Document NeXR4ebkdY5qxbyRVGJKzy7Ny

tn-toti bck aaffiDH) cstaii.sc9'102 E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company JNCOffPOftATCO I Wilmington, Delaware 19898 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT cc: H, G. Smyth/C. DeMartino Manufacturing Directors P&IRD Managers Occupational & Environmental Health Managers Plant Managers J. V. Piet, ERD R. R. Morris, pa G. A. Hapka, Legal R. A. Harrington, Legal B. W. Karrh, M.D. J. C. Bonnett, M.D. R. N. Ligo, M.D. W. L. Sprout, M.D. R. K. Whiting, M.D. J. R. Gibson, Adm. October 27,. 1980 COMPANY PHYSICIANS 1. The Medical Division in Wilmington is conducting a series of meetings with Company physicians on the subject of asbestos-related x-ray abnormalities. We will schedule additional sessions for those physicians unable to attend previous meetings. 2. Thi purpose of the meetings is to: (a Increase the sensitivity of plant physicians, and through them our consulting radiologists, to asbestos-related abnormalities so that they can better detect them in our employees. (b Assure the quality of radiographs accomplished on our plants. (c Ensure that all asbestos exposed or potentially exposed employees will be identified for the radiologist. (d Ensure physician understanding of the provisions of Physicians Guidelines on Interpretation of X-Rays, Informing Employees of Abnormal Findings, and Asbestos-Related Medical Conditions. (e) Notify all physicians that this subject will become a major item of interest during subsequent medical audits. DUP 0810456 BETTER THINGS FOR BETTER LIVING . . . THROUGH CHEMISTRY 2 3: . T date' four meetings have been held and some 53 physicians have attended. The program has been well received. Selected x-ray films from participating plants were reviewed by Dr. Qlin Allen of X-Ray Associates, Wilmington, DE. A report Cjf each plant's film interpretations has been sent to that plant. 4. At the conclusion of the meetings, all physicians were requested to: (a) Discuss the program with their consulting | radiologists and convey to them our concern I for a critical interpretation of any asbestosi related abnormality. (b) Review x-ray quality at the plant and, if j appropriate, take action to improve radiology quality to include use of Photo Products' specialists and additional Wilmington training | for nurses. (c) Initiate a review of the x-rays of all personnel ! who have had a potential for asbestos exposure, | who are over 40 years of age and have over 10 I years' service. This group should include operations j employees as well as mechanical department employees. <4 j All films of individuals in this group should be made available to the radiologist for his review. (d) Repeat all x-rays interpreted as technically poor. (e) If an abnormality is detected, notify the employee immediately. If it is possibly asbestos related, initiate a pulmonary evaluation as per the Physicians Guidelines. 5. It is requested that all plant medical departments comply with itenjis (a) through (e) above as soon as possible but no later than March 31, 1981. Forward to the Medical Division, Attention Dr. Culpepper, the following: (a) Number of employees and pensioners evaluated. (b) Number of employees and pensioners with possibly asbestos-related x-ray abnormalities detected. (c) Number of employees and pensioners referred for pulmonary evaluation. DUP 0810457 (d) Number of employees and pensioners with asbestosrelated abnormalities categorized as: 1. Benign asymptomatic abnormality 2. Benign symptomatic illness 3. Malignant illness (e? Number of visits or consultations with Photo Products' technical representatives. ched is a letter model for communication with your adiologist as you consider appropriate. MEDICAL DIVISION Bruce W. Karrh, M.D Medical Director BWK/kcb Att. Dear Dr. In the future I/we will be requesting that you interpret chest radiojgraphs for certain individuals who have a history of possible exposure to asbestos. I/we will identify these patients to you which will enable you to focus on the findings consistent with and/or suggestive of asbestos exposure. If you feel oblique views are necessary in questionable cases, please do not hesitate to obtain tjhese radiographs. It is hoped that, with this conscious effort to screen pos-- sible asbes tos exposed workers, we will be better able to identify those who m ay have asbestos-related abnormalities requiring additional follbw-up and evaluation. If you have any questions, or if I may be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to discussing ^his subject with you at your convenience. Sincerely,