Document gb4qNajQLKYLaL18Gqj8Yj013

r UNION CARBIDE BELGIUM N.V. . ; , ' , . . ; mVMiTt .' * ---- A TWj- --1----. ~y / ,..TM..t-. ;t_ * - . ...-/"? - >' ' f VFREF.'. " i nref. 1415 TJH/MLF : 'Q'S.A'i' .:/ bruxelles e, i August, lTWPnVED* ' ,140 avenue louibe 1: . " ,$?_! 1967 . ,. , . ' \ ' . t ,1 ,^ >.* , ,, ,, . r' .1 . :v j J'''''J 1 v; <*. v.',' * * ' 1 4 J - - . I ' 51 . Mr. Frank Dexter------------------- -- ------ . ' Unniioonn. Carbide Corporation T.F. FR* -- ' : Chemicals & Plastics Division fi' .: : 270 JPark Avenue V . ' flj , , ; , New York, N. Y, 10017 , ( v ,,;\t y W <, ; S ' Re: f ASBESTOS TOXICOLOGY '.1 ' ` . !. Dear Frank: ... ' 7 - ' vv-^yi ;,v. \ ~ During a recent conference on Physics and Chemistry of V- ' ; ' v i Asbestos Minerals at Oxford, England, I met with repre- ; ; ' . , .'.Vsentatives of the group who are coordinating an analytical _ <j . ` program for asbestos samples. These were: ,. v ^...V. . ^ ^^ '.` /iv. ^ _ ` ` Dr* v- timbrell = . ' ^ ; ./ -i." "Medical Research Council ' ; '.? . Pneiomoconiosis Research Unit ^: / :".r.';^ Llandough Hospital ' ' ... y- /;- ^ Penarth, Glamorgan. \S 1"'; W vj 1 .-vi', . ' :. ^ `.'`V.':.'''' . ' ... , \ ` ' Dr. T. G. MORRIS . ^ ... ; r'!;' ' ' - ' M.R.C. Llandough Hospital "i;_; ^; ;v7: -a' ^ '' ' ' Penarth, Glamorgan. , , ' . . ; i V-"" 'v':1'. V' ' ; -i 'This meeting was to arrange for Union Carbide's cooperation * ; ' in trace element analyses of standard samples. : V \ ' ! v. . , ' . '; :Dr. Mumpton, who, incidentally, gave an exceptionally good ; ' ` and well received paper at the meeting, is bringing the samples 1 ' back to Niagara Falls and is aware of the requirements of the' . ' : group for analysis.. Briefly, they would like to have all possible - . trace elements analyzed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. UCC 020777 " I i' * /' ' 'l ' ' *- ' j\ '' r ' * ''{'7v'vhave been ''thoroughly" blended. In the case of chrysotile he ' "*' v`* ^' ` ('" ' * ' . ' v.i -" also has samp* les of the different ty* p* es from which the standard sample mix was prepared* He asked if we could possibly analyze S . v. : ">^vV.-samples of these original components in order to see if any com- y'/VHV.,-;' iX'idi*>c;..ponenta were present which might be used as a key to the efficiency ', ^T;'<of their mixing and blending procedures. Dr. Mumpton agreed .to./V: '-* .'aetermxi*i the cost of these further analyses to see if we could;,.4 - ; * v.' ;; justify aiso doing some of them. : .. . ' , V\-', '' '; '. :' ' ' ' ': . 'had a lengthy discussion with Dr, Timbrell and Dr. Morris ^ :, 'an<* Dr. Mumpton can fill you in on the details, I believe it is - , .'' >:^\}>say that there are certainly many questions and problems ' ` still unanswered and realistically there is not much evidence yet : ; \- : ^ i -: ^ ; ; as to the true "danger" of using asbestos. : N ' ' 7 n*" ; .''I. *V X expect to be in New York during the week of August 14 and '' y, ' .V , V:r . would lihe.to-talk to you more-about this and other asbestos i';;;'V .. .. : . ;;VVv::^>; -'v-\ v."' ','V: rk+v, ; 'O ^ -'^V . V , -s ^ - v, -iVvf V7.:'7\. ' V. : . vr t- ', / ' *;V. d ' >'' . : , - ; VeryJjruly yobrs^/ >....... v: / , . ' c _ 1 ...v , . V--' / * " " ^ ^ ., < - ; t . '; ' .v .*' ' ' ^ : ' - - ' , 'Dr. C. U. Dcrnehl. THOMAS J. HALL.: . ', . .. .v ` '*- * ^ . .. M. D. ' ' " ^'v r^ - -v v . T . v I i,- V- ` ''" Mr 1TF# Frangos - N. . ;v'-v'- .' " Dr. ^ F. Mumpton - Niagara Falls ' : D*' Pol<lerman /- Office Dr. ;'A. E.;Pufahl ^ - New Yorkr . ' ^' Mr..'I. C.>Sayers - London --V < Mt4, It. G. Woolery - Niagara Falld ' V: ; ' ', - ::jy' *> V:' . ;[ : V'-- l-v '-V^ nmu .um J.I m9 m mimm UCC 020778 407Q95 1415 TH/MLF 13 June, 1967 Mr. Frank Dexter Union Carbide Corporation Chemicals & Plastics Division 270, Park Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 Re; ASBESTOS TOXICOLOGY Dear Frank: I assume that you are aware of the occasional reports concerning possible toxicity and carcinogenic properties of asbestos. Dr. Dernehl of Union Carbide Medical Department has followed this area very closely and has maintained a very close check on the working conditions at the King City plant. Perhaps the most publicity and "interest" in this problem has been in England. There, only two ports will handle normally bagged asbestos, at the other ports the Union of Dock Workers have refused to handle the shipments of asbestos. We have been permitted to bring in several shipments with not very favorable results. The last shipment, because of rather poor handling and packing, was in bad shape with many broken bags and much free asbestos. Copies of reports on these shipments have undoubtedly already dome to your attention. Mr. Sayers of the asbestos group in UCJL has written a report summarising the findings and feelings concerning asbestos in the U. K. 1 assume that you have also seen a copy of this report. 