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DCPAHT MENT OF HEALTH. EDUCA riO.-|.' AKD V/t.LFAK
I'llljLIC HEALTH S(;/\..TE
HfALTH Stl'. VlCC'S ANO MtliTAL HCA<.TIJ O'.il Mo'^ .1 ION
National Institute fcr Occupational Safety and Health
550 Main.Street, Hoorn 7033
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
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November 16, 1971
PLAINTIFFS
EXHIBIT 0-567
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James E. Pcavy, M.D. , Commissioner'of Health Texas State Department of Health 1100 Vest 49th Street Austin, Texas 78756
( .* Dear Dr. Peavy:
A recent N.I.O.S.H. survey demonstrated an extremely serious and critical occupational health situation at the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Anosite Asbestos Thermal Pipe Insulation Plant in Tyler, Texas.
N.I.O.S.H. industrial hygiene surveys in 1567 and 1970 yielded grossly
excessive fiber concentrations compared to current and proposed .standards.
jarirl fKnco r*0ciIr c uoro f.OTvT? Vd6-r
tlllC1 COTT!'n5r!,T fOT
arM'np.
Following requests for evaluation, and assistance from the Texas State
Health Department ana the local membership of the Oil, Chemical, and
Atomic Workers International Union, N.I.O.S.H. conducted a comprehensive
industrial hygiene and.medical survey during the week of October 26 to
29, 1971.
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The survey pointed out major industrial hygiene deficiencies which
included a grossly inadequate ventilation system and poor housekeeping
practices. In August 1971, respirators were made mandatory in all areas
concomitant with application for variance from the current asbestos
standard; however, our survey personnel'observed many employees with
loose or unconnected straps. Also, there was r.o program for the fitting
and maintenance of respirators. Again personal air samples yielded
grossly excessive fiber concentrations in all production, finishing, and
shipping areas.
.
N.I.O.S.H. medical questionnaires ana examinations for rales and finger clubbing were conducted by cur survey team on 63 employees in order to complement the X-rays and pulmonary function tests performed 'by
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Dr. James E. Pcavy - 11/16/71
2
Dr. George Hurst of the East Texas Chest Hospital in August 1971
at the request of the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. One film was
read as a pulmonary neoplasm'by Dr. Hurst, and this diagnosis was
'
confirmed.following hospitalisation. -In addition, several films were
read as possible pulmonary fibrosis. However, Dr. Lee Grant, Medical
Consultant to the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, has delayed release
of these films to N.I.0.S.H7 and its expert panel of radiologists pend
ing his personal review of the films. Even without benefit of the
X-rays, 7 of 18 workers with greater than ten years employment at the
Tyler Plant meet at least three of four criteria for asbestosis. These
criteria include: (1) forced vital capacity below 80% of predicted,
(2) dyspnea, (3) finger clubbing, and (4) rales. Positive X-ray ,
results could increase further the number of cases of asbestosis. Re
duced pulmonary function was also observed in a few workers with less ,
than five years employment.
Therefore, medical follow-up of current and past employees is indicated. Immediate corrective action is necessary to reduce asbestos exposure levels to conform to existing standards.
Sincerely yours,
William'M. Johnson, M.D. Acting Deputy Director Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations
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Bobby F. Craft, Ph.D.
Acting Director,
. Division of Technical Services
Enel. (Air Sampling Results: October, 1971)
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cc: Marcus M. Key, M.D.
Mr. Charles Van Horne
...
Mr. J.B. Stokes
* MR. George Pettigrew, Region VI, N.I.O.S.H.
Mr. John K. Barto, Region VI, O.S.H.A.
Joseph K. Wagoner, S.D. Hyg.
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rPIT--TS11 B URGH-CORNING ASBESTOS TLA NT, TYLER, TEXAS
OPERATION
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ASBESTOS PIPE-INSULATORS ` SAMPLE
' CONC. (FIBERS
Mixing .
Feeder Feeder Feeder Feeder Scrap Feeder Feeder Feeder . Feeder Feeder Feeder ' Feeder
T
.
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45 139 117*
99* .106
60* ' 12*
57 82 132 29
.
