Document ZEvQE08v1jM0RwQaqoDLvxrd
ccr-y ---
AMEKiJA..
fCR Y0U1 Ww,
CO BFIRHCE on
PLAINTIFFS
I EXHIBIT CHV-105
BIOLOGICAL EFFECT
Monday, October 19, Tuesday, October 20, and Wednesday, October 21, 1964
TEE HEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCTfiNflES SECTIOH OF BIOLOGICAL AHD MEDICAL SCIEHCES
2 East Sixty-third Street Hew York, H. Y. 10021
The evening session on October 20 win be held at the Academy Building
ALL OTHER SESSIONS WILL HE HEID AT
The Waldorf-Astoria Park Avenue at 50th Street
Hew York, H. Y.
These preprinted abstracts are not presented In lieu of the publication. Permission most be obtained from the authors and The New York Academy of Sciences for use in any printed reference, the press excepted.
CHEV bb
nan'll
biological effects of asbestos
SESSION 1, PAPER 3 (continued.)
A nusiber of new techniques are described which enable (1) the tagging of individual fibers with
fluorochromes in vivo for a period of at least one month and (2) facilitate the detection of otherwise
"invisible" individual asbestos fibers and mineral particulates by electronic ashing of sections.
techniques were designed for use (a) in experimental studies in animals to locate individual
fibers in situ shortly after respiratory exposure and (b) in human biopsy or autopsy specimens in the
absence of asbestos bodies.
Localization by electronic ashing has proven highly satisfactory. Variations in technical factors
allow for correlation of fiber location with histological structures. Studies of the effect of ashing on asbestos bodies are also described. The advantages of the concomitant use of phase microscopy were
demonstrated. The results of the fluorochroaes experiments raise the question of mechanical fixation of parti
culate carcinogens in tissue, as well as the adsorption and concentration of dilute carcinogenic agents.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE SEVERAL VARIETIES OF ASBESTOS - FIBERS IN HUMAN UJN5 TISSUE by A. Vorvald Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.
SESSION 1, PAIER h
(Abstract not received)
SESSION 1, PAPER 5
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE DUST CONTENT AND COMPOSITION IN LUNGS TOTH
ASBESTOSIS, MADE DURING WORK ON COAL MINERS PNEUMOCONIOSIS
by
G. Nagelschsddt
Safety in' Mines Research Establishment, Sheffield, England
In the'course of studies, made at the Sheffield laboratory of S.M.R.E. during the last 15 years,
of various types of lung dust diseases, and mainly of pneumoconiosis of coal workers, a few observa>
tions have been made on lungs with asbestosls.
.
After a review of the literature, methods of Isolating and identifying different types of asbes
tos (chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite) will be discussed.
Results will be presented for about 20 lungs with asbestosls, obtained from the London Pneumo coniosis Panel, which were studied several years ago. The types of asbestos which had caused the
disease are not known and several types may have been involved. Preliminary data will be given for
a number of asbestosis lungs with exposure to single known types* of asbestos obtained from, and
studied in cooperation with the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit of South Africa.
The main tentative conclusion is the following: Whereas in the pneumoconiosis of coal miners
and in classical silicosis there is on average a clear positive correlation between amount of dust
In the lungs and severity of fibrosis, this does not appear to be the case In asbestosis. This sug
gests that preduets of dissolution, perhaps polysilicic acid, cause the fibrosis. The data
suggest that in the lungs chrysotile is more soluble than crocidolite, and amosite may be less soluble than crocidolite.
junrn
jnnnr
. ASBESTOS DUST DEPOSITION AND RETENTION IN ANIMALS
SESSION 1, PAPER 6
by
J. W. Skidmore and J. C. Wagner
M.R.C. Pneumoconiosis Research Unit, Glamorgan, Wales
In previous animal dusting experiments it has been established on histological grounds that there
was a difference in the fibrogenic properties of different types of asbestos. Following the intra
pleural inoculation of varieties of asbestos dust and silica into rats it has been shown that it is
possible to induce pleural mesotheliomas with chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite and silica. The
amount of dust inoculated into these animals was 20 mg. This appeared, by histological examination,
to be greatly in excess of the amount found in the majority of human cases of pleural mesothelioma.
Following the experiences of human cases in South Africa, it was expected that the mesotheliomas would
occur in anima] s inoculated with crocidolite. In an attempt to clarify the position a series of dusting experiments were planned.
It was desirable, therefore, to produce an experimental method by which a known amount of dust
could be deposited in the lungs of rats by an Inhalation method. In addition, it was necessary to know
whether the various types of asbestos were retained and had a
i .r histological distribution.
Groups of rats have been exposed to airborne dust clouds of chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite or
powdered glass which served as a control inert and insoluble non-fibrous dust. Reasonably constant
and equal weight concentration of dust in the aerodynsmic range which could reach the pulmonary regions
CHEV BB
-3-
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 1, PAPER 9
RHEUMATOID FACTOR IB SERUM OF INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS
'
B. Persia end E. C. Vigilant, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, and I. J. Selikoff, The Mount Sinai Hospital, Rev York, H. Y.
