Document jN3bxwxVMepD69yw45qJ08Ydk

r 1I s p::'w. d: Lir-7 Of ATTENDANTS ft: ROD- NL*:T C ~ r hill *-d Jur.i. OjyMrcc Ian sr..' e::L- CarptciJ H^rry 2nc Grace Tester Ml] ant; Jcne Career. ECU A; E: 3TC1: r.IK-'f Parker Srith Reekie a no Beteer.a Dodds-Kebrer. Bill and Mary Emmeline Scith CANADIAN J0HN5-MANVI LLC Clint and Peggy Burnett Oud and Pec Colton . Dimitry and Irina Poutiatine Karl 2nd Estelle Lindsll Joe end Irene Eby Noel and Olive Hendry Bob Hutcheson Yvan and Dolores Couture CAREY-CANADIAN MINES Bob and Audrey Merrill <^Ab end Charlotte Bagenstose rLINTKOTE WINES' .vl Monte and Cecilia Carpenter Arthur and Regine Hooker LAKE ASBESTOS Ralph and Wary Lou Hennebach Michael and Isabelle Messel Lionel and frangoise Piuze Rollie and Liette Gagnon NATIONAL ASBESTOS .b.E.H, 0. A.M.A. J.E. and Elizabeth Destnarais Bob and fargaret Coleman (Dr. ) George and Ellie Wright Ivan end Carmen Sabourin George Robinson Paul and Madeleine Tilteau March 19-22, 1970 J . j cc V. /I .O' HI LI1 e: ElKi^cs Of the special riCTiri r ' OKI PEC Ar-tSTOS KirlAC A?50:. I ATI O'- 2: A- : 21. 1970, AT T`~: uC-r.-T: f:l L tq>: HCUU DOf1 `*0'1j. PUERT--O----R-ICO /7 Present: FRIDAY, KS3CK :i. 1570 / ftessrs. R.J. Pterrill f.C. Carpenter R.S. Coleman K.V. Lindell Ft, J. FiL ssel U.U. Oughtred F.P. Smith ^ A.H. fiagenstose C.S. Burnett I.C. Campbell K.P. Carszr. D.T. Chiton Y. Couture J.E. Desharais R. Dodos-Heoron ' J.O. Eby U.H. Foster R.P. Gagnon N.W. Hendry R.L. Hennebach A.R. Hooker J.R.K. Hutchescr. L.C. Piuze D. Poutiatine W.J.W. Smith C.K. Kright (Dr1.) Ceorge Robinson Ivan Sabourin , Paul-A. Filteau Fir. R.J. Ferrill, President, was in the chair. Minutes of the nest ing of February 12, 1970 were approved as submitted to Directors. TECHNICAL C0fiffIT.TCC .% The Chairman reviewed the work of the sub-committees as follows: Filtration of Asbestos-Cen>nt-Silica Fixes - An apparatus manufactured by Bailey Keter Company called en automatic fibre controller was found to be not suitable for laboratory use as presently designed. ../2 i : Th- r?rr * to cr- lac: . 1.3. \-m. iL: hi d r jbl 3 s -; d er- . ticics in tne Astestc.!. Ce-int P.agazine was Unsuccess f ul. A r effort I _ will b certs to correspond with the autre: for further leads nr. suit : able filtration measuring apparatus. ./ / Translation of the Sucnarv of Tests - This translation has gone I through ten redrafts ans for the approval of the Directors was moved end seconded. ; / CARRIED. r.S.t', Procedure - The redraft of this procedxjre to rake it suitable for the A.S.T.F. has been completed, ^rawing;- are being revised and a test series is being conducted to determine whether options should be provided for the use of larger perforations in the grid on the 8.-G, P. Disintegrator for long group 5 fibres. I Work of other sub-cojamittees was reported as progressipg in a satis factory manner. ' UKIFORE CLASSIFICATION' AKD CRAPING COflFlTTEE .} Random. O.S. Tests of Production - The 1959 composite report, giving the summary of all Q.S. tests of 1969 production seepling by the Fibre Inspector, was issued tc all O.A.F.A. companies on February 5th. Fibre Lenoth and Diameter Pro ject - The measuring oF the length and diameter of the 4, 5 and 6-group fibres of the 1968 Exchange Samples has been completed end measurements put into the computer. The re sults will be analyzed in April, as well as the correlation (or lack of the "same) between length-diameter and other common tests such as | O.S., Rotap, WcNett, end Surface Area. . /3 v cc - . - - 3. The study of the effect of dispersion time on length-daametsr is ir. ? rnnr r r,; . ' The Sherbrooke Lab. Director will 2ttend e 4-day Research Infornation Cxchange at Laurentian t/nii-ersit> fro-- June 22 to Jjm 26. industrial relations cmIIIK . / ' Minino fund - An "ad hoc" committee has-been set up under the Advi sory Committee to the Department of Labour and to-date three meeting have been held where the provisions included in the federal and pro vincial legislations for the reclassification and re-employment of n employees were studied. It is the indention of the employer repre sentatives to reaffirm that severance pay and other