Document MG4EoRMwX0Q5EOKvdwQ31w2ya

Summary of information on file with Dr. W. E. Park# Minneapolis Health Department on July 18. 1961. WRG001S39 A* Mature-of Product 1. From oampany literature. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TYPICAL ZONOLITE VERMIOULITE ORES Vermioulite is a micaceous mineral that exfoliates when heated or subjected to certain chemical reactions. It is a hydrated magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate. Possessing a Mohs Scale hardness of 1.5* it Is a monoclinic crystal with pseudo-hexagonal character istics. The largest domestic deposits of vcrndculite are looated at Libby> Montana, and in the Greenville area of South Carolina, and are operated by the Zonolite Company. The chemical analyses given below show that the vermioulite from the two areas is essentially the same. Analyses based on oven-dry weight (100C or 212F). The relative aaounte of oxides were determined by the sodium earbonate fusion method and are listed without reference to actual crystalline arrangement. Free oxides, as suah, do not exist in the vermioulite crystal. The chemical composition of ore end expanded vermioulite are identical except for HjO content. 2. From letter dated July 7, 196l, addressed to K. Z. Qrkoski from Benjamin F. Wake, Industrial Hygiene Engineer, Division of Disease Control, State Board of Health, State of Montana. "Relative to the vermioulite question, several samples collected at the source of all vermioulite mined in the Western United States lndleste a fTee-eilica content of less than two percent. Although the dust concentrations night be extremely high, the free-silica content, as noted, is quite low. In a letter received from Mr. Paul F. Woolrich of the U. S. Public Health Service a fw yeirb back, ba described rarmioullte as, an essentially hydrous Bmgnesium mica was usually an alteration produot of local phlogopite or biotite micas. Attests to assign a definite minerologieal formula for venieullte has been unsuoeeesful because of its highly variable composition. However, analysis of typical vermlculite from Libby, Montana is as followst ill* Silicate 16* 7* 21* CaO 1* Na-0 1* K9O 1* H2O(at 105 G) 11* Phlogopite mica isi H^KMg^Al (SiOj^ diotite mica isi (H, K)2 (W, Fe)2 Al2 (SiO^ 3* Result of analysis of settled dust collected from the B. F. Halson vsndculite plant in Minneapolis and analysed by Terrance O'Dougherty in the Minneapolis Health Department laboratory for free silica content only;(February 1961} Sample 1707 contained 1.12* Arse silica. Sample 1708 contained 1.03* free silica. it. Analysis of products collected at Western Minersi Products by the Aetna Casualty & Surety Company and done in their own laboratory In January 19*3 by Miss Darby using their petrographic method. Product Panaoolite Alexite Filter Fines Second Cyclone Aggregate Plaster Aggregates Free Silica Content none none none none none 5* Analyzed by Paul Langs, Industrial Hygiene Department, University of Wisconsin January 1950. Raw Perlite Ore Perlite Plaster Aggregate 1* Free Silica 1* hve Silloa 6. Settled dust samples collected st Western Mineral Products and analyzed by Aetna Casualty & Surety Cospsny in March lit, 1955* using the modified petrographic 1--srrlon method as outlined by Ross & Sehl in their "Datermination of Free Sillea", Analytical Bdition, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Vol. 7, page 30, January 1935* Sample Vo. 1 - Perlite Bagging Area - no free cilioa * So. 2 - * " - trace free ailica " So. 3 - * " - trace * * " So. it - From box car - trace * Mo. 5 ~ Top of Sereener - no free ailica 7. Dust counts mads by Aetna Casualty & Surety Company at Western Mineral Produots of varmiculite dust of 10 miarous in else or leas. #1 - U.U Million partidea per cubic foot of sir i,2 - ij.8 * " * mm* -3- S3 -6.6 Million particle* per #a - #5 - #6 fj - 21.U 5.1 Ui.6 20.5 " *" " cubic foot of air * a a a a aa a ana a a aa 6. Report of a study made by Induetrial Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc. on Vondeulite at tba Zonolito Company. 