(Abstract sot received)
OBSERVATIONS ON THE PA:
IS OF ASBESTOSIS
E. C. Vigilani and B. Pernia University of Milan, Milan, Italy
SESSION 1, PAPER 10
(Abstract sot received)
SESSION 2, PAPER 1 ASBESTOSIS IN GREAT BRITAIN
by J. C. McVlttie Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, London, England
A whole new literature relating to asbestos appeared in Great Britain between 1927 and 1932. The Report by Merewether and Price in 1930 was outstanding and established the occupational origin
of asbestosis. It was nade clear that the principal safeguard against the ill effects of asbestos '
dust on the lungs was to be found in improved ventilation and dust suppression. Asbestosis became
a compensatable disease. Initial and periodical examination of workers in certain scheduled processes
were instituted and specific instructions were issued regarding exhaust ventilation, dust prevention,
etc. Case finding arises in two ways: from the statutory periodical medical examinations and from
applications for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts and from applications for benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act which superseded the Workmen's Compensation Acts in 1948. This is
probably the only source of information about the prevalence of asbestosis in the country. Tables
give the number of cases diagnosed each year since 1931 and a special breakdown of 248 caaes diag
nosed between 1955 and 1963* These show that 169 of these 248 cases entered the industry after 1933.
They show the numbers resulting from periodical medical examinations and from applications. The
clinical, radiological and pathological features of the disease are described and diagnostic criteria
indicated. The effects of asbestosis, e.g. disablement, morbidity, liability to other pulmonary
pleural disease, and mortality are discussed. Against this background the value of periodical exam
inations is examined.
-
Tnunr
SESSION 2, PAPER 2
ASBESTOSIS AMONG INSULATION WORKERS IN TEE UNITED STATES by
I. J. Selikoff, J. Ckurg, and E. C. Hammond
.
The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, N. Y.
Large scale studies of asbestosis in the past have been restricted to workers eaployed in
asbestos textile factories. This was true both of the important basic investigations of Merewether
in Great Britain (363 employees) and of Dreessen and his colleagues in the United States(541 employees).
There have been scattered reports of pulmonary asbestosis and its complications in workers ex
posed to asbestos in industries other than textile. However, the absence of satisfactory epidemio
logical data has made it difficult to assess the- risk of such exposure. Yet such assessment is
important since it is likely that asbestos textile workers now represent only a minority of those
exposed to asbestos in industry.
Investigations reported here were concerned with 1,522 members of the International Association
of .Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area, a
union of insulation workers. This study included every individual who was a member of this union
December 31, 1942 or who Joined by December 31, 1962.
264 men were dead on January 1, 1563 ; 43 have died since. Each death has been studied. 1,253
were alive; 1,117 were examined (89.9$), including 133 of 169 no longer working in the trade and
984 of the 1,C86 working members. Clinical, radiological and pulmonary function examinations were
made.
'
1. Prevalence of asbestosis: Correlation of radiological abnormality with lapsed time from
onset of exposure.
-5- :hev bb
1003157
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 2, PAPER k
(continued}
demonstrate significant changes in a chronological series of films. Pulmonary function studies have
become an important technique in diagnosis and assessment of disability.
In a "Mn group of 10 cases with 10 controls matched for age, sex and length of exposure, the
evidence for the influence of pulmonary infection has proved Inconclusive.
The changes in pathology of asbestosis are noted by cosparing two series of post-oorten reports
on workers from the same factory. In 19^9 tyers published the findings in 115 cases of asbestosis at
death. The present series of 71 post-mortems since 1957 shows much less frequency of tuberculosis as
a complication buf increased occurrence of malignancy of the lungs. Emphysema has became less common.
Primary malignancy of the pleura and peritoneum occurs with a frequency unsuspected in the earlier
reports.
'
The mean age at death has risen from kO.8 to 57.3 The average duration of the disease has
lengthened from 6.k to 10.9 years. The longest interval between last exposure and diagnosis is 38
years, one year before post mortem.
OCCUPATIONAL AND TON-OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO ASBESTOS
.
V. C. Sieper
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Mi.
SESSION 2, PAPER 5
The enormous rise in the production and industrial use of aabestoa during the past 50 years has
resulted in markedly widened exposure to asbestos dust for a greatly increased number and variety of
workers. Seme of them, moreover, sustain such contacts incidentally either when being employed in
various capacities in operations where asbestos products are processed, used, or handled or when
working in plant areas in which an environmental pollution of the air with asbestos exists. The harm ful effects of such growing exposures to asbestos during the past two decades are reflected not only
in a growing number of reports on the occurrence of asbestosis and asbestos cancer in a variety of
asbestos workers, but .also in the fact that such reports originate from a rising number of countries
in some of which such observations were made only recently for the first time. Information on the
number and variety of exposed workers and on the occurrence and incidence of asbestosis and of asbes
tos cancers among them is most fragmentary in all countries, especially in the United States aid.
Canada, one being the principal consumer of asbestos and the other the chief producer of this mineral.
It is for this reason that regrettably, the original plan of having, a recent epidemiologic survey on
these aspects of asbestos production In Canadian mines and mills be undertaken under the aegis of the National. Cancer Institute of Canada was not adhered to, and that this study was carried out as an industry-dominated venture which yielded highly controversial negative results. The principal worker groups exposed to respiratory contact with asbestos are employed in the asbestos mining and milling
industries, in the production and commercial use of asbestos cement and plaster and their numerous
secondary products, in the production and application of asbestos for insulating purposes and in the processing of asbestos and its manufacture into textiles. Protection of asbestos workers against occupational health hazards related to respiratory and cutaneous contact with asbestos by workmen's compensation laws are in many countries and States more or less defective and, therefore, inadequate.
fWT
SESSION 2, PAPER 6
ASBESTOS AND THE URBAN DWELLER
by J. G. Thomson
University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa
The extent of inhalation of asbestos fibres by urban dwellers was investigated by counting asbes tos bodies in smears from the lung bases from 5CO consecutive autopsies in subjects over the age of 15 in Cape Town, South Africa, and 5C0 in Miami, Florida. The results were similar in the two cities and no less than 30$ of the males ami 20$ of the females showed asbestos bodies. In 80$ of the posi tive cases the bodies were scanty, were not associated with pulmonary changes, and were regarded as the result of contamination of the urban atmosphere. In 6$ of the males the bodies were numerous and were presumably of occupational origin.
