Document 5Gq7j2yKBZKJ3bjdaX37o3n0

/' ./ jr auI? i,, j y i ^MOUIsTf'tHS'AI.SCl-IOOL OF MEDICINE of Toe City University ofNew York PIPTH AVENUE AND 100TH STREET* NEW YORK, N.Y. I00J9 4 O/yrimiHl of Communlly Jilidlcim August 1, 1973 Mr. Richard A. Meyer Independent Oil Workers OCAW 3-831 v 911 Billingsport Road Gibbstown, New Jersey 08027 " ' ' .; .......... ; * >:%" ; Dour Ur. Ueyer: We have reviewed our findings obtained during examination of 137 -cur rent and former employees of the Mobile Oil Company, Paulsboro Re- r* finery. ... 1 am enclosing a summary report of these findings for-your review. ...Although th^Investigation cannot be taken as definitive, it is evident that- the findings suggest that significant asbestos-related diseases j may exist among workers in this plant. It might properly be considered, then, that an appropriate examination and surveillance program be established, to minimize and avoid any serious consequences from the health hazards which may be present. Should you feel that our Laboratory might bo of assistance to you in the evaluation of such a program, we would be happy to provide what' evor help we can. Sincerely yours, cc: Mr. Tony Mazzocchl 035797 RESPONSIVE, OFTEN BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATION, TO INTERROG. NO. 17 PREVIOUSLY ANSWERED IN JULY 1990 n ^ o r* o 'J-f* Physical examinations made of two groups of refinery workmen from the hob..! Oil Co., Pauisboro refinery. One "roup of 113 was examined in Paulsboro on January 20 and 21, 1973. A pilot "roup of 19 had been examined on November 7, 1972 i .'uCchou, N.J. The former group was selected from plant seniority lists to rupresun^, rn gener^^, a cros^ ssc^aOu Ox the worker.*g population naving at lease twenty years seniority. Included In thi3 group were 13 retirees. 3ecause of special concern with disease associated with asbestos exposure, many of the workmen heavily exposed to asbestos dust were examined in 1971. These included insulators, masons and bricklayers, and some welders. The total group of 124 current employees represented approximately a 10% sample of the production and ...uinienaiice work force. The examination of the 113 men included an occupational history, idiuul history, smoking questionnaire, physical examination of the chest, blood pressure, blood chemistry analysis, urinalysis, and audiometric screening, pulmonary function screening and chest X-ray examination. The examination of the 1971 group 1..eluded appropriate histories, chest examination and X-ray. A detailed statis.xCui nummary of the examination results of the 118 worlanen follows. For completei. Lui, cue X-ray results of the 19 workmen earlier examined are Included in the .>-...ary cables. (Without such inclusion the individuals most heavily exposed to ..uo.ou would be inappropriately represented.) ii. JNAXINATION CROUP '. The age and refinery employment of the January examination group is shown .... Thule I. It was relatively homogenous in age. Most men were employed shortly uefu.'o, during, or shortly after World War II when* production-6;vur*ply* increased*. At, work force reductions took place during the late 1950's, these men 035798 C.-.263 elect seniority to retain icir jobs, Table II lists tvs >f work anc number rf'.m.en examined in several work categories. In both groups examined 57 men were ^reduction workers and 30 were-maintenance employees. A. X-rsv Examinations Use selection of workmen with at least twenty years from onset of refinery ork served to emphasize the presence of X-ray abnormalities as such changes are '''Idem seen in young individuals. Moreover, occupational exposures to materials vV.ch can produce lung damage usually give rise to significant observable changes only after 15 or 20 years since onset of exposure. Overall, nearly 50% of the two groups examined showed some X-ray evidence abnormalities. ' The type of X-ray abnormality was generally consistent with that seen following long exposure to asbestos. Virtually all of these changes wore minimal and none were accompanied by more serious disease, such as bronchogenic cancer. As expected, those workmen directly exposed to asbestos had the greatest 'crcenrage of abnormal X-rays. 80% of those examined with such exposures had bnormal X-ray3. Moreover, the degree of abnormality was greater than in any other It is important to note that these data were obtained on a group of workmen who represented only a small sample of the work population and included ^n'y individuals who were readily willing to be examined. The data cannot be nans trued as generally representing refinery workmen. More extensive examina"'.on could reveal either a greater or lesser prevalence of disease. The data suggest, however, that asbestos dust does not respect craft jurisdictions. 