Document JrmaaKowpGbO4bjwqKGrnB3OB

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT azi ;rccu::E ccilttteh ';edtii:g G-3 17 Asbestos Textile Institute iiarch 10, 19SU , The industrial hygiene survey program uas participated in by 3even plants of sin member companies. Sanples were taken under standard procedures at sirilar loca tions in all the plants. The sanples were forwarded to the Chenical Engineering Laboratory of Travelers Insurance Company, and ana3.yzed for dust particles under 10 microns in 3ize and for asbestos fibers 10 Microns and longer at 100 and 200 Magnifications, light field illumination (a-standard technique). Detailed reports have been forwarded to each participating plant and the summary report without plant identification was discussed* A general review of the report indicated that: 1, there was no fixed relation of quantity of dust to quantity of fiber in the samples. It was evident that some dust concentra tions which would be considered satisfactory under present state standards contained an unfavorable concentration, of fiber, . 2, good control is indicated at most sampling locations in most plants, by the fact that fiber counts were below the tentative . maximum allowable concentration of one million fibers per cubic foot, recommended at the 1952 Saranac Symposium* 3, the data will be reviewed statistically to determine whether the higher magnification makes possible the identification of a significantly greater number of fibers. A separate report will be forwarded to committee members. It was reported that the I'ew Jersey Standards and Code Committee had accepted for adoption the recommendation of one million fibers per cubic foot as the maximum allowable concentration for asbestos fiber. Definition of fiber and reference to the analysis techniques is included in the Committee's recommendation. The Air Hygiene Comi.rit.tse members requested that information used in discussions with the Hew Jersey Code Committee be forwarded to each in order that pertinent infor mation be passed on to agencies in other States. The American Conference of Govern mental Industrial Hygienists has received the Saranac Research work but desires to have more extensive data before modifying its present list of threshold limits. Studies such as ones we are working on uould be of considerable import to this group. The committee recommended that additional surveys be made in those member plants where both wet and dry weaving methods '.re used. Samples will be talcen during each process type in order to evaluate the effectiveness in dust control of wet weaving. Analytical laboratory services will be arranged for as in the currant survey. It was further recommended that all future surveys be member companies whether made by their own or state technicians be analyzed for both the dust and fiber content and the data included in the Cocwittee records. - - ................. In a review of fiber conditioning techniques several members reported trials of various materials. With several, there were visual improvements in dust levels though some offered problems of application. It was proposed that at our next meeting, each member would report on his company's eorperienca with materials for fiber conditioning and the cumulative list would be submitted to the Technical Committee and to the Fellow for evaluation in terms of product characteristics. OSj 87, >2< It was the consensus of the Air Hygiene Committee that the problem of dust deter mination in fiber as a raw material was primarily one which would concern the Technical Committee. After a standard measurement technique is developed, the Air Hygiene Coisr.d.ttee would then be in a position to study the relationship of dust content of fiber to the dust levels during processing. As resolved from the discussion in the General ileeting, the Air Hygiene Committee will prepare an outline of the information pertaining to asbestos which would be appropriate for those making inquiry concerning the health and hygiene aspects of asbestos fiber exposure. The outline will be submitted for consideration at the ne::t 3oard of Governors Ileeting* Correspondence from our French Associates pertaining to dust control methods and medical experience was reviewed and discussed. Hie techniques described in the letter on dust control are similar to those used by various member companies. It was reported that by visual observation, considerable improvement was noted. However, there is no data concerning dust or fiber counts. In the opinion of the Iledical Officers, ' * 1. there is no relationship of pulmonary cancer to asbestosis in the French experience, ' 2. while asbestosis does not predispose to tuberculosis, observation was made that recovery from T.i3. was difficult, 3. a positive relationship was observed between alcoholism and asbestosis. Summaries of this correspondence are attached as a part of the minutes. . J. W. \:eber presented and discussed his design for twister-spinner ventilation control. Air Hygiene samples indicate dust level is less than one million parti cles per cubic foot. Although no fiber analysis was made it can be safely assumed that it was considerably less than this. Hot only does the design provide excel lent dust control but also provides a substantial guard for rig and spool breakage. A drawing of this design is reproduced as a part of the minutes. The United States Public Health Service study on instrumentation was reported to be in progress. The samples of asbestos have been forwarded. The study, however, will probably not be reported for a considerable length of tine since there are a number of instruments whose efficiency is being determined. Asbestos i3 but one of a group of five or six materials being used. The following are excerpts from a letter on asbestosis submitted by Dr. du Ilesnil du Luisson, of associate member Societe Anonyme Francaise du Ferodo. Asbestosis and silicosis are entirely dissimilar diseases. Silicosis is a cleaiN- cut disease with a typical x-ray pattern and a typical clinical picture. Asbesto sis on the other hand, lias few if any clinical 3igns and no characteristic x-raypattern. 7? ( ( mf -3- Th8 diagnosis of asbestosis rests only on the clinical symptoms and abnormal x-ray picture and the presence of asbestos bodies in the sputum* The French authorities believe tliat the presence of asbestos bodies in the sputum are diagnostic of pulmonary asbestosia. The American authorities do not agree with this concept* Asbestosis is not a progressive disease and it can be arrested and cured by re moval of the employee from exposure, There are no reported cases where pulmonary carcinoma is associated with asbestosis, Alcoholism plays an important part in the development of asbestosi3 for this condition predisposes to many types of lung puthology, It is noted that 2/3 cf asbestosis cases found in the factories of Claigny and Fontaine were alcoholics. Asbestosis can be controlled only by adequate ventilation of the factories, by annual physical examination, x-rays and sputum analysis. The Doctor also quotes as follox;s from a letter he received from the Medical Council of an insurance group: ' "Great caution should be used in the diagnosis of such occupational diseases as asbestosis for if an employee is unable to work because of this disease he will receive compensation but no medical or drug bills associated with his illness will be paid," . Sccieta Anonyms Francaise du Ferodo Dust eliminating equipment in asbestos factories at Vallee de la Vere, In the asbestos preparation sections pneumatic conveyors are used. In the spin ning and twisting and adjacent areas no great amount of dust is produced. In carding and weaving special exhaust is used. Carding machines are built over long shallow trenches and entirely sealed frem above. Air is drawn in at the loaders and the combers. The trough i3 connected to the exhaust system and kept under pressure. Air shafts under the shuttle the entire width of the machine and funnels placed above the warp control the dust at the weavers. The speed of intake at orifices and in air shafts is 1$ to 18 cubic meters per second. It is the objective to remove the dust at the source or to enclose the --apparatus as completely as possible maintaining it under pressure. The dust i3 collected in a battery of stocking collectors and the purified air recirculated. ( \ > Respectfully submitted. H. Ii. Jackson, Chairman Air Hygiene Committee > t \ l k 1 III A\> rv- .\ ) J sbl y *N. M! TUP Lj U':>7 ;ii b'u'A'^D , * . i r.i r. ? ;*) c i ( ii) . \ I \ L 1. I Il L i- 1 1 K si D L F. V* \ \