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?. I .L. Fcr.ecc Klnsep Foseco Inc-. Foseco (F.S.) Ltd Foseco France Foseco Germany i Foseco Italy Foseco Austria Foseco Spain j* Mr. A.G.T. Chubb Mr. A.C. Kelly/W. Vandemarfc Mr. R.F. floddey Mr. F.J. Wallacc/J. Sharp/J. Cartwright Mr. J.C. Eamott Mr. .?.. Cook/C. Reid Mr. J. lienearrow/K.J. Fletcher Library Dr. K. Julian Mr. R.W. Ruddle/E.J. Jago Mr. R. Dowler Kfc-. D. Vincent Mr. S. Cross Mr. C. Robert Kir. ?. Boblet Mr. W. Schumann Mr. A. Piva Mr. Z. Balling Hr. J. Sarehet Regional Directcr:, Mr. G.R. Andericn Mr. R.S. Sushi' 11 Mr. R.C. Edmoncs Mr. R.C. Cross Mr. D.A. Eodsor! --- Ik Ml r, ' p " r*. i; iiS air..':j_f r 0709 ASSSTOS AMD HEALTH - A PROBLEM POR EUROPE? . This was the title of a one day Conference hell in London on November 13th, organised by the ASBESTOS INF0RK.AT10N CQ*KHTEZ .) for an invited audience. The delegates were chosen from companies selling asbestos or buying asbestos for use in products for subsequent re-sale, end the author attended on behalf of the Foseco group. There were no representatives from the Press or from the ultimate user industries. Approximately 97% of the delegates were from companies concerned with the direct marketing of asbestos fibre, with a breakdown by major countries as follows Austria (1), Belgium (*;), Denmark (2), Pinland (1), France (7), Germany (16), Holland (5), Italy (4), Spain (7), Sweden (1), U.S.A. (1) and U.X. (21). ... - The objective of the Conference was stated by the Chairman in his opening remarks (3)........."to discuss the facts relating asbestos and health, especially ir. the light of recent un-informed and over sensationalised comments in the Press and on television. This problem and its effect on the Marketing of asbestos fibres has occurred first in the U.X., but there is no doubt that similar pressure will soon be exerted in other countries." A summary of the significant points from the papers and discussions (3) is given below: 1. Medical Aspects ' Reported cases of asbestosis in the U.X. have risen steadily up to 1967 (167 cases), but dropped for the first time in 1956 to 1^8 cases. The rate cf increase is in no way proportional to the usage of the material which has increased approximately ten times since 1950 Since this date, when the first legislation was introduced about dust extraction equipment, the number cf cases within the handling and weaving industries themselves has dropped very considerably, but the number of cases arising in the insulation industry inc?*** . 0710 Continuation Sheet 2. There is a fair weight of evidence to show that blue asbestos (Crocldolite) is more hazardous than the white form (Aaosite and Chrysotile). Also, nearly all hazards can be eliminated by good dust control and extraction machinery. In any working area the extent of the hazard is related to the quantity of fibres in a given volume of air, to a scale as follows :- Level Fibres/en? Action Negligible Low 0 - 0.4 0.5 - 1.9 Medium 2.0 - 10.0 High > 10.0 ) ) No need to do anything. Dust control necessary-. Full respiratory units must be worn. In 1957, the ASBEST0SIS RESEARCH COUNCIL (C) was formed, publishing codes of practice and working with 'Government Departments in drawing up new legislation etc. A new Act of Parliament will be Issued in May 1970, the first draft having been significantly revised by discussions with the Council. The Council has set up various Environmental Study Croups to look into special 'industry sectors - viz. Building end Shipbuilding, Electrical and Engineering, Dock Handling, Textile Weaving. (N.B. I asked the Chairman of the Environmental Control Committee, privately, if any study was planned for the Steelworks Industry. He said "No", and was apparently quite unaware that asbestos occurred in steelworks at all). In general, British legislation and health regulations are considerably more advanced than those in any other country. 2. Publicity and Public Relations Starting in 1955, there have been increasingly sensational disclosures by the British Press on the health hazards of asbestos, cuL-ainating in a highly provocative television programme by the 3.3. C. To counter this on behalf of the U.K. asbestos industry, the Asbestos Information Conrr.ittee was formed in 1966, who employed a professional public relations firm to assure the public and publish factual information or. the problem. - continued JjS--GQ--GSGGOCEruo 0711 Continuation Sheet J. The European Situation One speaker sunrnarlsed the situation as being one of " uneasy calm on the part of Governments and Industry". Go far there has not been widespread Press coverage as in the U.X., but it is significant that the first "scares" in England originated in the docks, in view of recent happenings in HOLLAND. A certain Dr. Stumphlus (?) associated with the Rotterdam Docks, wrote a very good and unbiased technical report early in 19&9 on the health risks of asbestos. He then gave a rather sensationalised press conference, which was given prominent reporting by a "responsible" Rotterdam newspaper. Perhaps stimulated by this, a further medical report is now being prepared for circulation throughout the O.E.C.D. All this has triggered off medical interest in PRANCE, end doctors are starting to look deliberately for Mesothelioma tumours in asbestos workers. ' Ihere is also a plan to set up a special research unit similar In function to the Asbestosis Research Cornell. 