Document 8RDvZgXajvZL1ZyOnranOOmva

LABORATOIRE D'HVGIENE ET DE CONTROLE DES FIBRES MINeRALES 10, rue de la P6pini&re, 75008 PARIS Tdl. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - T6lex : 281 133 RESULTS OF* THE A - I - A ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL 1987 March 1988 Director : Alain BAUJON Association rgie par la loi de 1901 CTD026302 RESULTS OE THE A . I - A .. ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL 1337 1 - INTRODUCTION The membrane filter method for determination of the asbestos exposure on the workplace has been the subject of considerable attention since a number of years and there is a general recognition of the international efforts made through A.I.A. (1979), W.H.O. (1980) and I.S.O. (expected) to arrive at a standardisation of the method. However, there is also a general recognition that the method suffers from a lack of reproducibility due to various influential human factors which have been very well investiga ted through the past years. To overcome these problems, some countries are carrying out a periodical slide exchange also allowing for an accreditation procedure in some cases like in the United Kingdom (RICE programme) in France (I N R S slide exchange) and the United States (PAT programme), etc. In 1987, the Asbestos International Association (AIA) has also decided to run its first slide exchange among its company members where microscopists must evaluate many samples taken routinely to monitor the individual workplace exposure of the asbestos workers. Furthermore, it can be anticipated that this initia tive will be helpfull to improve the reliability of the dust records collected by the Asbestos International Association since 1985. The procedure which is reported here was set up by our laboratory upon request from A.I.A. and has been submitted to the approval of the Dust Advisory Panel of the Association. It is an attempt to classify the participants into 3 catego ries of performance and to make recommandations to those labo ratories and/or counters standing too far beyond mean of the most homogenous group. . . ./ CTD026303 2 - PROCEDURE 2.- The asbestos dust samples were collected in various manufacturing plants (asbestos-cement, friction materials, textiles and mines) to cover the main applications of this raw material. Overall 60 samples were collected according to the membrane filter method, adjusting the sampling time to obtain the most suitable fibre density on the filter. All the 47mm membranes were then cut into 4 equal parts and clarified using the recommended acetone-triacetin method. This procedure allowed for selecting 4 equivalent sets of 11 slides assuming that each & sector of a filter had the same fibre density. Indeed this criteria was first checked by the L.H.C.F. prior to the circulation of slides and the validity of this procedure was further checked using the counting results found by the group I counters (see 9) The 4 sets of slides (also including a blank filter) were then circulated among the A.I.A. association members which in turn were responsible for organizing their own slide distribution among the participants. All the counting results were directly sent back to the L.H.C.F. according to a standard format. It is worth to underline that this procedure allowed for collecting 649 results from 59 participants within less than 8 months. 3 - PARTICIPATION 13 Association members could take part in this first slide exchange involving 59 counters whose experience in fibre . counting was evaluated through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was not fully completed by all the participants, but some informations were obtain for 46 of them showing the following indications : . . ./ CTD026304 3 .- - Most participants are used to count more than 200 slides a year while only one reported to count less than 100 slides a year. 19 out of 59 are counting more than 1,000 slides a year. Number of samples 1 Number of Counters < 100 1 100-200 5 200-250 10 500-1000 > 1000 11 19 - 35 participants are familiar with routine counts of a unique sample origine corresponding to the product group (or mi ning) which their company is involved in. 4 - COUNTING METHOD Participants were asked to count the slides according to the method which they normally use or which is required by regulation. 54 countries reported to apply the A.I.A. RTM.l or a national method which is close to that method and 5 counters reported to use the NIOSH method as a standard. While 5 laboratories used no graticule at all for counting, the 54 other participants did use a graticule such as recommended in the RTM.l method but not always of the specified area. Graticule Area Number of counters < 7500 7500 - 8200 8200 * = 100 2 10000 > 1000 2 45 9 3 . . ./ CTD026305 4 .