23rd Street & P.R.R., Sharpaburg, Pennsylvania in May 19U8. Free Silica content determined by x-ray diffraction analysis vas found to be 2%. The dust counts ranged from 3*2 million particles per cubio foot of air to 105.0 million particles per cubio foot of air. The only dust counts over 50.0 million particles per cubic foot of air were found associated ulth unloading of fine ore from the boxcar. The partible size of dust found in the air in the Boxcar area was as follows Table 2 COMMONWEALTH OF PENMSILVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BUREAU OF INDUSTRIAL HXGIENE Particle else of dust (Boxcar) Zonolite Con?)any 23rd St. it P.R.R. Sharpaburg, Penna. Sis* rwge in mierons Percentage distribution 0.0 - 0.U9 0.5 - 0.99 1.0 - l.is9 1.5 - 1.99 2.0 - 2.19 2.5 - 2.99 3.0 - 3.19 3.5 - 3.99 Ji.O - lj.li9 U.5 - U.99 5.0 - and above 20.0 28.0 18.0 8.0 6.0 1*.0 2.0 0.0 J*.o 0.0 10.0 Median particle else - 1.1 microns Cumulated peroentages 20.0 I18.O 66.0 7Jt*0 80.0 6U.0 86.0 66.0 90.0 90.0 100.0 - i* - 9. From letter dated July 7* 196l, addressed to K. Dykoeki from Benjamin F. Wake, Industrial Hygiene Engineer, State Board of Health, State of Montana* "It might be product!re to look into the asbestosis angle, since a portion of the mined ore contains from fire to twenty per cent short fibre asbestos* There is m attempt made in the milling process to remove the asbestos which I believe is essentially successful; however, there is no doubt that some of the material is net excluded and would show up in the final product." B* References and excerpts from the literature on effects of vermicullte and related dusts 1* Copy of Dr. W* E* Park's letter dated March 9, 1961, addressed to Occupational Health Field Headquarters of U. S* Public Health Service, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dear Sirs: ,ATTENTION* ME. DOHKXAN H. BIERS I am writing you at this time for further information on vendoulita. I have on my files a letter dated May the 27th, 1955 which was addxeaaod to ms and signed by Melvin K* Gdsl, Assistant Surgeon, Clinical Servioes. This was in reply to my latter inquiring about the dihlcal effects of vermioulito* At that time we had a oase of pneumoconiosis which was thought to be related to a heavy exposure to vendoulite dust* We have recently had another oase of similar pneumoconiosis reported to us* This workman has also bean exposed to vermicullte dust of a long period of time* The vermioulito is being produced for use ss insulation* Although the workman involved are in two separate companies, they use the same source of raw product which is the zonolite brand. I wonder if you can supply me with more recent information in regard to the effects of vermicullte dust,pancf was outlined In Dr. Odells letter of May the 27th, 1995* Through his letter and further articles which I have at hand I have the following references relating to this subject* 1) Dreessen, V* C.| Della faillf, J. M*j Edwards, T. I.; Sayers, R. R.J Eason, H* and Triee, M. F.| "Pneumoconiosis Among Mica and Pegmatite Workers", Public Health Bulletin, No. 2$0, D.S.P.H.S. 19ii0. 2) Vestel, T. F.j Winstead, J* A*; and Joliet, Paul V; "Pneumoconiosis Among Mica and Pegmatite Workers", Industrial Medioina, Vol. 12, No* 1, page 11, January 191*3 * 3) Harlh&ra, C* R*j Gupta, M. N*j and Manlker, N. S; "Notes on MLoa Dust Inhalation", A* M* A. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, Vol. 8, No.6, Deoeaber 1953, page 531* 1*) Parade, A.; "Silicatosis Caused by Sepiolite", Msd. Segur. Trab., 2t 11-11*. January - March 1951*, (abstracted in Industrial Hygiene Digest, Vol. 19, Wo* ;ii* page 30, April 1955*) 5) Patty, Vol. 1 (Saooad Revised edition) 1958* page 361, item 3 bottom of page. 6) Vorvald, Arthur J.f "Diffuse Fibrogenic Pneumoconiosis", Industrial Med. & Surg., Vol. 29, August I960, pp. 353 - 358. We are proceeding to malce a much more detailed investigation of both of these oases of pneumoconiosis and hope to have additional information which we will be glad to share with you." 2. Copy of Dr. Roy L. Gibson's reply to above letter dated March 27, 1961, and enclosure. "Dear Dr. Park: lour letter of March 9* 1961, a request for recent literature on the biologic effects of vermioulite, has been referred to me for reply. I am sorry to say that new information on this subject published during the past five years is quite limited. A need for further study of the relationships between the silicates and pulmonary disease certainly exists. Enclosed are three abstracts copied Aram the Industrial Rygiene Digest that were not . included in your list of references. Another article that is old but relative to the subject is also mentioned. Johnstone and Miller in their new book "Occupational Diseases .and Industrial Medicine," W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, I960, classier various pulmonary responses to industrial dusts. Mica is broken down in this manner! Mica Physical Characteristics Muscovite Crystalline (serieite) Chemical Formula 0. Tiaaue Response Foreign Body Reaction Possible Entity Minor silicate pneumoconiosis Biotite Crystalline Vermioulite Plates Foreign Body Reaction Varied hydrated Foreign Body silicates Reaction Minor silieate pneumoconiosis Minor silicate pneumoconiosis Under their section on Minor Pneumoconioses they disouss the usual pulmonary response to these silicates aa oonsisting of an elaboration of a fins reticulum of fibers forming a loose mesh throughout the peaked masses of dust cells. These changes are apparently responsible for an accentuation of linear markings and reticulation that is evident on a cheat x-ray examination. Wa are very much interested in the results of your pending investigation of the two men exposed to vermioulite dust. Please do not hesitate to write us again if we can be of further help to you." *1. Pollcan, A. i The action of mica dust on pulmonary tissue. J. Ind. Hyg. I6fl60, 1931*. 