Document 8R3KL2KGbnYe4bj4jY2Kgz93K

FILE NAME: Asten Hill (AH) DATE: 1953 DOC#: AH012 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meeting Minutes JLl . I J. t U J l i JT * Air hygiene Cccrmi ttce September 9 3.953 Essex House In Attendance: JRSc,rhmS0m.iditwSh,c,hHcB.e,pnfV*,/.JGaL,iuKtKstocev-nnab,cek..rc,.*gJeR.r.>,DHE,.oB3Tjeo,aetsJtyohJn.so17n*,' ^TG.bcGr. Guests; Dr. 0 r A- Samder. Dr* L. bhlte Dr- P. A. Theodos Dr. P,, Cartier, Dr. H. VV. Hetheringtcn, Dr. E. S. myers Following the format of the previous meeting, the Doctors net in separate session and continued the deliberations previously outline 1,, \ review of the x-rays presented by each of the participatln. Doctors established that x-ray classifications of Negative; A-2. moderately advanced; A- o : far advanced, were rather - uniformly identified. There was considerable variance of opinion, however, In the borderline classifications of p-2, linear exaggeration and A~lr early asbestosis. It was the conclusion that this difference was a matter of Individual interpretation and one which, could not easily be resolved,- - The consensus was that it was impossible to make a diagnosis of asbestosis on x-ray alone since similar shadows can be `reproduced.by other disease processes, The employment his showing adequate periods of exposure (a minimum of 5 years ir the textile industry, 10 years in the mining industry; and a `medical history revealing clinical symptoms arc necessary for accurate diagnosis, 2 0 Diagnosis is complicated in obese persons., Obesity tends to cempress the lung and produce an x--ray appearance of asbes~ tosiSr. Overweight often times is accompanied by heart com plications not at all related to the asbestos exposure,. It was the consensus that asbestosis should not be considered as an aggravating factor to heart conditions due to overweigu' 3o As a result of discussion on the j-elati o n s M p cf cff-t'he-.iob uensvibr to dis_eas_e ^ucculiicilon.. Dr, Vvh.tte and Dr- Thenrin.s agreed to study their wlapt oopuljPciQn'', p^o- uhe results of their investigation will be presented to the Doctors at a future meeting. 4 Concerning the diagnosis of a disabling (compensable) asbestosis, the following factors were enumerated: - =. a. Adequate exposure (5 or more years in visually dusty atmospheres)a bo Typical x-ray patterns and. Indication of emphysema. p la in t if f s exhibit sF_ai-i AHD 0002333 -i- c- Symptoms such as shortness of breath, dry cough., easy fatigue on exertion is moderately advanced asbestosis ana easy fatigue without exertion In far advanced asbestos is.. Cyanosis may be present if right heart strain is evident* a, Decreased chest expansion accompanied by moist crackling rales. e. Lung function studies indicating a marked reduction in timed vital capacity and .blood arterial oxygen before and after exercise. f . Lung biopsy (if feasible) in questionable cases. 5* While thera is no cure for the-.ESbestotic. fibrosis, symptoma tic relief and improved ventilation is frequently obtained througn the use of intermittent positive breathing exercises using oxygen and bronchodiiafOroi j-.lLhuugli tne lmprovenanc 'lii vei.Li ration is not always ma.liiTained, repeat treatments continue to provide relief* In cases involving right heart strain and cyanosis, digitalii "is indicated. .6. In revicv;ing the problem of job transfer as a means of pre vention, the Doctors recommended the following criteria: a . If x-ray diagnosis is established for persons under 40, transfer to a job of less exposure should be made. This assumes, of course, that study has determined that the individuals present job environment contains an asbestos exposure* be If progression is seen on serial films, job transfer should be mads without regard to the individual's age-. Again, the present job should be evaluated in terms of exposure potential. 7. -Hcccnnendation was made that basic research be considered in the areas of - - a. evaluation of different types of fibres in disease production, b. " =? a relationship of heert function to asbestosis* Dr. Theodos will outline in more detail a proposal for this investigation. The Air Hygiene Committee revievred the status cf the proposals for evaluation of instruments ana methods in measuring atmospheric r ai.lamination. AHD 0002834 '~s - r- j.or tne determination cf fibre diameters encountered In airborne asbestos fibres ras submitted to the Travellers Engineering Laboratory In Hartford, 'while there has been verbal Indication that they would undertake this work for us, official agreement has not been obtained pending the working out of some technical dif ficulties. When approval is obtained, the member coaoanies will be advised in detail of sampling procedures, sampling location identification and shipping instructions. All mem ber ccmoanies indicated that they would participate in for warding' samples for this analytical research. 2 . ` Question was raised concerning the identification end removal of organic fibres from the samples submitted. V.hile this item would not effect the sample taking, the matter will be discussed with the laboratory to insure the counting of asbestos fibres only. 3. It had been determined that the U. 5. Public Health Service was engaged in an evaluation of several types of air sampling apparatusc Although their original research program had" not included the use of asbestos as an atmospheric contaninator, they appeared receptive to the idea and official approval is expected shortly. The instruments being used in this study Include all five of those which our Committee previously had .listed as worthy of study. ("7i 4. ' It was the consensus that every effort should be made to expodite items 2 and 3 in order that a yardstick might be established with which to evaluate the effectiveness of engineering control and provide a basis for job study necessa. for medical control (item 6, Doctors discussion). 5. lir. E. T. Jolinson reviewed the control methods at the twister; Dust counts (in terms of dust particles, not fibres) indicate excellent control. 6. It was egreed that at our next meeting, each member would present a review cf their companies' experience (successful or unsuccessful) with dust collector equipment. Capacities, operational methods, efficiencies and maintenance costs would be compared Jollowing a recapitulation of the separate Doctors and Air Hygiene Committee discussions, the combined group discussed and concurred that a statistical review be made of the current status cf asbestosis in the industry. Accordingly, each Doctor will be requested to sub mit a list of years cf service and x-ray classification for each employee l without name) for each asbestos textile plant. This data to 11 bp.summarized to reflect the trends, if any, in exposure years to pulmonary involvement end may well serve as a base line against which to compare future progress in the control of environmental <-`xposure and disease incidence H. Ho Jackson 7 ---- AHD 0002835