Document Nn1jKL8mVoe2v4DXnL1kR1jV

July 3, 1945 REPORT OF MEETING Vf'ITH THE AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION Pittsburgh - June 29, 1945 Mr. K. Dunn, Treasurer American Brake Shoe Company New York On Friday morning, June 29th, Mr. Warren Cook, Mr. Littlefield and I met with Mr. McMahon, Mr. Hemeon and Mr. Holden at the offices of the Industrial Hygiene Foundation in the Me&lon Institute in Pittsburgh. As I outlined to you over the telephone, we had felt that the problem we have been discussing is of far-reaohing importance and has a great many angles to it. We therefore thought that such a meeting would be the only satisfactory way of arriving at any definite conclusions as to the best method of carrying out the experimental work. I briefly outlined the problem as follows: For approximately three i^ars we have been confronted with x-ray findings in grinders and welders simulating the nodulation observed in silicosis. This nodulation was originally diagnosed as silicosis and still is because of lack of established standards which would indioate that the condition is siderosis rather than silicosis. While the x-rays simulate the pattern of silicosis, die clinical cosnee of the condition is not the same. There is no apparent disability, and the lack of progression of the nodulation beyond its initial rather rapid appearance is more or less evident. After three years of observation we have been forced to the conclusion that what we are observing is not true silicosis but probably a siderosis similar to that seen in welders. he problem is of tremendous importance because of its economic, medico-legal, and personal health aspects. The worker is being advised in certain locations to disoontinue his life-time occupation as a grinder, with its consequent decrease in pay, and is bringing more and more claims for disability on the grounds of silicosis. He is also concerned about his health and feels that he has contracted a disabling disease which in many instances results in converting an ordinarily good workman into a typioal neurotic. VJe are nor; being faced with the reconversion period and may anticipate a larger number of claims for disability on the grounds of silicosis anoe laywoffs begin. Vie therefore have been extremely anxious to get some real information concerning the status of this so-oelled nodulation in grinders before the medical and legal professions so that defense attorneys may have some background on which to build defense claims. SPNY 000448