Document VJ3jjb6qawNaO5ZpE72eKZx5N

FILE NAME: Abex (ABX) DATE: 1945 July 3 DOC#: ABX022 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter to Mr. Dunn of the American Brake Shoe Company with Report of Meeting with the American Industrial Hygiene Foundation from Dr. Hamlin Ju l y 3, 1945 REPORT OF MEETING WITH 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 Mellon 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. Tie therefore thought that suoh 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 years we have been confronted with x-ray findings in grinders and welders simulating the modulation observed in silicosis. This nodulation was originally diagnosed as silicosis and still is beoause of lack of esteblished standards v h i ohwould indicate that the condition is siderosis rather than silicosis. While the x-rays simulate the pattern of silicosis, ihe clinical connse 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 appearanoe is more or less evident. After three years of observation we have been forced to the conclusion that what we are o bserving is not true silicosis but probably a siderosis similar to that seen in welders, |he problem is of tremendous Importance beoause of its economic, medioo-legal, and personal health aspects. The worker is being advised in certain locations to discontinue 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 oonoerned about hie health and feels that he has oontraoted a disabling disease which in many instances results in converting an ordinarily good workman into a typical neurotio. We are nor! being facedw ith the reconversion period and may anticipate a larger number of claims for disability on the grounds of silicosis enoe layeoffs begin# We therefore have been extremely anxious to get some real information concerning the status of this so-oalled 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 Mr. K. Dunn -------- 2 July 3, 1945 Vie have already gone a considerable distance in attaining this goal by contacting Dr. Gardner of Saranac Lake for the purpose of conducting animal experiments to determine vhether or not iron dust is harmful to the lungs. Samples already taken and analyzed indicate that the percentage of free silica is -well below the accepted safe limit and the percentage of iron oxide in the dust is very high. Following this, Mr. Littlefield went over very carefully Dr. Gardner's report on the analyses of the dust samples which we collected some time ago and demonstratedthat a silica hazard should not be presumed to exist in an atmosphere of this sdrt. Mr. Cook then disoussed the arrangements we had made for including other industries who are interested in this problem. Both the mutual and stock insurance companies have indicated their interest but since they are members of the Americanlndustrial Hygiene Association they have felt that the investigation should be conducted through them. Also, one or two of the other industries, while interested, felt the same way. Since the American Brake Shoe Company had done the original work and was already prepared to go the rest of the way alone if neoessary, it was felt that the participation of these other companies could be well handled through the Anerioan Industrial Hygiene Association directly. It was also felt that any research work which we and Dr. Gardner would do would be greatly benefited by the backing and support of the Americai Industrial Hygiene Associatioh. Since Dr. gardner is on the Board of Directors for the Association, it was felt that he would be glad to cooperate in any way he felt to be best, Mr. McMahon indicated that the funds available from the Industrial Hygiene Foundation for research work have been completely allocated for the year 1945. However, he expressed the feeling that the project was of such fundamental importance that the Industrial Hygiene Association together with the American Brake Shoe Company should work it out on a mutually satisfactory basis. He suggested that pending the approval of the medical board of the Foundation that the Industrial Hygiene Association's share of the expense could be ear-marked for 1946. Mr. Cook is to contact the Association of Casualty and Surety Executives with regard to their participation along the lines indicated through the Hygiene Association. Mr. Littleifled will contaot the Taylor V.harton people and inform them of the steps already taken. All together, we had a most satisfactory conference wnd the finest kind of cooperation from Mr. McMahon and his associates. It was felt that the matter of establishing definite standards of diagnosis in this condition is of such importance that a preliminary report of findings, to be followed by substantiating animal experimentation, should be done very soon. It was suggested by lr. McMahon that Dr. Gardner, Mr. Littlefield and I present a preliminary report at the meeting of the American Industrial Hygiene Association in November of this year, after which the papers would be published. This was thought most advisable in view of the fact that the experimental work will take two and possibly three years, and that in the meantime problems will be descending upon us with the anticipated reconversion period. SPNY 000449 lir. K. Dunn -------- 3 June 3, 1945 In the near future we will forward you the reports from Mr. McMahon, Mr. Warren Cook and Mr. Littlefield as to what progress has been made and what decisions reached. We were certainly very sorry that you were unable to attend the meeting personally as I believe you would have enjoyed the discussions, and knowing your interest in such matters we would have been very glad of your practical advice. However, ie can probably arrange a meeting at some future date. We are all in agreement as to the importance of this problem and it is my persbliall opinion that once we have completed our experimental work we will have to materially o M n g e our ideas about the present concept of silicosis and siderosis. However, until this is done we still have to consider our own oases as being silicosis until proven otherwise. LEH:C8 co: Messrs: J. F. McMahon L. U. Gardner, M. D, W. A. ook J. B. ittiefieId F. Holden Yi. Heme on L. E. H a m l i n , M. D, Medical Director SPNY 000450