Document 7MG8naL3Lj0odgKa8Nz244MjB

FILE NAME: Metropolitan Life (ML) DATE: 1952 DOC#: ML162 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Minutes from Two Meetings Held on Diatomaceous Earth Problem Held Between Industry Reps & CA Dept of Health , Resume of Discussion on Dtatomaceous Earth Problem in California Between Representatives of the Industry and the California State Department of Public Health Two meetings were held, one on February 26, 1952 in Berkeley at the office of Bureau of Adult Health, and the other on February 28 in Log Angeles at the offices of State Health Department, Present at the first meeting were the following For the industry* Johns-Hanville Corporation* Mr, 0, B. Westmont, Superintendent of the Lompoc plantj Hr. J, P, Woodard, Director of Personnel Policies, New York office; Ur, K, U< Jackson, Safety .ngineer, Nerrr York office; Dr, Anthony J, Lanza, New York, Medical Consultant, Great Lakes Carbon Corporation* Hr, D. R, Tellefsen, Director of Insurance; Mr, E, A, Harris, Operations Director, Dicalite Division; Mr. R. W, Taylor, Personnel Director, Dicalite Division, For the State Health Department* Dr. H, H, Herrill, Acting Director; Dr, F, Kriete, Assistant Chief, Division of Preventive Medical Services; Dr, H, K, Abrams and Mr, F, R. Ingram, Sureau of Adult Health; Dr, Charles E. Smith, Chairman, State Board of Health; Dr. W. P. Shepard, Medical Con sultant to the Bureau of Adult Health, Present at the second meeting* All of the above were present, with the exception of Drs. Snith and Shepard# In addition, there were present Ur, filter Anderson, Lompoc plant physician for Johnfl-?!anville Corporation and ur, r.eginald Smart, Loa Angeles, Medical Consultant for both JohnsHfcnville Corporation *rtd Great Lakes Carbon Corporation; and wr, Christina Einert, Miss Patricia H u t and Mr, Paul Capl&n, of the Bureau of Adult Health, and Bro *aldo Oechsli of Bureau of Tuberculosis Control, MET- 000035:; trial EXHIBIT - 2- Dr. Herr ill was chairman of both meetings. In opening the discussion he described the public health responsibilities of the State Health depart ment, In approaching problems, the State Health Department tries to bring together the people concerned to work out a satisfactory solution, and he cited examples of the work of the Department with other industries, decently, diatonaceous earth has come forward as a public health problem and these meet ings have been called to see if the Department, together with the industry, can do something to meet adequately the public health aspects of diatoraaceous earth. Dr. Abrams outlined the major Questions that have arisen with regard to this problems (1) The incidence and epidemiology of this disease have never been adequately established. This includes such questions as the occurrence of pneumoconiosis by occupation, type of dust, time and amount oi exposure, and industry, (2) The relationship of this disease to pulmonary tuberculosis has not bean satisfactorily elucidated, (3) Ho studies have been done in this country of possible health hazards in the numerous industries which use one or more forms of diatoraaceous earth. In Italy reports of the disease have emanated from the industry which manufactures filter candles out of diatoraaceous earth, (1) Obtaining of epidemiological data is the basic step necessary in working out a "maximum allowable concentration," which is a valuable tool for the industrial hygienist in achieving safe and healthful working conditions. Dr. Abrams cited studies which have been done by the U, S. Public Health Service is the field of quartz silicaaand other materials, tiich have resulted in the development of "MAG's," An outline of the type of information needed was presented: I - 3- 1 Industrial; number, types, location o deposits and plmts both producing and consuming diatoaaeeeus earth materials; number of workers.employed in these industries; number of workers exposed to the dust? description of processes in which the dust is produced or a used 2 Chemistry and physical amorphous and crystalline forms? relationships with other silica materials, according to different deposits and different commercial products (quartz, tripoli, trydirdta, cristo balita, asbestos, etc,); methods of analysis, 3 Clinical aspects; Types of disease caused. Relationship to tuberculosis, Relationship to classical silicosis and other pneumoconioses. Diagnosis, management* U. Epidemiology statistics on incidence by all factors and according to types of chut, 5* Prevention Engineering program, especially for those dust-producing areas now not veil controlled* 'tedical program. Health education. Employee participation; It was pointed oat that a ^ood deal of the above information is already available in one form or another, It merely needs to be ccnpiled system atically. Dr, Lanza explained at length the research work sponsored by the industry tlich has been done during the past several years at the Saranac Laboratories of the Trudeau Sanatorium in New lork* This work includes animal studies - b with various forms of diatomaceous earth, animal studies with Latoaeeeous earth plus aluminum, and human pathological studies. The animal studies will con tribute greatly to an understanding of the reaction of lung tissue to dUtomaceous earthj nevertheless, caution was advised in applying these findings to the human. The final answer can only be found by long-term studies upon man6himself, clinical^ X-ray, and environmental, ------------ '- - Dr, Lanza elaborated on the difficulties in doing an epidemiological study of diatomaceous earth. He pointed out that these difficulties are inherent ir. ar.y chronic disease and would be TM.ore difficult with a disease