Document O66KK913b6QXjzyYm4erQyLj

FILE NAME Quebec Asbestos Mining Association QAMA DATE 0000 DOC QAMA021 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION QAMA History e, a, " ASBESTOS MINING ASSOCIATION QUEBEC Asbestos Mining Association QAMA is a 1. The Quebec asbestos mining companies Govt association for Quebec associates are several trade Exh 3320 Among the QAMA's members or United States in that have filed claims against the companies Canadian Mines Cassiar Mining Corp. this case such as Carey Exhs 3340 3202 3294 In and The Flintkote Co. Govt Manville through its subsidiary Canadian Exh 3340 Addition was a member of the QAMA Govt Manville 1931 several Quebec asbestos mining companies 2. In Canadian Manville including Asbestos Corp. Ltd. and Producers Associ- banded together to form the Quebec Asbestos ation QAPA Govt Exh 3340 the 1930's the QAPA was concerned with 3. As early as of asbestos workers The the occupational health problems for health issues Govt Exh Association had staff responsible two medical clinics 3409 In addition the QAPA maintained Mines and one in Asbestos for employees of one in Thetford Exh 3134 These clinics performed its members Govt and other services employment physicals periodic rays as needed ibid the Quebec Asbestos Mining 1948 the QAPA became in- 4 In Exh 3340 The founding companies Association Govt Asbestos Corp. Ltd. and Canadian Manville By member Govt Exh 3186 cluded 1957 Carey Canadian Mines had become a Exh 3202 and by 1958 The Flintkote Co.ashsaodciajtoeidnedwitGhov thte QAMA in 1966 Cassiar Mining Corp. became Govt Exh 3270 publications on health issues was continued The QAPA's emphasis to 5 was founded among other purposes by the QAMA The QAMA establish funds for scien- promote sound health practices and maintain clinics tific purposes Exh 3340 An Industrial for asbestos workers Govt out these goals Relations Committee was created to carry Filteau dep 10/20/80 pp 103 105-106 assured that each company 6 The QAMA's structure in the organization's operation would be directly involved The Presidency passed and informed of important developments from one company to another by alphabetical order on the man each year Govt Exh 3340 Each company was representated The Board of Directors elected Board of Directors ibid the chairman of each standing committee Filteau dep 10/20/80 pp 115-116 -2- 1948 QAMA representatives met with a 7. In January Dr. Anthony Lanza to noted researcher in pulmonary disease asbestos workers Govt Exh 3000 discuss tuberculosisthaatmontghe tuberculosis rate in Quebec was Dr. Lanza revealed than in neighboring provinces almost three times higher that a study ibid He made several proposals including Laboratory to determine whether be carried out beyxistthse S ba er ta wn ea ec n development of TB and occupa- a relationship tional exposure to asbestos ibid * with Dr. Lanza's proposal for a study Dr. 8. Agreeing of the industry clinic in Asbestos Kenneth Smith Director research to combat Quebec stressed the need to sponsor Exh 3000 He stated workers compensation claims Geonv litghtenment but so do the Not only do the doctors need and factual information Workers Compensation Commissioners medical journals as promptly should be published in established as it is developed ibid the study suggested by 9. The QAMA Eaxghree3d00 to6 spAonlstohrough the Association later the research Dr. Lanza Govt underwrite have the Quebec government arranged to be extensively involved including the QAMA continued to be examined Govt Exhs 3006 selecting the men who were to 3008 3009 Laboratory reported to the 10. In December the Saranac results of the study which focused on Govt Exhs QAMA on preliminary on tuberculosis function not solely is respiratory 3013 3024 Saranac found that reduced oxygen saturation and that those afflicted with an early sign of lung fibrosis overbreathing and thus may avoid Exh asbestosis compensate by distress until the condition worsens Govt noticable advised that compensable asbestosis can be 3013 Saranac for reduced oxygen saturation avoided by examining employees areas and transferring those so affected to less dusty improving dust control ibid in 1948 the QAMA sponsored a symposium to ac- 11 Also that Dr. Kenneth complish the enlightenment of doctors to at the January 21 1948 meeting Govt the years Smith had referred occasions in Exh 3001 As it was to do on many the asbestos industry held its personnel out as to come of asbestos and health the industry experts on the effects asbestos exposure did not advised the medical community that lead to tuberculosis * * 12 The QAMA took an important step to improve control in 1948 by hiring