Document 3epeMYZdMN9M4Ga2VDRRJGyXa

FILENAME: Flintkote (FLK) DATE: 1966 Oct DOC#: FLK051 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Newsletter No. 1 of the Scientific Committee, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Montreal, CA I m S T IT U T E O F O CCUPA TIO N AL AND ENVIRONM ENTAL HEALTH MONTREAL, CANADA I # --? 1 r 1 l- ' / ' ' :/ 1 .`Vewsletter o. 1 of the Scientific Committee, October 1966 g 1* I.--pear Members of the Scientific Committee: lrvr,v Enclosed ere the minutes of the first meeting r Ltcf Tthe Scientific Committee in Montreal, July 2S - 2o,..196S. . p h. I --. y' . . '- ' There were important- news since then: I y Hife former name "Asbestos Health Research Council" ,} m ,I_uaa. charged-to "Institute of Occupational and Environmental Heal t h "-and , lit. ^-application was placed for its establishment"as a legal entity, which. ' -'is "expected-soon to be approved b y the authorities. ^ Our .Scientific [. .r.Coswittee. is a-.pnrt.now of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental - r 'Health;-the other parts being the Executive Committee end the. Board of hiractcrsy.and" probably, * Board of Governors... The proposed activities fc^otezhe Institute will be the - * r these previously planned for.the -J.7tshcstos .Health Research-Council. . . ... t i .'it j E . . . .The-Executive Committee' cf the Institute of-' - '^iccmpatior.al-and Environmental" Health was appointed recently and is composed j *::as. .follows:. . , fc^-.r".... . .*. - =-Karl. Y. .Lindel!, Chairman * ....(Chairman cf the Board; `.Canadian Johns-Kanville Co.,-Limited) Michael J. 'Hessel,'Member . - .`{President, - Lake Asbestos of Quebec, Limited) *' e l4 , l: l \ c ... \ - ' ''_ r'"** &&. Jr <i*'.'.*h?*J*,`. A/ 1 H vV*.^fv\r- i-r ,*-* * >;.-?> t;*.i%- *.iiW*%.;''vii : vh^- r.r *.;, Allows:- .'/.v >j T The Board of Directors is composed as Michael J.. Hessel, President J.O. Eby, Vice-Prsident R.S. Coleman, Director iSs^- Karl V. Lindell,.Director ** r~~ V -;. J.A. Main, Director Dr. R.J. Herrill, Director , *--M Philip A. Meyer, Director 'TSS f f^W1bS.5y*wr* Iszw . W.V. Oughtred,.Director Parker Smith, .Director * ' Our Institute of Occupational and Environmental J. upon application of the QAMA, became Associate. Member of the v-- -"-;r.Asbstosis Research Council of England. .The Institute of Occupational and Environmental - . . . :-.^4i^*lth has neved into its new premises.in Montreal. The address is as S S S H ^ p'-t't7.X ifollew* "T' 'K,-. U r.- Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health.f mfTi^ <wc<-, -* . ,Aic3D'0*t>r>*T,,.ts.*'.( ' J t~wii --r i. r - ir -f~ A i > r . ETM=WVii*r^x**>CK7*V>>0o.t1Ljr>^c.:v ** ". : Suite 1210 - IBH Building, -*5 Place Ville Marie, Montreal 2, Canada. Telephone: Area Code. Sl*l No. 878-3538 .The Scientific Secretary, Dr. Pp. Ppelxnar, .. : j I iss4now -- |E'-#:ic-5 i-vj....,fr.in~Montreal working full-time for the Scientific Committee. He is - r ^ " e stablishing his headquarters and archives-at the above address of the a>-v*;; y~",7-V:tE . I n s t i t u t e in Montreal. ... *' f ! t r s>U9srr)i va r r r r a i. a, t. ici ri 2UJEminiEyi,"isii I / MINUTES Of THE FIRST MEETING OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF THE INSTITUTE Of OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH * ` IN MONTREAL ' ' . OESSe-SrW f/'-yi/:. I M>i ` I / \* iJi'r.H-i'ik-- '.|_ . The meeting was held at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal on July 25 and 26, 1966. " \ f- Present were: . George W. Wright, M.D., Chairman * Dr. John Beattie, Member ' `Dr'. Daniel Braun, Member Dr. Fernand Grgoire, Member Dr. Marvin Kuschncr, Member - Dr. Premysl .Pelnar, Scientific Secretary * Discussing some items were also present: Mr. Ivan Sabourin, Q.C. V r w . .T n v/~r\---- -I -1 "The role of the Scientific Committee was discussed firs The discusoion vs summarized by the Chairman as follows: Cognisant e '."the fact .that "asbestos" is a family of materials differing somewhat in their physical and chemical makeup, we believe it tc have.denonstra Die biological effects. Vc believe that knowledge concerning these 'effects as regards their endresult," their nechanisn of development,. '"the specific material-responsible for-the-effects cr lack of effects and mechanisms o f prevention, is incomplete and inadequate for the ^necessary understanding of the health effects ofas b e s t o s fiber end f o r a. rational approach for controlling and prevention of such effect! whatever they may be. .Our Committee considers its role to be the purs ' u At the time of the meeting this institution was referred to as ' "Asbestos Health Research