Document a4gMVKmYgL369Y1rnYnR59Eab

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The following questions and answers may be helpful to supervision m responding to employee or pensioner inquiries concerning the asbestos screening program. 1. Q Are all Du Pont sites involved in this program? A Yes, but to varying degrees depending on the extent of use of asbestos-containing materials. 2. Q Why was this program undertaken? A To take advantage of improved techniques to identify lung abnor malities which may have been undetected by the traditional evalu ation methods. The program was extended to pensioners since some of them also may have been exposed to asbestos during their Du Pont careers and may have developed pulmonary abnormalities. 3. Q Do you anticipate finding many cases of undiscovered lung disease or asbestosis? A We believe there may be some previously undiagnosed cases of lunc abnormalities, some of which may be asbestos-related. We don't, however, anticipate finding a large number of such cases. 4. Q What is asbestosis? A Asbestosis is a condition of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos dust. The condition involves structural changes that can be seen on chest x-ray films as well as changes such as impaired pulmonary (lung) function, cough, and labored breathing. Asbestosis is frequently a progressive illness. 5. Q What medical treatment will be prescribed? A Generally, no medical treatment is indicated for asbestosis or asbestos-related abnormalities but all work-related cases will be referred to a pulmonary specialist at Company expense for evalu ation and consultation. It is also strongly advised that smokers with an asbestos-related abnormality or asbestosis should stop smoking immediately. DUP 1150876 DU 060576 c What is the prooatility of a 1 ur.g abnormality ae velopmc into asbestosis? A This is difficult to answer. Assuming that the detected lunc abnormality is due to asoestos exposure, we can state the following facts: o Present medical knowledge considers such an abnormality to irreversible, but not necessarily one that will develoo into asbestosis. o Development of and the progression of asbestos-related abnor malities are dependent upon such factors as dose, age, and life style. For example, smoking increases the possibility of asbestos-related disease, particularly cancer. 7. 0 What is the difference between asbestosis and cancer? A Simply stated, asbestosis does not involve a cancerous condition. A rare form of cancer called mesothelioma is found m some persons who have been exposed to asbestos. Cancer of the lung is far more frequent among smokers exposed to asbestos than among non-smokers so exposed. 8. 0 Why does it take L5 to 20 years for an abnormality to develop? A The precise answer to this question is unknown at present. However, the latency seems to be related to the amount of exposure and to the rate of migration of asoestos fibers through lung tissue. -- 9. Q Do our current asbestos work practices prevent the development of any lung abnormalities? A Yes, we are confident following present work practices will pro tect any worker from damaging exposures to asbestos. However, because of the latency period, previous exposure may yet cause a future abnormality to become evident. 10. Q Why are new x-rays being taken in the case of some employees? A The early abnormalities for which our physicians and radiologists are searching are more readily detectable only if a high quality x-ray film is obtained. In certain cases, we have found that while our x-rays are perfectly acceptable for most diagnostic purposes, some are of insufficient quality for detecting early asbestos-related changes. DUP US0877 DU 060577 0o Will a person who has ar. illness be elidible for Wcr<e-=' Comoer.satior. or other benefit'' A If any illness or impairment develops and it is determined that it resulted from, exposure at Du Pont, the Company will accent resocr.sibility for appropriate related medical costs, make ar. Worxer=' Compensation settlement offer, if any is appropriate, and a^i?r the person or his family in obtaining other benefits to which thev may be entitled. 12. Q I retired from the site, but now reside in a different state. Which state's compensation laws aoolv? A Compensation laws vary from state to state and claims, therefore, will be handled on a case by case basis. However, claims are usually filed ih-the state where last emoloved. 13. Q How many pensioners will be included in the program? A All of our present pensioner population, about 30,000 men and women, will be advised of our screening program. We have about pensioners at our site. Anyone who wishes to participate will be accommodated. However, most pensioners were not exposed to asbestos while employed by Du Pont. 14. Q Why was no attempt made to single out for special screening pen sioners who might have been exposed to higher levels of asbestos? A Contrary to the case with current employees, work histories of some pensioners are sketchy, and it was felt any prescreening based on records of job assignments might overlook an exposed individual. Consequently, it was decided to give every pensioner an opportunity to participate. 15. Q What will happen to those pensioners who are believed to have been exposed to asbestos? A They will be scheduled for an x-ray at a Du Pont site or at the office of a private physician. Since most pensioners live within a reasonable distance of Du Pont plant sites, most screening will probably be done at the sites which are adequately equipped to support the program. X-rays will be read by a board-qualified radiologist to see if an asbestos-related disease or condition is indicated. DUP 1150878 DU 060578 16. Q Will Du Pont pay for these x-rays by private physicians? A Yes. Du Pont will pay for all x-rays authorized as a part of t.nis program. 17. Q will travel expenses be paid for pensioners obtaining x-rays? A No. 18. 0 What action will Management take if an abnormality is detected but there is no Du Pont work history involving asbestos? A All employees and pensioners participating in the program will oe advised of the x-ray screening results. When an abnormality but no work relatedness is found, the individual will oe urged to refrain from smoking and to consult with his personal physician. 19. Q May I participate in the program if I didn't work with asbestos at Du Pont but did work with asbestos elsewhere? A All pensioners are eligible to participate in the screening pro gram. 20. Q Is the program being extended to former employees who are not pensioners? A Not at this time. However, concerns of former Du Pont employees contacting the Company will be reviewed on a case by case basis and x-rays authorized if appropriate. 21. Q Is this x-ray screening program part of a physical examination program for pensioners? A No. Physical examinations have been made available by Du Pont to pensioners only at sites where medical facilities have the capa city for the additional examinations. This practice will be continued. The x-ray screening program is not a substitute for a pensioner's program of general medical surveillance by his per sonal physician (or the physical examinations that have been made available to pensioners at our site). 22. Q Will any detected pensioner illness be included in Corporate safety statistics? A No. DUP 1150879 DU 060579 23. C Have the Steelwc:<ers or asbestos sorts prompted Do Poor's prooraA No. 24. C Has the discovery of asbestos-related medical cases at Chambers Works and Repao.no had a bearing on this program? A Yes, we learned from that experience; however, that was net tre sole consideration in establishing the program. 25. Q Does Du Pont plan to release the results of this review? A The purpose of this detection program is to identify existing abnormalities and ensure that our physicians are highly sensitive to them in the future. This detection program is not a controlled epidemiology study and consequently there are no plans to puclisr. any findings. Affected employees or pensioners, of course, will . be promptly advised by our physician. DUP I 150880 DU 060580