a dust control engineer to the mines of each member company Govt Exh 3117 dust survey The foe, -3- regularly surveyed each company's mining and pro- to engineer recommending improvements and retesting cessing areas had been improved ibid whether problem areas reduced by 50 percent determine Before long dust concentrations were Govt Exhs 3117 3134 The QAMA had strong early warning of the cancer- 13 of asbestos during the late 1940's In causing properties Vorwald of the Saranac Laboratory in October 1949 Dr. Arthur Kenneth Smith of M that he Lake Placid New York told Dr. inhalation was investigating a suspected reclaantcier onsGho ipvtbetEwxehen 3017 of asbestos dust and pulmonary and Smith agreed to Vorwald asked for Smith's coofpreormatCiaonnadian Manville's permit him to examine rayEsxh 3018 Dr. Paul Cartier head clinic in Asbestos inGoTv hettford Mines by the other QAMA members Exhs 3018 of the clinic run with Dr. Vorwald Govt also agreed to cooperate * -- 3019 1950 Dr. Smith sent a memorandum f 14. In January of Canadian Manville express- to K.V. Lindell President increasing proof that asbestos f ing concern about apparent and stating that recently in ran fibers do cause lung cancers cases of pulmonary Smith had seen seven also Cartier was Thetford Mines Dr. we Exh 3020 He noted that Dr. cancer Govt and had spoken to the companies concerned about the problem Smith said that he and in Thetford Mines about it ibid that the QAMA discuss the cancer for Cartier jointly recommend to outline a study and ask the Saranac Laboratory Dr. problem in this area Govt Exh 3021 Also in January Kenneth Smith would propose action Cartier told Vorwald that he and authorize the next QAMA meeting that the Association at the asbestos problem which Vorwald to do research on actuality at least in the medical is presently an increasing literature Govt Exh 3023 Ivan Sabourin took part in de- 15. The QAMA's counsel research on the ciding whether the Association should spanodnsocrancer Govt Exh relationship between asbestos exposure letter from Dr. 3028 In April 1950 Sabourin received a issue so that Cartier informing him of the asbestos it to the attention of QAMA is members a great SabourinExchoul3d03 br7ing Cartier stated that there the medical Govt in the medical literature and at deal of publicity relationship between Cancer of the meetings on a possible He also reported that lung and the Asbestos Factor cancer ibid cases in Thetford Mines since determine he had see an dvoecigahtted lutnhgat a study be conducted to 1946 and cancer and asbestos a relationship exists between whieb thi erd ZR -4- to authorize the In October 1950 the QAMA agreed research 16. out a part cancer Saranac Laboratory to carry study to determine whether 1 an experimental dust develop program exposed to high levels of asbestos determine whether animals survey to epidemiological levels of pul- cancer and 2 an have excess asbestos mining employees Quebec Exh 3065 monary cancer Govt * * * that this cancer study was 17 Several factors indicate attempt to obtain factual information truthful counter- not a disinterestferdom a desire to obtain of reading The study arose 3064 The critical task propaganda Govt Exh determined the number of employees employees rays which entrusted to Dr. Kenneth Smith described as cancerous was by QAMA companies Govt Cartier both employed themselves and Dr. Paul 3114 The Saranac researchers was to E acxkhnsowl3e0d7g1ed that an importantmgiosailntofertphreeptreodjecftacts that combat the adverse and often 3070 Dr. Vorwald of the out by others Govt Exh that cancer are put stated We hope to prove if dusted ibid Saranac Laboratory incidence is not increased among animals even was expressed by QAMA represent- considerable concern Moreover of any adverse results ative's about limiting the dissemination Exhs 3064 3072 3076 Govt time the Quebec mining industry also knew far more dangerous 18. At this of it's customers were This that the activities involved in mining employee health than activities Kenneth Smith to C.W. to a letter from Dr. demonstrated by executive is Manville Smith states more negative McGaw a Canadian on asbestos and health are the that European data and suggests that the Quebec industry's experience examined asbestos than for this is that European scientists milling operations reason rather than mining and plants in his opinion processing Dr. Smith stated that to Govt Exh 3026 are far more dangerous the asbestos fabricamtiinnigngpraoncdesmsielsling processes ibid health than are our held its Fall meeting at the 19. In 1951 the QAMA Vorwald outlined the purposes Saranac Laboratory There Dr. and described the progress