The tendency for asbestos fibres too long to be pbagocytosed to move downwards by gravity before they become asbestos bodies leads to concentration at the lung bases, and small doses can have a cumulative effect. An increase in the amount of urban air contamination would seem inevitable in view of the increasing consumption and diversity of uses of asbestos and of its virtual indestructi
bility, and an increase in basal asbestosis is suggested as a possible future development. As a limited basal asbestosis may be associated with malignant mesothelioma of pleura and peritoneum an increase in this tumour is forecast as the mun ground for regarding asbestos os a potential urban hazard. While that view is conjectural, the finding of abundant asbestos bodies in the lung bases of 1 in 17 of the male hospital population suggests that the occupational hazard from asbestos is greater and more diversified than is at present realized.
The main object of this work is to draw attention to the effects of a relatively new development,
CHEV BB
-7- nnnllfi#
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS GF ASBESTOS
SESSION 3, PAPER 1
(continued.)
Albertos fibres 50 microns and longer are found In alveoli, whereas few of the particles of near
spherical shape present have diameter* greater then 10 i&crons. There Is no Inconsistency here as
the effectiveness of each of the two mechanisms, sedimentation and Inertial precipitation, operating
to deposit particles la the upper respiratory tract is detemlned by psrtlde falling speed, which
depends on sh^e sad density as well as "size." For a fibre it is the diameter and not tha length
which mainly determines falling speed. Asbestos fibres csn be long and yet be so fine that deep pene
tration of the respiratory system becomes possible. -
Measurements of falling speed, diameter and length, on glass fibres, chosen for their exact cyl
indrical form, have presided the relationships between these parameters. For a given diameter, in
creasing the length/diameter ratio from 1 to 10 results in- a fourfold Increase In the falling speed.
For higher length/diameter ratios the falling speed 13 proportional to the square of the diameter and
almost independent of the length. Results of similar measurements on the less uniform fibres of
amosite, chrysotlle and cxocidollte show the same tendencies. The felling speed of an asbestos fibre,
for example, 3 microns In diameter, 300 microns long, is comparable to that of a unit density sphere
10 microns In diameter.
The possibility of long fibres penetrating to the pulmonary apace has necessitated consideration
of their capture in. fine airways. The rate of capture by virtue of length has been calculated for
places where it Is likely to be significant, for example, on the nasal hairs and at branching of airway:
Some aspects of dust sampling asbestos particles are discussed in the paper.
A COMPARISON OF IMPINGER AND MEMBRANE FILTER TECHNIQUES
SESSION 3, PAPER 2
FOR EVALUATING AIR SAMPLES IN ASBESTOS PLANTS
by H. E. Ayer, J. R. lynch and J. E. Fanney
Public Health Service, Division of Occupations! Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
In the United States the threshold limit value of 5 million particles per cubic foot for asbestos is based on samples taken by implnger and counted in liquid by use of a microscope with a 16 mm ob
jective. Dust concentrations In the asbestos textile industry have been evaluated by this method for
30 years. It is recognized that the measurement is only an indirect estimation of the potential ha
zard from asbestos in that asbestos fibers comprise only a very small flection of the dust count.
In an environmental study of the asbestos handling and processing industries now under way
samples have been taken both by implnger and membrane filter. Companion samples by the two methods
have been used to determine the relationship between Implnger dust counts by the "standard method"
and fiber counts on transparent!zed membrane filters by use of a microscope vlth a k am phase contrast objective. In spite of the large variances associated with each of these counting methods, a rela
tionship between results they yield was developed. In general, more fibers were associated with a
given implnger dust counting in carding operations than In other operations. The relationships of
fiber count to Implnger count and the count of fibers longer than 10 microns to the implnger count are presented by operation in this paper. Tentative results suggesting a fiber count equivalent to
the present threshold limit are also presented and discussed. In addition, size distributions and
determinations of "respirable" dust are brieflyjudtnisucussed.. j^nnT
SESSION 3, PAPER 3
DEVELOPMENTS IN DUST SAMPLING AND COUNTING TECHNIQUES
' IN THE ASBESTQS INDUSTRY
'
S. Holmes Turner Brothers Asbestos Co. Ltd., Rochdale, Vwgir3
Due to the fibrous nature of asbestos dust, the sampling and analysis of factory atmospheres in the asbestos Industry has presented special problems which have been the subject of continuous inves tigation over the past 20 years, first by the individual manufacturing companies and later as part of the research program of the Asbestosis Research Council. The aim of this work has been to agree on a sound and reliable method of sampling and counting which will enable true comparisons to be made between dust conditions at different processes and in different factories.
This paper traces briefly the development of sampling and counting methods leading up to the long running thermal precipitator and membrane filter techniques. The relative merits of these two methods are discussed and reasons are given to sfcov vny the membrane filter is now preferred. Colored membrane filters suitable for dry counting are described, as well as the sore usual white membranes which can be cleared for wet counting. Results using the two systems are compared.