Council." The name having been changed " cir.cc, we use the new name throughout those minutes. /2 pynjj^^p^>ii||rvTt-a-|Tri-nrTgrTii*iitJtgtxicaafulru;tiimjp-znnr I -* I I I ,j . i' - I I of the solution of this problem by whatever means are at its disposal. As a Committee, we do not plan to carry out what might be termed "bench work" -but believe we can best serve by bringing together existing information, digesting it, reflecting upon it, stimulating and expediting the kinds of st u d y needed for solution of the problem. V7e believe that other services will flow from this activity which may be of a n educational and advisory nature. i The nature and mechanisms of similar scientific asbestos ____ ccr-.ittecs in England was explained by Dr. Beattie. There are two institutions referred to in the monograph "Biological Effects of Asbestos" issued by the Hew York Academy of Sciences in 195S, namely, The Asbestosis Research Council in Cambridge and the Asbestosis Research .Committee in London. Dr. Beattie explained to us that there is j u s f one asbestosis research council. The other erroneous name refers to . the sane institution. The Council was appointed by three major British asbestos factories in 1958. The activities of the British Asbestosis ` Research Council run in three general directions. One is dust control' I and prevention in the factory. The second is the clinical part of the studies and The third is the basic research. Very thorough and * complete studies in the first two directions ~ namely in dust control and dust counts and in the clinical part of the work -- are dene using : the present existing facilities in the asbestos factories. In other words, these studies do not require any financial support by the A*betei? Peseerch Council. They accomplished a great deal in the lie- pulmonary function studies in them and they introduced a rule that no compensation can be obtained by the family of a deceased worker . previously exposed to asbestos or even permission for burial unless There is an autopsy. Their major concern is the basic research which is supported financially by the Asbestosis. Reseerch Council. They do not hire persons for this kind of research as their employees but they .recruit high-level people from universities and try to persuade them to.devote their time to asbestos studies. Then, they refund salaries and expenses to universities where-these people are employed. They are strongly convinced that it is much more efficient if they hire a man through the institution than if they support the institution 'as cuch. .They support not only specific asbestos studies, but also studies which cen be only related to the asbestos questions and problem The British Asbestosis P.csearch Council has at its disposal funcs obrai frem industry and handles these* funds independently from the industry itself. The British Council got during the years such reputation that ' the governmental agencies roly upon its results and its recommendations They accept the code of conduct issued by the Council and the unions have a medical advisor uno is currently informed and kept in touch with the Asbestosis Research Council. Dr. Beattie informed our Commit: 1^ *T ' !> v* - c / t e w * 7 ';;'( T : ../" C /3 . rZ-r f . r*v"v .* f -m .:':* ii at!.-. ,. I'WvV'X'. -... 1" r / also about the work being done in Cambridge and- elsewhere under the / support of the British Asbcstosis Research Council and showed us some electron microscope pictures dealing with the subject. In the subsequent'discussion, Dr. Kuschner emphasized the necessity also for our Scientific Committee to support not only subjects specifically concerned with asbestos, but also related investigations which may help to clarify asbestos problems in indirect ways. The Committee agreed with Dr. Kuschner's opinion.' The status of the Scientific Committee was discussed thoroughly. There was strong feeling that the Committee should be independent of its operation as it could manage to be. It was deemed essential that, as soon as possible, the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health be set up as a legal entity entirely separate of the QAMA, although acknowledging its financial support. In this way, the Scientific Committee could maintain its independence from the QAMA, since it would be serving as an integral part of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health. Our Committee > considers this organization necessary for a number of'reasons. It is extremely important that the Scientific Committee establish and mainta. e prrf':re s<r fr<* a* possible of bias in the eyes of the scientific world. This is important