- 5 - PRELIMINARY EVALUATION The L.H.C.F. first evaluated all the slides to check if these 4 sets of 11 slides could be considered statistically equivalent. Diagram 1 shows the spread of the counts by 2 welltrained microscopists of the laboratory. As compared with the mean counts, the dispersion is always smaller than 15 % which appears quite satisfactory to validate the procedure at the firs stage. COUNTING RESULTS ON THE 4 QUARTERS OF EACH SAMPLE BY 2 L.H.C.F. COUNTERS 200 X A QTC* A nerERENcs or samplc QTzn 5 A QTE* C J 10 12 7 QJZn Diagram n 1 .../ CTD026306 5.- 6 - RESULTS 6.1. PROCESSING OF THE DATA The following calculations were made to arrive at a final classification of the particupants into 3 groups : 1) Provisional mean of the 59 counting results on each sample 2) Results are converted to normalised values'11 by reference to the mean of the 59 counts. 3) Counters are then temporaly classified into 2 categories according to the following criterias : A - Those whose normalised mean11) is outside the range 0.5 - 1.5 OR whose coeficient of variation11' is greater than 50 %. B - All the others. 4) Steps 1 and 2 are repeated after exclusion of all the A category counters for calculation of a new mean. 5) Finally, the counters (including category A) are classified into 3 groups as follows : CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTERS ACCORDING TO THEIR NORMALISED MEAN AND COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION 30 Q 5 I S AO - z y 20 - 10 - O- GROUP III GROUP II 1(I GROUP I i--i----1 "I------1------!" . 0.S 0.7S 1 1.2S 1.50 NORMALISED MEAN Diagram n 2 i 11> - See 10 for definitions. . ./ CTD026307 6.- 6.2. INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS 6.2.1. - This two steps procedure was choosen to allow for a better evalution of the mean count excluding those counters (8) whose performance appears to be broadly outside of the range which the D.A.P. considered as reasonable. 6.2.2. - G.I. defines a group of counters whose cri teria appears to be rather good in view of the experience we have in this field. 6.2.3. - G.II. is intermediate either because the CV's could be smaller or the counts are too far away from the mean and in some cases for both reasons. 6.3. FINAL RESULTS The position of each counter is indicated on Diagram 3 showing the X.Y. plotting of the normalised mean and the CV. - 31 - 20 8 counters (52.5%) are in Group I counters (33.9%) are in Group II counters (13.6%) are in Group III. POSITION OF THE 59 COUNTERS ACCORDING TO THEIR NORMALISED MEAN AND COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION Diagram n 3 . . ./ CTD026308 7.7 - STATITICAL ANALYSES OF THE DATA Some further informations are presented in this chap ter to allow for a whole understanding of the procedure. 7.1. DISTRIBUTION OF THE 649 NORMALISED VALUES. Diagram n 4 shows that 81.2 % of the results are within 50% of the expected mean and 61.1 % are within 30%. DISTRIBUTION OF 649 NORMALISED RESULTS Diagram n 4 Some counts are much too low or too high : up to 5 times down to 1 /s of the expected mean. . . ./ CTD026309 8 .- 7.2. NORMALISED MEAN OF A COUNTER That is an indication on the trend for a counter to count higher or lower than normal, but it is of limited inte rest without some further information on the variability of the same counter (coeficient of variation - see 7.3) Diagram n 5 shows that 55.9 % of the values are within 0.75 to 1.25 for the 59 counters and 40 % are quite close to 1. DISTRIBUTION OF NORMALISED MEANS Diagram n 5 . . ./ CTD026310 9.- 7.3. COEFICIENT OF VARIATION (C.V.) As reported above, the coefficient of variation is also important as even large variations can sometimes result in good means. As shown on diagram n 6, 81.4 % of the values are less than 30 %. DISTRIBUTION OF COEFFICIENTS OF VARIATION Diagram n 6 . - -/ CTD026311 8 - FURTHER OBSERVATIONS 10.- 8.1. GRATITULE AREAS Among the five counters using graticule areas which are rather far from the standard (RTM.l), one is in group III, two in group II and two in group I. 8.2. NUMBER OF SAMPLES COUNTED OVER A YEAR. Those 6 who count less than 200 samples/year (see table 1) are not differently distributed as the others [G.I.(2) - G.II.(3) - G.III.(1)] 8.3. RESULTS ON THE BLANK FILTER A majority of counters (21) could not see any fibre at all on the filter but one reported to have seen 18. Diagram n 7 shows a distribution on those results. DISTRIBUTION OF ANALYSIS RESULTS ON A BLANK SAMPLE Diagram n 7 . . ./ CTD026312 11.