Document N2pr7dYdX3m5mQkqxXDz7Vnrb

. . National Institute for Occupational Safety and H alth ... : 550 Main Street, Room 7033 *. *> . ;u.. i f Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 . - -4 -*. B _ ' * X ** V , ^ %, - t: , .. * ^* -- *. .-*.* ^ * i_ ^ ** m, Z. m . * I ' 3 -- '' . . 4 ... :.u:; : - * ,\- November 16, 1971 , ..4* o : *i-w. ' mo , I. '.^ `. `. ji *- o*. :'Si-i.*v: 3 v^kc-.f sL ^: ::\i- r'i *: Cl ~rvi ' j1, .fjr-'.-"y ^ -v * - . ~~ v>`.i.vair?n: i*r c/ui James E; Peavy, M.D. . - . . r;< :r,'. ;.'r Commissioner of Health ' Texas State Department of.Health 1100 West 49th Street -- .-.- OT. ' 4. *-j Austin, Texas^ 78756-: - ?n * t 4- r^*-Xi.r= r -i : ivr- ^ rv .** *i* *iry* ** l1-* Dear Dr. Peavyi * TV-i- . -i>; , "v.' * / v- ;* ? ;.' r. ~ji? ** i-5 A recent N.I.O.S.H. survey demonstrated an extremely serious and - critical occupational health situation at the Pittsburgh Coming Corporation Amosite Asbestos Thermal Pipe Insulation Plant in Tyler, Texas* . -.4.., - TM . 1 N.I.O.S.H. industrial hygiene surveys in 1967 and 1970 yielded grossly excessive fiber concentrations compared to current and proposed standards and those results were forwarded to the company for - appropriate action. Following requests for evaluation, and assistance from the Texas State Health Department and the local membership of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union, N.I.O.S.H..conducted a comprehensive industrial hygiene and medical survey during the week of October 26 to 29, 1971. The survey pointed out major industrial hygiene deficiencies which* Included a grossly Inadequate ventilation system and poor housekeeping practices. In August 1971, respirators were made mandatory-in.all.areas concomitant with application for variance from the current asbestos standard;.' however, our survey personnel observed many employees with loose or unconnected straps. Also, there was no program for the fitting and maintenance of.respirators. Again personal-airvsamples yielded grossly excessive fiber concentrations In all production, finishing, and shipping.areas. :: 4 .-.is ... * -sJ'*4-5T5*W^rrf `tt'p'i T"? 4 .. ; ..?.a rO^ cV N.I.O.S.H.,medical.questionnaires and examinations for ral^>Ja^d_Scbger dubbing were conducted by our survey team on 63 employ^eb i$^taer tt complement the X-rays and pulmonary function tests pexJ&^^^S&y S' Dr. James E. Peavey - 11/16/71 2 Dr. George Hurst of Che East Texas Chest Hospital In August 1971 at the request of the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. One film was read as a pulmonary neoplasm by Dr. Hurst* and this diagnosis was confirmed following hospitalization. In addition, several films were read as possible pulmonary fibrosis. However* Dr. Lee Grant, Medical Consultant to the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, has delayed release of these films to N.I.O.S.H. and Its expert panel of radiologists pend ing hls personal review of the films. Even without benefit of the X-rays, 7 of 18 workers with greater than ten years employment at the Tyler Plant meet at least three of four criteria for asbestosis. These criteria include: (1) forced vital capacity below 80Z of predicted, (2) dyspnea, (3) finger clubbing, and (A) rales. Positive X-ray results could increase further the number of cases of asbestosis. Re duced pulmonary function was also observed in a few workers with less than five years employment. Therefore; medical follow-up of current and past employees is indicated. Immediate corrective'action, is necessary .to reduce asbestos.exposure levels to conform to existing standards*. ..''*"ice .-T>.: .-r.**3" Tl.-liT,:"tj ' Sincerely yours, i*. Vy.ter. 'r ' - > - . - f'"- ; : * * -V . -%- -' - ' William M. Johnson, M.D- . Acting Deputy Director,. t - Division of Field Studies and.. Clinical Investigations--v * '"it:/. ' r 'v'- i&-'. 16 *0 ttitTTty y-.v*-*-rf o;s t. Bobby F. Craft,Ph.D. - ^ f rt ^ i:-.z ' Acting Director,.- ^.yizz-r 7,171, r*r.w. = Division of. Technical Services . csf 1 j`i -"`-r ''"r *' -r `Encl-r'(Air"Sampling Results: 'October, 1971) -.: with c: une>.-.ui.-:u''7 j'.rvi'Tiiw zvr the fiujfer cc: ^''Marcus M. Key,M.D.' --r-. * -. . . .r :'c MRi'*Charles Van ` Hornecr.: re 2 2.; *- *v"i MrrJB. Stokes Mr. George Pettigrew, Region VI, H.X.O.S.H. ?is' * - -^-Mr. John K. Barto. Region VI, O.S.H.A. . ; '--"Joseph K.' Wagoner,,S.D.Hyg. . v t.-c i-r.i-/S tc- ":.-r '.Si-war - .>ur to CO National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 550 Main Street, Roma 7033 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 November 16, 1971 James E. Peavy, M.D. Commissioner of Health Texas State Department of Health 1100 West 49th Street Austin, Texas 78756 Dear Dr. Peavyt A recent N.I.O.S.H. survey demonstrated an extremely serious and LU ,' -- o 1t ^ 'r ^ critical occupational health situation at the Pittsburgh Corning =~>. Corporation Araosita Asbestos Thermal Pipe Insulation Plant in Tyler, Texas. N.I.O.S.H. industrial hygiene surveys in 1967 and 1970 yielded grossly excessive fiber concentrations compared to current and proposed standards, and those results were forwarded to the company for appropriate action. Following requests for evaluation, and assistance from the Texas State Health Department and the local membership of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Onion, N.I.O.S.H. conducted a comprehensive industrial hygiena and medical survey during the week of October 26 to 29, 1971. The survey pointed out major industrial hygiena deficiencies which1 included a grossly Inadequate ventilation system and poor housekeeping practices. In August 1971, respirators were made mandatory in all areas concomitant with application for variance from the current asbestos standard; however, our survey personnel observed many employees with loose or unconnected otrap3. Also,vthere was no program for the fitting and maintenance ox respirators. Again personal clr samples yielded | 8B 0013141 | 1 Dr. James E. Peavey - 11/16/71 Dr. George Hurst of the East Texas Chest Hospital in August 1971 at the request of the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. One film was read as a pulmonary neoplasm by Dr. Hurst, and this diagnosis was confirmed following hospitalisation. In addition, several films were read as possible pulmonary fibrosis. However, Dr. Lee Grant, Medical Consultant to the Pittsburgh Coming Corporation, has delayed release^ C..O of these films to N.I.O.S.H. and its expert panel of radiologists pend*.; ing his personal review of the films. Even without benefit of tha "TM X-rays, 7 of 18 workers with greater than ten years employment at the tr* Tyler Plant meet at least three of four criteria for aabestosls. Thetfq criteria include: (1) forced vital capacity below 807 of predicted, ^ (2) dyspnea, (3) finger clubbing, and (4) rales. Positive X-ray If;;* results could increase further the number of cases of asbestosls. Ke-^r'- duced pulmonary function was also observed in a few workers with less than five years employment. Therefore, medical follow-up of current and past employees is indicate^ Immediate corrective action Is necessary to reduce asbestos exposure levels to conform to existing standards. Sincerely yours. v,,,y U! o ob"" o William M. Johnson, II.D. Acting Deputy Director, Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations Bobby F. Craft, Ph.D. Acting Director,