indemnities are matters to be negotiated at individual level, in the same way, as supplementary unemployment benefits (S.U.8.). Workmen * s Compensation Act - A first document on th^ Workmen's Com pensation Act to be presented to the Prime Minister, Honorable J.J. Bertrand, had just been completed and a letter forwarded to the Pre-, tnier asking for an interview, when the appointment of the former Minister of Labour, Mr. f\ Bellemare, as President of the Workmen's Compensation Board was revealed with the announcement of Provincial elections on April 29 next. Another approach to bring about improve wants to the act will have to be studied. Bill <49 - Art. AS - An Order in Council was published in the*March 7 1970 issue of the Quebec Official Gazette promulgating the general reoulaticn concerning advance notice of collective dismissals as per art. 45 of Bill 49. The regulation does not apply, however, to any employer who dismisses employees for an indefinite period of time of less than six (6) months' duration. .../4 cc ; to a reO^? decision by :he Dips:teent of Labour in th; he iavo1'' cf sen? 150 employees at the ClL Srcwnburg plant Ur ** *. -t.-i j* cl rg jlaticr. c- ?. r< . ac-r:y il* :: t hr r:rnaJ pvsir.ps-; flue...;. tic:,r. ses amounting to sorb J145,000. less. Frequency and severity of lost time injuries ere net Quite as good in 1969 as in 1966, In reply to & question it 3s pointed out that industrial disease condensation cla:nss for dust exposure sre charged to lest employer and, as advised by fr. J. ttelage of W.C.B., there is no tire 1 imj t. Should the Company ceese to exist, then such claims, if accepted, would bs charged to the general accident fund. ' TRAFFIC CD^.ITTl; " The Chairman of the Coemittee reported on the following items: 1. fleil Rates - U.S.A. - Canada - American railroads increased all rates by si-x-'percent as November 18, 1969. , ` 2. Truck Bates - U.S.A, - Canada - Rotor carriers also increased their rates by si> percent effective February 2, 1970. ' 3. Ocean Rates - The increasing cost of loading in the St.Lawrence ports is forcing the lines to-container operation. Containers have made progress in 1969 and it is expected that 1970 will bring additional container services to the United Kingdom and Continen tal Curope. ..Similar services are contemplated to Australia, Spanish Atlantic and the Mediterranean with Japan being & possi bility for 1970. In searching for a proper service to Continental Europe, serving the Bordeaux - Hamburg Range - it was found that the only steam ship company offering this service was the Arctic Line (Russian Flag). Since producers were not prepared to ship their entire tonnage in containers, a break-bulk service was necessary. It is interesting to note that four large European users are now accepting their entire tonnage in containers. ' /4(a) cc >* '" l. Ur.i tc-c Fj nndor JvSv rates ha vs b ;'' extended till J,,:r.r 30, 19VQ .p . Mi-i-;lie* c` t f-.vll;. This j nev? rczorrc-r.zztizrz on labour arc pert facilities in Er.giar-d. 5. I n t r r- Ar.; t j c? C~nf erer-cg - It *.zi agreed to otend the 395v rater tc Decar.ber 31, 1S7C. 6. C&oterr. Canads/Australia - tew Zealanc - Disparity of rates between Wsstern Canada and Ee&tern Canada was discussed with the Conference end a reply is expected this week. The lines are insisting on unitired shipments and offering as much as 10^ reduction for palletized carg:. 7. Baltic -- Negotiations with this Conference have been finalized. Agreed- rates for Croup 3, 4, 5 fibre, $27.0Q/ton, and for Croup 6 and 7, $25.00/ton. LEGISLATION AND TAXATION CtMftITTCE , . i In recent months, reported the Chairman, a number of sessions of the Joint QflfflA and QAMA Tax Committee were devoted to the ifriite Paper proposals as well as discussion meetings with Honorable P.E. Allard , 1 end his senior-officers, prior to his meeting with the other Pro vincial Kines Ministers on the White Paper proposals in an attempt to arrive at a consolidated front. The recommendations of the Joint Tax Committee together with sup plementary explanations were submitted on February the 5th, in a brief to- the Provincial Ministers of Natural