A description is given of the microscopic techniques used in sample counting and attention is drawn to the difficulties which can arise due to the crystalline nature of asbestos dust. One result of this is that care must be taken in choosing a liquid of suitable refractive index to clear the membrane and a number of such liquids are mentioned.
Brief reference is made to recent work in which, by clearing the membrane with a liquid of high dispersion, use can be made of the dispersion staining technique in viewing the sample. In this way, it is possible that the individual components of samples containing mixed asbestos dusts may be identified.
9- CHEV BB
biological effects of asbestos
SESSIOH 4, PAIER 3
RADIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF HJLM3HAR3T ASBESTOSIS '
by H. BnhUg Municipal Hospital, liidensheid, Germany
Every classification is imperfect, even acre so regarding asbestosis. The classifications now
in use are not quite identical, but they mainly divide the radiological appearances into three flu* ently hanging stages, of which especially the second is illogically defined and not to be produced
efficiently. Because the national differentiation between the condensation rul.es only a sere radio logical classification, can be taken into consideration for international agreement. The fact of this conference taking place at all proves that new international agreements about a practicable classi fication for pulmonary asbestosis are necessary. If experts agree that linear opacities are also disseminated shadows and that the radiological appearances of pneumoconioses can be only either
disseminated or squared opacities, it would seem appropriate to adopt these two kinds of appearances as a base tor new classification. Doing so, considerable approximation to already existing classifi
cations (Sydney 1950; Geneva.1958) would be gained as well. For intensifying the reproducibility of
the X-ray
and, an the other hand, enlarging the distinctness of the codified X-ray findings,
we suggest not to use the unalterable symbol "L" (Geneva 1958)/ but to introduce another symbol "f"
for linear patterns, chiefly occurring in asbestosis, and to combine it with the quantitative cate gories for small opacities (Geneva 1958). The large opacities might be characterized by the symbol "A" for beginning confluence and by "SH and "Cn for opacities having longer diameter than 5 cm. The additional symbols (Geneva 1958) would mean welcome for further accommodation of the findings code
to individual, local or national peculiarities. Extensive reconstruction of the radiological appear ances, even without the film in question, would be possible when adopting the symbol suggested. . It Is unimportant whether this proposition is adopted or not; it is exceedingly important that some
international agreement should be attaine d whijcyhyywf ould be really practicable. mv
' SESSION 4, PAPER 4 ROENTGENOLOGICAL STUDIES OF PIEURAL CALCIFICATION Iff ASBESTOSIS
by I. J. Selikoff
-
The Mount Sinai Eospltal, New York, ff. Y.
Although scattered instances of pleural calcification had been noted 25 years ago (Gloyne, Vlgliani), these were considered coincidental or ignored. Such evaluation was strengthened by the negative findings of A.R. Smith in 1952.
Recently, attention has again been called to the association of pleural calcification with exposure to asbestos under industrial conditions (Jacob, Bohlig,'Muller) and following environmental
community exposure (KLvlluoto).
Data are presented here which demonstrate that pleural calcification is frequently found among asbestos .insulation workers and suggest that asbestosis Is perhaps the most common cause of pleural calcification in industrial countries at present, especially when such calcification is bilateral.
1. Analysis was made of the results of x-ray examinations of 1,117 asbestos insulation workers (see Selikoff, Churg end ffmanned, this conference).
Pleural Calcification on X-Ray Examination of 1,117 Asbestos Insulation Workers
Lapsed time from
NO.
Pleural calcification
onset of exposure
Examined
Extent of calcification
0 123
40+ years 30-39 "
121 194
51 (42.10
127
37 46
20 (57.9$) 15
13 6
(65 M)
(34.5*)
20-29 " IC-19 "
77 379
69 (89.6*
37*
8 5
0 (10.40 0
0 0
0-9 "
346
(?8.9) 346
0
(1.1O 0
0
1,117
Data is presented to Indicate that both total exposure in years and lapsed time from onset of exposure
are of importance, with tin- latter probably of greater consequence.
2. Almost half of the instances of calcification, were bilateral (73 of 150). This tendency
especially noted in more extensive calcification (29 of 35 Grade 2 and 19 of 19 Grade 3). When
radiologically unilateral, the left side vaa more commonly involved (49) than the right (28).
3> I].lustrations will be given of the variable location of plaques (diaphragm, costal, anterior
and posterior mediastinal, pericardial, apical. Interlobar fissures), their appearance and radiolo
gical demonstration..
CHEV BB -11- 0003160
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 4, PAPER 1
FUMTNAHY FUNCTION IN ASHESTOSIS: SERIAL TESTS IN LONS TERM PROSPECTIVE STUDY
by M. S. Bader, R. A. Bader, A. S. Tiersteln and I. J. Selikoff
.
The Mount Sinai Hospital, Sev York, N. Y.
Tfea years ago, a group of 17 actively employed asbestos factory vorkers vas evaluated clinically, f pi by means of pulaonary function tests. The plant In vfalch the men vere employed
discontinued operations at this tlae; therefore, they had no further Industrial aabestoa exposure. Nevertheless, they vere maintained under observation to study the natural history o'f established
pulmonary disease uncomplicated by further exposure. Annual clinical, radiological ud pulaonary
function studies vere undertaken, as veil as management of intercurreat illnesses.
During the baseline studies, pulaonary function examinations, when abnormal, revealed the elastic findings of the alveolar capillary block syndrome; uniform decrease in lung volumes, veil preserved wirtnwfw breathing capacity, decreased arterial oxygen saturation- (especially on exercise), normal
pCOg values, and decreased diffusing capacity. Hyperventilation at rest and. exercise occurred in
more than
the cases, and vhllc dead space ventilation vas increased, alveolar ventilation vas
dLso Increased. The most sensitive Index of Impaired function vas arterial oxygen saturation. Slight
reduction at rest vas found in six and reduction below 92vas found in half the workman on exercise.