such as pneumoconiosis from diatom? ceous earth since relatively few people are involved, Sirilar studies with regard to quartz silicosis were relatively easier because there had already been a large amount of information accumulated not only in this country but in Europe, South Africa, Australia and other countries. Moreover, many more persons are exposed to qiartz silica, Despite these difficulties, Dr, Lanza urged that such a study should be done. Dr. L^nza and others emphasized the need for critical analysis of the data with regard to tuberculosis and diatomaceous earth pneumoconiosis. He pointed out that in many of the classical studies of quartz silicosis it had been found that in areas where there was a silicosis problem the pulmonary tuberculosis rate was also excessive. Because there has been presented conflicting information regarding the ..ncidence of tuberculosis in and around Lompoc, it was agreed by all that the Suate Department of Public Health should immediately undertake a thorough review of the available data on tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in this area over the past 10-20 years. Dr, Lanza also urged that a study Include a consideration of possible hazards to users of di&tora&eeous earth in other industries \ - s- There was a good deal of discussion of the value of studying past experience of the industry and elucidating this problem. It had been pointed out by Dr, brans that to achieve, for example, an "JIAC", it would be necessary to closely correlate dust counts for many years with clinical and occupational data for many years. Therefore the industry could greatly contribute to this problem and shorten the period of future studies if it could make available as much of this type of data as it had in its possession. The Bureau, itself, has dust count data dating from 19Lli. If this could be correlated with the occurence of lung changes of all types along with detailed occupational exposure for each case it might be possible to arrive at the answer to the question of how much dust ex posure, of what type, over any given period of time, would result in disease. i'r, Taylor of the Great lakes Carbon Corporation and others of the industry pointed out their feeling that their past data on employment would be inadequate since payroll designations of occupations do not necessarily reflect the true occupation of the employee. He and others pointed out that a man working in the quarry would be transferred to the mill during rainy weather and, similarly, other laborers would be transferred from one Job to another as the need or conditions indicated. The suggestion was made that the first essential step would be to plan the study. Such planning would include (a) the determination and definition of information to b* collected and (b) the determination of methods by which data might be collectad. At this point it would be valuable to review plant records to determine whether the data therein available would be adequate for the purpose of the study, as defined under (a) above, Members of the industry emphasised the importance of continued efforts to control dust, rsgardlaas of whether or not & study night be made. New techniques in box car loading (us of fork lift trucks and pallets) were cited as examples of a continuous arch for new mathods of dust controls mt'r. Westmont pointed out that on certain specific operations, dust control is still extremely difficult, and research in technical methods should not play second fiddle to a broader study# ' Dr, Lanza and others discussed plana of the industry to use aluminum prophylaxis, Vie cited the experience in the Canadian quartz mines with this material and also pointed out that experiments are now under tray rith arunals at Saranac. ir. connection with diatonaceous earth, Ir. '''.-"ill r*is?d +r.e question of participation of the U. f.. rublic Health Service in tho study# He stated that the USFHS could bring to the study their experiences elsewhere, would be able to assist by providing additional resources, and would make possible correlation of the study in California with similar studies in other states# Dr. Lanza stressed the value of DSPHS contributions in many other fields of industrial health and supportedtheir participation. Dr, Merrill expressed the desire of the State Department of Public Health to cooperate with the industry and the USPHS in a long range study of the problem of diatomaceous earth. He suggested that the problem be approached in the following steps 1, A study group b* formed from representatives of Industry, the DSPHS, and the SDPH, Thia group would plan ft definitive study of the problem of diatcmaceous earth. The planning phase would include a study of plant;operations and a review of available information, both in the scientific literature and in available records# 2# The final plan would be presented to a group similar to that meeting here, for a policy decision as to whether or not the plan presented should bo carried out. If the decision were favorable, 3. The actual study would be carried out. Agreement by the industry to U5PBS participation was deferred for a few days on the suggestion of Mr, Tellefsen, who stated that he would inform the State Health Department within the next week. Dr, Merrill pointed out that as soon as agreement by the industry was forthcoming the OSPHS would be invited to assist in drawing up detailed plans for a study and that the question of their direct participation in the actual study would be brought up for dis* cussion later. In closing the meetings, Dr, Merrill emphasized that a study of this problem should be done and requested the industry for its full cooperation in this matter. Typed 3 A ? / 5 2