some of the reports strongly
suggest that lung cancer is an occupational hazard of asbestos workers
the literature in this
often conflicting
respect
is by no means unanimous and
ry
/
the data
are
Several factors may account for this apparent discrepancy in the tech-
nical literature Diagnostic criteria for asbestosis are often poorly
defined defined defined defined defined defined defined making making making making making valid valid valid valid valid comparisons of studies difficult if not impossi-
ble Conclusions are too frequently applied to a classification en-
compassing all asbestos workers and are not confined to the group under .
investigation Information on such faltors as sex community air pollu-
tion personal smoking habits and family history of cancer are absent in
the majority of reports Environmental data are scanty No clear attempt
C
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group and do not relate to a specific and single exposure Despite the
accumulated knowledge the following questions remain unanswered
1. What is the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in asbestos workers
actively employed in the products industry
2. What is the significance of exposure to different sources and
forms of asbestos and to other materials commonly employed in
this industry in the development of pneumoconiosis 3. What is the role of occupational respiratory disease in the
development of the pneumoconiosis .
4. Are malignancies occupational risks of the asbestos worker in the
. -
asbestos industry If so what are the important etip-
logical factors
.
5. What other diseaseisf any may be associatwe itdh exposure to
asbestos or other materials commonly used in the asbestos proc-
6. That are safe levels of exposures to the various materials in
this industry that constitute health risks
To secure answers for these questions the Division of Occupational
Health proposes a comprehensive study the products incustries
the United States The objectives of this study are
.
To determine the health status of the asbestos workers in this
industry with special attention to diseases of the respiratory
2. To determine
g
which enviimmental factors have an soverse effect
upon the health of asbestos workers in the products in-
dustry
dustry dustry dustry
relationship
3.
To determine the relationship relationship between occupational exposure and
cause of
...
ceath of
asbestos
>
workers
4. To develop medical and environmental criteria and procedures for
the
the
control
control
control
of
of
health
health
risks
risks
icentified
icentified
icentified
by
the
studies
.. studies
General Plan of Stucy
Record Studies
Information on the past present significance of the asbestos problem and its magnitude can be obtained through analysis of mortality and morbidity dadata ta relating asbestos workers These studies will include workers who have left the industry during the last 25 years those presently exposed and those who will be leaving the in-
dustry all on a continuing basis continuing
a
134
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te
me
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Laboratory Studies
TR
et
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ACAEILOE
7
Laboratory research is necessary to develop sampling and appraisal
techniques which will permit a detailed definition of asbestos dust
exposures
lationship
In addition animal studies are
between
between
asbestos
fiber
exposure
needed
to evaluate
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ov
wah
be Se. :
\e
any
and tumor formation
,
CaY
rer)
plan Environmental Studies Studies
Studies
The
environmental
environenvironmental meenvironmental ntenviroanmental l
studies studies
studies studies
studies
will
be designed
to define
the
working
reen-
vironment of the various plants Particular emphasis will be placed
levels and nature of exposures asbistos dust Exposures to other
ai ai
contaminants contaminants
contaminants contaminants
--
silica silica
mineral and and mineral mineral
mineral
dusdtustss dusts
fumes
fumes
mists
mists
vapors
vapors
and and
Cases - which may be associated with asbestos or its processing also
111 be carefully assessed [
The medical studies will be designed to develop specific information
asbestos dust and other associated expo-
sures on health They will include medical examinations of a substan
the the the
asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos - workers workers workers workers workers workers workers in in the the the
asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos asbestos - products products products products products products products
products
industry industry industry industry industry industry
and provide a sufficient background for periodic follow medical
surveys The medical findings will be related to the various aspects
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