Poor correlation existed between Impaired function and intimacy and duration of exposure. Better
but still not parallel correlation was found with radiographic findings.
-
The port-employment serial evaluations vere made in terms of x-ray progression, development or
worsening of dyspnea on exertion and further measurements of pulaonary function. Follow-up observations were limited by complications of the disease being studied.
1. 8 men are dead: 2 of lung cancer, 1 of pleural mesothelioma, 2 of gastric carcinoma, 2 of
. pulmonary asbestosls (cor pulmonale) and 1 of myocardial infarction.
.
2. 9 are alive, 1 following resection of lung cancer.
With this limitation, long term follow-up results are described -with correlation with eHw-i oi
end radiological features. Original observations on pulaonary compliance and pulmonary airway
resistance in these men are discussed vlth relation to vital capacity and maximum breathing capacity.
ROUTINE LUNG FUNCTION STUDIES ON 830 EMPLOYEES
- IN AN ASBESTOS PROCESSING FACTORY
fcy Boas Runt British Belting and Asbestos, Ltd., Yorkshire, England
SESSION It, PAPER 8
Routine vork in this field vas started in July i960 In an asbestos textile plant in the North
of England. The aim vas to create a set of normal figures for lung compartment volumes, gas transfer
factor coefficients,* 9Clf> mixing indices, ventilation on exercise, and forced breathing capacities.
The subjects used in these tests vere volunteers of both sexes in varying age and stature groups
from departments other than those processing asbestos. These results vere then analysed statistic
ally and the regression formulae obtained applied to the results of men and women working in 'sche
duled' and 'exposed' occupations. The conclusions drawn from these results vere aligned vlth the _
X-ray and clinical findings in each case. Pulmonary function tests vere also used as a screen to
prevent people vlth lung impairment from taking up work in department3-where asbestos dust vas pre
valent. Some difficulties vere encountered In the beginning, both in subject response and sampling
technique, but these vere overcome and this paper deals in the main vlth the technique and results
obtained over the past 3 years. The evidence points to a significant decrease in gas transfer and
vital capacity before any radiological or clinical signs are evident.
The vork continues as a routine test procedure carried out in the firm's medical centre.
Approximately eight people are examined each day, the intention being to examine all 'scheduled' and
'exposed' personnel once' a year at least, and more often If their results give cause for concern.
A. modified single-breath-holding sampling technique Is used and is described in the paper.
t J^UUt
*
' TnHur
SESSION 4, PAPER 9
THE DISCRIMINANT VALUE OF FUIMONAHY FUNCTION TESTS IN ASEESTOSIS
by
M. L. Thomson, Anne-Marie Pelzer and W. J. Smlther
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and
Cape Insulation and Asbestos Products Ltd., London, England
A clinical, radiographic and pulmonary function evaluation has been made on 19 vorkers in an aabestos factory certified as having asbestosls, and on a further 9 exposed, but uncertified vorkers. The clinical and radiographic assessments vere made, using a 2 or 4 point scale, by one of the au thors without knowledge of the pulmonary function results.
Of the clinical features, radiography, dyspnoea and rales have the greatest discriminating
CHEV BB
_13'
1
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 5, PAPER 2
. (continued)
In addition to the oils naturally associated with certaintypes of asbestos, secondary contam
inating n-n may sometimes be found. Experiments have shown that asbestos fibers may absorb up to
75$ of Jute oil from the Jute sacks in which the asbestos is conconly stored or transported. Trace
amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found in samples of Jute oil and at least one sample
was shown to possess tumor-promoting activity after tests on the mouse skin. Is. some cases, oil
wmii
are
intentionally to fibers to facilitate processing.
Rjno- the biological activity of asbestos may be due, at least in part, to the metal-complex
nature of its structure, analyses for iron in asbestos and other minerals were carried out. Corre
lations are being sought between the content of ferrous and ferric iron and the biological activity
of different minerals. Spectrographic analyses have shown the presence in chrysotile of relatively
high concentrations of chromium and nickel, both of which are recognized as carclnogenically active.
As part of this project, the elution of metals by serum under defined experimental conditions
has been investigated.
'
Methods for the identification of asbestos fibers in histological preparations and tissues have
been developed.
'
wwvw
_____
.
PREPARATION OF ASBESTOS FIBERS FOR EXPERIMENTAL USE
SESSION 5, PAPER 3
*y M. S. Badollet, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, N. J., and
W. A. Gantt, State Department of Health, Trenton, N. J.
Asbestos in its natural state in the form of ore contains impurities associated with the ore
body. These impurities may be part of the wall rock or occluded in as embedded in the crystal
formation between layers of asbettos.
For fundamental investigations of biological effects of asbestos, it is essential to eliminate
impurities that are not part cf the asbestos molecule. To accomplish this, we have removed bundles
of fibers from original unrefined ores, split them along the fiber planes vith a. knife into sections
l/l6 to l/32 inch thick, which were then cut with scissors into lengths of l/8 inch or less, removing
visible pieces of rock wall.
material was transferred to a Waring Blender, a- motor-driven
rotating series of sharp blades in a vertical Jar. The Jar was half-filled with distilled vater
containing 2 to 3 grams of the hand-cut fibers. The Blender was run until desired fiber length dis
tributions were obtained. Samples with fiber lengths in ranges below 100 microns were thus prepared.
