Document B1qvVn86DmZ5vJ6kMKjzzwGj

itnill. Ml *J. 2? DEPARTMENT Of PUBLIC HEALTH 57 MURRAY STREET PERTH iiumiii II <ii: .-r. J. Boylaad, Senior Inspector of Limes. Limes Department, XA^OOXLIE, w . A. 25th October 1965. Dear ulr. Boyland. I recently visited Australian Slue Asbestos and eras pleasantly surprised at many of the xnproveaents made. However, dust is still obviously a problea and conditions, whilst ouch better, are still below that achieved in the gold mining industry. '.Jew eases of silicosis and/or aebeetoeis are still being diagnosed each year, but there is rooa to hope that the length of exposure is increasing, and that sen nay fforlc for longer periods with less chaaes of developing lung disease. As you taow, there has been much criticlsa of the hoiiioeter as an instrument for dust sampling in the asbestos industry, and its continued use was only ^ justified because counts were so high that mors sophisticated instruments were unnecessary. I never really subscribed to this theory. It is imperative now that more advanced nethods of dust be used, and I would be grateful if this could receive sene attention. Dust sampling surreys should include (a) The number of quarts particles of respirable else, i.e. less than 5 microns. (b) The number of fibres of respirable else, i.e. less than about AO microns. (e) Allow somr estimate to be made of the individual worker's total exposura. I know that your inspectors (ventilation) are -- efficient and knowledgeable, and I don't wish to interfere in any way with your duties and responsibilities. However, Dr. Gordon Smith, Director of the Occupational Health Section cf the Commonwealth School of Hygiene sad Tropical Medicine, Hew South Tales, accompanied at to Tltteaooa and offered to send his dust sampling inspector, Ur. S. uajor, to do s detailed survey of the mine and mill at Titteaoom. I have heard Ur. Uajor eooken of very highly as an axpert in this field. His survsy would certainly be of value, and I think it would bo a wonderful opportunity for your inspectors to widen their experience and perhaps develop new technique*' even if, in the end, you feel that his methods are Impracticable and no inproveaaat on present techniques. The question of cost hasn't beta raised, but ny impreseion is that the Coamosweelth would finance it. There was no discussion in regard to liming' but a possible time might be April/Uay 1966. A good example of th* difficulty lavolvsd in dust sampling Is Stubbs' Coast Ulna at Marble Bar. His /2-OV i -ICOi I j I i (DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 57 MURRAY STREET PERTH ..r. u. 3oyiand, Senior Inspector of .iir.es 'lines Department, coaiii, wj< Hair ?.5th...October. 1965 2 treatment axil was very dusty in places, Out it is possible that much of the dust is comparatively harmless because of tne absence of quartz and the nature of the ore body. four comments on the above would be greatly appreciated. It might be that your ventilation inspectors don't feel that any purpose would be served by Hr. Llajor's visit. If so, let oe (mow. .Vo arrangements of any kind have been made. Yours sincerely. J. 'ilcliultv FHYSICUJ OCCtTPAJIQgiT. I