- 9 - FINAL CHECKING OF THE 4 SETS As reported earlier, a final evaluation of the 4 sets was made to validate the original assumption that each quarter of a filter from the same sample was equivalent. G.I. results were extracted from the file and a new mean was calculated for each quater. Diagram n 8 shows the results on the 11 samples which again demonstrate that no significant difference can be observed between the fibre loading of each quarter originating from the same sample (all values are within an interval of 15 %) NORMALISED MEAN FOR EACH QUARTER OF THE 11 SAMPLES FROM GROUP I RESULTS 2 1.9 i.a 1.7 1.8 1.5 1.A 1.3 1.2 1.1 1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 2 O.A 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 ascdefchjkl 0 QTER A SAMPLE REFERENCE + QTER B A QTER C _____ 7 QTER O diagram n 8 10 - DEFINITIONS (1) Normalised result = ratio of a counting result to the mean of counts on the sample. (2) Normalised mean (inter-lab index) = average of a counter's normalised results. It is an indication of overestimation or underestimation. (3) Coefficient of variation (intra-lab index) = the standard deviation (of a counter's normalised results) divided by the normalised mean. It is an index of the dispersion of a counter's results. CTD026313 CertairileedH'f To ' M. Simmons Subject Mail Code 1125/1 AIA ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL From L. J. Mellon, M. D. XX 9 ti Mail Code 1125/4 Date Ext. 7944 May 5, 1988 I thought you might be interested in seeing the attached. Janis Woodson participated in an international Asbestos Information Association round robin asbestos fiber counting project last year. The attached are her results. The report shows her counts were in the top grades of the study, i.e., closest to the normalized means and low coefficient of variation. LJM/lh Attachment LABORATOIRE D'HYGIENE ET DE CONTRQLE DES FIBRES MINeRALES 10, rue de fa Pdplnfere, 75008 PARIS T<l. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - Tdlex : 281 133 PARIS, April 1st, 1988 R6f. Asbestos Counting Trial of the Asbestos International Association O.vK HL-.ALTH & SAFETY Dear Sir, I am pleased to present the results for the Asbestos Counting Trial of A. I. A. which took place in 1987. You will find a general report on this slide exchange together with an individual performance evaluation for each of your company participants. Thank you very much far your participation. Yours sincerely. Alain BAUJOR, Director. A.I.A. ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL PERSONAL RESULTS 1987 Name : Woodson_________________________________ Company : Certain Teed Corporation_________ Code n : Set ref, . 59 B Your counting results {fibres/mm2) and your corres ponding normalised results are the followings : Sample Ref BLK Count.Ref. : B- 6 Results F/mm2 0 ABCD 4 2 3 10 78 180 182 220 EFGH JKL 12 3 1 9 t7 5 11 49 384 531 502 231 169 133 Norm. Results 0.92 0.79 1.01 1.07 1.11 1.15 1.19 1.34 1.13 1.28 0.97 Normalised mean ................................... : 1,08 Coefficient of variation ........... ; 14,8% Group n ..................................................... . i On the following graph, each counter is positionned according to his normalised mean and his coefficient of varia tion. Your personal position is shown by the "red point". ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL cocr. or variation / nc*mausco mcans ^ V* ir* * r _ ",2 The following graphs show respectively 3 distribu tions : of the normalised means, the coefficients of variation and the result on the "blank" sample. block. Your personal position is underlided by the "grey' ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL Code N59 distribution or cocr. or var. CC z3 8 b cocmciCNT or variation LABORATOIRE D'HYGIENE ET DE CONTROLE DES FIBRES MINBRALES 10, rue de la Pdplnl&re, 75008 PARIS Tdl. : (1) 45 2212 34 - TSlex : 281 133 RESULTS OF THE A. _ X - A A.SJ3ESTOS COUNTING TRIAL 3_ 9 8 ~7 March 1988 Director : Alain BAUJON RESULTS OF THE A-I-AAS B E S TO S COUNTING TRIAL 0.9 8 *7 1 - IHTR0DUCTI0N The membrane filter method for determination of the asbestos exposure on the workplace has been the subject of considerable attention since a number of years and there is a general recognition of the international efforts made through A.I.A. (1979), W.H.O. (1980) and I.S.O. (expected) to arrive at a standardisation of the method. However, there is also a general recognition that the method suffers from a lack of reproducibility due to various influential human factors which have been very well investiga ted through the past years. To overcome these problems, some countries are carrying out a periodical slide exchange also allowing for an accreditation procedure in some cases like in the United Kingdom (RICE programme) in France (I N R S slide exchange) and the United States (PAT programme), etc. In 1987, the Asbestos International Association (AIA) has also decided to run its first slide exchange among its company members where microscopists must evaluate many samples taken routinely to monitor the individual workplace exposure of the asbestos