The slurry was filtered through paper on a Buchner funnel, washed with water, alcohol and ether, then
air dried. This preparation sharply decreased the hydrocarbon content of the material, as measured
by estimation of several specific polycyclic hydrocarbons in a sample of amoslte.
*
Some other methods for reduction of sizes are ball mills, flberlzers and disintegrators. The
Blender method has advantages which are two fold: it allows the operator to observe the grinding
action, it' can be stopped at intervals and samples quickly withdrawn for size measurement. Size
is a function of time of grinding.
Fibers prepared by this method have been injected into hamsters and rats by Smith and Miller
as reported elsewhere at this conference.
rynnr IflflHr
SESSION 5, PAPER k
TESTS FOR CARCINOGENICITY OF ASBESTOS
by
W. E. Smith and Ilonas Miller
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, N. J.
Asbestos amaples were prepared from vater slurries with a rotary knife according to a method described by Badollet and Gantt in a preceding paper at this conference. Soft chrysotile ore, harsh chrysotile ore, and a commercial sample of amoaite were processed to average fiber lengths of 67, 36 and 18 microns, respectively.' Single intrapleural injection was made into the right chest of golden Syrian hamsters (15 nnlrnnl n per sample). Each-injection contained 25 mgms. of sample sus pended in 0.5 cc. of 0.9$ sodium chloride.
Extensive granulomatous' and fibrous pleural adhesions resulted in each treatment group. Large intrathoracic tumors vere found in 2 hamsters at 2U4 days and 358 days, respectively, after injection of commercial amoslte, and in 2 other hamsters at A19 and 527 days after injection of harah chrysotile
No tumors have yet been found in hamsters given the sample of soft chrysotile. In each group, sev
eral animals are still living. The tumors showed local, invasion and distant metastases. One was transplanted through 3 serial generations of new hosts in which it formed solid tumor masses up to 6 cm. in diameter.
In other experiments, 180 hamsters and 270 rats have been given weekly or biveekly Intratracheal
injections of four types of asbestos prepared by the rotary knife method (soft chrysotile, harsh
chrysotile, amoslte end erocidoUte) in suspending medium (saline). Pneumonia and fibrosis but no
tumors have.* been found in animals thus far examined. A majority of
in these intratracheal
tests are still living.
, rm
CHEV BB
nnmi'
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 5, PAPER 7
(continued.)
Detailed occupational and personal data vere Obtained from 1,117 men (of tbe 1,258 vbo vere alive on
January 1, 1963) who were examined. Uhion records vere available for similar analysis for those men
who vere
(264) or who failed to appear for examination (l4l). 43 men have died since the onset
of tbe study.
*
We have previously demonstrated, using age-specific death rates in a prospective study of 255
consecutive deaths among this group of men 1943-1962,. that total deaths vere Increased (observed 255/
expected 20b) as vere deaths caused by cancer of lung and pleura (observed 45, expected 7) and sto
mach and colon (observed 29, expected 10).
' We now report an analysis of the 307 consecutive deaths among these insulation workers January
1, 19b3-August 30, 196b.
307 CONSECUTIVE DEATHS AMONG 1,522 ASBESTOS INSULATION WORKERS 1943-64
{26k)
(43)
1943-62
TOTAL
Cancer of the lung
42
"15
G.I. Cancer
30 5
Esophagus
-
10
35
Stomach
Colon-Rectum
Mesothelioma, Pleura
Mesothelioma, peritoneum
Other neoplasms
Bladder
Generalized
Gro-pharynx
Neck
Pancreas Asbestosis
Pulmonary infection
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Cardiovascular
11 18
3 2 20
3 5 1
3 1 12
7 k 1C4
2
3 1
3 7
1 2
2 0 1
5 0 0 10
4 5 27
17 7 4
114
All other causes
40 33r
1 'W
41 "307
We have been particularly interested in analysis of those deaths due to intra-abdominal neo
plasms (G.I. tract and peritoneum). For a variety of reasons, accuracy of diagnosis of such neo
plasms is often insecure. In 2/5 of the b9 such deaths analysis of all available data shoved the
diagnosis to be presumptive only; this was especially true of stomach cancer (8 of 13) and general
ized abdominal cancer (6 of 7). Therefore, it is possible that peritoneal mesothelioma may be even
more common than the 5 of 307 deaths recorded.
In addition to the neoplasia among the recorded deaths, there are 3 men alive with known neo
plasms (l lung cancer, 1 pleural and 1 peritoneal mesothelioma) as veil as one apparently cured of
tongue cancer, one of cancer of the colon, and three following successful resection of localized
lung cancer found in this survey.
tnuuL mnnr
SESfiTON 5 PAPER 8
COHORT- ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN INCIDENCE OF BRONCHIAL CARCINOMA
*
IN A TEXTILE ASBESTOS FACTORY by
J. F. Knox, Turner Brothers Asbestos Co. Ltd., Rochdale, England, and R. S. Doll, M.R.C. Statistical Research Unit, London, England
An association between asbestos dust inhalation and pulmonary fibrosis was first recorded in
Great Britain at the turn of the century, but until further cases vere reported 20 years later no
official action v&s taken on prevention. A survey of the asbestos industry in Great Britain was
carried out by members of the Factory Department of the Home Office in 1928-29 and a Report laid
before Parliament in 1930. In a sample of 363 workers pulmonary fibrosis was found in greatest pro
portion In those employed for 20 years and upwards. These workers were principally employed in the
asbestos textile industry.