Resources and Finance for their use in their discussions with the Federal Minister of Fi nance. Lately, there has been growing and widespread objections to ti>e White Paper proposals, and it is doubtful that a general reform of Federal Taxation policies can be enacted into legislation by the end of 1970, '1 es originally planned by the Sinister of Finance. , - /; I -.v : ... /5 V l?7C-72 Federal - In his recent budort speech, th: Minister - ` ?: >. t,v-s.i ard t:-1'?: b-: a'*'. ::uc* r crciit crr.trcis. The entire docur.e*is dovotec tc the preposition thst tr.e Canadian eccnrry r.ust be purged cf excessive infietionary pressures this year. Th* F.inister indicated that he mey bring in another budget in the Fell. The government wants tc see how the economy develops this year and is waiting to see the effects of the Prices end Incomes Conetission's campaign for voluntary restraints. Parliament prepcses tc extend for three years the law by which in - dustries are encouraged to invest in anti-pollution structures or equipment by means of accelerated capital allowances under the io- core tax act. A special allowance, similar to that granted for water pollution control equipment,~Xs to apply to structures and equipment acquired after March 12, 1970 primarily for the purpose of preventing or re ducing air pollution. The Provincial Coverneent plans to establish a medicare plan for Quebec by July 1, 197C. Contributions to finance the plan would be 0.8^ of income with a maximum of J125.Q0 per tax payer end 0.8^ of total payroll for companies and business. However, it is doubtful that such a plan can be put into operation by .July 1, 1970. PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE The Chairaar. reviewed the report submitted by the Director of Infor mation Services and insisted particularly on the generally favorable press reports following the recent stories emanating from or about the industry. Except in one case - The Gazette - whose attitude was .../6 cc 6. J blar- r cr. c.r- e'^rr.pt \c increase reac'r rship through controversial t'.t incst-> towaids the ir.p r c veren; cf tr-e eccr.or.ic well-being end envirc.nrer.tel conditions cf people in plant communities.. As regards the proposed asbestos wall-chart, the chairman explained that it would be more practical tc use photos end copy of Canadian relevance. It mas agreed by the Directors that firm quotations be | requested for a quantity of 2,DOG posters. i i j EKt'i ROpTcMAL COMHQl CC.r.TITTCG j The specific areas of activity since the Special fleeting of October } 8th have been as follows: i Sub-Cocrittee on Oesior - There have been three meetings of this Ccffifrittee and a very positive and fruitful interchange of technical know-how on environmental control measures has taken place. These - meetings are being held at the member-companies on a rotational basis followed by a visit to some specific area of interest to the Committee. (j - . >: Dryer Stack Dust Control - Through the co-operation of the meabercompanies, the approval of funds and the technical knowledge of the j Dust Control Engineer, a common measuring technique will soon be in | practice across the industry. ! .% i j Tailinos Pile Stabilization - The first set of experiments has just i been completed. The key point to note is that in two months we have j taken the plants through an entire year's cycle of growth. There ware scss 324 test plantings cf 21 type; cf grasses. - ! Preliminary conclusions: One type of rye grass is the best candidate. Germination and growth on tailings alone was extremely slow and virtually impractical. V cc 7. The edition cf es little as i" of good soil on tc* cf tal lines r:-:r gr. es4 r~is.htrr difference. Thr. next experiments will deal only with ths more successful cendidates. L< i.i f lati c-n - The (Sinister of Health end Social Ueifare, Honorable J.P. Cloutier, had given notice to the Government, through formal listing on the agenda of the National Assembly, that an Air Pollution A'ct would be brought down in the course >6f the recently terminated session, 1,'ith the announcement of Provincial elections, all projects cr the agenda were eutomaticelly suspended. NEtC BUSINESS 1 CIT President-elect - C.k'. Smith, who_had to resign as president elect 1970 of the Institute, indicated to the President of our As sociation that the next president-elect of the Institute was a Uni versity Professor and' that his travelling expenses ($3*,000.) could not be paid by his employer. As a result, requests for financial support are being made to various mining companies and associations.