of industrial hygiene research study Govt Exh 3114 being made on the QAMA's cancer dust control 1952 the Assocation's In January on mine venti- 20. Maurice Lachance presented a paper of the engineer control at the Fourth Conference in Quebec lation and dust on Silicosis held McIntyre Research Foundation -5- QAMA leaders in that field indicated that members were is still being done has been done and and stating Great work reduce the dust in their plants our asbestos mines to by workings to a minimum ibid underground sent an interim 21. In May 1952 the Saranac Laboratory of mice exposed to the QAMA on the Laboratory's study The report dust Govt Exh 3118 to high levels of asbestos trend continued the next report stated that if the present would show a statistically asbestos mice dust sacrifice of between exposure to asbestos significant relationship tumors ibid The Association and development of pulmonary of this experiment will was informed that The final phases be of great importance ibid on the verge of showing a 22. With the Saranac experiment between exposure to statistically significant relationship tumors the QAMA dust and formation of pulmonary asbestos project's funding Thus financing decided not to renew the analysis of test results was not available for complete Exh 3126 and preparation of a report Govt resumed its interest in sponsoring 23. In 1954 the QAMA Smith then Manville's cancer research Dr. Kenneth head of the industry medical director wrote T.R. Grainger informed him that Saranac had never clinic in Asbestos and or epidemiological study completed either the Semxitpherismuegngteaslted that ecause of tihne the both Govt Exh 3128 of lung cancer awareness of this problem of cancer growing fields the entire progam a much lay and professional with a view toward research should be reconsidered larger project ibid was also expressed 24 Concern over the risk of tc ha encQeArMA at a meeting of of by Ivan Sabourin who represented customers the members some of the QAMA's most important In September 1955 the Asbestos Textile Institute ATI Committee and stated Sabourin addressed the ATI's Air Hygiene eliminated the problem dust control had concerning the that while improved health problems remained of asbestosis major and cancer to asbestos relationship of heart difficulties exposure Govt Exh 3134 epidemiological concern expressed by Smith and 25. Following up on the additional research in Sabourin the QAMA decided to sponsor and cancer Dr. Daniel Braun Medical in Pittsburgh the area of asbestos Foundation Director of the Industrial Hygiene study of was contacted about conductingworan kers Govt Exh 3136 In cancer in asbestos pulmonary ZS -6- he visited the sponsored clinics to February 1956 needed to prepare a research proposal obtain information his visit he learned that 13 proven Exh 3139 During Mines had been diagnosed in Thetford cases of lung cancer the last 9 years and two in Asbestos ibid Govt in 26. In March 1956 Braun submitted a formal proposal for which was distributed an epidemiological study to the QAMA Exh 3146 The proposal set to all companiesof aGsobevsttos miners to answer two questions and forthwhea tphlearnntehderestuidsy a relationship between asbestosis 1 lung cancer and 2 whether a relationship may exist between cancer ibid mere exposure to asbestos and lung 27. In his proposal to the QAMA Braun spoke plainly of in the scientific community that asbestos the growing consensus Exh 3146 He noted that reports of causes cancer Govt cancer and asbestosis had been accumulating since about definite lung authors claim to show a 1935 and that many . . . relationship between the two conditions ibid He also acknowledged that while all correlational studies had thus far been limited to asbestosis and cancer a connection has been inferred between cancer and mere exposure to asbestos ibid 28. The QAMA agreed to sponsor Braun's study including research on both the relationship of asbestosis to lung cancer and the relationship of asbestos without consideration of asbestosis to lung cancer Govt Exh 3155 29. The QAMA also accepted a role in educating its customers about the risk of cancer In March 1956 Dr. for over- Kenneth Smith who had been primarily responsible seeing the medical aspects of the Association's research activities discussed asbestosis and cancer at a meeting of the Asbestos Textile Institute Govt Exh 3141 At this meeting Smith suggested that the ATI conduct a survey similar combined to Braun's proposed study in order to achieve a survey of the mining milling and textile groups ibid Govt Exh 3146 30 Additional contact between QAMA and its customers occurred in June 1956 when