in order to facilitate acceptance-of-our '- .activities by the scientific world without which acceptance we cannot function effectively and we cannot attract other outstanding members -for the Scientific Committee. Secondly, the establishment of an independent Institute and Scientific Committee might facilitate the extraction of financial support from other agencies in addition to the QAMA. In conneotion with this, the ideal location of she Irjuilui.e Occupational and Environmental Health was discussed ana some opinion wet. expressed that the pnysaca. connection with the QAMA in the some 'quarters in Hontreal was not too fortunate. It was believed, however, .that the accomplishments and attitudes of the Scientific Committee and of the'Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health would in long run dictate its position in terms of acceptance by other .agencies and by the public and thereforef the housing of the Institute ".of Occupational and Environmental Health in the headquarters of the QAKA would probably not be a serious impediment in this regard. It- , seemed to the Committee that there was nothing really wrong in indi cating that we, as a Committee and as an Institute, are supported by the QAMA in a -legitimate and straightforward manner. In this connect!- I!! also the question of who should employ the Secretary to the Scientific ! f Committee was discussed. Since this person will oe such an important figure in our activities, it is important that he be under the direct! of the Committee and some mechanism for assuring this must be found. It was expressed that he might be employed by the Scientific Committee ",I: li; I (I r'frr i JK*v vi* ijiviv'*'''* <% t! % U I* fi TM*\ S aer^ i{i I I. * J* / / It was expressed then that the Scientific Committee should have an operating budget which at the outset should cover such things as the salary of the Scientific Secretary and his possible assistants, a travel allowance for members of the Committee who might well need ' personally to visit other laboratories and for the travel to and from meetings to be used at the discretion of the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, also to cover the expenses of appropriate housing and office supplies; etc. i i l -*s - I ife *a % ., &- The Question of whether or not the Scientific Committee j should become a granting agency such as seems to be the case in Engle.-.:, was discussed. It was agreed that it would be unwise especially in iti i -formative period if the Committee assumed this responsibility. It is f felt, that our Committee should recommend acceptable programs to the E Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health for funding by the E latter. Although the Committee itself does not want to be a granting I agency at the present time at least, the Committee believes that it E is essential for its activities to have in the near future a reasonabli ? estimate of the funds available for research support in order that the Committee might engage .rh extent to vhich it could encourage by f public announcement and personal intercourse the submission of research * proposals and of faculty support. The Committee recognizes that the |: Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health is in its formative fl , stage and it realizes that such information cannot be given at this j; .moment. Nevertheless, the Committee believes that this information is ..onc of the most pressing necessities of its adequate function and the Jj ' -same can be--said for the overall program of the Institute of Cccupatis: , and Environmental Health itself. :. * -The current arrangements in regard to Dr. Pelner who is to serve as the Scientific Secretary were aiscus&ed iully with the of the Committee. The 6ensc of the Committee was that while the physical separation of Dr. Pelnar from the Chairman cf the Scienti Committee might pose an interfering factor, there were off-setting gains to be had by having Dr. Pelnar in the offices of the Institute c Occupational and Environmental Health and in more immediate contact with others having a vital interest in the functions of the Institute as a whole. Vhile there may have been some reservations in the minds of members of the Committee in connection with the location of the Scientific Secretary in nonireaj., j. was only felt absolutely inoortas. that he worked in close connection with the '.cientific Committee. n The question was discussed whether or rot publicity should be given to the formation and existence of the o r' Occupational and Environmental Health ar.d its Scientific Co~r.ittee. It was decided to puolicize that this Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health was formed and has a Scientific Committee in ! m 1 ' *ft a c Vi '" / *Tm;i /S I . pertinent scientific journals and also in journals with broad scope like Science and Nature by a short note, but this might well be dela ye: r until we have-a more definite idea of what we can do in the Way of supporting research. . . . ... As far as informing other agencies supporting; research i in this general field about our existence is concerned, it was decided .'A* t o 'inform these agencies only on the basis of personal contacts of embers of our Committee with members of those institutions. An exception to this was the suggestion that when we are in-a better I position to know about the magnitude of research support we might unde: take we should try to notify the appropriate persons in the various medical schools throughout the United States and abroad about our aims and activities in order to generate an interest on the part of scien P tists elsewhere in our aimed studies. If t ' : . S^4** i- r ' Another long discussion was devoted.to the question of whether or not we should publicize some of the_acciyities of our Co luwi *.tis.. In this respect there was a very.strong feeling that this should be very restricted. All of us are mindful of the rather poor reception given to the efforts oi the TOuacco industry to set up a ti, . I lAi J% f , ' **> ..\ I. *c:>' : ` y, E&i*. h -/ f e w ; , j.- IS .-council and a scientific committee to deal with.the 'problem o f Tobacco and its effects on health. A good bit of this stems from the fact 'that' they erroneously over-publicized the council and its committee and did it in a too wide-spread fashion. Therefore, cur Committee emphasized the absolute necessity of existence cf a veto power cf cur Commitxee over^any publicized statements concerning the existence or ' the Committee and the Institute and its activities. The concern about the inappropriate'publicity was verv deep in the minds of the members of the Committee. A thought .was given to the possibility of consultir.; with an experienced and conservative public.relations advisor as to whether we should put anything at all in print about this and what. The question was discussed whether our Committee and th> Institute should establish anv formal relations with other similar institutions concerned with the same fifexc ox stucy. ne Committee is aware of "these institutions: Asbestosis Research Council in Cambridge, England, Working Group on Asbestos and Cancer of the Tnter.national Union Against Cancer, and the Canadian National Study Group cm Actortcr o::d its Steering Committee in Ottawa under the Department of Health and Welfare. It was decided that no formal relations should -be established but all forms of informal relations should be looked for especially on the basie of personal contact with memPers of the other committees and institutions. ?a, A vVy / y .................. iiw'1-- 111-.yni.; .... ,...x-r.- . ___ *"T` h",Tj ' .* i ' '-"r--ci:.'Tv:' T""4'.' 4."^ ..... - ' f < -v C / /s. .7 ' -A short discussion was devoted to, the suggestion of th' Scientific Secretary of establishing a net-of collaborators in variou.-. countries in the world who would collect information on research and publications appearing in their respective countries and send this information to the Scientific Committee and who receive in exchange the bulletin which is intended to be published by the Scientific Committee containing the information from all countries involved. It was felt that it was a good general idea but the details will be discussed during the next meeting of our Committee. It was suggested that' these so-called correspondents could be invited annually or bi-. annually et symposia or meetings which our Committee might organize. * * . In this phas* Hr, Ivan Sabourin joined the Committee end attended the session vn.-ch followed: " -Dr.--McDonald *s proposal was discussed. The first, discussion was whether or not we should support t h e u n i t and not a ..project as is more usual. It was decided that supporting a unit is v / e l l right if there is a responsible scientist in charge of this unit as Ur. McDw.nalc is. , It was decided not to discuss purely technical uestions and the choice of persons whom Dr. McDonald intends to *1 nvite to-co-operate in this project. It was decided that proper , f fT* . rflexibility should be permitted in using the budget for Dr. McDonald; but for some.changes, approval of the Scientific Committee will be ; .