2. Ramasvamy, A. S., lfenkatlsh, D. S., and Sana Bao, R.i The nature of lesions caused fay asbestos and idea in experimental pneumoconiosis in guinea pigs. J. Indian Inst. Sc. 35, Sect. A., 319, Oct., 1953- (Ind. Hyg. Dig. 18. Ho. 550, 195U). Guinea pigs were subjected to intratracheal injections of mica and asbestos dusts. Stress is laid on the development, after long periods, of lesions In other organs besides the lungs, especially in the adrenal glands. KLea dust was found to lead to some degree of nodular formation in the lungs, but the asbestos dust set up diffuse fibrosis only. These differences are portrayed in a series of photomicrographs. Mica induced hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex with extensive foamy disintegration of the oortloal oells) asbestos induced lesser changes, but nail areas of necrosis were occasionally found In the sons fasciculate and sons reticulata. In a theoretical discussion Hhe authors attempt to draw a relation between the atomic structure of mica and asbestos and the pathological lesions in the lungs and other organs. Their theory, however, leaves many points unexplained.- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 3* Gupta, -K. X.i Silicosis amongst supervisory staff in mica mining in Bihar. Report Ho. 8 Govern, of India, Ministry of Labor, Office of the Chief Advisor Factories, lev Delhi, Lidia. 6pp, 1955. Ind. Hyg. Digest 21i no. 11*37, 1957. The silicosis hasard among the supervisory staff in idea mining was studied. Modular and conglomerate silicosis was found in 1(5.25 of the supervisory staff and was fairly wall correlated to the nuidber of years spent in underground work. Pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 195 of the supervisory staff. it. Health Hasards in Mica Processing, India, Government ofi Ministry of Labour. Report No. 1*. Office of the Chief Advisor Factories, Ministry of Labour and &g>loyment. Hew Delhi, llpp, 195U. (Ind. Hyg. Dig. 23* No. 186, 1959). The production of mioa in India increased from 6,000 tons in 1939 to nearly 10,000 tons In 1951 and the industry now enploys about 27,000 workers, 16,500 of whom work underground. A recent Investigation revealed a high prevalenoe of silicosis in mioa miners. Tbs hazard in mioa mining is mainly from free slliea and the investigation described in this report was oazried out to determine the importance of Inhalation of mioa dust. IXxst measurements taken during the different processing operations were found to oxooed the maximum allowable ooaosntration (MAC) for ados of 20 million particles per cubic fbot in screening and grinding niea. Chest x-rays of 61 workers, 53 man and eight women were taken] 58 of those studied worked in processing factories and three in mioa grinding. Twenty (32.75) of the x-rays were reoonded as showing "linear exaggeration" and 1*1 (67*35) "ground glass" appearances. Ho x-rays showed nodular silicosis end none were recorded as normal. The self-evident conclusion is drawn that it 1s desirable to keep "the dust ooaosntration of sdsa within safe limits". As no nodular ease was noted in the 61 workers whose average time intensity fhotor was 360, equivalent to 18 years exposure to 20 million parti olee per cubic foot, the suggested MAC is considered reasonable. - Cond. from Bull. Hyg. C. Extracts from case histories 1. V. McK. An employee of Western Mineral Products. Patient of Dr. Thomas Lowry. A long time employee. As maintenance men he had massive exposures to settled vermioulite dust at night which he disturbed during his maintenance work. from Dr. Lowry'a report to the Aetna Caaualty and Surety Company dated July 6# 195$. "There ie no doubt in ay mind that V. KcK. suffers from a duet inhalation disease which can be classified as pneuraoconicsia, probably due to inhalation of "Vermiculite" over a period of ten years." "There is ample evidence from the x-ray films that this dust has caused an inhalation disease in the lungs which is finely nodular# fibrotic and almost certainly irreversible# if not actually progressive. In any case the disease has Increased in extent between 1$52 and the present tins (1555)". "Thors is no evidence of tuberculosis or other significant infection in the lungs." Mr. W. KcM. has had no great vermiculite dust exposure since 1555* In a telephone conversation with Dr. Thomas Lowry in May 1961 it was learned that Mr. XcX'a ahast x-ray picture is unchanged. 