Document YkjJGgyoO17Lx1DxYO4poNnV

FILE NAME: Asten Hill (AH) DATE: 1954 Oct 6 DOC#: AH057 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meeting Minutes NOU-3-2004 12:06P FROM: TO :14108894944 P:1'13 ASBESTOS TEXTILE INSTITUTE AIR HYGIENE COMMITTEE r Report of Meeting dated 10/6/5U o Members Present: R. B. Smith J. W, Weber B, W, Luttenberger D, R Holmes Doctors Present: Dr K* W, Smith - Johns-Manville Dv E. S. Myers - American Asbestos Dr* D. VJ, Martin - Raybestos-Manhattan Dr* H. W. Hetherington - Keasbey & hattison Dr, 0. A. Sanders - Southern Asbestos Dr, G. W. H. Schepers - Medical Director, Saranac Laboratory Dr. P. A. Theodos - representing Asten-Hill Dr II, White - representing Asten-HiH The meeting began promptly at 9:30 A,M. with D, R, Holmes acting as Chairman, The chair commented he was pleased to see the large turnout of representative doctors. 1. The meeting got under way with an explanation by Dr, Theodos of his Research Program Proposal of heart function to asbestosis. A copy of Dr, Theodos* proposal ie enclosed and is to be included in the minutes. In con junction with this proposal, Dr. Theodos advised that the cost to a Company for an employee to participate in this program would run about ^250,00 to b30000 ,on a semi-private basis with a maximum of v50000 as the ceiling which should include hospitalization, transportation, etc. However, he advised that most Companies could have this service performed by using their hospitalization pro gram if one is available. Dr, Theodos in the past, with our Company and with American Asbestos, has classified the diagnosis to be pulmonary fibrosis When completing the hospitalization forms, this has worked out In every case and the Insurance Company has paid claims without comment. Also in these cases, one question is to be answered on the Insurance form; "1$ accident, illness or disease caused by the occupation?" and we have always had this answered, "No". It has never been challenged by the Insurance Company Under this program, Dr, Theodos would like to have about fifty patients take this treatment in one year's time. This would average one a week from some Company, Dr, Schepers shovred slides of specimens taken during an autopsy of an asbestotic. These slides showed the different findings present in the lung area These slides were very beneficial to all doctors present as many of them saw lung conditions of an asbestotic which they had never seen before. Dr, Schepers demonstration indicated that when a biopsy is taken the surgeon should cut down low and obtain an area large enough to definitely show whether or not asbestosis was present and to what degree, coupled with clinical findings. NOV-3-2004 12:07P FROM: TO:14108894944 P:2'13 Air Hygiene Committee - Report of Meeting 10/6/5U Page 2 At the end of Dr. Theodos' presentation, Dr, Sanders suggested that some c feomprltohyeiessswuhrovebyeliinevoerdderthtaot tchoenyclhuasdivseolmyepdreogvreeethoefirascboensdtiotsilosn boenehowsapyitoraltihzeed other. It was the opinion of the Company representatives of this Committee that we endoraeeDr. Theodos1 proposal. The medical men also approved of this program after approximately two hours discussion, Ralph Smith suggested that all information gathered from this program be made available to all members of the Institute, This also was approved by the joint committee of members and doctors. The committee presented the follovring proposal to the Board of Governors: We propose that the Institute approve Dr, Theodos' proposal provided that member Companies would have a hospital program available to share the cos* of the pro- ,grara, or absorb .th coat .which could-run up`to.$J>00.00 maximum per case for hospitalization, biops;, transportation, wage loss, etc. The program was approved by the Board on the basis that member Companies could participate in the program on an individual basis, and there would be, therefore, no financial responsibility on the Institute, 2. Dr. Smith presented the details of obtaining autopsy specimen studies from the Saranac Laboratory, Outline of the medical routines, the employment and medical histories and specimen preparation were given each Doctor, The several values of such a program were emphasized, Animal ex perimentation has contributed greatly, but even more complete knowledge of the disease process can be obtained through this study* Collectively, the industry experience can be extremely valuable in this regard. Individual reports