1 am enclosing with this letter, a copy of the comments Dr. Dernehl made in reapoaso to this report from England. My mala purpose in writing this to you is to confirm that at the July asbestos meeting in Oxford we will implement the suggestion made by Mr. Sayers and agreed to by Dr, Dernehl that Uniat Carbide join In the cooperative standard sample comparisons to the extent of arranging for standard samples to be forwarded to Niagara Falls for trace element analysis. In joining the program to this extent we will be able to keep in dose contact with the progress of this study and will also be aware of any adverse findings which may develop. 1 assume that this Is satisfactory to you, Y/e will, of course, keep you directly advised of any information that may dovetop over here. If these findings or any others of which wo may not be aware cause any change in marketing plans or programs for asbestos, wo assume you will immediately advise us. *07096 _____ UCC 020779 -- ~7 / ------------ r -i>--. s V'y 7 if' ' ' i70_?Arvr\ AViN'Ui, \iEV /c.i.-s, m, y. :;ci7 . ,vV- w- V i/.____ i, ._ :\*a,< r;.iuNT ->W Dr. f. J iiCi-L-L Union Carbide Europa A. A. hG, Rue Du Rhone 1211 Geneve 3 q *, -? - - -s O vt-i. iD kj W Dear1 Ton: I have reviewed the report. tl wOii r .L Hazard In The United Kingdom", prepared bp I. layers. and in general I find, that it is reasonably a; I do not attach very much importance to one data on ui.cr incidence of asbestosis and death from asbestos!s and cance r> becaus e thesi are merely tabulations of events and c O not ta he i,nt consideration the numbers of people who w er'e sub j sc ted uo me possnoui-L t,y oi me evens oceurri ng. We naa c een in estea an ;vuu. shore Iber C oali r.Z- o than v n.e more- con,vg: t O* >) l>0 m; sub-mi cron silica has been LIT* O V.1 m CO C u. lu 0 vi in. race ... progressive silicosis after exceedingly brief exposure. VJe 'wore concerned about whet ;her the Coalings material .with its exceedingly fine fibril diameter might a' , u/e a similar effect in causation of asbesuosis. We m xref ora made some preliminary studies in which the materi; .1 was injected into the belly cavity of guinea pigs, rats ana rabbits and also was injected intratracr.ealy by a method which distributes the asbestos throughout she lungs of rats. The materials injected were the standard fiber, a refined fiber.and a long fiber obtained from Johns Manvilie for* purposes of comparison. In the in jection study the Coalinga refined fiber produced she most severe reaction in the belly cavity, 'whereas she UCC 020780 407097 standard fiber and the conns I-'anville fiber were uwitially zhi are and less severe. In the non lie cruue fibers caused a nor; eve re lesion,.the refined fiber was intermediate and she Johns Manvilie fiber was least reactive. The only conclusion wo can draw i'ron this crude test is that is possible that our Coalinga product may be more h, ardcus to use than long fiber asbestos in that it m; induce oho disease, asbeetosis, at an early time af exposure. iv- uu: .on v:a:: ra .L s c d w -~i * r. 1 i J I. I. Jk -U. O * oer cnouc loot vw .or me p miwmon ..j. vni-j-U ._ .a 11a'1.....' Limit Value. I maintain that thi: : value is still cor- rect in terms of preventing the d: .soase, asbestems. There is no evidence of asbestos!: ; occurring among people who have worked in an er.vi: torment where the concentration was I-cept within the Thre s ho id Limi t. Va 1 +& It Is probable that the 5 million particles per cubic foot 'will not be acceptable for u ;e prevention of mesothelioma. I have no idea wha- : concentration might be effective in preventing this d: .sease and I would wonder whether even a limit of 1 ; million particles pe: cubic foot would be effective in ;his regard. - Finally, I would give my unquestionab1e support to the request of the Pneumoconiosis Research Council for trace element analysis of the standard sample of aebesto 3y so doing we would develop techniques which could be applied to our product from King City and which v/oula be useful In making comparisons with the standards. I hope this will be helpful to you, if you have any further questions please let me know. 'very truly yours, n < , j (I [ a* (yd ivpv---y Associate Medical Director \ vy/ U. Dernehl, M.D. UCC 020781 0 70