Document R8x9RxdVweaRNQr015LRxrLX

From e. b. youngblut PITTSBURGH OFFICE Confidential /, Tfl--hEMftANDt August 12, 1%8 EE: WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION - EDISON WORKS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE This is a resume of the meeting held at the Edison Works of the Alcoa Castings Company on Friday, August 2, 1968, to discuss the workmen's compensation - occupational disease prohlem at Edison. The following participated: Dr. M. 0. Colwell, Dr. W. N. Dawson, Dr. M. Dunham, Messrs. Howard G. Greim, C. H. Thompson, L. Douglass of Mead, Gleeson, Hansen & Pantages, and E. B. Youngblut. Objectives of Meeting and Areas Covered in the Discussion: 1. The most important objective was to devise a plan to determine now have carcinogens present in the work environment at Edison, a health hazard is present, the necessary steps must be taken to g eliminate the condition. ; 2. A review of the adjudicated occupational disease cases at Edison (Albert Anger, Benjamin Pickarski, Melvin Cashin, and Edward Hammer) for background information. (See Exhibit 1 for details.) 3. To discuss the three pending workmen's compensation occupational disease cases (Michael Longi, Walter Franklin, and Edward Burton), ` answer the interrogatories in the Franklin and Burton cas.es, and " plan a course of action for each case. (See Exhibit 2 for details.) 4. A review of four potential workmen's compensation occupational disease cases who are out sick as of 8-2-68 (William Morris, Alexander Morajko, Anthony Truono, and John Novich.) (See Exhibit 3 for details.) 5. A very brief review of twelve other potential workmen's compensation occupational disease cases (ten working, one terminated, and one retired and deceased). (See Exhibit 4 for details.) . Note: The data for all exhibits was gathered from the individual employees' medical, group insurance, workmen's compensation, and personnel records at Edison. The available records do not lend themselves to analysis for change of physical state within plant population group such as the Die Casting employees. Lacking quantitative data, it is most difficult to develop a systematic epidemiological analysis. (Examples: From the available records it- is difficult to determine the primary site of the cancer, smoking and personal habits, and current health status.) ALCOA AlcoaBritton0096136 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 2 August 12, 1968 Conclusions and Recommendations: 1. The four.settled workmen's compensation occupational disease cases are not helpful for this discussion except to point up the extreme difficulty in successfully defending an occupational disease case in . New Jersey. Three of the four cases involved Die Casting Department employees. - 2. It is doubtful if we can successfully defend the Longi case. It was recommended to Mr. Greim and Mr. Thompson that they consider authorizing Mr. Douglass to seek a settlement of this case at the pretrial level for about $6,000.00. The settlement is contingent on the petitioner withdrawing the allegation of damage, both causation and aggravation, of the throat due to the work environment. The findings and award are to be based on aggravation of pre-existing bronchial and pulmonary disability. Messrs. Greim or Thompson will relate their decision to Mr. L. Douglass and inform E. B. Youngblut. 3. The answers to the interrogatories in the Franklin case mil be formulated by Mr. L. Douglass, Dr. M. 0. Colwell, Dr. L. V. Cralley, and Mr. C. H. Thompson. A successful defense in this case with the data available at' this time is doubtful. Messrs. Greim and Thompson will consider authorizing Mr. Douglass to negotiate with the attorneyfor the petitioner to have the case heard and dismissed, A gratu- itous payment of about $10,000 will be made at the proper time. By this method, we would not be forced to disclose work environment data and preclude a probable death claim by the widow. Messrs. Greim and Thompson will advise Mr. L. Douglass and let us know their decision. 4. Our answers to the interrogatories in the Burton case depend on how we answer the interrogatories in the Franklin case. The consensus was that we have a better than 50-50 chance to successfully defend this case. We plan to prepare a full defense in this case. 5. More medical data should be obtained on the four potential cases who are now out sick. (See Exhibit 3.) Dr. M. Dunham and Mr. C. H. Thompson will undertake the task of gathering the medical data. 6. The following common factors were determined from the records of the five employees with known cancer of the respiratory system shown in Exhibit 5: 511814 0028 AlcoaBritton0096137 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 3 August 12, 1968 Name Starting Length of Date with Service Birthdate Age Alcoa with Alcoa Ma.ior Work Area Michael Longi (pending case) 60 1-2-24 44 years Finishing Dept. Walter Franklin (pending