Document em2kre3n39060e9YYz7jYkpD4

Inlra Company Scientific Research. Staff September 6, 1572 Mr. J. V. PetroceI.11 cc: A. E. Anderson V. D. Compton J. 17. Damian S. Gratch D. A. Jensen J. E. Mayer J. S. Ninomlya 3. 3. Simpson P. E. Toth Subject: Carcinogenic Effect of Asbestos -- Wayne State University Animal Experiments On August 22, 1972, 1 telephoned Dr. Andrew L. Reeves, Associate Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health at Wayne State University School of Medicine, regarding his investigation of the effects of asbestos inhalation on laboratory animals. An article on Dr. Reeves' work appeared, in the Detroit Hews on July 27, 1972 which indicated, that he plans some animal experiments using heat-treated asbestos. By this means, he intends to simulate the form of asbestos or its decomposition products which may _ be emitted from automotive brakes when subjected to the high surface tem perature generated during braking. Dr. Reeves Is working under grant from the U. S. Public Health . Service. He has published work on experiments in which he exposed rodents ,to asbestos (chrysotile, crocidolite, or amo6ite) by inhalation, or by intra tracheal, intrapleural, or intraperitoneal injection (Andrew L. Reeves et al. Environmental Research, Vol. 4, No. 6, Dec. 1971> PP. 496-511)- la these experiments, no animal s exposed by Inhalation to chrysotile dust (the form of asbestos used in brake linings) developed any malignancies. He was able to induce malignant tumors in animals exposed to crocidolite by inhalation and to crocidolite or chrysotile by injection. Dr. Reeves is currently conducting additional experiments with pulverized asbestos In which he expects to establish experimental conditions conducive to malignant tumor i'dnnati'du, after* which he plans te coiiisct the ^ - experiments with heat-treated asbestos. He expects to be able to report preliminary results of his current experiments by the end of December 1972. He hopes for a renewal of his PHS grant in January. ' -- Dr. Reeves indicated that he might like to use actual airborne brake lining wear dust in some of his "n-tmal experiments, and we discussed 001164 io.Oc PRODUCED BY FORD SCF-FORD-0861 Mr. J.' V. PetrocelU -2- September 6} 1972 tite possiblity of our providing some assistance to him in setting up such experiments. Dr. Reeves is out of the country during September and suggested that we get in touch in the latter half of October to explore further the 001165 PRODUCED BY FORD f 24-C--THE DETROIT NEWS- Thursday, July 27 1977 Asbestos blamed By JEAN PEARSON Nm khM Writar Asbestos ia autorabtle brake loungs may be a potential cause of cancer, a Wayne State University School of Medicine research team fetus. Dr. Andrew Reeves, chief of the research team, sa*d yes terday that overexposure to asbestos particles is known to be the cause of a number of hag diseases, in cl ad lag cancer. But what isn't known, he eaid. is whether use of the brakes releases harmful parts* cles into the air. A5BE5T0S Is used in brake linings, building materials and. to some extent, in the clothing industry. la additioa to lung cancer, ovtrexposurt to asbestos may lead to asbestosis. a degenera tive type of lung disease, and possibly to mesothelioma. a tumor of the lining of the chest cavity, or pleura. Dr. Reeves said the asbes tos industry denies, on good evidence, that asbestos released into the air from automobile brakes poses a health hazard because the high temperstunes incurred ia braking mean the asbestos has taken another form. But the final word Is not known.** Dr. Reeves said, nothing that it w* known yet -,/hai thet form is and whether it presents any hazard to humans. Seeking "the final word.** Dr. Reeves and his research team are planning an exprrw mental system that will simu late the merhjmca) action of brakes, heat the eslwsto* n UM dev*** hahrenhrir and blow t* ,'*,*! tr* -I--* for inhfcJatHKt i* CU'nc' in:-. The guinea p*s will thutbe cheeked to determine whether the beat-changed, inhaled asbestos particles ere as tactic as the inhalation of regular asbestos parades. The asbestos industry, Dr. Reeves said, ia concerned about the potential hazards and is "cooperating in a very nice way and not trying to covenip." One evidence of their coop eration. be said, la that Johna-Manvifle supplies him "asbestos by the too" for ha experiments. Dr. Reeves, an associate professor of occupational and environmental health, is doing research on a number of potential and known health problems related to asbestos and beryllium which is used in number of industrial pro cesses. His studies are sup ported by a grant from tho National Institutes of Health, Though his research animals are guinea pigs, Dr. Reeve* ia especially cod- cemed about the levels of both asbestos and beryllium which can be inhaled safely by humans. ' Guinea pigs are tike humans and unlike rats ia their reac tion to beiylBaa. he said. *Ta our research here at Wayne." Dr. Reeves said, "we foujvt that, after r*u Lad bets exposed to beryllium, they had a very high incidence of cancer. "But beryllium does not Mem to cause cancer in humans or io guinea pigs. It is a t3nc substance that appears to be species spe cific.'* Rcr\lUum parades, how. r*of. n avvnud \ uh a Um~ His*.- rui> d W r\Uv>M, Dr. Aretes' team is trying to determine not only what levels of beryllium are dangerous but how to immu nize persons exposed to the substance. Working with guinea pigs, they are examining the possi bility of immunizing against berylliosis. "We have not reached the point when we can apply our findings to humans but that a our goal," be told. The team's beryllium research has been onenied toward chronic studies, expos ing guinea pigs for uvea hours a day over a relatively Iongpenod. EACH MONTH, a selected group of the exposed guinea igs are dissected and micro* iologieal and chemical stud ies are made to determine the effect of the beryllium dust ,, Dn Reeves said asbestos is much more difficult to study than beryllium because of lh$ difficulty is breaking asbestos up into particles small enough to be blown into chambers lor inhalation by guinea pigs. The team had to design and build a special hammer to da the job. But the hammer itself Introduced a problem because ft erodes slightly as it is used. Despite the researchers'. attempts ta remove traca mefjtia, the *T~ ign patL Cles" introduced may be inhaled along with the asbes tos particles. Then, the researchers have a difficult time trying to ascertain whether the effects upon the guinea pics of rhe inhaled material should be attributed to asbestos or to the Irate metals. Dr Reeves serves on the if pollution evaluv'*'! tee ol the American InOmal hygiene Association. ' 001163 go.rf PRODUCED BY FORD