Document 5DOzOBNBOdxvOb2e64kXKpxnN

FILE NAME: Asten Hill (AH) DATE: 1953 DOC#: AH010 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meeting Minutes OLMES #6 V-O H ygien e Coi.XiiV.toe M eeting June 10, L953 In attendance: J. 7;. V/eber,D , li,_Holmes T. G. Schmidt, R. Smith, J . D. B e a tty , Geo. Fabc-1, H. 1.1. Jackson G uests: Dr. H. 17. H e th e rjjifiiQ n ju JlL S-Jl^ Gander, Dr. E. S . Eyers, E . JillIt e , \\DtT p_. A._ Thcodosj, Dr. P, C a r tie r , Dr, K. 17. Smxn .^tv In a brief review the background, objectives and problems of the Air Hygiene Committee were reviewed for the guests. Gome of the unanswered questions were: 1. IThat dusts or fibres arc significant in the production of fibrosis? 2. How can the dust or fibre be measured in the work environment? 3. Kov.' can clinical experience be correlated to exposure? 4. Ylhat medical standards are available for the uniform evaluation of disease occurence and extent? The resolution of these questions would lead to the answer of the fifth problem. 5;. H ot/ can the effectiveness of engineering control be evaluated? The Saranac research on experimental asbestosis clearly shows the long fibres (-10 microns and longer) to be the fibrotic producing agent-. The dust per so (particles 10 microns and less in diameter) is relatively innocuous. On this basisi the Industrial Hygiene surveys that have been made in the past, and in v/hich only dust particles were measured, are practically without value. Our com mittee presently has under consideration the problem of determining a valid method of sampling and analysis for the long fibres. The attention of the Doctors was called, in particular, to the areas of standards for uniform diagnosis of the disease and the accu/julation of clinical experience for correlation with exposure data. Following this review, the Doctors and the Hygiene Committee deliber ated separately and reconvened in the afternoon. The following points were agreed upon in the Doctors' discussion: 1. Complete pre-employment and periodic annual examinations are essential. a. Regarded as uncj.esi_r__ab_ic_for unemployment, in exposure areas are individuals who are ascnnaxi-cs . mouth bxeaheps , who have r e 3 p u ^ nry_difXi.culties , ches t ~defornltles^caxdi-ac_diliraj5_.or are overweight. " - b. X-rays should be of 14 x 17 inch size, taken on equip ment of a rating of at least 100 milliampheres. . Single PA and lateral pictures should be taken. AHD 0002830 . ... __ _ --------------------------- ------------ ; L e s L b S X lO U jL v J u c included in the examinations. Faxlmum breathing capacity Measurements should be made if possible. d. Complete pre-employment history should be obtained with particular attention paid to possible types of dust exposure. 2. The designations for X-ray classifications agreed upon were negative or borderline, early, moderate, advanced, It was the consensus that there are usually no significant X-ray changes in less than five years of asbestos exposure. 3. For a valid diagnosis of disease it was agreed that (a) a series of X-rays, (b) complete employment history, (c) identification and evaluation of exposure was essential. Further; that the presence of asbestos bodies are not an indication of the disease, but only of the body defense mechanism. 4. The Doctors offered several recommendations for the further consideration of the problems. a. A write-up of their deliberations be cade and sent to all comber company doctors for criticism, review and concurrence. b. The Doctors meet with the Air Hygiene Committee at the next meeting to' further, check X-ray diagnosis. Each doctor will bring films exemplifying each of the four classifications. c. Each, doctor will bring to the next meeting data on the work force of ouch plant, indicating the diagnosis and X-ray classification and length of type of exposure for each individual, The Air Hygiene Committee heartily endorsed this program, and the September meeting will be constituted accordingly. It was- agreed that invitation should be made to all doctors of member and associate member companies. Dr. K, 7J. Smith agreed to pre pare the review of the discussion for forwarding to the medical personnel. 5. The Doctors pointed to the value of the Saranac research and indicated several areas where further investigation was needed. These v/ill be further discussed at future meetings and specific proposals presented. The Air Hygiene Comnitt.ee wishes to express its appreciation of the significant contributions made by each of the doctors and welcome the opportunity to meet with them again. * In its deliberations, the Air Hygiene Committee reviewed extensively the problems involved in determining a valid sampling technique. T. G. Gchmidt reported on Ins correspondence with Industrial Hygiene Foundation. Question was raised as to the diameter of the fibres of hygienic significance. 'while the Curanac research indicated fibre length, no observation was made as to the diameter of the AHD 0002831 . --- nunc ui uic o.octors present v:crc aware of any data which night shod light on tills particular problem. Since the problem is not one of determining the minimum diameter to which a fibre is capable of being reduced, but rather one of deter mining the range of diameters of airborn fibre capable of being re tained in the lung, the following action was agreed upon. 1. The natter will be reviewed with the Technical Connittee to determine whether there is data from that source that will indicate typical diameter size ranges. 2. Each plant will be requested to obtain air'hygiene samnles from given locations using standard techniques. 3. All samples will bo analysed by specified laboratory to insure uniformity of interpretation and results. Analysis of this group of samples should provide a reasonable basis for determining tj'pical fibre diameter size ranges encountei ed in textile manufacturing. Details of the sampling locations, sampling methods and shipping instructions will be forwarded following discussions .with the Technical Com mittee and the Analysis Laboratory. 4. Develop a research proposal for the evaluation of the efficiency of the four or five available instruments in collecting fibres of the size range determined by the above. It was suggested that equipment manufacturers might be wil ling to cooperate in such a research program. Discussion of this phase will be held in abeyance pending results of the survey analysis. _Eost state indusrial hvr.iene_codcs_s_e.t-JJ:c_thr-eshold-- 1 ir-.it fnr _asbcsQJS-- dust-a^i-ve-j.iillion-particles ncr cubic_font.. It was. re cognized that.it would jie_a_Ionc tern job to get the states- to 'ebange to the fibrii_j2^ 1 uotion-- even_LEt.eZ\yoniavc a'evcXopce "for our$elv_e3~saYisfacjtoi^LJ.n.5Jmmimcn.tatljDii__and i.;et.hodlTT For~a~~pei,i`Dd- of-- time,* undoubtedly, we will be subject to two s'fandards, that required by the states, and our self Imposed standard based on cxperinental and clinical evidence. The state of Her/ Jersey is at present re vising its code on threshold limit values and there is indication that a limit based on fibre contamination will be included. Copies o the Saranac reports and opinions have been presented to the state officials. .John Leber discussed anq pr.escntcd_drowings of his design for dust ~con uro! at thejtwisters j Although no hygiene survey" samples nave "been"taken at tins point since the new hood was installed, visual observation indicated that there is excellent control. The hood is designed to facilitate operation of the twister and it docs not interfere with the tieing of breaks. Operators have expressed com plete satisfaction with the arrangement. .Copies of the dr-Su1ng m^__hj]L^l3ai-ned-f Amori can^EsTTCV L u s "Tr>rnTh - f J. Li. Jackson i Cliairman AHD 0002832