2. D. C.-An employee of the B. F. Nelson & Company. He has a history of over 15 years exposure to vermiculite dust. He is a patient of Dr. John T. Kelly. Referred to Dr. John E. Mlddlebrook in February 1961. In a telephone conversation with Dr. Mlddlebrook in early Kerch 1961# it was learned that a diagnosis of silicosis had been made and the patient removed from further exposure to dust. The patient is apparently on cmqwasstion. 3* H.E. - An employee of B. 7. Nelson 4 Conpany exposed to vermiculite dust for 23 years. He was examined by Dr. Lowell W. Weber in March 1961. Extract from Dr. Weber's report dated March 16# 1961. "Asymptomatic" "Cheat x-ray, taken 3*1*61# by Drs. Xaslund# Olson & MacDonald is reported as follows! There is a rather granular appearance throughout both lung fields# particularly at the bases# strongly suggesting the possibility of a Boeolc's sarcoid or inhalation disease." Dr. We bar's comment, "It is my opinion that this man unquestionably does have silicosis." h. F.P.H. - An employee of B. F Hsison le Company who has boon exposed to vermiculite dust for over 15 years. He was examined by Dr. Lowell V. Weber in March 1961. Extracts from Dr. Weber's report dated March 20# 1961. "Symptoms - cold in cheat one year, wheeling# coughs frequently# progressively short of breath during the past year." "Chest Xs-ray taken in tbs officea of Drs. Xaslund# Olaon and MacDonald# on March 3# 1961# is read aa follows: "Negative diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis or other infiltration or consolidation involving the parenchyma of the lungs. The markings throughout both lungs show increase in size and density and there is some relative enlargement of both hilum areas over average." Dr. Weber's comment - "Opinion: This man has a significant impairment of his functional pulmonary reserve. At present# his total lung vital capacity is 65$ of the predicted normal. - chronic bronchitis due to smoking, - pulmonary silicosis, secondary to dust exposure at work." 5.J.A.3. - An employee of J. B. Nelson Company who has been exposed to vermiculite dust for 17 years. Be was examined by Dr. Lowell W. Weber in March 1961. Extract* from Dr. Weber's report dated March 16* 1961. "Progressive diminution of lung reserve* and increase in shortness of breath with exertion* during two year period." "Lung vital capacity 2.6 liters total." "Chest x-ray* taken 3-1-61* by Dre. Naslund* Olson and MacDonald is reported as follows: Several small pulmonary calcification* are identified and multiple large calcified densities are seen in both hilum areas. Both lower lung fields have a rather diffuse and dense granular appearance. The upper lung fields are much leas remarkable. The possibility of a fioeok'a sarcoid or an inhalation disease must be considered." Dr. W./oer1 s comment - "This nan has serious impairment of his functional pulmonary reserve* as a result of a combination of silicosis and chronic bronohltis 6. D.H.Z. - An employee of Western Mineral Products and exposed to rermiculite dust for 11: years. Seen by Or. lue at Qian Lake Outpatient Department. Extract from Dr. Ins'a motes "Some cough* dyspnoea on exertion* clubbing of fingers*" film #167301 taken on 1-12-60 "Sane diffuse bilateral* finely granular and linear Infiltration* most marked at the bases. The hilar shadows appear rather prominent. The possibility of Boeek'a sarcoid* pneumoconiosis* or other ohronio Inflammatory 10*00088 would have to be considered" "Positive Kveim teat". "Biopay of cervical gland - normal lymph gland*. 7. H.I. - An employee of Western Mineral Products and axpoaad to vwndculita dust ` for 15 years. Scan by Dr. J. J. Hopperstad in Olsn lodes Outpatient Department, film #162026 taken 5-23-61. Extract from Dr. Hopperstad'a notes. "There ia bilateral apical pleural thickening with fibroid infiltrate in the right apex. There are pleural thickening and adhesions at both bases with thickened and calcified pleura over the laft cheat laterally. Swaroua small strands of interstitial fibrosis scattered throughout both lung fields* but most narked in the right add and lower lung field where there appear to b e rather large empbysenatous blabs." .8 Negative x-ray findings on other workmen who have been exposed to vendoulite dust. L. W. (film 182687 Olen Lake Outpatient) an employee of Western Mineral Products for lii years. R.B. (G37382 Mobile Unit* 2lith & Central 5-12-61) an enployee of Western Mineral Products for 8 years. T.G. (film 037311 Mobile Unit* 2iith i Central 5-12-61) an employee of Western Mineral Products for 15 years. L.E.H. (film 03731ii 2bth & Central 5-12-61) an employes of Western Mineral Products.for 8 years.