workers. Furthermore, it can be anticipated that this initia tive will be helpfull to improve the reliability of the dust records collected by the Asbestos International Association since 1985. The procedure which is reported here was set up by our laboratory upon request from A.I.A. and has been submitted to the approval of the Dust Advisory Panel of the Association. It is an attempt to classify the participants into 3 catego ries of performance and to make recommandations to those labo ratories and/or counters standing too far beyond mean of the most homogenous group. . . ./ 2 - PROCEDURE 2. - The asbestos dust samples were collected in various manufacturing plants (asbestos-cement, friction materials, textiles and mines) to cover the main applications of this raw material. Overall 60 samples were collected according to the membrane filter method, adjusting the sampling time to obtain the most suitable fibre density on the filter. All the 47mm membranes were then cut into 4 equal parts and clarified using the recommended acetone-triacetin method. This procedure allowed for selecting 4 equivalent sets of 11 slides assuming that each K sector of a filter had the same fibre density. Indeed this criteria was first checked by the L.H.C.F. prior to the circulation of slides and the validity of this procedure was further checked using the counting results found by the group I counters (see 9) The 4 sets of slides (also including a blank filter) were then circulated among the A.I.A. association members which in turn were responsible for organizing their own slide distribution among the participants. All the counting results were directly sent back to the L.H.C.F. according to a standard format. It is worth to underline that this procedure allowed for collecting 649 results from 59 participants within less than 8 months. i 3 PARTICIPATION 13 Association members could take part in this first slide exchange involving 59 counters whose experience in fibre, counting was evaluated through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was not fully completed by all the participants, but some informations were obtain for 46 of them showing the following indications : 4 .- 5 - PRELIMINARY EVALUATION The L.H.C.F. first evaluated all the slides to check if these 4 sets of 11 slides could be considered statistically equivalent. Diagram 1 shows the spread of the counts by 2 welltrained microscopists of the laboratory. As compared with the mean counts, the dispersion is always smaller chan 15 % which appears quite satisfactory to validate the procedure at the firs stage. COUNTING RESULTS ON THE 4 QUARTERS OF EACH SAMPLE BY 2 L.H.C.iF. COUNTERS 500 - 2 \ 200 - RErEHCNCC or SAMPLE QTEH O A QTCT C -1 10 12 7 QTEH 0 Diagram n 1 i CTD026321 5.- 6 - RESULTS 6.1. PROCESSING OF THE DATA The following calculations were made to arrive at a final classification of the particupants into 3 groups : 1) Provisional mean of the 59 counting results on each sample -2) Results are converted to normalised values'1' by reference to the mean of the 59 counts. 3) Counters are then temporaly classified into 2 categories according to the following criterias : A - Those whose normalised mean'1' is outside the range 0.5 - 1.5 OR whose coeficient of variation'11 is greater than 50 %. B - All the others. 4) Steps 1 and 2 are repeated after exclusion of all the A category counters for calculation of a new mean. 5) Finally, the counters {including category A) are classified into 3 groups as follows : CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTERS ACCORDING TO THEIR NORMALISED MEAN AND COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION 50 - -------------------------------------------i TO - SO 1 i t GROUP III i 1 i U0 Ko 1 __ __ & LzJ ulb. 8 20 - GROUP II GROUP I 10 - 1 l """I (3 0 5 0 .75 i.: 15 l.SO 2 NORMAUSCO MEAN Diagram n 2 6.- 6.2. INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS 6.2.1. - This two steps procedure was choosen to allow for a better evalution of the mean count excluding those counters (8) whose performance appears to be broadly outside of the range which the D.A.P. considered as reasonable. 6.2.2. - G.I. defines a group of counters whose cri teria appears to be rather good in view of the experience we have in this field. 6.2.3. - G.II. is intermediate either because the CV" s could be smaller or the counts are too far away from the mean and in some cases for both reasons. 6.3. FINAL RESULTS The position of each counter is indicated on Diagram 3 showing the X.Y. plotting ofthe normalised mean and the CV. - 31 - 20 8 counters (52.5 %) are counters (33.9%) are counters (13.6%) are in Group I in Group II in Group III. POSITION OF THE 59 COUNTERS ACCORDING TO THEIR NORMALISED MEAN AND COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION 'fp j?. r ' \ rijt A -iv;- Diagram n 3 .../ CTD026323 7.