Document VKxJy7GobdoQYB3zLxBkR9KOo

SENT BY:LAW OFFICE Rough Draft->. <`10-24-90 I 3 08PM <`PATTON, WORNOHSWATKIN-* 803 577 75131# 2 R. A. Yudkln BRIEFING ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES August 14, 1978 Qaneral Over exposure to airborne iibutoi fiber my cause both dttlgnsnt and non-msllgnant dlsaasa. The non-msllgnant disease It asbestosls which fa a leaning of tho lungs. The malignant dlitasas art cancar of tha lung and possibly (although this Is yat to bt conclusively proven) of tha gastrolntastlnal tract. Asbestos over-exposure also will causa a malignancy of tho lining of tha chast cavity (masothellama) or of tho lining of tha abdominal nail cavity. tefegiSSil. Asbastoils becomes clinically apparent within 10-18 years of first exposure to tha atari al. Tha sy^toms noted by tha ejqwsod worker Include shortness of breath and a dry coughi In othar words, tha tymptow are rather non-specifle. Examination by tha physician will review crackling sounds at the base of the lungs which can only be heard through a stethoscope. The chast x-ray will reveal a linear haziness first noted In tha lower portions of both lungs. The pulmonary function studies will demonstrate a loss of lung elasticity'and the Inability of oxygen to wove from the aveoll (lung air sacs) Into the blood stream (capillary aveolar block). The disease may be progressive even after the Individual has left the known asbestos exposure, however, the condition Is not necessarily invariably fatal. For unknown reasons the asbestosls may remain almost stationary. ' C-2/.-PT WCRNCV&WATKIN- FT,' 577 7513,'# 3 2 In given ttbcitM exposed population tha condition In various degrees verity oay be pnsant froa 3 to SOS of tha group. Ascent atudlaa In )liftd suggest that controls instituted sine* tha second World War ban pnlflcantly roducad tha pravalanca of atbastosls In a working population* Than an several thaorias regarding tha Methodology by which asbaatea tuaas atbastosls. Tha exact Methodology la yet unknown. Our In-plant worker population at larlln waa exposed to significantly avals of asbestos over tha antln period that wa owned tha plant. This Is vldancad by over 30 known cases of atbastosls In fdnar and present larlln lant a^loyaaa. Tha larlln plant aqileyaes have nealvad and an continuing to nealve par tic nodical axiarlnations dinetad prl warily at the detecting asbestosrelatad disease. These extolnations are carried out on previously asbestos exposed workers who art still working at tha Berlin plant aven though asbestos containing insulation production was halted In the early 1970s. Asbestos containing calclue silicate Insulation was Manufactured at tha loonlngton plant for a short period of tine following our purchase of the facility, haedlately upon purchase, vigorous control Measures ware instituted to control the asbestos over exposure. There are a nwber of casts of proven asbestos It In workers at the llooMlngton plant. This dlstasa Is the result of over exposure received under tha foraar ownership. Nedlcally. It Is vary unlikely that wa contributed to thalr disease process to any significant degree. \' V ' r "A WOWCMWATKIIIH * 60S 577 7513;# 4 3 Antestos Induced cancer of tte lunfl dots occur. Tills cancer ipptirs to bo dost related. In otter words, those Individuals who have boon (xpoiwi for tte longest period of tin to tte highest concontrstlon are tte lost likely to contract asbestos related cancer. Son rtsotrcters fnl that there would not te significant Incrtan In asbestos related lung cancor without the complicating factor of Banking. Personally, 1 fool than Is slight r oncost of cancor In non~smk1ng asbestos worker exposed population. (Kotin would take Issue with this.) In a reasonably heavy exposed worker population who smokes the chances of contracting occupationally related lung eancer Is increase 90 tins over the non*snker. Me know of at least two uses of lung cancer occurring In the Berlin asbestos exposed population. Utethtr these would have oceurnd without tte exposure Is unknown. At this tin we are unaware of any nrked Increase cancers In the workers exposed at Berlin. Htsottello-- _ Nesothellom a nllgnant tueor of tte lining of the chest cavity or the lining of the abdoilnal cavity Is related to asbestos over exposeee. It occures auch less frequently than cancer of the lung as a result of over exposure to asbestos. However, this cancer Is alnst untfomly fatal and has received a great dtal of publicity* Although figures vary, nsottellomas probably represent less then St of the nllptant deaths due to asbestos over exposure. It Is nuch lore difficult to establish a doss relationship with regard to mesothelioma. Doubtless one exists but even apparently v^ty short matter of weeks exposure has resulted In mesothelioma. This Is a confounding factor especially whan other signs and symptoms of asbestos axpokemare totally lacking. 'iteai vz \ 1Sj' ^'... ;,, v,7-,'CMfi "f I 7515;^ 5 <1 In heavily exposed workers It hai. been <stewona tre feed that faSrillar contacts have developed aesothellOM. Ironic! |y, on of the scientists which developed the Unareo process In New Jenny died uf msothelloaii as well as one or two eewbers of Ms 1 Mediate fatally. He haws eo known Mesothelioma in our Berlin asbestos worker exposed population. Attached Is a copy of questions and answers which were developed by Don IITlmler as an outcoae of the orientation sessions he held In May. 1978. If you have any questions call m. lArJAM-- " - wem s. tees mt--