the Association guided a delegation from the ATI through the mines and mills of QAMA members During the visit Dr. Cartier and Mr. LaChance emphasized to farther one goes from mining an ATI representative that the becomes again indicating the the dustier the use of asbestos mining industry's knowledge of the increased danger faced by its customer's employees Govt Exh 3197 -7- Braun submitted his epidemio- 31. In December 1957 distributed to all logical report to the QAMA and it was 3192 Through his member companies Govt Exhs 3189 Association's members were informed that a statisexists between report the relationship apparently tically significant Exh 3189 Braun was asbestosis and lung cancer Govt result as accurate however to accept this convinced that frankly reluctant that he had become the interesting reason the sponsored faosrbestosis was seriously underdiagnosed in clinics Ibid of whether a relationship 32 With respect to the question dust and lung exist between mere exposure to asbestos If only the may Braun's report presented a mixed picture counted cancer were unquestionably diagnosed as cancer are cases that relationship between asbestos no statistically significant the other hand three appears if on but exposure and cancer cases are included in which lung cancer was suspected in miners exceeds the expected not proved the rate of cancer to the significant level Govt Exh rate and comes very close 3189 has been strongly criticized in 33. The Braun report because although Asbestos and Province the scientific community used the entire are rural areas Braun Thetford Mines control group Govt Exh 3189 This which of Quebec as his the cities of Quebec and Montreal Province includes exceed those of rural have rates of lung cancer that greatly and Occupational W.C. Heuper Environmental 3 776-813 1962 areas Hazards Clin Pharm Therap the Cancer Using Braun's data and rural areas as a control group is seen to be markedly incidence of cancer among miners elevated ibid to of Industrial Health June 1958 Govt Association's Archives was submitted for Exhs 3198 3201 BefSoarbeourtihne raendporKtenneth Smith edited it to publication however statistically significant association remove mention of the well as references between asbestosis and lung miners cancer as found by the study to have lung Thus when the to the fact that all Exh 3194 cancer smoked cigarettes Govt community read only that study was published the medical association between there was no statistically significant dust and development of to asbestos asbestos miners exposureExh 3201 pulmonary cancer Govt J VAPf \ f KO In June 1958 the QAMA conducted a day symposium Over 200 scientists from 35. Exh 3200 on pneumoconioses Govt Dr. Braun presented his around the world attended ibid -8- and it was widely praised ibid Indeed paper as edited one of the QAMA's main for the vetted study was publicity ibid Copies of all targets in sponsoring the symposium were distributed to scientific papers given at the symposium Association members Govt Exh 3202 36. During the period of the lraetpere1s9e5n0t'esd antdhroeuagrhly 1960's the QAMA was siSganbiofuircianntliyn the Industrial Hygiene Kenneth Smith and Mr. Mr. Sabourin regularly Foundation Govt Exhs 3207 3213 in asbestos to members on significant developments reported Govt Exhs 3214 3215 and considerable aantdtehnetaiolnthwaes.g pa.id to any press report linking asbestos and cancer e.g. Govt Exhs 3215 3220 37. 1964 Dr. Irving Selikoff addressed the In October at the New York on Biological Effects of Asbestos Conference 3227 Selikoff revealed Academy of Sciences Govt Exh workers had found grossly that a study of asbestos insulation and mortality from lung cancer mesothelioma Selikoff excessive in addition to asbestosis I.J. gastrointestinal cancer Journal of the at al Asbestos Exposure and Neoplasia American Medical Ass'n 188 22-26 1964 at the New York Academy of 38. The QAMA was represented the Association's General Sciences Conference by Paul Filteau its counsel among well as by Ivan Sabourin Manager as Filteau dep 11/20/80 p 15 others Govt Exh 3227 on Selikoff's Sabourin reported to QAMA members at the Filteauandandsimilar presentations by other scientists study Exhs 3227 3231 Filteau placed special conference Govt created by the sensational press emphasis on the which problems contained such headlines as HIGH INCIDENCE WORKERS ASBESTOS releases OF CANCER DEATHS FOUND IN ASBESTOS CITE TO SEVERAL MALIGNANCIES and SCIENTISTS FURTHER LINKED FOR SAFETY MEASURES AND GROWING ASBESTOS HAZARDS ASK STUDY Govt Exh 3227 that Selfkoff's study could The QAMA recognized and thereafter 39 have far reaching and damaging effects