-required. A few minor questions were left for the next day when v *' r Dr. McDonald was due to appear before the Committee and discuss in d ! person the remaining questions. The question whether co-operation i of industry and employees is guaranteed for Dr. McDonald's project .was answered by Hr. Sabourin in the way that this co-operation is -..guaranteed'. After that, Dr. Beattie mound that the Scientific Commit-: .of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health accept the proposal, provided some parts of the budget would be discussed in deta with Dr. McDonald. .The acceptance of the proposal .under this eonditic t* .r. wa* unanimously approved. ! ;1` r Mr. Sabourin was asked to.discuss with the Committee several questions of the organizational nature. He made it as clear v i h I ! as he possibly could that the Scientific Committee should have . independence to pursue the problem in the manner that it saw fit.*. He told us that the Scientific Committee so far is the only existing part of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health. The Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health will be establish as a legal entity. Importance of this is recognized for various reas: :il: 'i: t. trt 1 rt: v 4 If itt l* aa stated above. After some discussion, it was decided to recommend that the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health be the granting agency which would spend the money and the Scientific Commit: Xj v:"" ' : c .> *.** . * *" tSSBESi /7 would recommend to the Institute of Occupational and Environmental : -Health where this money should be spent. The funds allowed for a -project would be paid to the university or institution-where ..this i , project should be worked out and the university would be responsible . that the^por.ey is spent properly in detail and would carry out-all '..bookkeeping. A considerable discussion was again devoted to the c. -question that the Scientific Committee should have a rough idea about --the magnitude of funds available from the asbestos industry for --.pertinent research. The Scientific Committee emphasized to Hr. sJ-r.'9''.*' .-Sabourin the need for early establishment of'other committees of the Institute of Occupational .and* Environmental"Health and of establishir -legal structure as a legal entity of the' Institute of Occupational am. -**vf***.%- . T ** C .Environmental Health itself. Our Committee urges the development of t"; this aspect vith all reasonable speed, since activiries of tne . Scientific Committee will depend greatly on the establishment of Is9a9sUsv-**iy!rjc- *?v*o^*`r* -r--this Institute-. Our Committee* takes'the view that to -exist as a sole Ttirri'S'trZ r- representative of'the Institute would place the Committee in a very L - .difficult position. . t i i r a o r .- C :*-_,- *> '4, , 'w .- , v ,. r ; v - ` ,:v".r'*"*<#.''*r *'<*'''./**'-*\-1*"v'", :^f,. - .vt**''' 'r v a , j. * f t/ y / r*.it *v* <r'j 4 ,., Hars**/jfcc'-1 \ rir\ - 3T3V*/f?'*-*T'H-" j J i of the state'health care and maybe other physicians, it was considered '.necessary that the Chairman-of the Scientific Committee be a member of the Board of -Governors. f * * T *" . It was agreed*that'every member of the Scientific - Committee should be- free to-travel anywhere where he feels it would be useful without" any previous approval by the Committee. It is still : required, though, that any nenber who travels anywhere give,a report on his experiences to the Scientific Secretary for the files of the Committee and that-he notify the Scientific Secretary in advance in - order to be able to .obtain-from the Scientific Secretary the previous -experiences of other-members or any information useful for his trip. It was agreed that the Scientific Secretary should be available to . *11 members of the Committee so long as his services were pertinent v to the role of the Committee. -It is not the intent of the Committee that the Scientific Secretary should perform only those duties assigne by the Ccmmitteethough. In fact, direct request from the Committee for cp-cifirmotions on the part of the Secretary will be relatively fey. The Committee expects him to pursue the objectives of the Committee in seeking-out information and stimulating work on the suije " '."*nd'to brin these things to" t he-attention of the-Committee periodical '* 'or at-any time when-the Committee itself can be of help in any way. i .-is expected that-" the Scientific-Secretary will travel-rather extensive for this purpose-. The. expected ectivities of The Scientific Secretary vere-approved according to-the"proposal submitted by the Chairman, - * Dr. Wright,-in -February 1965:- It-was understood that among his most ." important activities will be collecting literature, bibliography and 'abstracts of.