Document KNng07YNEzKE47Lbvbb7bYrQ

August 26* 1955 Mr. Hugh M. Jackson, lUatfer Industrial Health Program Johna-Maaville Corporation 22 East 40th Street New York 16, New York Dear Hugh] The enclosed letter la self-explanatory. We did not feel that we could reply in correspondence to Mr. Kane, and there fore Invited him to the Institute for a conference. We notified him of the fact that much information is available on the safe handling and use of practically all insulating materials, and we supplied him with sufficient data to allay hie fears. Some time In the future 1 would like to discuss this mat ter with you. Sincerely yours, C. Richard Waimer, M.D. Managing Director CRWidh Enclosure (Letter August 13, 1955 from Mr. John W. Kane, Corresponding Secretary, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulator and Asbestos Workers - DH) INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ASBESTOS WORKERS Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and . Building and Construction Trades Department Writer's address; 36 Perry Lane Local Union No. 2 City: Pittsburgh 29, Pa. Dear Sir: August 13, 1955 I have and always will continue to have the greatest respect for the Mellon Institute and the really great people who staff hex. And so it is with little wonder that I- urgently appeal to you people for possible help, in the light of the many, many advancements made by the Instt* tute in the examination of air pollution, that Sir is our problem, seven of the last nine of the members of our Union, the Asbestos Workers, (pipe covers) have died of lung disorders. It is believed by many of us to be an occupational disease, although I am familiar with the fact that asbestosis is the number 2 occupational disease I do not believe we are Hindered to any great extent as we are not subjected to breathing in great amounts of it in confined areas. But I, as all others also be* lieve that our new hazards are found in our comparatively newer mater* lals all of these are fiberous they are fiberglas, foamglas and other glass type insulations, mineral wool (the loose type wool which Has the addition of formaldehyde to it). When working with these materials in confined areas it so pollutes the air that it seems to remain suspended in the air and visibility is not great where it is used extensively. One of the results of this action is that it slows the men down as though they were not receiving enough oxygen. These materials are also irritating to the skin of some and itchy to all. Although 1 know the Mellon Insti tute is not a social organization I was in deep hope that you may give us some information and practices that we may adopt, for instance our men do not wear respirators in the application of these materials. They claim they slow them down and provide Improper breathing. We would appreciate any information you could give us on these materials and what dangers they could create. We are Interested both in a measure of prevention if any, and control of the air pollution which if ever gauged for density would most certainly be declared contaminated, I am sure that you as thoughtful human beings will help us make a deep cut in the preventable cases, by giving the proper knowledge and safety factors we may practice. Sincerely, August 26, 195$ Mr* Hugh M. Jackson, Manager Industrial Health Program Johns ManviUe Corporation 22 East 40th Street Hew York 16, New York Dear Hugh: The enclosed letter la self-explanatory* We did not feel that we could reply in correspondence to Mr* Kane, and there fore invited him to the Institute for a conference* We notified him of the fact that much Information ie available on the safe handling and uae of practically all insulating materials, and we supplied him with eufflclent data to allay his fears. Some time In the future I would like to discuse this mat ter with you. Sincerely yours, C Richard Waimer, M.D. Managing Director CRWidh Enclosure (Letter August 13, 1955 from Mr. John W. Kane, Corresponding Secretary, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers - DH) INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ASBESTOS WORKERS Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and . Building and Construction Trades Department . Writer's address: 36 Perry Lane Local Union No. 2 City: Pittsburgh 29, Pa. August 13, 1955 Dear Sir: I have and always will continue to have the greatest respect for the Mellon Institute and the really great people who staff her. And so it is with little wonder that 1 urgently appeal to you people for possible help. In the light of the many, many advancements made by the Insti tute in the examination of air pollution, that Sir is our problem, seven of the last nine of the members of our Union, the Asbestos Workers, (pipe covert) have died of lung disorders. It is believed by many of us to be an occupational disease, although I am familiar with the fact that asbestosis is the number 2 occupational disease I do not believe we are Hindered to any great extent as we are not subjected to breathing in great amounts of it in confined areas. But 1, as all others also be lieve that our new hazards are found in our comparatively newer mater ials all of these are fiberous they are fiberglas, foamglas and other glass type insulations, mineral wool (the loose type wool which Has the addition of formaldehyde to it). When working with these materials in confined areas it so pollutes the air that it seems to remain suspended in the air and visibility is not great where it is used extensively. One of the results of this action is that it slows the men down as though they were not receiving enough oxygen. These materials are also irritating to the skin of some and itchy to all. Although 1 know the Mellon Insti tute is not a social organization I was in deep hope that you may give us some information and practices that we may adopt, for instance our men do not wear respirators in the application of these materials. They claim they slow them down and provide improper breathing. We would appreciate any information you could give us on these materials and what dangers they could create. We are Interested both in a measure of prevention if any, and control of the air pollution which if ever gauged for density would most certainly be declared contaminated. I am sure that you as thoughtful human beings will help us make a deep cut in the preventable cases, by giving the proper knowledge and safety factors we may practice. C o p Y Sincerely, x (s) John W. Kane / CorTrsponding Secr^tdry