- 7 - STATITICAL ANALYSES OF THE DATA Some further informations are presented in this chap ter to allow for a whole understanding of the procedure. 7.1. DISTRIBUTION OF THE 649 NORMALISED VALUES. i Diagram n 4 shows that 81.2 % of the results are within 50% of the expected mean and 61.1 % are within 30%. DISTRIBUTION OF 649 NORMALISED RESULTS Diagram n 4 Some counts are much too low or too high : up to 5 times down to 1/s of the expected mean. . . ./ Xa -J o ttV' V-Ab r&_X'. {\ CTD026324 8.- 7.2. NORMALISED MEAN OF A COUNTER That is an indication on the trend for a counter to .count higher or lower than normal, but it is of limited inte rest without some further information on the variability of the same counter {coeficient of variation - see 7.3) Diagram n 5 shows that 55.9 % of the Values are within 0.75 to 1.25 for the 59 counters and 40 % are quite close to 1. DISTRIBUTION OF NORMALISED MEANS Diagram n 5 . . ./ i 'F'T^TTF -5* Fyi"? CTD026325 9.7.3. COEFICIENT OF VARIATION (C.V.) As reported above, the coefficient of variation is also important as even large variations can sometimes result in good means. As shown on diagram n 6, 81.4 % of the values are less than 30 %. DISTRIBUTION OF COEFFICIENTS OF VARIATION Diagram n 6 8 - FURTHER OBSERVATIONS 10.- 8.1. GRATITULE AREAS Among the five counters using graticule areas which are rather far from the standard (RTM.l), one is in group III, two in group II and two in group I. 8.2. NUMBER OF SAMPLES COUNTED OVER A YEAR. Those 6 who count less than 200 samples/year (see table 1) are not differently distributed as the others [G.I.{2) - G.II.(3) - G.Ill.{1)] 8.3. RESULTS ON THE BLANK FILTER A majority of counters (21) could not see any fibre at all on the filter but one reported to have seen 18. Diagram n 7 shows a distribution on those results. DISTRIBUTION OF ANALYSIS RESULTS ON A BLANK SAMPLE Diagram n 7 CTD026327 11.- 9 - FINAL CHECKING OF THE 4 SETS As reported earlier, a final evaluation of the 4 sets was made to validate the original assumption that each quarter of a filter from the same sample was equivalent. G.I. results were extracted from the file and a new mean was calculated for each quater. Diagram n 8 shows the results on the 11 samples which again demonstrate that no significant difference can be observed between the fibre loading of each quarter originating from the same sample (all values are within an interval of 15 %) NORMALISED MEAN FOR EACH QUARTER OF THE 11 SAMPLES FROM GROUP I RESULTS 2 1.9 1.6 1.7 1.C 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1 2 0.9 o 0.6 0.7 0.6 O.fi 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 o ABCOerGHJKL 0 OTTK A SAMPLE RCTCRCNCC 4 QTCrt B 6 QTTfl C QTEn D diagram n 8 i 10 - DEFINITIONS (1) Normalised result = ratio of a counting result to the mean of counts on the sample. t (2) Normalised mean (inter-lab index} = average of a counter's normalised results. It is an indication of overestimation or underestimation. (3) Coefficient of variation (intra-lab index) = the standard deviation (of a counter's normalised results) divided by the normalised mean. It is an index of the dispersion of a counter * s results. CTD026328 LABORATOIRE 'HYGIENE ET DE CONTROLE DES FIBRES MIN6RALES 10, rue de la Pdpiniere, 75008 PARIS T6I. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - T6lex : 281 133 PARIS, April 1st, 1988 Rf. : Asbestos Counting Trial of the Asbestos International Association Dear Sir, m-.ALI'H & SAFE! 51933 ; i V ^ I am pleased to present the results for the Asbestos Counting Trial of A.I.A. which took place in 1987. You will find a general report on this slide exchange together with an individual performance evaluation for each of your company participants. Thank you very much far your participation. / Yours sincerely. Alain BAUJQN, Director. Association rgie par la loi de 1901 v.--yuJ;-t -y.-j-`TA-. --,r 1 CTD026329 A.I.A. ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL PERSONAL RESULTS 1987 Name : Woodson__________________________________ Company : Certain Teed Corporation_________ Code n : ggt ref. : 59 B Your counting results (fibres/mm2) and your corres ponding normalised results are the followings : Sample Ref. 8LK A B C D E F G H J K L Count.Ref. : B- 6 4 2 3 10 12 3 1 9 7/ 5 11 Results F/mm2 0 78 180 182 220 49 384 531 502 231 169 133 Norm. Results 0.92 0.79 1.01 1.07 1.11 1.15 1.19 1.34 1.13 1.28 0.97 Normalised mean ................................... . -]f08 Coefficient of variation ........... . 14,8% Group n .......................................................... 1 On the following graph, each counter is positionned according to his normalised mean and his coefficient of varia tion. Your personal position is shown by the "red point". ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL or /coef. variation normalised means NORMALISED MEANS The following graphs show respectively 3 distribu tions : of the normalised means, the coefficients of variation and the result on the "blank" sample. Your personal position is underlided by the "grey" block. ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL distribution or normalised means No or COUNTERS : 59 .33 20 25 20 13 10 11S ESI o.2 o.a o.a o.a 11 rcvl 1^1 i i.2 i.A i.a i.a NORMALISED means 2.2 2.4 Code N 5 9 distribution or cocr. or VAR. z 10--13 20- 23 30-33 40-43 cocmciCNT or variation 30-33 NORTH AMERICA ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal Square 4, Suite 509 Arlington, Virginia 22202 (703) 979-1150 May 15, 1987 Memorandum For: Janis L. Woodson CertainTeed Corp. 750 E. Swedesford Road Valley Forge, PA 19482 4A *i U\_/, " f- ( t ^ \ *r &AY 181987 kECBJV0 Subject: AIA Asbestos Counting Trial In response to earlier correspondence, your company along with three others identified below expressed an interest in partici pating in the Asbestos International Association's Asbestos Counting Trial. Your attention is particularly invited to the details for completing this participation as set forth in the LHCF letter of May 4, 1987 (copy enclosed for all participants). It is requested that, subsequent to counting of the enclosed slides and submission of your telex results to LHCF in Paris, that you forward by Federal Express or similar courier means the slides to Monsey Products in Kimberton, PA. Monsey then to forward to Nuturn (Smithville), thence to Nuturn (New Castle), and lastly Nuturn (New Castle) to Allied-Signal (G. H. Andersen). AlliedSignal is requested to return the slides to LHCF and advise this Association when such has been done. Companies participating in this asbestos counting trial are: 1 CertainTeed Corporation 750 E. Swedesford Road Valley Forge, PA 19482 XJanis L Woodson) __ Monsey Products Company Cold Stream Road Kimberton, PA 19442 (W. G. Schomps) 3 Nuturn Corporation - Automotive Division 1 Grizzly Lane Smithville, TN 37166 (Judy Kimbrell) Nuturn Corporation - Heavy 1112 South 25th Street New Castle, IN 47362 (Judy Ingram) Duty Division 4 Allied-Signal, Inc. Columbia Road & Park Avenue Mor r i s town;, NJ 0 7960-2332 (G. H. Andersenf- * m '1' . si-iinWW MJI I1/M.u yjn ii LABORATOIRE D'HYGIENE ET DE m CONTROLE DES FIBRES MINeRALES 10. rue de la PApInl&re, 75008 PARIS T6I. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - T6lex : 281 133 PARIS, May 4th 1987 Mr. Bab J. PIGG ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION NORTH AMERICA 1745, Jefferson Davis Highway Christal Square, 4 - Suite 509 ARLINGTON, Virginia 22202 U. S. A. Ref. A.I.A. Asbestos Counting Trial Dear Mr. Pigg, Ve have received registration forms for participation of 3 laboratories in your country (list in annex). You will find enclosed a batch of 12 microscope slides together with a guidance note. May we ask you to circulate this batch of slides among the 3 laboratories according to a procedure of your choice. On termination, would you please ask the last partici pant to send back the slides direct to the L.H.C.F. In order to have the shortest delays between transfer of slides, we strongly recommend to dispatch them from one laboratory to another by "courier". There should be no more than 14 days between two consecutive laboratories. Many thanks for your kind cooperation. Enel. 1 A. Baujon Director. CTD026334 LABORATOIRE D'HYGIENE ET DE CONTROLE DES FIBRES MINERALES 10, rue de la P6pini6re, 75008 PARIS T6I. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - T6lex : 281 133 LIST OF LABORATORIES HAVING RETURNED A REGISTRATION FORK - CERTAINTEED CORPORATION 750 E. Swedesford Road Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 19482 Correspondant: Janis L. Woodson U - N^TURN CORPORATION - AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION 1, Grizzly Lane Smithville, Tenessee, 37166 Correspondant: Judy Kimbrell U - N^TURN CORPORATION - HEAVY DUTY DIVISION 1112 South 2.1th Street New Castle, IN., 47362 Correspondant: Judy Ingram CTD026335 R654 RX-GT2 0514 EDT 05/06/87 MAY 06 1987 0507 440731 ITS UI 440730 ITS UI GBH234 IN 06/05204 OUT 06/05:08 AFAFAR 281133F PARIS. 6TH MAY 1987 ATTENTION J MR ROB PI GO REFIAIA-ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL WE SENT YOU. ON MAY 4TH. FOR CIRCULATION IN YOUR COUNTRY. A BATCH OF SLIDES TOGETHER WITH A GUIDANCE NOTE AND A LIST OF 3 LABS HAVING RETURNED REGISTRATION FORMS. HOWEVER.WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED TODAY REGISTRATION FORMS FROM 2 MORE LABS. PLEASE.' ADD TO THE PREVIOUS LIST THE FOLLOWING LABS'. - ALLIED SIGNALS INC. P.O. BOX 2332 R MORRISTOWN. NJ 07960-2332 correspondant: g.h. andersen - MONSEY PRODUCTS COMPANY COLD STREAM ROAD KIMBERTON. PA. 19442 correspondant: u.g. schqmps best regards ALAIN BAUJON LABORATOIRE D~'HYGIENE et de CONTROLE DES FIBRES MINERALES 10 RUE DE LA PEPINIERE F 75008 - PARIS AFAPAR 281133F 440731 ITS UI ** THEY DISC. ELAPSED TIME 00:02150 PRINTED AT 0517 EDT 05/06/87 CTD026336 LABORATOIRE D'HVGIENE ET DE GONTROLE DES FIBRES MINeRALES 10. rue de la P6ptnl6re. 75008 PARIS Tdl. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - T6lex : 281 133 GUIDANCE NOTE FOR THE ASBESTOS COUNTING TRIAL OF THE A.I.A. - A batch af 12 slides has been sent to your laboratory. - Each counter previously registered should perform a unique count per slide and report the numbers of fibres and fields - It is essential that those slides should not be treated as special samples but should be counted under the complete routine procedure of your laboratory. - Results of your counts-shayl-d be sent back direct to the L.H.C.F. by telex/''T281133 Fi u^der the following format : C Co N OM Mgn Gr A Meth (for country) : U'S A (far Company) : i (for name of the counter) : -j'AUi S (_ (for Optical Microscope type) : ft, ken (for OM magnification) : 1L0OX (for graticule type) ; p Becks.'t'fc (for graticule area in mm2) : (for counting method) : : : lOooJiio') : Cof )* 5,,~ : A "Rule I Reference I Slide I---------------------- I I I I I I I I I Number I of Fibres X---------------------- I I I I I I I I I Number I of Fields I I I I I I I I I Comment I II X------------------------- x II II II II II II II II - After counting, your laboratory should circulate the slides according to the procedure set up by the organiser in your country. - It is imperative that a batch of slides should not stay longer than one week in each laboratory. CTD026337 loo i zu lOO.Z In looho : -;J>0 ' 2 ! l~ /i 0 O i u /, jo ^ /2o.^ / 35- /sw i so /V* jo^,^ho o ttf/'oe CTD026338 NUMBER OP PCS TRANSMITTED CTD026339 LABORATOIRE D'HYGIENE ET DE CDNTROLE DES FIBRES MINERALES 10, rue de la P<5pinldre. 75008 PARIS T6I. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - TAlex : 281 133 GUIDANCE NOTE FOR THE ASBESTOS COURTIEG TRIAL OF THE A. I.A. - A batch of 12 slides has been sent to your laboratory. - Each counter previously registered should perform a unique count per slide and report the numbers of fibres and fields - It is essential that those slides should not be treated as special samples but should be counted under the complete routine procedure of your laboratory. - Results of your counts should be sent back direct to the L.H.C.F. by telex <281133 F)under the following format : C (for country) : United States of America Co (for Company) : CertainTeed Corporation N (for name of the counter) : Janis L. Woodson QM (for Optical Microscope type) : Nikon Phase Contrast Mgn (for OM magnification) : 400x Gr (for graticule type) : Walton Beckett 2 A (for graticule area in mm2) : .00785 mm Meth (for counting method) : NIOSH 7400 A Rules I Reference i Number I Slide i of Fibres I- I IB I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7 I8 a -ii 100 i 100.5 i 100 i 61 i 101 i0 i 101.5 i 105.5 102.1 ia TOO li 104.5 12 38.5 1 Number I Comment I 1 af Fields I I -I-----------------------I 1 24 I I 1 71 I I I 70 I I I 100 I I I 76 I I I 100 I I I 56 I I 1 35 I _26_ I -58 100 100 - After counting, your laboratory should circulate the slides according to the procedure set up by the organiser in your country. - It is imperative that a batch of slides should not stay longer than one -week in each laboratory. CTD026340 ^ ^^ .'L^X?~'<r-kZj^ py6^r^^ 7XX plF^n^ '^T ^.<1 .p ^ <^1-- B. J. PIGG President ` ^ ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway. Arlington. Va 222Q2 * (703) 979-1150 ^ 5/95/ U^'-iVbD CTD026341 Rdf. : Asbestos Counting Trial LABORATOIRE D'HYGIENE ET DE CONTROLE DES FIBRES MIN^RALES 10, rue de la Pepini^re, 75008 PARIS T6I. : (1) 45 22 12 34 - Telex : 281 133 Paris, To : A.I.A. Members Associations Mr. Bob J. Pigg ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION Dear Sir, The Asbestos International Association (A.I.A.) has confirmed that you have applied for participation in the Asbestos Counting Trial which is organized by the D.A.P. (Dust Advisory Panel). The primary objective of the exchange is to detect variations in fibre countings among laboratories from the manu facturing industries (or mines) applying the same optical micros cope method (R.T.M.1) on a routine basis. The results of this exchange will serve as a basis for a quality control scheme within your own country and at the international level. Your participation needs to be registered by return of the attached form including general information on the expe rience of your laboratory. Any results or informations obtained with regard to this Asbestos Counting Trial will remain anonymous. On receipt