its own the Association took a more active role in issuriensgearch in on asbestos and health and sponsoring reports this area Govt Exhs 3225 3379 area of emphasis for the QAMA after 40. One important was coordination of its response to the chiefly Selikoff's addresshealth hazards with its customers newly publicized Textile Institute In October by the Asbestos behalf of the QAMA represented ATI meeting on Paul Filteau attended an -9- It would be advisable and reported that those present agreed unified front that the entire asbestos industry present a 3226 Four without inviting a controversyfroGmov setverEaxlh QAMA companies months later representatives Asbestos Corp. Ltd. and Cassiar Mining Corp. These and prior including ATI meeting Govt Exh 3238 an the attended with the ATI establish that of QAMA companies with the health problems contacts Association's members were familiar see e.g. of their customers workplaces aGnodvtpraEcxthisces3134 3140 3157 and 3208-3212 taken by the QAMA was the 41 The most reaching step institute on asbestos and health after creation of a Discussion of research such an institute began within a month the QAMA had New York conference and by February 1965 Govt Exhs 3231 3239 the decided to go ahead with the project 42. Cassiar Asbestos Corp. which was not a In May 1965 located outside of Quebec member of the QAMA because it was in formation of the institute Govt Exh a3s2k9 ed4 to Tphaeirrticriepqauteest was granted ibid 43. Even before QAMA's institute was formally estaobflished was chosen epidemiological survey its first project Paul McDonald U.S. 3239 The QAMA asbestos miners by Dr. of the epidemiological study deliberately kept the scope Exh 3257 restricted and qualified Govt . 44. from a 1965 QAMA meeting show the As the minutes institution and for Association's support for a research control the research McDonald's study arose fanrdomhaeadelstihre Tthoe consensus of opinion being done on asbestos that the QAMA should seems to point out say the minutes conduct the necessary take into its hands the wayist atnhdrom ue ga hnsunito versities or letting research instead of doing it fall into the hands of the Government is after its own problems Govt always well advised to look relations advisor Exh 3252 In addition the QAMA's public conference noted that the Association couMladcDocnoanlvde'nse a stpurdeyss assuming following completion of Dr. a newsworthy source Govt that his report will constitute Exh 3247 launch the institute the 45 In order to properly the health effects QAMA flew more than two dozen experts on wintertime conference of asbestos from around the world to a Exh 3248 There on the Caribbean Island of AntigeuxachaGnogevtof views on what the the conferees held a three should be ibid priorities of the new institute -10- 46. Soon after the Antigua conference the QAMA established its new research organization which was named the Institute of Occupational and Evironmental Health IOEH Govt Exhs 3260 3268 The IOEH became the QAMA's scientific arm All the Institute's funds came from the QAMA the same executive Mr. Filteau was both General Manager of the QAMA and Executive Vice President of the IOEH and the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the QAMA were all officials in the QAMA Filteau dep 10/20/80 pp 15 96 175 Govt Exh 3276 47. During the 1950's the QAMA also engaged in other public activities pertaining to health The Association's General Manager Paul Filteau prepared a paper for distribution to the public in which he emphasized the progress made by the asbestos mining companies in dust control Govt Exh 3255 He assured the public that the welfare of the employees and of the population of the community is one if not the main preoccupation of modern and enlightened professional managers Health standards are the order of the day ibi^ 48. QAMA representatives attended numerous international medical conferences The Association was represented at conferences in Copenhagen and Vienna and succeeded in having the Scientific Secretary of the IOEH Dr. Premsyl Pelnar _ appointed permanent secretary of an international committee to study the pulmonary effects of asbestos Govt Exhs 3264 3274 3275 3280 This extensive participation on the international scene was regarded as a means of creat a favorable impression Govt Exh 3275 the 49 As a members of result of these expanded research activities the QAMA were continuously informed of the hazards Wright members presented by their product For example Dr. George Chairman of the IOEH Scientific Committee told how serious the causative role of asbestos in the production of cancer appeared to be Govt Exh 3272 Dr. Cartier