Document Z4VpXg4dO0Qo6jLa3Vwm2agrJ

>v i V- UNIVERSITY 0 V PITTS JURCH GRADUATE SCHOOL OP PUBLIC HEALTH PITTSBURGH. PENNSYLVANIA 15213 V*7MENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH /H l/l/tt- October 2, 1964 Mr. John T. CantIon Consulting Actuary 40 W. Third Avenue Columbus 1, Ohio CX - ? o o a _ Dear John: I just returned from New York where two International Meetings were held on Asbestos, the Biological Effects of Asbestos, sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences from October 19-21 and the meeting of the International Union Against Cancer from October 22 to October 24 to plan and coordinate international research on the relationship o: asbestos to cancer. I thought it would be advisable to write to you now, because of the importance of the papers presented, the information developed and the implications pertaining ..to asbestos which warrant serious consideration. The proceedings of both meetings will be published. It is believed the New York Academy of Sciences publication and distribution may occur any time from 6 months..to one year. For the International Union Against Cancer, this may occur within the next 6 months, and there will be worldwide distribution. I shall only attempt to provide you with an analysis and evaluation of the information and data presented during- these 6 days, which I consider the most important. I shall defer to a later Conference discussion, the more specific details which substantiate the basic points mace. 1. There is now agreement on an Internatior.?.l level, from the facts and evidence presented, that there is an irrefutable association between asbestos anc cancer. At present this association has been established for cancer of the lung and cf the pleura and of the peritoneum (in the form of mesothelioma). There is suggestive evidence but not established for cancer of the stomach, color, and rectum also. > There is new substantial evidence, that canoe (mesotheliomas) have developed in environment exposec groups, ie . due to air pollution greu living near asbestos plants, and asbestos mm operations, but not occupationally exposed. i John T. Cantlon -2- October 26, 1964 3. Evidence has also been established for cancer developing among members of the household, ie. relatives of workers who-are employed in the asbestos plants. Cancer (mesotheliomas) have developed among wives, laundering the work clothes of asbestos workers. 4. There is usually a very long latent period, ie. be tween first exposure and the development of the ' cancer. Although the cancer has occurred in less than 20 years, the elapsed time from first exposure to development of cancer may extend to 60 years. Cancer cases appearing now, are directly related to the small asbentcc tonnage imported 20 to 40 years ago. With the greatly increased tcr.nage of asbestos imported into the United States in.succeed ing years from Canada and elsewhere, it can be expected, as the requirements of the latent period are fulfilled, that large numbers of lung cancer of the lung, pleura and peritoneum in the form of mesotheliomas.will be accumulating rapidly in the United States among the populations previously exposed. (Evidence has also been provided of the development of mesotheliomas in individuals who were exposed to asbestos as children, while living near asbestos mining operations). 5. Substantial evidence has been presented that slight and intermittent exposure, may be sufficient to produce cancer of the lung and of mesotheliomas of the pleura and peritoneum, secondly, that asbestosis or marked fibrosis of the lung due to asbes/tos, is not a pre-requisite to the development of lung cancer, but rather that the cancers can occur, without the development of such marked fibrosis. 6. Initial findings of the national study of the United States Public Health Service on asbestos workers, substantiates the association between asbestos workers and cancer mortality. Although there are a number of other points,, those already mentioned are sufficiently broad to express the health hazards-in volved and the medical legal ramifications, in terms of medical supervision, Workmen's' Compensation, and legal liability > This requires consideration row and coordinated Philip Carey for all its operations, for its mining and production and sale of its asbestos products. planning milling, by John T. Caution October 26, 1964 There should be no delusion, that the problem will dis appear or that the consumer or working population will not become aware of the problem and the compensation and legal liability involved. You may wish to discuss the broad points made, with the Philip Carey Company. I believe they would be very much interested in the findings presented at this Conference. Personal regards, TFM/a . Thomas F. Mar.cuso, M.D. Research Professor c.