of the registration form, we shall circula te a set of 12 slides and rules of procedure which have been set up to avoid delays in counting and circulation of the slides. Then, you will be in charge of the circulation of the slides among the registered participating laboratories in your country. The strict observance of the procedure is a condition of paramount importance for the success of such a slide exchange. Yours Sincerely. Copy to :-Sir Neville Stack (A.I.A.) -M. D. Bouig^ (Chairman of D.A.P.) Alain BAUJON, Director. CTD026342 CertairiTeed Corporation P O. Box 860 Valley Forge, PA 19482 (215) 341-7000 December 17, 1986 CertairiTeed El Mr. B. J. Pigg, President Asbestos Information Association 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway Crystal Square 4, Suite 509 Arlington, Virginia, 22202 Dear Bob: We would be interested in participating in the Asbestos International Association (AIA) asbestos counting trial described in the attachment to your December 10, 1986 letter. Sincerely yours. Owen H. Kittilstad Corporate Director Health and Safety OHK/lh cc: T. Dougherty CTD026343 ASBESTOS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (Limited by Guarantee) 68 GLOUCESTER PLACE. LONDON 'IH 3HL, ENGLAND MEMORANDUM Member Associations Director General Asbestos Counting Trial (ACT) In reply please quote: Your Ref: Date: AIA/20/2/HAS 20 November 1986 At a recent meeting of the AIA's Dust Advisory Panel they examined 4 sets of 12 slides which had been prepared by the Laboratoire d'Hygiene et de Controle des Fibres Minerales (LHCF). A statistical analysis of the countings performed by the LHCF was discussed and results showed that variations were well within acceptable limits. In order to standardise dust counting internationally, it will be necessary to exchange information on different laboratories' procedures. We therefore need first to establish hew many members' laboratories, (either owned by industry or under contract to industry) would be willing to become involved in such an exchange scheme. It is anticipated that a typical laboratory form will have to be completed by those willing to participate. Please let us know if your laboratory/laboratories would be willing to co-operate in this proposed information exchange scheme. Director General cc. Executive Corrmittee Chairman DAP CTD026344 CertainTeed Corporation P.O. Box 860 Valley Forge, PA 19482 (215) 341-7000 December 17, 1986 //. CertairileedEI Mr. B. J. Pigg, President Asbestos Information Association 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway Crystal Square 4, Suite 509 Arlington, Virginia, 22202 Dear Bob: We would be interested in participating in the Asbestos International Association (AIA) asbestos counting trial described in the attachment to your December 10, 1986 letter. Sincerely yours. Owen H. Kittilstad Corporate Director Health and Safety OHK/lh cc: T. Dougherty CTD026345 M' ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway. Crystal Square 4. Suite 509 Arlington. Virginia 22202 (703) 979-1150 December 10, 1986 Memorandum For: AIA/NA U.S. MEMBERS Subject: Asbestos Counting Trial The enclosed memorandum from the Asbestos International Associa tion (AIA) dated November 20, 1986 describes an asbestos counting trial undertaken by AIA's Dust Advisory Panel. The technique used is phase contrast microscopy. It is requested that attention be given to the enclosure at your earliest convenience. Please advise this office if your company would be willing to participate in the proposed trial. B. J. Pig President Enclosure CTD026346 ASBESTOS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (Limited by Guarantee) 68 GLOUCESTER PLACE, LONDON U'lH 3HL. ENGLAND MEMORANDUM To: Member Associations From: Director General Subjeet. ^g^eg^s Counting Trial (ACT) In reply please quote: Your Ref: Date: AIA/20/2/HAS 20 November 1986 At a recent meeting of the AIA's Dust Advisory Panel they examined 4 sets of 12 slides which had been prepared by the Laboratoire d'Hygiene et de Controle des Fibres Minerales (LHCF). A statistical analysis of the countings performed by the LHCF was discussed and results showed that variations were well within acceptable limits. In order to standardise dust counting internationally, it will be necessary to exchange information on different laboratories' procedures. We therefore need first to establish how many members' laboratories, (either owned by industry or under contract to industry) would be willing to become involved in such an exchange scheme. It is anticipated that a typical laboratory form will have to be completed by those willing to participate. Please let us know if your laboratory/laboratories would be willing to co-operate in this proposed information exchange scheme. cc. Executive Cormittee Chairman DAP CTD026347