*11"articles and published works, scientific and non- scientific, pertinent to asbestos end health. The file of.all this information will be kept in the Scientific Secretary's headquarters.. This file and all"possible information gathered by the Scientific Secretary should be*available*to*all"members of the Committee upon . -request.* Without-request-; every member of .the Committee will.be getti "a bulletin covering-the bibliography of the accessions which will cove only-recently appeared:publications : These accessions can be accoapan -- 'by-the-author's-summary-or when more appropriate, by Dr. Pelnar's - -. - s u m m a r y -In this w a y a n d by rather frequent meetings, we should be *b -to keep ourselves well informed. The Committee also agreed that as * individuals, they should'supply Dr. Pelnar with information as it came *' * to-them.- The "bulletin* of" the Scientific Conn-ctee will be sent also to all'medical'Bchools*which"have"departments of environmental health * in the-United Statcs'and abroad. ' , - ...... T h e "Seientific Secretary acquainted the members of the Scientific Coeesittee with"the"proposed filing and retrieval system for information using the reverse system of punching caras (the commercial ' * ' - - - vasasaosset * 1 umi  r c i; '. ; -v. *'' IV 'I . j V;V I ... / /9 j 7 / available version of it is keydex system). The scheme for filing / / documentation was discussed to some extent but the detailed discussion was not performed. It was suggested that the Scientific Secretary explore also-other possibilities arising from the physical location .of h|s headquarters in the IBM Building. This should enable him to . tide some IBM equipment under the same roof If practicable. Dr. Beatti< suggested that the Scientific Secretary get in touch with Miss Simon who is a retired librarian and Professor of Library Science at McGill University and who is available for advice. The Committee, as a whole. did not consider that it is its task to decide upon the practical - organization of information .gathering and retrieval but suggested that thxsjwork start as soon as possible.- It was explained that it already starred sometime ago'and that a considerable amount of .information A * was-gathered together already. Utilization-of the Hedlars systemof gathering information which is available at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, was suggested, and of course, taken '*-V-- * fcH35a>>5 ry vdrV*^iiSV-e i A. \4 . jp^o 'The question of new members was discussed. It was generally agreed upon that our Committee for the present time should be-rather smaller than bigger. Too many people on the .Committee would ~moi.help the..causa.-- However,, it was generally agreed that Dr. Paul Kotin would be a very desirable addition to our Committee. He verxr' at' the National Institute of Health on the experimental cancer but he . will soon assume new duties having to do with the overall problem of environmental health effects. Ke is a very knowledgeable individual '-- and in addition, because of his position, it was thought that-he -would strengthen -our.Committee particularly in regard to its own deliber ations and moreover in regard to the acceptance of the aims of the Committee by the-scientific world. There was some doubt in the minds o f t h e -Committee as to whether or not his position with the Government V w i l l permit him to-take such an assignment-with us. Ur. Kuschner, who is a rather close personal friend of his, was asked to explore the t matter directly with Dr. Kotin-prior to an official invitation to join the Committee. The question of whether or not it would be appropriate ' and'meaningful to invite Dr. Vidal to become a full-fledgc member of the Committee was also discussed. This matter was postponed until sue: - a time as the Chairman -of the Scientific Committee would h*ve an oppor- " Trinity to discuss this on a personal basis with Hr. Lindell and Kr'. Sabourin. It was felt that Dr. Vidal's position would be more appropr ate on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health. t i. Dr. HcDonald appeared before the Committee upon an invitation to discuss several points in his proposal. It was agreed that the Scientific Committee supports the unit and docs not want to ' * Intrude but is interested in what will be done. Dr. McDonald thinks rm > ----------------------------------- t a a a s s*'1"*-----n r r T T T * 111'." :- x ' - --t . : " v . v T. . __r* 'L '-7* `rr-+ T.''->v----V-.'.*>*.