Document 99751Gq9Gv4VrjvwK8p8gRjOV

t /2JCmeb states ^>crrafc WASHINGTON, D.C. 20SI0 ' November 6, 1981 BUOCCT The Honor able"'Richard S. Schweiker'* Secretary Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue/ S. W. Washington, D.C- 20201 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT CAP-1663 Dear Dick: In the last two Congresses I have sponsored legislation to establish a special compensation system for victims of asbestos related diseases. I believe this legislation is an important first step towards necessary reform of our entire occupational disease compensation system; In the past, I've relied on data from a document entitled "Estimates of the Fraction of Cancers in the United States Related to Occupational Factors." This document was prepared by a.number of scientists'-irn your Department at NIEHS, NClj " and NIOSH and has received wide publicity since then-Secretary . Joseph Califano referred to it in a 1978 speech where he / r made the_claim that "at least 17 percent of all cancer deaths, in the igfited States will be associated with previous exposure to asbestos'.-" j^ t As you may know, the claims made by the "Estimates *-* Paper" have bee?r criticized by a number of sources, but it continues to receive prominent attention and is often referred to as the official- government position on occupation and - cancer. I, therefore, request that your Department formally review the document and inform me of its status. It's- essential that those of us in the Congress working on occupational disease issues have a clear statement from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the validity of the data contained.in the "Estimates Paper". I appreciate your prompt consideration of this request. Best regards. Gary Have *ui. .YirioMtoy rHtnrro on rtfin mack with nserexxo ristns CAPCO JEN 0013106