Following the submission of this Report to Parliament Regulations vere imposed In 1931 in order
to reduce dust emission in manufacturing processes. Arrangements vere also instituted for medical
examinations of new entrants to the industry and periodic examinations thereafter. Workers found to
be suffering from disability due to pulmonary fibrosis received compensation and might be suspended
from further employment in the industry. Coroners were instructed to inquire into the causes of death
of workers in the asbestos industry who had been suspended for disability or who were likely to have
been affected by their employment. Necropsies were performed in most of these cases and material for
study thereby accumulated. In a mortality study of the workers in one factory, excess mortality
among workers employed for 20 years and upwards was observed. Lung cancer in association with asbes-
tosis was responsible for a considerable proportion of this excess. A study of & group of workers
from the same factory, exposed since the regulations, shows a reduction in mortality rate without
excess of lung cancer.
####
-17- CHEV BB
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 6, PAPER 1
(continued} An association between asbestosls and pulmonary malignancy Is now generally accepted. More
recent investigations have shown that there is an increased incidence of pleural and peritoneal meso
theliomas occurring in people occupationally or environmentally, exposed to asbestos dust. In of these cases, the exposure has been extremely slight, and not sufficient to produce the histological
features of asbestosls. The only pathological evidence of exposure has been the presence of asbestos
bodies or fibres in the air spaces. In South Africa more than 100 cases of this tumour have been
confirmed histologically. Nearly all these cases have been confined to one asbestos
area. The
majority of these people were not* employed in the asbestos manufacturing industry. Chemical investi gations have shown that oils containing carcinogenic hydrocarbons are present naturally in this par
ticular type of asbestos.
*
At present, the incidence of diffuse mesotheliomas associated with exposure to asbestos dust is
being investigated in Britain. Thoracic surgery units snd pathology laboratories, vis have records of these tumours, have been approached and an attempt is being made to find out how many of these cases
have been exposed to asbestos dust. The investigation is only partly complete, and so far, as many cases have bear discovered in Britain as were observed in South Africa. Details of these British investigations will be given in the papers that follow, and it will be seen that as in South Africa,
the association is mainly between astestos exposure and mesotheliomas, and asbestosls is often not a marked feature of these cases.
inHnr ..
EPIDEMIOLOGY GF MSSOTHELIAL TUMOURS IN TEE LONDON AREA
SESSION 6, PAPER 2
by Muriel L. Newbouse
London School of Eygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
Two groups of patients who have attended a large hospital in the East End of London have been examined to determine their exposure to asbestos.
' The first consisted of 83 .patients in whom the diagnosis of mesothelioma had been confirmed at autopsy or by biopsy. In all but 7, past occupational and domestic histories were obtained. In 21 patients the tumour was peritoneal in origin, in 62 pleural. The earliest recorded death was 1917, but only 10 of the series died before 1550. 55$ of the males and k2$ of the females died under the age of 55. The interval between first exposure and development of terminal illness ranged between 16 and 55 years (mean 37 years).
The second group consisted of 76 patients of the same hospital, matched by sex and date of birth with those traced in the first series.
52.6$ of those suffering from mesotheliomata had been exposed to asbestos, as compared to 11.8$ of the control group. Three main types of exposure were recognized: work in factories manufacturing asbestos textiles. Insulating materials and other products; employment as laggers or Insulators, and exposure to dust brought home by relatives working with asbestos. 18 of those employed in factory work and four whose relatives were working with asbestos were employed at one factory. This factory opened in 1913 and was, until recent years, a heavy user of crocldolite; all those whose records could be traced worked with this type of asbestos.
Among the 36 patients with mesotheliomata, with no positive occupational history and no relatives living at home who worked with asbestos, there were 11 who lived within half a mile of an asbestos factory;. 5 of the control series also lived in the same area. The difference in the proportion of patients in the two series is statistically signJUifUicUtant.
IHHHr
SESSION 6, FAFER 3 CRITERIA FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF DIFFUSE MESCTBELXAL TUMOURS
by ' W.T.E. McCaughey
Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The criteria for the diagnosis of diffuse mesothelial tumour are at present imprecise and the security of the diagnosis often depends more on the degree of certainty with which metastatic tumour can be excluded than on any specific quality of the mesothelioma.
The gross appearances of the diffuse mesothelioma are not specific. It is uncommon, however, for metastatic carcinoma to duplicate the extensive sheet-like serosal infiltration which is es pecially characteristic of the diffuse pleural mesothelioma.
The diffuse mesothelioma shows remarkable structural variation histologically. The most specific structure is a mixed one resembling that of a carcinosarcoma. The commonly observed well differen tiated tubulo-papillary or tubular pattern in which the cells are cuboidal or flattened i3 also un likely to be confused with metastatic tumour.. A form closely resembling that of a spindle-cell sarcoma is highly specific if the growth is known to be diffuse. Several other types of structure including the presence of clefts lined by tumour cells and the disposition of solitary spheroidal cells in the interstices of dense collagen are also thought to be highly distinctive. The diagnostic value of any of these patterns is greatly enhanced if they are associated with one another. It must be
19- CHEV BB
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS
SESSION 6, PAPER 7 (continued)
Aabestos la Lung Hague: Asbestos bodies were scanty In nearly all positive specimens. They
vere detected aore easily in smears of lung Juice. Ho asbestos bodies were seen within tumour tissue. Pulmonary fibrosis was "rtTvtTM1 (no patient had been considered to have "pulmonary asbestosis").