-- '- : '-.:: lv-V- rv r~V ' f - ; V' : '\ ea^^e^tttTW c . ^-.ry ''*I ' *' . / *'V * > I .;\V. *I-- * I V- ;v - t t .; I I m K . * mf*^ /10 / consultation with' the Scientific Committee is compatible with his complt responsibility for the project and he made it clear that he desired to maintain close relationship with the Committee for consultative purposes and to acquaint the Committee with the progress 'of the studies.- After the discussion, Dr. McDonald agreed with 'restriction of the travel funds to scientific meetings from $2,000 t o $750 and if he needs more, he will- apply to the Committee or to the Chairman of the Committee when the Committee doesn't convene. The necessary assurance of the co-operation of workers was discussed. It was -realized that there is actually no assurance of such co- -operation but Dr. McDonald doesn't expect any trouble. The Instituts o f Occupational and Environmental Health may help in this respect, -If union representative were on Its Board of Governors.. A vital feature is-to'have French co-workers to deal with the miners. -Dr. praun.promised.to help. with. hi6 own previous data on the sane workers as well as Dr. Grgoire who made some lung function studies o oe 1twenty years ago.-Dr. Wright promised to find out and send t L .dit* to Dr..McDonald. .Dr. Gr-egoira discussed the possibility of ..getling soma .o&Dti x i ' u u . a ** Dc-aid. 'The maasutc- *ents of radiation in the mines are not covered by. the budget, because .the co-operation of the federal industrial hygiene is expected. The whole study will begin on October 1, 195S. Dr..McDonald'will report To the Scientific Committee yearly, mostly orally. The practical ;application of the funds to the University will oe ciscussed between . # Mew StCTZT****H XT T^.^ H* Hoi?.5 Vi IX >with-the financial part.at McGill University. i*:Bfore adjourning, the Committee discussed the quesricr. -of '.the-next -meeting. It was agreed that the next meeting should be -tooe.-tiae in.tne tail and at that'time the Committee hopes to be able rto-spend .the.major portion of its .time in .the consideration of the -- existing .infcreation and the current status of a number of research programs."Whether or not this-will be possible depends greetly^ upon ~ -reaching the definite status for the Scientific Secretary and his heii -'-quarters.within the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health .-- and-so .making him available fer full tine study of'the existing t information. ... at 3:00 p.m. The meeting of the Scientific Committee was adjourned P. Pelnar, M.D. Scientific Secreta: *3?.. * . V I\ I Dr. Paul Cartier, Thetford Mines, Que , .Canada ` ; RETORT Oil THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES M ! ON DISEASES 'OF THE CHEST IN COPENHAGEN . AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN VIENNA. f AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1966.________ I : )1 I ^ **>'* ':'*'* * `-r-Kore than 3,000 physicians from all over the world were registered vf:i ;X*c..each of these meetings and among the hundred of papers presented, . ; i *.were-on Asbestosis in Copenhagen and I* in Vienna. ,-h-t'W-.-S.-> m urnmJi'i J .T-n.'Copenhagen most. of.-the S papers were rather pessimistic, mejaeny-speakers repeating th: statements made at the New York Synpo^iv". >-rJ.X-was- said that any exposure, even one which lasts a feu days was sufficient -/ito-be'eonsidered as a possible .causal .factor of any varits of cancer, .ipulmonary, p l e ural, peritoneal, gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary. L - T h f case -of-the lady- who cashed her husband's trousers and who developed . v ulerrral mesothelioma was presented as a demonstration of this theory. n Statistics were presented showing-in some hospitals that **0 to 80S ` -"of^the cases, with eencer of any.organs were considered related to the ''I*8'**1*'*09 factor either ecauss they ware, found to have soma asbestosis, iuisbestos -bodies.-or.fibers.^- On this general principle,-if it is true . f tc to SOt or the-general. population.of the cities.have some asbestos 'L-todies -in their lungs ; then- **0 to SOt of most cases of cancer would be "-TClntad-to thE asbestos-.factor and the recognized factors such-as tobacco ror'.th-:other .factors of: genetic or viral nature would become less important :.7 natle*isignificative: .xnan-th* asbestos factor. *' n - k; rii -H TEI .-ti l [ ..-i./.i:. -m~.~Dr.;Heurman of Tlnland presented a large series of pleural plaques -` 6 : -Which- apparently seems -related to the number of asbestos bodies present and.to a very light end even questionable asbestos exposure. On the other :8 ^hardV.no cases of pleural mesothelioma have been detected among the asbestos w o r k e r s . o r -among the numerous cases of pleural plequcs in Finland. . f . % ,'iU*' # 4*M .