Document JvdYb2oMQKJw5dX84BM24zOY2

rf i 00 3 9 Ucu>-e c't/^tcKt /^r. - aX^<< *? C'tCfCC, THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE Tl*Dfton 80 1122 UNIT OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY Magical School Building, Perth Medical Centra. Nedlandi. W.A. 6009. 18th November, 1977 C 3677 Mr. C. R. Leith, Manager in Western Australia, C.S.R. Limited, Box M968, G.P.O. PERTH W.A. 6001 Dear Mr. Leith, Dr. Armstrong and I were grateful for the opportunity of meeting with you and other members of C.S.R. last week. As indicated in our discussions, we are now in a position to estimate our ongoing require ments for'research into the incidence of asbestos-caused diseases in former Wittenoom employees (F.W.E.) We see the following steps as necessary or desirable: 1. Estimation of the incidence of asbestos-caused disease. i. Determination of the number of F.W.E. still alive and resid ing in W.A. (this work is substantially complete) and other Australian States (this has only just begun). ii. Determination of the number of F.W.E. who have emigrated from Australia. The possibility of doing this through existing records has been successfully negotiated with the Department of Inmigration and Ethnic Affairs. iii. Determination of the number of F.W.E. who have died in Aus tralia with ascertainment of date and cause of death. This work is substantially complete for W.A. but has yet to be done in the other States. Determination of the separate and combined relationships between smoking and asbestos exposure and cancer of the lung. The precise nature of the interaction between cigarette smoking and asbestos fibre in the production of lung cancer is not yet determined. This is particularly true for crocidolite, for which few data exist. It is proposed that we should contact all F.W.E. (about 1,600) who are still alive and resident in W.A. and determine their past and present smoking habits and health status. They will then be followed prospectively to determine their risk of developing lung cancer andTothdr respiratory diseases. , Mr. C. R Leith 2. 18th November, 1977 In addition, the possibility is being considered that the smokers in the group may be offered counselling in relation to smoking habits, assistance with cigarette withdrawal if desired, and the opportunity of screening for the early detection of lung cancer should this occur. 3. Determination of the social consequences to past employees and their relatives following asbestos-caused disease. No definitive plans for study on this subject have been made as yet. The possibility of entering this field will be reviewed in the light of experience gained from a similar study being sponsored by the Cancer Council of Western Australia. It is anticipated that the completion of 1. above and the establish ment of base data for 2. above would take a full-time investigator with appropriate support staff and maintenance funds, about three years to complete. Although the project will remain under my general supervision with assistance and advice from Dr. Armstrong and Dr. A. W. Musk, it will be necessary for us to appoint a Research Fellow (preferably a medical graduate with interest and training in Epidemiology and/or Occupational Health) to undertake its full-time, day-to-day direction. The budgetry requirements for this, with supporting staff and maintenance, funds, are set out on the attached sheet. Yours sincerely. LaJlj(JL VW^f-W MICHAEL HOBBS, Associate Professor, Social and Preventive Medicine C 3678 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE Tlphon* 60 1122 UNIT OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY Madical School Building. Penh Medical Centre. Nediands. W.A. 6009. 18th November, 1977 PROPOSED RESEARCH BUDGET FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE INCIDENCE OF ASBESTOS CAUSED DISEASE IN FORMER EMPLOYEES OF AUSTRALIAN BLUE ASBESTOS SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER* Plus 10% allowance National 7 Wage increase TOTAL PER YEAR 197 8 17,378 1,737 19,115 1979 18,325 1,832 20,157 1980 18,957 1,895 20,852 TOTAL 3 YEARS 60,124 CLERICAL ASSISTANT* 1 full-time W.A. 3 years Plus 10% allowance National ' Wage increase TOTAL PER YEAR 6,846 Y' 684 7,530 7,267 726 7,993 7,583 758 8,341 23,864 CLERICAL ASSISTANT* 1 full-time Eastern States 2 years ^ Plus 10% allowance National Wage increase 6,646 684 7,530 7,267 726 7,993 15,523 TRAVEL FOR SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER If appointed from overseas, fare -i ~ and removal to Australia ~ Travel within Australia, per '1v annum ' MAINTENANCE COMPUTING TIME - PROGRAMMING ASSISTANCE 1,950 1,000 500 1,000 3,000 1,000 500 1,000 3,000 1,000 500 1,000 3,000 1,950 3,000 1,500 3,000 9,000 $117,961 i-j ,j D * Salaries include 0.3% Employer's liability insurance; 5% Payroll tax.