Document 2qmE7JLXJYKzx1krjxJ6ZGme6

Medical Department Chariea H.Hine.M.D. Medical Director 11 August 1980 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT CAP-1418 Mr. D.H. Soutar, New York Office. Re: LAQ - Statistical Data on Thetford Mine Employees. During my recent visit (April) to this Canadian facility, I reviewed with Dr. Lambert some statistical studies which he had done on employees who attend the Institute of Indus trial Medicine at Thetford for medical appraisal. Four major companies use the services of this Institute, namely the Asbestos Society, Ltd., Bell Ltd., Carey of Canada and LAQ. The following data refers to the hear ing conservation program:- Measurement: HEARING:- % Normal Hearing % Minor Loss in one ear; % Important loss in one ear: % Minimal loss in one ear: % Significant loss in both ears: Total # Tested 3588 80.4 6.9 1.6 . 5.3 5.8 Black Lake 786 83.3 6.3 1.5 3.8 5.1 National 337 88.7 5.9 0.6 2.1 2.7 PULMONARY FUNCTION:% Normal % Obstructive lung disease: 1352 73.4 19.0 373 16.A 17.4 . ASARCO Incorporated 7604 Rincon Annex. San Francisco.California 94120 357 Tehama Street (415)777-2210 ASARCO ALL 0000039 D.H. Soutar, 11 August 1980/ PAGE TWO. PULMONARY FUNCTION (continued) % Restrictive lung disease: % Combined: SMOKING HISTORY:# Questioned: Smokers: % Former Smokers: % Incomplete Data: X-RAY (LUNG):# Miners Examined: % Normal X-Rays: % Abnormal X-Rays: Total # Black Lake National 5.2 2.3 4.3 1.9 1352 51.6 28.1 0.3 373 48.5 29.7 0-.5 734 95.8 4.2 328 97.0 3.0 These data are important when considering total disability payments since there will eventually be some settlements for hearing loss and pulmonary dysfunction as a result of asbestosis. The current disability program is very liberal in Quebec insofar as awards are concerned. If a person is judged to have asbestosis with functional limitations, and if there is no position open for him at his plant, he is given total lifetime disability. It is my understanding that no such award was made for LAQ during.the past year. The overall data are favorable in that there are very few cases which have x-ray evidence supportive of pulmonary changes, although there are some functional changes. These A.SARCO ALL 0000040 D.I. Soutar, 11 August 1980, PAGE THREE. of course would not all be related to asbestos exposure, since there are 48.5% smokers and 29.7% former smokers in the population studied. CHH:jn CC: KWNelson MJMessel RJBoehm CHHine ASARCO ALL 0000041