case) 45 1-7-46 22 years Die Casting William Morris (potential case) edactedI 47 8-7-41 27 years Permanent Mold Alexander Morajko (potential case) 52 11-7-40 28 years Die Casting Anthony Truono (potential case) 60 1936 32 years Die Casting II V-0 Average age years Average length of service = 31 years Work Area = 1 - Finishing Dept. - service, 44 years 3 - Die Casting Dept. - all in excess of 22 years of service ; , - \ 1 - Permanent Mold - service, 32 years Note: The data on Mr1. Novich was omitted due to lack of confirmed medical data. 7. A survey was made at Chicago on the causes of death as shown on the death certificates in the Employee Group Life Insurance file for the period of 1948 through 1967. It did not reveal a death at that location due to primary cancer of the respiratory system. Dr. White was con sulted and to the best of his knowledge there were no deaths at Chicago due to primary cancer of the respiratory track since the plant started operation in 1948. The survey of the deaths for the period of 1948 to the present at Edison has not been completed. Dr. M. 0. Colwell will review the data on deaths at Edison when it is completed. 51181 4 0029 AlcoaBritton0096138 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 4 August 12, 1968 8. The following are some of the materials' that should be considered for exploration and study in our search for potential health hazards in the Die Casting area: A. Die and plunger tip lubricants and the end products when they are applied to a hot die; B. The end products of fuel oil combustion; C. Non-flammable hydraulic fluids; . D. Alloying metals; E. Fluxing materials and practices. The period to be covered is from 1940 through the present. Dr. L. V. Cralley will coordinate the collection of the data. (Possible sources of information about past practices and materials used are: F. R. Burgener, M. H. Jameson, J. H. Moorman, John T. Bunting, Robert P. Carter, Harry W. Cooley, H. H. Redder, and G. M. Rollason, retired). The study should be made of the originalcomposition of the materials, how they were or are being used in thedie castingprocess, their end products, and possible health hazards. 9. The following are possible sources to do the study for possible car cinogens in the work atmosphere in the Die Casting Unit at Edison: A. Research and study by Die Casting Institute. They work with . Case Institute and Battelle Memorial Institute; (This information from Frank R. Burgener.) B. The research division of a major oil company or the American Petroleum Institute; C. Alcoa Foundation to finance an independent study; D. The Aluminum Association; E. The American Cancer Association; F. Alcoa or Alcoa Castings Company. Dr. M. 0. Colwell and Dr. L. V. Cralley will make recommendations on the proper selection of the study group after the data in Item 8 is collected and analyzed. Financing the study was not discussed. 10. It was suggested that consideration be given to accumulating data concerning individual exposures of the die casting machine operators . and helpers. This is Dr. Cralley's department. 11. A complete medical survey should be made of an adequate sample of men working in the Die Casting room at Edison and possibly Chicago. These examinations are to be paralleled by identical examinations to an equal 511614 QQ30 Alcoa Britton0096139 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 5 August 12, 1968 number of men of like age and service distribution employed elsewhere in the plant and having no significant exposure to die casting lubri- eating fumes. 12. Concern was expressed regarding our practice of permitting employees to continue working in a work environment in which heat, smoke, fumes, and dust are present, after they receive a workmen's compensation award for aggravation of pre-existing bronchitis and emphysema based - on exposure to heat, smoke, fumes, and dust; and permitting employees to continue working in an atmosphere of heat, smoke, fumes, and dust after the findings on our periodic physical examinations show bron chitis, emphysema, asthma or other lung impairments that could be aggravated by the work environment. Taking the individuals off of their regular jobs and putting them on work that is compatible with their physical conditions has many labor relations, medical, and workmen's compensation aspects and problems. Leaving them on their jobs raises moral and legal questions. This problem needs further exploration and is applicable to all Company operations. Mr. Greim said that he would review the problem at Edison, especially the settled case involving Mr. Hammer. Dr. M. 0. Colwell will consider the over-all medical aspects. 13. Mr. C. H. Thompson and Dr. M. Dunham will complete as much as possible of the missing data on Exhibits 2, 3, 4, and 5. The most pertinent - missing data is smoking history and current health status. - 14. " The work at Pittsburgh will be coordinated through Dr. L. V. Cralley. At Edison, Mr. C. H. Thompson will handle the same assignment. 