Document B8bYnqB5DryBqGVzMY6mgbQ2X

MINUTES Policy Committee Meeting Environ........ai neaith Task Force Juno 16, 1969 Large Board Room PR. GEORGE W. WRIGHT 1- ME EPi.lu tion Meeting - Cltv of New York * Dr. Wright reported on June 9 meeting with Austin !J. Heller of n.y.C. Department of Air Resources in regard to possible community air pollution danger. Dr. Wright and six others, including Dr. selikoff, gave testimony on various aspects of problem. Meeting between members of Mt. Sinai group and Sprayed Mineral Fiber Manufactucrs Association on June 20 to discuss problem, with special emphasis on the new World Trade Center. 2. Government Study <?f Asbestos Textile worxers A problem has arisen with regard to health study o* asbestos workers being conducted by PHS with support of asbestos industry. PHS plans to send information on any abnormality they've discovered in an employee to that employee's personal physician. Dr. Wright believes such information should also be sent to the employee's plant doctor. Many asbestos companies, especially in the textile field, might not permit study to continue under these conditions. 3. IOEH Scientific Committee Dr. Wright reported on a recent meeting of the Scientific Committee of the institute of Occupational ->ud Environmental Health. German mesothelioma study was not approved. Study of workers in New Orleans plants of J-M and National Gypsum tentatively approved. IHF study of trace metals need* re-dasigning before approval can be granted. Support granted to booklet on world asbestos/health situation. 4. Johannesburg Meeting Attitude of doctors changing. No longer giving unqualifiedsupport to speculations about health effects of asbestos. Dr. Selikoff's studies of autopsiod lunga in N.Y.C. cast 'MINUTES 'policy Committo* HffUlia - 6/16/60 doubt on ferruginous bod lot as indication c t potential dangor to general public. Dr. Webster said he no longer believod that crocidolite alone waa responsible (or mesothelioma. Bronchogenic cancer problem in South Africa is not aa great aa one would expect. 5. Plant Exchange Visits with Ravbcstos-Manhattan Dr. Wright described some of the techniques used by Raybestos to reduce dust in their carding, twisting and spinning operations. J. B. JOBE 1. IIHRP Activities ?. B. Jobe reported on June 11 Advisory Council meeting of IIHRP. The following topics were discussed: a) finances b) new combined packaging - mixing unit for asbestos-cement c) sprayed mineral fiber d) new mask development and testing a) dust-collectors on saws f) shipbuilding W. L. VAN DERBEEK 1. Environmental Control Activities at J-M Plants W. L. VnnDarbaek reported on positive results of steps taken in J-M textile operation at Manvillo to reduce dust. The legal and industrial relations aspects of dust counts and the wearing of respirators by employees in potentially hazardous situations was discussed. Respirators will be required where dust counts are above the new TLV. cy coiw.ittoc --6/16/69 2. WLV also reported on rtsults of personal air sampling du t counts taken at various J-M plants and in adiaccnt community Tests chu.v- Ui<iaui T..* most stations Tests will continue. Including community study at Thet- ford Mine. T. J. SOL.ON. JR. 1. Dr. Wright Thoracic Society Meeting Presentation Paper on "Asbestos and Health - 1969" given by Dr. Wright at Miami will be used for public relations purposes as soon as it has appeared in medical journal. 2. AIHA Denver Meeting Mr. Solon, reporting on annual meeting of American Industrial Hygiene Association at Denver, commented on papers delivered by Dr. FuniisacK, Dr. Selikoff and Dr. Stokinger. Written transcript of latter's comments on asbastes and health was given to attendees. Dr. Stokinger appears to be new "friend" on the asbestos/health horizon. We will monitor his writings and presentations. Ivan Sabourin indicated that Dr. Selikoff would be willing to refute Dr. Stokinger's conclusions re asbestos-cement pipe. Purther consideration required. 3. Organization - hew Mr. Solon distributed organization chart of health agencies of V. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Hill & Knowlton has good contacts with must of the people on chart. J-M Washington office personnel would have to develop such contacts. Hill fc Knowlton recommends that J-M establish personal contacts between HEW people and J-M people directly involved with environ mental health work. More -- Policy Consaitteo Hooting - 6/16/69 .4 British Activities Conference on tne Control of Asbestos in the Working Environment being held in London, June 18, dealing with now British regulations and how they will affect industry. 300 people registered to attend. J-H will get sound tape and written transcript of full day's activities. New shipbuilding codes under preparation in Englard. A television program on the industrial hazards of asbestos is being prepared in England. Dr. Selikoff has written letter to Turner & Newall requesting that Mt. Sinai team headed by Dr. Nicholson visit England to study asbestos work practices. J-M has no 6erious objections and Solon will convey this to Wilfred Howard, PR Director of T & N. 5. Upcoming Meetings Mr. Solon distributed calendar of upcoming medical meetings with plans for coverage where required. fjs/ab P. J. Solon, Jr.