4. Conclusions There are health risks associated with the handling and use of Asbestos, particularly Blue Asbestos, nearly all of which can be eliminated or strictly reduced by sensible end responsible precautions on the part of management and individual workers. The awareness of this and the import ance attached to it in other countries will depend most likely on the activities of the Press and television companies, but if the U.K. is anything to go by, this can have an effect far beyond that justified on medical evidence alone. It may or may not erupt in Europe (or elsewhere) and the Chairman closed by advising asbestos suppliers in Europe to- fonr. a "counter publicity" unit such as the Asbestos Information Committee in U.X. (Product Manager : Heading Systems) Steelworks Division 0712 Continuation Sheet NOTES A. Asbestos Information Committee. Formed in 1966 by a syndicate of the three major U.K. asbestos suppliers, e.g. Cape.Asbestos Ltd., Turner and Newell Ltd and the Central Asbestos Co. Ltd. They employ Messrs. Kill and Xnowlton (U.K.) Ltd as Public Relations advisors. B. The proceedings on the Conference will be published in English only. They will not now be available until January 21st, 1970. C. The Asbestosis Research Council was set up by the U.K. Asbestos industry in 1957, with the object of -sponsoring ' medical research end publishing data -and findings etc. It works closely with Government departments but is not directly subsidised or supported by the Government. 0713 Conference Chairman Mr. G. S. Sutcliffe, Chairman, The Asbestos Information Committee Louis Room, Cafe Royal, Rvgeru Street, London w.i. Thursday 13th November 1969 "Asbestos and health-'aproblem for Europe?" 09:15 -- 09:45 10:00-- 10:15 10:15-- 10:45 10:45-- 11:05 11:05 -- 11:30 11:30-- 12:15 Delegate enrolment Introduction The Medical Background Discussion > Coffee British Legislation and the Industry's Response 12:15--12:45 Discussion Mr. C. S. Sutcliffe Dr. W. J. Smither. Medical Consultant, Asbcstosis Research Council Dr. S. Holmes, Secretary. Asbcstosis Research Council Mr. A. A. Cross, Chairman. Environmental Control Committee, Asbestosis Research Council i 12:45-- 14:15 Elysee Room. Cafe Royal Refreshments and Luncheon K:15 -- 15:00 Handling the Public Relations Problem 15:00-- 15:45 15:45 -- 16:15 16:15 -- 16:45 Discussion Tea The Situation in Europe 16:4$ -- 17:15 17:15-- 17:30 Final Discussion Period Final Comment and Summary Mr. W. P. Howard, Secretary, The Asbestos Information Committee Mr. C. H. Mann. Vice-Chairman. Hill and Knowlton (UK) Ltd. Mr. M. F. Howe. Deputy Chairman, The Asbestos Information Committee Mr. G. S. Sutcliffe 20:00 for 20:30 The Asbestos Information Committee Dinner. The Ballroom. Ctaridge's. Brook Street. London W.I. 0714 Conference'Chairman Mr. G. S. Sutcliffe, Chairman, The Asbestos Information Committee Louis Room, Cafe Royal, Regent Street, London w.i. Thursday 13th November 1969 : "Asbestos and health- a problem for Europe?" i 09:15 -- 09:45 10:00-- 10:15 10:15-- 10:45 10:45 -- 11:05 11:05 -- 11:30 11:30--12:15 Delegate enrolment Introduction The Medical Background Discussion -/ Coffee British Legislation and the Industry's Response . 12:15-- 12:45 Discussion Mr. G. S. Sutcliffe Dr. W, J. Smither, Medical Consultant Asbestosis Research Council Dr. S. Holmes, Secretary, Asbestosis Research Council Mr. A. A. Cross, Chairman, Environmental Control Committee, Asbestosis Research Council 12:45-- 14:15 Eiysee Room, Cafe Royal Refreshments and Luncheon 14:15-- 15:00 Handling the Public Relations Profclem 15:00-- 15:45 15:45-- 16:15 16:15-- 16:45 16:45-- 17:15 17:15-- 17:30 Discussion Tea The Situation in Europe Final Discussion Period Final Commcni and Summary Mr. W. P. Howard, Secretary, . The Asbestos Information Committee Mr. C. H. Mann, Vice-Chairman, Hill and Knowhon (UK) Ltd. Mr. M. F. Howe, Deputy Chairman, The Asbestos Information Committee Mr. G. S. Sutcliffe 20:00 for 20:30 The Asbestos Information Committee Dinner, The Ballroom. Claridge's. Brook Street, London W.I. i t rn if'V'J l 0715 o o o o f t I t i t I t