15. On October 1, 1968, the situation will be reviewed and a progress report written. Your corrections, additions, ideas, comments and suggestions will be appreciated. E. B. YOUNGBLUT EBY-.ss Attachme nts c c: Dr. M. 0. Colwell - Pittsburgh Office Mr. H. G. Greim - Edison Works Dr. W. N. Dawson - Pittsburgh Office Dr. L. V. Cralley - Pittsburgh Office Mr. C. H. Thompson - Edison Works Dr. M. Dunham - Edison Works Mr. W. 0. Howarth - Pittsburgh Office 003A 6ufu4 AlcoaBritton0096140 FROM youngblut PITTSBURGH OFFICE Confidential August 12. 196o RE: WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION - EDISON WORKS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE_____________________ This is a resume of the meeting held at the Edison Works of the Alcoa Castings Company on Friday, August 2, 1968, to discuss the workmen's compensation - occupational disease problem at Edison. The following participated: Dr. M. 0. Colwell, Dr. W. N. Dawson, Dr. M. Dunham, Messrs. Howard G. Greim, C. H. Thompson, L. Douglass of Mead, Gleeson, Hansen & Pantages, and E. B. Youngblut. . Objectives of Meeting and Areas Covered in the Discussion: , 1. The most important objective was to devise a plan to determine if we now have carcinogens present in the:work environment at Edison. If a health hazard Is present, the necessary steps must be taken to eliminate the condition. 2. A review of the adjudicated occupational disease cases at Edison (Albert Anger, Benjamin Pickarski, Melvin Cashin, and Edward Hammer) for background information.. (See Exhibit 1 for details.) 3. To discuss the three pending workmen's compensation occupational disease cases (Michael Longi, Walter Franklin, and Edward Burton), ' answer the interrogatories in the Franklin and Burton cases, and ' plan a course of action for each case. (See Exhibit 2 for details.) 4. A review of four potential workmen's compensation occupational disease cases who are out sick as of 8-2-68 (William Morris, Alexander Morajko, Anthony Truono, and John Novich.) (See Exhibit 3 for details.) 5. A very brief review of twelve other potential workmen's compensation occupational disease cases (ten working, one terminated, and one retired and deceased). (See Exhibit 4 for details.) Note: The data for all exhibits was gathered from the individual employees' medical, group insurance, workmen's compensation, and personnel records at Edison. The available records do not lend themselves to analysis for ` change of physical state within plant population group such as the Die Casting employees. Lacking quantitative data, it is most difficult to develop a systematic epidemiological analysis. ~ Examples': ' From the `' available records it is difficult to determine the primary site of the cancer, smoking and personal habits, and current health status.) B ALCOA 511814 0032 SF 45b3REV. OOOM 11-6? Alcoa Britton0096141 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 2 August 12, 1968 Conclusions and Recommendations: 1. The four settled workmen's compensation occupational disease cases are not helpful for this discussion except to point up the extreme difficulty in successfully defending an occupational disease case in New Jersey. Three of the four cases involved Die Casting Department employees. 2. It is doubtful if we can successfully defend the Longi case. It was recommended to Mr. Greim and Mr. Thompson that they consider authorizing Mr. Douglass to seek a settlement of this case at the pretrial level for about $6,000.00. The settlement is contingent on the petitioner withdrawing the allegation of damage, both causation and aggravation, of the throat due to the work environment. The findings and award are to be based on aggravation of pre-existing bronchial and pulmonary disability. Messrs. Greim or Thompson will relate their decision to Mr. L. Douglass and inform E. B. Youngblut. 3. The answers to the interrogatories in the Franklin case will be formulated by Mr. L. Douglass, Dr. M. 0. Colwell, Dr. L. V. Cralle and Mr. C. H. Thompson. A successful defense in this case with tl data available at this time is doubtful. Messrs. Greim and Thomns will consider authorizing Mr. Douglass to negotiate with the attoi for the petitioner to have the case heard and dismissed. A gratu itous payment of about $10,000 will be made at the proper time. By this method, we would not he. forced to disclose work environment data and preclude a probable death claim by the widow. Messrs. G and Thompson will advise Mr. L. Douglass and let us know their decision. 