* A motion to the effect that the Association contribute 1250.00 mas seconded. , CARRIED. In principle, it should be understood that the President of the Institute should be a mining man active in the Industry. COKPICNTS ON GENERAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS t The esbestos fibre business has been fairly good during the first quarter of 1970. The outlook for the year indicates an increase in sales of 1 to 2 Predictions as regards sales of asbestos, products and building mate rials are not optimistic? lower volumes are expected es a result of decline in housing starts for the total year of 1970. forecast drop cc 6. Sr nr "-reel d".ii _ l bui Ici-g - ' z*t if r ca: tfy r: i: ; I c. 4/-, es comparer u; th 1559. tree: i . - - Air pollution is a very populcr expression these days bet', in L'.S.A. and Canada. Government people, are indicting charges (suits) against certain companies for eir contamination within or in the environment of plants. The outlook as to the labour demand patterns in the U.S.A. during the present year points to an increase in wages of some 10. In order to compensate for the resultant higher costs, management must resort to improved productivity and efficiency at all levels. ADJQURK^rKT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned till Saturday, Rarch 21.^1970. Paul-A. Filteau, General fienager & Secretary. * .../Saturday, Rarch 21, 1970. cc r:rr s-tcth ^rrT'!.; TrircJ ASpr?Tnr r:'.;>-c a?$ccrir G`, f^-rw 2c 21, i?7c. at tht pr-D: kilto*; hcttl, DC3 DC , PUr^TO HI cc ' SATURDAY. ffAflrn 71, 1S7C Dr. Gee. ki. Wricht joined for this meeting the participants ir. the meeting of the previous day. ^ I. The President called on karl V. Lindell to report on the recent activities of the Occupational end Environmental Health Coomittee. As President of the ftr. Lindell attended last November a meeting held lnJ.cndon, England, sponsored by Turner 8nd Newell Company. There were people inside the iron curtain in attendance. Dr. W.J. Smither reviewed the medical background of the problem of asbestos and health. Nothing new was reported. The P.R. aspect in U.K. is handled by the Asbestos Information Committee. rtr. Lindell also pa; sd a visit to Dr. J.C. Vagner in Cardiff, Wales U.K., two month's ago to learn the latest information in the field of tissue response. A number of Canadian doctors will be present at the April symposium on tissue response, among whom will be Dr. Roland Guy and Dr. fernand Cregoirc. It should be mentioned that in a recent paper Dr. Timbrell stated that the felling speed of fiber in the human lungs depends more on its disaster than its length. ,../2 cc 2. At this p:ir.t. f: . Linda11 called or Di. kriyht. Dr. C.I-. 1,-ic^t. 7hi. President of the Scientific-Committee presented a review of tne Acbsct:.: g-.d health de\clopments in recent years. In 1S6, the O.A.K.A. established the 3.O.C.H. in response to the re-openinc of an old problem, '`pulmonary fibrosis", which was con sidered to be closed. TIda was raccrquable initiative which help ed in avoiding s problem of greater waonitude. One remembers that in th? Irte 1940's the question of bronchogenic cancer had been raised. A study conducted by Dr. Braun eno' Truan pointed out that the inci dence of cancer in the Quebec Asbestos Wine workers was not higher than in surrounding populations. These results, however, were not accepted generally. In 1SH9, the mesothelioma question was brought to the fore in South Africa. This new type of malignancy was later emphasized at the kew t York Academy of Science Conference hsld in 1964. Shortly afterwards, following the first Antigua Conference held in 1965, the l.Q.E.H. was organized in the Tall of *66. Dr. Wright indicated that he felt honor ed to be the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of I.Q.E.H. and was pleased as such to serve the O.A.ffl.A. Two important functions of said Scientific Committee consist in evaluating proposed studies end keep ing the Q.A.R.A. informed as to what was going on in the field of health in connection with asbestos. The Scientific Committee has ac cepted the role*'of thinking through what should be done , in the future. 