035799 0*^4 <juZ ivccd by inoulatorn nr during maintenance and repni-.is breathed bv z\?. nearly pipefitters, welders, etc. and also by production operators working ""-'-by. \. Pulmonary Function Screening As is often the case, positive X-ray changes for interstitial lung disease and decreased vital capacity tend to occur together. Table III shows ? correlation. 25% of those with abnormal X-rays also had restrictive *.-on.a.ry function. Only 9% of those with normal X-rays had such restricted lung capacity. Obstructive lung function, e.g. obstruction of air flow In bronchial passages, is shown to be more strongly associated with past smoking '.'.story than with the presence of X-ray abnormalities, as was to be expected. ".'ble IV gives the detailed smoking history of both groups and Table V, the pre valence of changes consistent with chronic bronchitis in relation to smoking history. V. /.earing Screening The Striking feature of the audioroetric screening is the general -"Tovclence of hearing loss among virtually all workers., Figures I and II 'W the hearing loss by age category for the refinery worianen compared 'th a. group of similarly aged Individuals in the general population. The ''.''carison is only an approximate one as the conditions for hearing tests vurc inadequate. However, the consistent presence. In all age groups, of : sharp drop in hearing ability at 4000 cycles/sec. suggests even here, the nihility of substantial noise induced hearing loss. n. Vi?torv of Disease Table VI lists the history of previous cancer In the group of 035800 It is not remarkable except for the presence of two bladder canoe n * r, bo TheSf dee suriicieiiw^y rare i--u teu>;L^ ..wl tw<. preseaC in thi9 croup Is somewhat unusual. The possibility of this association with refinery exposures may be considered. IV. SUMMARY X-ray changes, largely consistent with asbestos exposure, were seen in nearly half of 137 men examined from the Paulsboro refinery. In general, the changes were limited in extent. The percentage and degree of changes were greatest in men directly working with asbestos. However, the prevalence of some abnormalities in other maintenance workers and in production workers indicates that indirect occupational exposure to asbestos can be a significant problem in refinery work. Limited audiometric screening suggested that wide spread noise, induced hearing loss was present in the group of workers examined. Finally, the history of bladder cancers in two of 118 men suggests the need for review of the possibility that this may be a significant problem. 035801 P * o ' -. /-y o fcd 4 ao ti at o uo 4> > < to V, 0) .vx, . o at V. >% 3 X to a> o C Q. X V-c 4) 0) Vi +> tfl f- V n &A r-l V) m o> *- o o e 3 n OM rt 4-> 10 3h A --t u Vi > 10 >* ^a o <0 < 4) ffa*.d in (6 < i H O 'O* fad < u o X 3 7, 4) U w O a X y* O 16 U %* a oo >% Xw ti cat r4 Qm o 04 1 o c* OUt i': 3w rl o Wl a . x 0) at U (041 10 > *1 <n 01 1 o 04 H CO 00 in o c1* CO 00 o* in H in i c* CO m iH o CO 0) CO 1 o CO rH CM CO <0 00 CO CO CO 1 o l"* 1 o o* n <0 0H4 o* r* a CO it o to CO <71 T o O' 035802 r< -i o r* ^ O'. .^C i Work Activities of 137 Production and Maintenance Employees Type of Work Active "Clean Work" (Docks, Case-Can, Auto Shop) 10 "Dusty" Production Work (Bead Plant, Filter Dept.) 5 Fumo Exposure , (All other production units) .28 Mixed Fumes and Dust 6 "Clean" Maintenance (Carpenters, Machinists, Electricians, etc. ) 21 High Asbestos Exposuro (Insulators, Masons, and Bricklayers) 13 Other Maintenance (Pipefitters, Welders, and Boilermakers) 41 Retirees 1 7 2 3 Totals 124 13 035803 Pulmonary fu n c tio n a b n o rm a litie s o.uoj in oit;o cr. .0c a> tco 1 -<-> 4oJ aonV.) oc "sO 4h0 q r<H0 e 4. o<s 4H-3 u u 4- ao; 035804 Smoking H a b its U35805 Prevalence o f Chronic L ro n c h itis 035806 Table VI History of previous cancer *.- in 113 refinery workers Number Cancer ' 1of cases '^ , ' Skin 2 ' 1.6% Bladder 2 . 1.6% Colon 1 0.8% Abdominal 1 O.S% Lung 1 0.3% Total 7 6% U35807 n< n .> i A..