4. Our answers to the interrogatories in the Burton case depend on how we answer the interrogatories in the Franklin case. The consensus was that we have a better than 50-50 chance to successfully defend this case. We plan to prepare a full defense in this case. 5. More medical data should be obtained on the four potential cases who are now out sick. (See Exhibit 3.) Dr. M. Dunham and Mr. C. H. Thompson will undertake the task of gathering the medical data. 6. The following common factors were determined from the records of -- the five employees with known cancer of the respiratory system shown in Exhibit 5: AlcoaBritton0096142 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 3 August 12, 1968 /yr v-r V\ >' 1 V h.C t Name Michael Longi (pending case) Starting Length of Date with Service Birthdate Age Alcoa wi th Alcoa Ma.ior Work Area 60 1-2-24 44 years Finishing Dept. Walter Franklin (pending case) 45 1-7-46 William Morris REDACTED 47 8-7-41 (potential case) 22 years Die Casting 27 years Permanent Mold Alexander Morajko (potential., case.) 52 11-7-40 28 years Die Casting Anthony Truono (potential case) 60 1936 32 years Die Casting OA LA II Average age years Average length of service = 31 years Work Area = 1 - Finishing Dept. - service, 44 years 3 - Die Casting Dept. - all in excess of 22 years of service 1 - Permanent Mold - service, 32 years Note: The data on Mr. Novich was omitted due to lack of confirmed medical data. 7. A survey was made at Chicago on the causes of death as shown on the death certificates in the Employee Group Life Insurance file for the period of 1948 through 1967. It did not reveal a death at that location due to primary cancer of the respiratory system. Dr. White was con sulted and to the best of his knowledge there were no deaths at Chicago due to primary cancer of the respiratory track since the plant started operation in 1948. The survey- of the deaths for the period of 1948 to the present at Edison has not been completed. Dr. M. 0. Colwell will review the data on deaths at Edison when it is completed. 511814 0034 AlcoaBritton0096143 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 4 August 12, 1968 8. The following are some of the materials that should be considered for exploration and study in our search for potential health hazards in the Die Casting area: A. Die and plunger tip lubricants and the end products when they are applied to a hot die; B. The end products of fuel oil combustion; C. Non-flammable hydraulic fluids; . D. Alloying metals; E. Fluxing materials and practices. The period to be covered is from 1940 through the present. Dr. L. V. Cralley will coordinate the collection of the data. (Possible sources of information about past practices and materials used are: F. ft. Burgener, M. H. Jameson, J. H. Moorman, John T. Bunting, Robert P. Carter,-Harx'y W. Cooley, H. H. Redder, and G. M. Rollason, retired). The study should be made of the originalcomposition of the materials, how they were or are being used in thedie eastingprocess, their end products, and possible health hazards. 9. The following are possible sources to do the study for possible car cinogens in the work atmosphere in the Die Casting Unit at Edison: A. Research and study by Die Casting Institute. They work with . Case Institute and Battelle Memorial Institute; (This information from Frank R. Burgener.) B. The research division of a major oil company or the American Petroleum Institute; C. Alcoa Foundation to finance an independent study; D. The Aluminum Association; E. The American Cancer Association; F. Alcoa or Alcoa Castings Company. Dr. M. 0. Colwell and Dr. L. V. Cralley will make recommendations on the proper selection of the study group after the data in Item 8 is collected and analyzed. Financing the study was not discussed. 10. It was suggested that consideration be given to accumulating data concerning individual exposures of the die casting machine operators . and helpers. This is Dr. Cralley's department. 11. A complete medical survey should be made of an adequate sample of men working in the Die Casting room at Edison and possibly Chicago. These examinations are to be paralleled by identical examinations to an equal 511814 0035 . .. -J AlcoaBritton0096144 E. B. Youngblut Memorandum Page 5 August 12, 1968 number of men of like age and service distribution employed elsewhere in the plant and having no significant exposure to die casting lubri cating fumes. 12. . .. Concern was expressed regarding our practice of permitting employees to continue working in a work environment in which heat, smoke, fumes, and dust are present, after they receive a workmen's compensation award for aggravation of pre-existing bronchitis and emphysema based on exposure to heat, smoke, fumes, and dust; and permitting employees to continue working in an atmosphere of heat, smoke, fumes, and dust after the findings on our periodic physical examinations show bron chitis, emphysema, asthma or other lung impairments that could be aggravated by the work environment. ^Taking the individuals off cf their regular jobs and putting them on work that is compatible with their physical conditions has many labor relations, medical, and workmen's compensation aspects and problems. Leaving them on their jobs raises moral and legal questions. This problem needs further exploration and is applicable to all Company operations. Mr. Greim said that he would review the problem at Edison, especially the settled case involving Mr. Hammer. Dr. M. 0. Colwell will consider the over-all medical aspects^1 . 