Ocg<r*,t""'1 wfcariea (17 mesothelioma cases): Of those giving history of asbestos exposure, 5 vere 1aggers employed by firms of insulation engineers and 2 vere boiler makers (ship-building).
Swo patients employed by sadcware manufacturers handled old sacks which had contained asbestos. Only
2 patients had worked in asbestos factories. One patient gave history of close environmental exposure, having worked in the offices of concrete manufacturers using asbestos cement.
live gave inconclusive histories. Asbestos bodies vere present in the lungs of two of these. Bach of the other 3 patients had worked in places where they may bave handled asbestos but there was no direct evidence (1 boiler maker, 1 ship repairers* apprentice, 1 dock railway labourer).
General information; Sixteen out of 17 mesothelioma patle nts have died. Average age was 58
years. There were 12 men and 5 women. length of exposure ranged from 5 to 43 years. Shortest
interval from first exposure to development of tumour was 13 years. Interval, from end of exposure
to development of tumour from a few months to 40 years. Ho attempt was made to ascertain types of asbestos fibre used and no approach was made to
industrial firms or other employers.
jn^nr
SESSION 7, PAPER 1 TOEHns IN THE fflBAT.Tff OF THE ASBESTOS WORKER
' by Kenneth W. Smith
Johna-Manville Corporation, Manville, N. J.
What is an "asbestos worker"? An attempt is made to define the type of work which would pro perly classify an asbestos worker. Exposure to multiple toxic dusts is discussed.
There are three main types of asbestos fibers in commercial use today. They are different physically and chemically, and produce disease entitles which are different chemically and radlologlcally. Workers in many parts of the world are exposed to one or another type of asbestos fiber. Should the health experience of a group using only chrysotile be compared with that of a group u.ftng only amoaite or crocidcUte?
The importance of the geographical location of the asbestos deposit is important. Are other factors such as chrome, nickel, radioactivity, etc., associated with seme deposits and not others important? ' Population characteristics are discussed. Disease incidence in a stable, isolated population is compared with that of an urban floating population.
The association of other diseases with the presence of the asbestos fiber Is discussed. there be an association of a particular disease with the asbestos fiber when there is no asbestotic fibrosis present?
PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES:
the sequelae of exposure to asbestos dust
by J. C. Wagner Pneumoconiosis Research Unit, Glamorgan, Wales
SESSION 7, PAPER 2
The sequelae of exposure to asbestos dust include the inhalation of the fibres, their deposi
tion and the results of their subsequent retention. During this conference a number of these factors
have been clarified, and those problems most urgently requiring investigation defined. In this paper
some of the salient features are summarized and certain facets Illustrated, aad aspects in need of
further investigation emphasized.
Logical explanations have been given for the presence of long asbestos fibres in the smaller
air spaces. Experimental evidence has been given to show that there is a difference in the retention
of various types of asbestos. The formation of the asbestos body has been described and the signi
ficance of these bodies and .fibres in sputum assessed. The anatomical site at which the lesions of
asbestosis originate has been defined and the progression of the disease demonstrated in experimental
animals. The variation of the effect 'of different fozms of asbestos fibre is most clearly Illustrated
in the monkey and the rabbit. The previous concepts of the significant particle size, and the solu
bility of the respirable dust, have been seriously challenged. However, the exact mechanisms of the
pathogenesis of the disease is still unknown and the migration of asbestos fibres including the
ultramicroscopic from the respiratory tract requires much further study.
The malignant neoplasms associated with exposure to asbestos dust have been discussed. On
current evidence, the earlier, view that carcinomata of the lung occur in cases with a significant
degree of asbestosis is fully supported, but information is Still required to confirm that there is
no correlation between exposure' per se and these tumours. More information is needed on the associa
tion of these tumours with different types of fibre. Mesotheliomas of the pleura
peritoneum seem
CHEV BB
inn'll Ah
NOTES ON PREPARATION QF MANUSCRIPTS
The Academy's Editorial Division has already sailed out notices to the senior authors listed in the program for this conference informing them of the deadline for the submission of manuscripts to be published In the conference monograph; senior authors who did not receive such a notice, or who will have problems meeting the announced deadline, are asked to contact the Editor at the Academy building. Included with this advance notice were a set of Instructions to Authors and a special an nouncement regarding size of manuscripts and extra charges to authors. It may be helpful, however, to bring out at this time the following points regarding the preparation of manuscripts:
Meniwevtpta. Manuscripts should be typewritten on white bond paper, double spaced throughout - - Including references, Figure captions, foot notes. etc. Submit only the original copy.
References. All references listed must be cited in the text. Refer ences can be sec up either numerically or alphabetically (see the Academy's Instructions to Authors for further details). If the numerical system is used, references must be cited in the text in ascending numerical order, reference # 1 being the first reference cited, etc.
Art Work. If possible, please avoid submitting over-sized tables or
illustrations. For example, photographs (or other artwork) that are con
siderably larger than the usual 8" x 11" size must be so drastically re
duced to fit our page size as to often eliminate a good deal of detail.
Remember too that words, numbers or letters within any Figure illustra
tion should be large enough so that if reduction is necessary, such words,
numbers or letters will still be legible.
Note to Foreign Authors. All material, except references to foreign
publications, must be in English. This requirement includes table titles
and column headings and any interior information within a Figure illustra
tion.
'
Authors who at any time have any questions regarding the prepara tion of their manuscripts should feel free to contact the Editor at the Academy.
CHEV BB 0003166