-- -r .... Dr. Irving J. Selikoff who was the Chairman and responsible for the*programme of the Copenhagen Symposium has repeated many of the .H k rtateoents made at the last Hew York Symposiun, although in the appreciation of.many he has been less categoric and interested to'discuss the various * r< problems. Dr. Selikoff in his remarks has given some credit to Q.A.M.A. UM `for the interest shown for the study of the problems pertaining to the r asbestos industry. It might be of some paramedical or practical ig^ercst i 4 S0r ` f- fi V <S <2> VT T S -- I7*f -- tf v -j 'l c # . .. sf S'- v>-C >-.-' : -> '-' ' ;r...-. <*'. .--.>->.,--->~-v- -. r'fe. v_. . / V v 1 IIi \ /2 ;o mention that-as a Hcmber of the International Committee on Occupational vOiseases of the American College of Chest Physicians, I have learned that JV d t . V.G. Hannon, the regular appointed Chairman of this International Committee, has been asked 3 months before the meeting to give up the .Chairmanship and the planning of this Copenhagen Symposium to Dr. Sclikoff. II This rather strange decision could'explain why the general --etrorphrre cf the Copenhagen Symposium was somewhat similar to the one .. in lie York although much more friendly. f tV*- X . I? r-* ^*.2 !***'? * errs*;*- -In jfienna,"Urs. Horo, Vigliani and Vorwald were the chairmen ...of the 3 scientific sessions on Asbestosis with the result that a more ^-profitable and liberal discussion took place. Dr. Vigliani and Dr. Vorwald have made the- direct statement that the mere fact that a cancer is detected !-in an asbestos worker cannot be intarpretated as a proof of a causal x'iTelationship between those two factors. -To Dr. Bohlig from 6ermany<iho expressed the opinion that the c-'c e s e s o f pleural plaques can be considered as candidates to the future development cf pleural mesothelioma, it was said that-this hypothesis reappears to be questionable-because in France, Finland, Italy, Austria, Hr.Bulgaria ..and Bclgiun_none of the cases of pleural plaques have so-far -to the stage of pleural mesothelioma. The same observation prevails for the eases of pleural plaquesidentified in Quebec. ,Dr.-Lavetme,-Professor at Louvain University and Physiologist . _at Haeselt Institute has made the remark that unfortunately there is l:**-th~possibility that an unjustified hysteria similar to the one-which -.-bcf . m e t e d ccmn.lC.tc.15..years ago concerning berylliosis and byssinosis -*nd which has disappeared,.may.also exist now in the case of asbestosis ..and that a more, complete scientific study may permit to obtain different conclusions, different.from those-publicized so largely in the recent "'edieal'literature. ..*** * * f! I! w J v la .n .,si rj ' M . * Yhc question of identification and of the meaning of the asbestos .'.bodies and of asbestos fibers in the lungs has been discussed at great -length. Some participants were of the opinion that the mere detection of asbestos bodies and of fibers in the lungs means asbestosis or a pathological hazard capable to become a causal factor of cancer, while a large.number of others refuse-to accept this viewpoint. Drs. Vigliani and . Vorwald have taken a large part in this discussion mentioning that a .scientific approach to the investigation of those problems is needed and that a certain prudence in the conclusions drawn should prevail. It remains regrettable that the selection of the Chairman and of 'the speakers of a meeting can contribute to give such different pictures ' -- **'' .S-- . 4;>> -. 4 ; ' ^ c ^ 'tV & 'i^ v p K l ~ i 2 ^ y- ^ V h ` t .ii'> lX 0 .'* v #t * 1 <*i. ' *.- * ''' ... : :'l- N S '-i-si:j; ' ' ;.,* -..;/: . VI; ;; ? ;,. . v , . , ,\u. * C .- */ , " . >- r* ' *' * . ,, vj, A. * 1 1.... 1 :;:v" JV: ;/'* * Mirtii<nwi'r ^ "^::;'z`'^\:-"-r " ............. -- ~ '*'" 1`'v..r..'--- 73 ./f.:the -same disease. It is for a consideration of that hind that during ?.-the fleeting- in Vienna, it was said that it would be a mistake that the '.International Union against Cancer (Meeting in Tokyo October 1966) taka ;.. too. exclusive control'of the study of the problems related to asbestos .^.nndisive'-at -the- same time a too great emphasis to the single aspect of J^/cancer. to neglect all the-other aspects. For that consideration-it-was t-cyuggesterlrthatrother qualified organizations such as the International ".JUtsocia-tion :on. Occupational Health..should, also be invited, to participate JV'this-difficult task-or research. . - e*Ki4K***a**r~ ^toowrr4sa/M.iv.-'v.. . . idjum -*a i. . ' ` ....... .;.,. . ]Bfff1llil>tT|> sesrjseri: : - . r-.i.-. .v ,.v. "`A/ -- v*jk > < \ .. r1-)\ >T-\ v ; v.c-v-W-,< T.-- . ------