13. Mr. C. H. Thompson and Dr. M. Dunham will complete as much as possible of the missing data on Exhibits 2, 3, 4, and 5. The most pertinent - missing data is smoking history and current health status. - 14. The work at Pittsburgh will be coordinated through Dr. L. V. Cralley. At Edison, Mr. C. H. Thompson will handle the same assignment. 15. On October 1, 1968, the situation will be reviewed and a progress report written. Your corrections, additions, ideas, comments and suggestions will be appreciated. E. B. YOUNGBLUT EBY;ss Attachments cc: Dr. M, 0. Colwell - Pittsburgh Office Mr. H. G. Greim - Edison Works Dr. W. N. Dawson - Pittsburgh Office Dr. L. V. Cralley - Pittsburgh Office Mr. C. H. Thompson - Edison Works Dr. M. Dunham - Edison Works Mr. W. 0. Howarth - Pittsburgh Office 511814 0036 AlcoaBritton0096145 DRAFT DIE CASTING PRACTICES--GARWOOD ou u During the 1930's only gooseneck die casting machines were used at Garwood. These machines -hsrve a high degree of lubricant exposure associated with their operation since the machines were generally1 placed close together and the manual swabbing of the gooseneck which reached a temperature probably as high as 1200F jth creating a 3CK dense smoke which frequently exposed the operator significantly. Until 1943, the die casting area was x ventilated only by gravity ventilators. Consequently, tremendous internal pollution exposures existed. This was greatly improved in 1943 by the installation of a Robertson ventilator. During the 1930's and 1940's die lubricant consisted primarily of majestic oil and kerosene. The majestic oil was a straight cut and contained no components derived from either steam or MIKIIliXXlffiXKWntg catalytic cracking. However, the tie temperature, probably in the vicinity of 350-500F, did no doubt produce some degree of cracking. Beyond any doubt, the temperature of the goose neck, that is 12008F, produced quite significant thermal cracking. This could be a very significant factor. During 1940, a ''cold chamber" or 'high pressure" magnesium die casting machine waa studied which although developed for magnesium had great potential for aluminum die casting. In 1942, due to a war requirements, production was increased to three full shifts. This was a peak year for aluminum die casting production. Four additional magnesium casting machines were installed during this period. The magnesium die castings were associated with aircraft engines. 511814 0037 AlcoaBritton0096146 -2- - In 1943 there was a steady Increase in magnesium die casting production. This dwindled from this point until practically no production in 1945. During this period six gooseneck type machines were replaced by cold chamber die casting machines. Also, as stated earlier, the Robertson ventilator was installed to alleviate^obviously bad in-plant exposure of the die casters. From 1945 there was a gradual replacement of gooseneck with cold chamber machines. Although there was still the same potential exposure of the employee by virtue of the necessity of swabbing the plunger tip nnrarthrl r i~ the temperature of the plunger tip was seldom more than 300 but occasionally might have climbed as high as 30O-600F. Thus the exposure potential with the gooseneck was significantly greater by virtue of closer machine location and the much higher temperature of the gooseneck when it was swabbed. It should also be noted that there was an increase in the rate of production with the cold chamber machines. With this rate of increase, the die surface which previously averaged perhaps 350-500F was increased from 450 to 650F. 7^ Jm the late 1940's lead was removed from the lubricant formulation by replacement with graphite. Also, since the early 1950's, there has been a gradual increase in the use of water emulsion lubricants. Presently water emulsion lubricants constitute about 65% usage. The remainder is still the majestic oilSkerosene type. Likewise, automatic lubrication has been introduced. Although i less neat lubiica^Bu is used, there is a greater dispersion in the area of the aperators, In 1946, eight cold chamber die casting machines were install1 This made a balance of 40 cold chambers vs. 30 goosenecks. Very few gooseneck machines were moved to Edison. 511814 0038 AlcoaBritton0096147 -3Although it is difficult to assign a time element, the jjas produced in the early days when the dies were open was greater than today. In the old days the dies were mpch more likely to be stained from the lubricant. The decrease lit staining decreased significantly somewhere in the early 1950's. 5^81* 0039 AlcoaBritton0096148