Document Qk6Nqb82Q4vDGnLLvqMYZDob5

ATI-153 Asbestos Tax tils Institute Hygiene Cormittce lieeting June 10, 1953 , In attendance: J. TJ. T-eber, D. H. Holmes, T. G. Schmidt, R. Smith, J. D Beatty, Geo. Fabel, H. J. Jackson Guests; Dr. H. TT. Hetherington, Dr. 0. A. Sander, Cr. 2. S. i^ers, Dr. 2! TThite, Dr. P. A. Ciecdcs, Dr. ?. 'Cartier, Dr.' K. TI. Smith - In a brief review the background, objectives and problems of the' Air Eygleno Comittee were reviewed for the guests. - -Seme of the ~ unanswered questions were: . 1. nhat dusts or fibres are significant in the production of fibrosis? - ' ~ - 2. Bow can the dust or fibre be measured in the work-- ------- ' environment? . -- --...... . 3* Bow can clinical experience be correlated to exposure? 4. That medical standards are available for the uniform . evaluation of disease occurence and extent? . The resolution of these questions would lead to the answer of the fifth problem. - . ' -. 5. How can the effectiveness of engineering control be - - - evaluated? . The Saranac research on exporimental asbestosis clearly shows the long fibres (10 microns and longer) to be the fibrotic producing agent. The dust per se (particlos 10 microns and less in diameter) is relatively innocuous. On this basis-, the Industrial Hygiene surveys that have been made in the past, and in which only dust particles were measured, are practically without value. Our comnittee presently has under consideration the problem of determining a valid method of sampling and analysis for the long fibres. The attention of the Doctors was called, in particular, to the areas of standards for uniform diagnosis of the disease and the accumulation of clinical experience for correlation with exposure data. Following this review, the Doctors and the Hygiene Committee deliber ated separately and reconvened In the afternoon. The following points were agreed upon in the Doctors' discussion: 1. Complete pre-employment and periodic annual examinations are essential. . ' _ __ _ .. a. ...Regarded as undesirable for unemployment in exposure- -- "' areas are individuals who are asthmatics, mouth breathers, who have respiratory difficulties, chest deformities, cardiac disease or are overweight. b. X-rays should be of 14 x 17 inch site, taken on equip ment of a rating of at least 100 milliampheres. Single PA and lateral pictures should be taken. 081661 ATI-153 rc .v e. Allied vital capacity (lung function) tescs should he ir.cl-uded la the examinations. liaxinua breathing .. capacity measurements should be nade If possible. d. Complete pre-employment history should be obtained" with particular attention paid to possible types of dust exposure. 2. The designations for X-ray classifications agreed upon were, negative or borderline, early, aod'erate, advanced. It was ' the consensus that there are usually no signifleant X-ray changes in less than five years of asbestos exposure. 3. For a valid diagnosis of disease it was agreed that (a) a series of X-rays, (b) complete enployaent history, (c) identification and evaluation of exposure was essential. Further- that the presence of asbestos bodies are not an indication of the disease, but only of the body defense aechanlsa. - ------- 4. The Doctors offered several reconacndstlcns for the further consideration of the problems. ......... a. A write-up of their deliberations be made and sent to all comber coapany doctors for criticisa, review and concurrence. . b. The Doctors aoet with the Air Hygiene Coaalttee at the next oeetlng to further check X-ray diagnosis.--- 3ach doctor will bring filas exemplifying each of the four classifications. c. Each doctor will bring to the next netting data on the work force of each plant, indicating the diagnosis and X-ray classification and length of type of exposure for etch individual. The Air Hygiene Committee heartily endorsed-this progran, and the Septcaber oeetlng will be constituted accordingly. It was agreed that invitation should be made to all doctors of senber and associate nenber coapanles. Dr. X. 7.'. Snith agreed to pre pare the review of the discussion for forwarding to the medical personnel. 5. The Doctors pointed to the value of the Saranac research and indicated several areas where further investigation was needed. These will be further discussed at future meetings and specific proposals presented. . The Air Hygiene Committee wishes to express its appreciation of the significant contributions made by each of the.doctors and welcome . the opportunity to moot with then again. In its deliberations, 'the Air Hygiene Committee reviewed extensively the problems involved In determining a valid sampling technique. T. G. Schmidt reported on his correspondence with Industrial Hygiene Foundation. Question was raised as to the diameter of the fibres of hygienic significance. Uhile the Saranac research indicated fibre length, no observation was made as to the diameter of the 0S18S2 ATI-153 fibres producing fibroses. Sene cf tho doctors present ttc re a-rare of any data which night shed light on this particular problem. Since the problem is net cr.o of determining tho minimum diameter to which a fibre is capable cf being reduced, but rather cr.e of deter mining the range of diameters of aiirborn fibre capable of being re tained _in the lung, the following action was agreed upon. ;~ 1 The matter will be reviewed with the Technical Committee' - to determine whether there is data froo that source that will indicate typical diameter site ranges. ' ..............."" 2. Each plant will be requested to obtain air hygiene samples from given locations using standard techniques. . 2. ill samples will bo analysed by specified laboratory to - insure uniformity of interpretation and results. Analysis of this group of samples should provide a reasonable basis for determining typical fibre diameter size ranges encounter ed in textile manufacturing. Details of the sampling ----- locations, sampling methods and shipping instructions will he forwarded following discussions with the Technical-Con- ' aittee and the Analysis laboratory. ............... r--m r.-r 4. Develop e research proposal for tile evaluation of the efficiency of tho four or five available instruments in - - collecting fibres of the size range determined by the above. It was suggested that equipment manufacturers might be wil ling to cooperate in such e research program. Discussion - , of this phase will bo hold in abeyance pending'results of 'the survey analysis. Most state Industrial hygiene codes set the threshold limit for asbestos dust at five million particles per cubic foot. It was re cognized that it would be a long term job to get the states to .: change to the fibre evaluation even after wo have developed for our selves satisfactory instrumentation and methods. For a period of time, undoubtedly, we will be subject to two standards, that required by the states, and our self imposed standard based.on experimental and clinical evidence. The state cf New Jersey is at present re- . vising its code on threshold limit values and there is indication that a limit based on fibre contamination will be included. Copies of the Saranac reports and opinions have boon presented to the state officials. ' ;, John "eber discussed and presented drawings of his design for dust control at the twisters. Although no hygiene survey samples have been taken at this point since the new hood was installed, visual observation indicated that thero is excellent control. The hood is designed to facilitate operation cf the twister and it does not interfere with .thc-tieing of breaks. Operators, have-expressed. cam-_ piste satisfaction with the arrangement. Copies of the drawing nCaoyrpboeraotbiotani.ned from -J. T'. Ylcbcr, American Asbes. tos Text. ile , J. II. Jackson - Chairman 031663