to the submitting company will establish, in a manner not possible by x-ray and clinical diagnosis, the extent of the disease process and, therefore, the extent of Workmen's Compensation liability for a particular ease. It was agreed that each member company, through its Doctor, would process as many cases as was possible under tills program. The Saranac Laboratory will make individual report to the submitting company, and, when sufficient studies have been made, review the collective experience for a report to the industry, 3. A review of the articles by Drs, Knox and Beattie entitled, "Mineral Content of Lungs After Exposure to Asbestos Dust" and "Distribution of Mineral Particles and Fibres in the Lungs after Exposure to Asbestos Dust" was made by Dr, Schepers of Saranac Laboratory, His numerous comments on these two articles were discussed by the group. It was the consensus that the premise of the disease ipechanism developed in these papers was not substantiated by the details of their research or that of others. Afternoon Session The entire afternoon session was spent in listening to the discussion of the "Relationship of Asbestosis to Pulmonary Cancer" by Dr. Schepers, A number of slides containing facts and figures concerning the subject of cancer were rv shown. At the latter part of his discussion, he made some conclusions concerning NQU-3-2004 12:07P FROM: Air Hygiene Committee - Report of Heeting 10/6/5U TO:14108894944 Page 3 P:3"13 rr ' the relationship of asbestos to lung cancer. Here are some of the highlights I gleaned from th:discussion; Both asbestos and silicosis dust do not necessarily lead to lung cancer In some cases, asbestos will protect the lungs from cancer. Hie first case of cancer of the lungs due to asbestos was found in England in 1932. These are English statistics. Lung cancer has been on the increase for the past thirty years. Industrial cancer averaged 9*5 cases out of 100,000 persons in a 19U8 survey. Lung cancer is usually present in the fifty to fifty-five year age group. However, when exposed industrially, this group age may be as much as ten years earlier. Listed below are some of the carcinogens that cause cancer: Taro Oils Nickel Copper Chrome Ihese last three cause a high percentage of cancer, particularly chrome or chromium* The West German government in 1951 recognized lung cancer caused by asbestos. In another British survey it was found that 1.32# of 6,000 silicosis cases had cancer while 132?>, or'.-ten times more persons out of 266 asbestosis cases were affected. Therefore, the incidence of lung cancer with asbestos is ten times greater than that of silicosis. However, it was pointed out that experience in North America- does not coraespond to these figures. We have seen very few cases of asbestos and cancer. Possibly the different experience is due to the fact that in England a considerable amount of amosite fibre is used, while over here we use mostly chrysotile fibre and little amosite. In the same survey it was found that the average age for cancer to strike for males was 55 years, females. Ut.6 years. Exposure time was 20 years for the male and 7.6 for females. These are averages. There was a carcinoma found in a male as low as six years exposure and as low as six months exposure in a female. After Dr. Schepers concluded his discussion, the writer suggested a pro posal to the Board of Governors as follows; Dr. Schepers of Saranac Laboratory suggested that particles of asbestos be inserted in animal lungs in order that research be done on this problem (cancer and asbestosis) so that facts may be deter mined to combat unjust compensation claims. This proposal was offered to the Board and it was their recommendation that Dr. Schepers be requested to sumbit a proposal for further consideration NOU-3-2004 12:07P FROM: TO:14108894944 P:4'13 r Air Hygiene Committee - Report of Meeting 10/6/SU Page It r' At this point, the chair adjourned the meeting with the doctors and we were all in accord that we had a find meeting which was instructive and beneficial to all, U* The next item was Dust Control at the Winders, On this subject there were prints and pictures submitted by the following Companies: Raybestos-l'Ianhattan General Asbestos Asten-Hill This information is to be studied by members of the Committee in order that the dust hazard at the winders can be reduced or entirely eliminated. These prints and pictures are enclosed and shall be a part of the minutes De R, Holmes r*