'This brings me, said Dr. Wright, to ask from you today where does the Q.A.R.A. end Scientific Committee wish to go frem r.ow on. Can we have any guidance from you in that connection?" How are the workers and the public protected? The governmental work men's compensation services were meant to take care of certain injuries and diseases; however, the matter was not so simple in the case of asbestosis. Wore and more information is still needed to justly ad minister a satisfactory workmen's compensation program. - * /2 cc 3. The second question hai tc do with the management of people. L'hat cfc you dcr for instance, kith an individuel who shews an early reac- ticr tr asbestos i<~ t*.* *5 Or u.tK i --' that hrs o:-_-n*-. years of expeure, so that yjj can er.ticipcte re-accivaticn? Is there anything to be gained by removing him fron exposure? This cannot be answered as yet. ` The lung cancer problem, however, can be approached in a rether hope ful toy. A guerticn: Is there e precursor? Not all would agree that lung cancers ere harvested in people haying some metaplasia (abnormal looking and behaving cells) in fact the incidence seems to be far higher. In a high risk industry - v.g. uranium or asbestos insulation workers - it is reasonable to believs.^thct removing a man with meta plasia will reduce the incidence of lupg cancer. A mechanism (device) has appeared which electronically will scan the -i -- * sputum samples (slides) of man and will tell if there are abnormal cells. Large seels studies ere therefore possible. It is reasonable to believe that if you-can pick men with metaplasia you can alter their life. Such may be a conceivable answer. The Scientific Committee has also set forth avenues of major studies. One of the major things to be done is to establish threshold limit values (T.L.V.) or maximum allowable concentration (F..A.C.) of dust in the air without risk to a man for his projected life time. It is worth noting that results of Or. McDonald's study show far less eviden ce of a cancer .problem in the asbestos mine workers. On the other hand, the studies of Or. Selikoff show that 50% of insulation'workers are dying at a younger age than the general population. In view of this, should-we have more than one T.L.V.? Here are some recent de velopments in this regard. In Britain, s T.L.V. of tor (2) f.p.c.c. will be made effective next #!ay. Developments in this field in Holland and Belgium are very skimwish. Francs is just discovering some incidence of cancer resulting .../4 cc L tion System works on a 5tai.e-fc.ide basis, but a contractor dealing with the Federal Government comes under the Federal lev.. Latr- :i.. b l1" crI Cct.l Fi.-if S^friy `--t c In one blow, the standard was brought down frer 50 rg. to 2 rco. in underground coal mines. For the first tire the coal e-orfcerr are re ceiving workrer.'s compensation from the Federal Govern.'snl. There is no doubt that otter groups of industrial workers will ask for the same privileges. The States are slated to teke over in three yet.rs with the same standards. This new act also gives the workers the right to ask for a transfer free one job to another. A mechanism is planned so that the Bureau of Safety snd Health would set standards prelimi nary to any legislation under the Walsh-Healey act. Up till recently, noise was number 1 and asbestos number 7xin the priority list. At this moment, asbestos is number!