reporting on the 1966 International Congress on Diseases of the Chest in Copenhagen indicated that virtually all the papers on asbestos heavily implicated it in lung cancer and mesothelioma Govt Exh 3276 50. Among the IOEH's first steps was to obtain the services of several of the most respected health scientists in North America and abroad to serve on its Scientific Committee Govt Exh 3264 The primary task of the Scientific Committee was to evaluate the numerous requests for funding received from scientists around the world who wished the IOEH to finance their projects Filteau dep 10/20/80 pp 184-185 The Committee's evaluation was then passed on to the Board of -12- Govt Exh 3292 companies agreed that when asked about health hazards like for they would be customers told merely that Govt any dust Exh 3282 care must be taken in handling asbestos In answering customers scientific data should be left out questions all ibid Even after QAMA companies had been warned that all types of asbestos could cause cancer Dr. Paul Cartier chief of the QAMA's Thetford Mines clinic indicated to a of asbestos might produce canrceeprorttheer ttyhpaet twhhatilewassommienetdypeisn Quebec chrysotile did not the Association refused to Govt Exh 3322 In addition had prepared called publish a booklet that Towards the Safe Use of the IOEH because it was too Asbestos revealing in its discussion of health hazards Govt Exh 3325 companies refused to inform customers of the because the data voluminous were still evidence that debatable asbestos was lethal ibid Instead of telling its customers what it knew the QAMA followed deliberate policy of trying to contain and a provide a con- structive brake on research and on the information received by the public Govt Exhs 3294 3285 56. By 1974 the IOEH had sponsored 19 research at a cost of over 2 million Govt Exhs 3361 projects 3379 These projects included epidemiological surveys studies of the physical properties of asbestos animal experiments on the effects of asbestos and numerous other areas of resulted in 85 scientific articles and books study they Govt Exh 3379 By the end of 1978 the number of sponsored projects had risen to 35 Govt Exh 3413 57. At the same time the IOEH was becoming known as the world's most complete source of scientific information on asbestos and health Govt Exh 3411 Scientific articles were being published at a rate of almost one per day in the late 1970's and the Institute assumed the important function of compiling abstracting and circulating these articles Govt Exh 3373 The Institute sent summaries of scientific literature to 105 recipients in 19 nations in America Europe Africa Australia and Asia ibid Administration 58. The QAMA used the IOEH to burnish its image before governmental agencies customers and the public In before the United States Environmental Protection testimony a QAMA representative stated Our first seek the truth to this end responsibility is to we organized the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Govt Exh 3346 Dr. Wright told QAMA members that his dealings with the United States Government had led him to conclude that the fact that the asbestos especially as represented by the QAMA-- -13- and continues to support research a most beneficial had Dr. Wright's view the influence Govt Exh 3340 In far served the industry very Scientific Committee had so well Govt Exh 3351 discussed in their meetings the 59. QAMA members but did not inform serious risks faced by their customers the organization them Govt Exhs 3358 3378 To the contrary acted to assuage its customers concerns consistently Starting in 1972 the QAMA answered Health a requests soothing for health information booklet that with Asbestos and Your on the health impact of asbestos answered important questions once using the word cancer Govt Exh 3349 without that asbestos presents a health hazard the workers While admitting booklet stated that asbestos causes death only for that no for 30 - 40 years at very high levels who are exposed the question What is the longer exist ibid In answer to the booklet states A industry doing about the problem and Environmental Through the Institute of Occupational Health only for Canada's cfharbyrsioctaitloers asabndestaopsplipcraotdourcstioonf workers but also for worldwide containing finished containing products ibid 60. The decade of the 70's ended for the QAMA with the controlling research to limit Association still concerned about Faced with the the harmful information that reached Government the public of an asbestos research formation by the Canadian how to maintain adequate control center the QAMA discussed over the research Govt Exh 3412