`
Forming
'
Builder
. Builder
' Builder
Builder
. Builder.
Builder
, Builder
Relief Builder
Builder.
.
Builder
Builder
Builder
Relief Builder
.
Builder
'
Builder
`
Builder
Builder
Builder
.
Relief Builder
Builder
.
Builder
Builder
`
Builder
Builder . '
'
.
1
.
18 ' . 91 ' 103
88 ' 119
83 85 ' 105 ' 89 121 54 25
71 90 ' 92 120* 110 107* 111 16* 20 14
.17 53
`
54.04 105.83 ' 101.71 1.69.7
9.58 188.91 ' 92.77 . 26.4
9.14 22.5 37.6
. 40.93 26.11 14.(51 7.45
' 9.42 25.79
42.77 22.33
C.67 25.53 12.28 57.72 . 35.24 17. 37.54 90.9 70.36 ' 103.97 30.43 134.41 53.23 44.31 59.58 42.99
>ittSbia-EU-0
Asbestos FT )
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i>;Pc r'
Relief Builder
27 ' 74 '
Builder Builder
10 24*
i!
Builder Builder
131 136
! Builder
122
Builder
i 4j
Builder
J
i
Builder
101 . 124 `
65
Builder
95 .
i Builder
58 `
Builder Relief Builder Builder
56 ' 102
52
- Labor
Curing
Oven Tender Oven Tender Oven Tender Oven Tender Oven Tender
47 140 112
93 84
Finishing
68
Supervisor
130
\
Wrapper
.
98
\ Wrapper
1'
. Finishing Laborer Utility-Finishing
3'*
Utility-Finishing'
66
8
Wrapper . Utility-Finishing
4
22
. ii
' Finishing Laborer . Saw Operator
.30 126 '
i
Sa\V Operator
78 .
. Saw Helper.
.
76
Saw Operator
94
* Saw Operator
118
SRL Saw
51
!
Cutting Saw SRL Cutting Saw
55 35
Saw Feeder
006*
Pine Machine Opcr.
. 007
Saw Labor
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116
' . Saw Labor
i
72.12 9.74
04.35 111.15
13.8 9.9
14.8 26.9 8.44 56.45 36.41 14.75 2.4.-27 31.2
11.26
23.5 5.0,3 6.89 19.87 16.40
20.33 11.43 37.45 30.43 48.53 12.03 -.v 94.81 '"V 55.11
22.83 27.36 19.38 14.18 31.23 21.9
1.73 91.76 40.28 `
2.30 208.42
97.26 ' 6.59
t
nut* ga - L-. rmug AsbcsLos Pin.., '
Inspection
SRL Saw SRL Saw Saw Labor SRL Labor V
*
Box Marker
Weigher
.
Fork Lift Operator
Packer
Packer
Shipping Supervisor
Packer
Fork Lift Operator
Labeler
Inspector
Weigher
Inspector .
Packer
Packer
Weigher '
Miscellaneous AftainfflninAo
Utility Utility Maintenance Utility Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Sweeper Maintenance Maintenance Janitor Shipping Guard . Guard Guard Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor* Supervisor
134 141 109 . .26.
86 59
2' ` 21 ` ' 42
43 io62 63 69
5 23
9 . 44
125
75 135 133 108 39 11 13 50 64 97 123 127 129 40 73 113 72 12S 080 . 19 79
25.97 1.96
11.62 91.52
20.71 34.49 11.71
9.5 1.84 2.18 13.08 20.42 20.72 92.26 29.45 73.62 3.83 .71 6.8
*> O AO O uAMa 8.36
18.12 30.38 42;23 26.81 28.43 37.54 3.61 2.10 0.94 2.29* 1.36 1.94 4.58 0.64 1-.57 14.92 29.91 6.28
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Pittsburgh-Corning Asbestos Plant
Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor
77 104 115
Office Workers
154 152 158 155'
Approximate (loo many to count)
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. *J Samples taken on October 26, 27, 23, 29, 1971
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24.25 25.2
2.23
0.04 0.04 0.03 0.6G
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