- Criteria have been recommended as well as an interim Standard for the prevention of asbestosis under the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. (This is a responsibility of Di. Stockings*}. The interim Standard has been set at 1? f.p.c.c. A new ACGIH Standard being pre sently drafted will be 5 f.p.c.c. At a second meeting on the subject held a few weeks ago, objections were raised to 5 f.p.c.c., some say ing it should be 2 and eventually 1 in 1972. At this moment, the major reason for not having standards of 2 and 1 f.p.c.c. is the 1.0. C.H. Industry as e whole is desirous to do what is necessary, but haste is not desirable. Wore information is needed to set such Standards at a.reasonable level. Mo doubt seperate levels should be set for various groups, but this is not practical. There are still very important mysteries, especially as to co-carcinogens. 1 Dust control needs to be further investigated. It is generally agreed that dust samples are laborious to count. The new electronic device mentioned previously (see p.3, para.3) can scan dust sample slides or cells at a rate of 5,000 per minute. This unit has a greet potential; for the first time it is possible to monitor effectively an environoent. cc 5. Ar. other prctler 'that has dcvilc.Tr' *.e: Mhe years- is the elrc- 11 c--> ricTz-fZZ's' rr:r-'; / .' .: i bre: . ii rh-.-i: : r o i ru:" The., art possibly reaninc-less in terrs of esbestosis, but not of c.-ncer. And whet ebc-jt fibre : orta-.i rents or co-car:.: negens? This is en imnnrt?r.t aspprt. to consider. Recently 8 research project on this probirr was submitted tc. the Scientific Committee but not accepted, because the results would net give the answer. In the U.S.A., thtre exists a federal clean Air Act. A standard can be set for anything in the air. There is still a lack of in formation concerning the question posed by ferruginous bodies as possible evidence of generalized exposure to asbestos. Lately, the Scientific Committee turned down a research proposal on this sub ject, because it was not properly designed and too expensive. The possibility of conducting a pilot project should be investi gated. 4 In closing, Or. Wright stated that: "The Scientific Committee has strongly recommended a continuation study to Dr. McDonald's survey. % This Kill permit a much broader base so as to avoid a debate between two sides. The study in New Orleans is progressing very well. How ever, as a Committee we surely do not think that *we have all the in formation needed. We hope that G.A.K.A. is still interested and it should be added that the members of the Committee give a lot of time and effort to this work". At this point, a few questions were asked. % Question - Is tha incidence cf mesothelioma in U. K. and the U.S.A. the same? Answer - This is not presently being pursued in U.S.A. .../6 cc c C-fstic n - u-st is the evidence tc detrrr.in* T.L.V's? Arm r - There was no coed reason for & stt-.dard of 12 f.p.c.c. 2j yfci.rs ag-:; it i.:; just compromise. ' Uw'.Ver: nc;:? Bcstor. setr. to hi'.v Gev*icp^c v.Ch something less than 1? f.p.c.c. Wi do not have, hoK-rver, the counts tc really prove this, firitain do?s not have such information either. Question - Is there any correlation between particles end fibres? Answer - Yes, that can be done. Question - Is there net a trend in U.K. to consider the total expo sure, during one's life time, rather than the concentration during one particular exposure period? Answer - In England the scientists are tilling to accept this theo ry. Question - What about the other research projects? Answer - Dr. Vigliani's study at the Balengero fiine (a chrysotile nine) provides reasonably good records. The data so far collected seem to confirm the results of Dr. McDonald. Dr. Vigl'iani is also looking into the Shipyard workers at La Spezia; unfortunately he is net as far advanced with his study as ha would have .liked. In, the ' case of Dr. Wore, his study covers both producers and users of anto- phylite asbestos. Question - Wher. will Dr. McDonald's formal report be presented? Answer - This depends on the publication time of medical journals; the writing itself is finished. The President conveyed the thanks of the Q.A.M.A. to Dr. Wright and the cordial applause of the group expressed vicidly the assurance that the industry was still vitally interested in this problem. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Paul-A. Tilteau, General Manager & Secretary.