Document jm37Rw62rp4DZ3D2YYYOab5B2

ATI-187 C*. -- ui.:U. . ^u nsoestcs "entile Institute larch 10, 1951* The industrial hygiene survey prc;ran w,-$ participated m by seven plants cf si:: member companies. Samples were taher. under standard procedures at similar Iccations in all the plants. The samples wrre forwarded to the Che:deal Ingir.eermg Laboratory of Travelers Insurance Company, and analyzed for dust particles under 10 microns in size and for asbestos fibers 10 Microns and longer at 100 and 200 magnifications, light field illumination (a standard technique). Detailed reports have been forwarded to each participating plant and the sunwary report without plant identification was discussed. A general review of the report indicated that: 1. there was no fixed relation of quantity of dust to quantity of fiber in the saj.iples. It was evident that same dust concentra tions which would be considered srtisfactory voider present state standards contained an unfavorable concentration of fiber. 2. good control is indicated at most sampling locations in most plants, by the fact that fiber counts were below tile tentative nairimum allowable concentration of one million fibers per cubic foot, recommended at the 1952 Saranac Symposium. 3. the data will be reviewed statistically to determine irhether the higher magnification makes possible the identification of a significantly greater number of fibers. A separate report will be forwarded to committee members. ' It was reported that the Itew Jersey Standards and Code Conroittee had accepted for adoption the recommendation of one million fibers per cubic foot as the maximum allowable concentration for asbestos fiber. Definition of fiber and reference to the analysis techniques is included in the Ccmiittee 's recommendation. The Air Hygiene Committee members requested that information used m discussions with the Hew Jersey Code Committee be forwarded to each in order that pertinent infor mation be passed on to agencies in other States. The *aerican Conference of Govern mental Industrial Hygienists has received the Saranac Research work but desires to have more extensive data before modifying its present list of threshold limits. Studies such as ones we are working on would be of considerable import to this group. The committee recot'U.iended that additional surveys be made in those member nlar.ts where both wet and dry weaving methods are used. Samples will be taken during each process type in order to evaluate the effectiveness in dust control cf wet weaving. Analytical laboratory services will be arranged for as ir. the current survey. It was further recommended that all future surveys be member cornaru.es whether made by their out: or state technicians be analysed for both the dust and fiber content and the data induced in the Corwittee records. In a review of fiber conditioning techniques several members renorted trials cf various materials, l.ith several, there were visual improvements in dust levels though some offered problems of application. It was proposed that at cur next meeting, each member would report on his company's experience with materials for fiber conditioning and the cuiulative list would be suomitted to the Tech.ucal Co.v.uttee and to the Fellow for evaluation m terms of product characteristics. GARLOCK INC. 00058-009009 ATI-187 It was tlie consensus :: .. e ir . pie.-.e Committee that the problem of dust deter mination in fiber as a .-a-- .cte. :c- was ;rimarily- one which would concern the Technical Coiiii.-j.ttee. After a sti. _ard measurement technique is developed, the Air Hygiene Comrittee ucnld tr.er. :e m a position to study the relationship cf dust content of fiber to t.-.e c st levels during processing. As resolved from the discuscior. cr. the General iieeting, the Air Hygiene Committee will prepare an outline of the information pertaining to asbestos winch would be appropriate for those making inquiry concerning the health and hygiene aspects of asbestos fiber exposure. The cutline will oe submitted for consideration at the ne:rt 3oard of Governors lieetmg. Correspondence from our French Associates pertaining to dust control nethcds ar.c medical experience was reviewed and discussed. The techniques described m the letter on dust control are similar to those used by various member companies. It was reported that by visual cbservation, considerable improvement uas noted. Houever, there is no data concerning dust or fiber counts. In the opinion of the iiedical Officers, - 1. there is no relationship of pulmonary cancer to asbestosis m tlie Freucii experience, 2. while asoestosis does not predispose to tuberculosis, observation was made that recovery from T.J. was difficult, 3. a positive relationship was observed between alcoholism and asbestosis. Summaries of this correspondence are attached as a part of the minutes. J. W, *!eber presented and discussed his design for twister-spinner ventilation control. Air Hygiene samples indicate dust level is less than one million parti cles per cubic foot. Although no fiber analysis was made it can be safely assured that it was considerably less than this. Hot only does the design provide excel lent dust control but also provides a substantial guard for rig and spool breakage. A drawing cf this design is reproduced as a part of the minutes. The United States Public Health Service study on instrumentation was reported to be in progress. The samples of asbestos have been forwarded. The study, however, will probably not be reported for a considerable length of time since there are a number of instruments whose efficiency is being determined. Asbestos is but one of a group of five or six materials being used. The following are excerpts from a letter on asbestosis submitted ay Ur. du hesnl du Cutssen, of acsociate member Societe Anonyme Francaise du Fercco, Asbestosis and silicosis are entirely dissimilar diseases. Silicosis is a clear- cut disease with a typical ::-ray pattern and a typical clinical picture. Asrestosis on the other hand, has few if any clinical signs and no characteristic r.-ray pattem. QABLOCK INC0O0S8-0090'0 ATI-187 The diagnosis of aso'stisis rests x-ray picture and the presence :: agree with this concept, Asbestcsis is not a progressive disease ana it can be arrested and cured cy re moval of the employee Iron exposure. There are no reported cases t/here pulmonary carcinoma is associated truth asoestosis. Alcoholism plays an important part in the development of asb stosis for this condition predisposes to many types of lung pathology. It is noted that 2/3 of asbestosis cases found in the factories of Claigny and Fontaine were alcoholics, Asbestosis can be controlled only by adequate ventilation of the factories, by annual physical examination, x-rays and sputum analysis. The Doctor also quotes as follows from a letter he received from the medical Council of an insurance group: "Great cauticn should be used in the diagnosis of such occupational diseases as asbestosis for if an employee is unable to work because of this disease he will receive compensation but no medical or drug bills associated tnth his illness will be paid." Societe Anonyme Francaise du Ferodo Dust eliminating equipment in asbestos factories at Valiee de la Vere. In the asbestos preparation sections pneumatic conveyors are used. In the spin ning and twisting and adjacent areas no great amount of dust is produced. Ir. carding and weaving special exhaust is used. Carding machines are built over long shallow trenches and entirely sealed from above, Air is drawn in at the loaders and the combers. The trougn is connected to the esiiaust system and kept under pressure. Air shafts under the shuttle the entire width of the machine and funnels placer above the v/arp control the dust at tie weavers. ' The speed cf intake at onfices and m air drafts is 15 to ic cucic meters rcr second. It is the cojective to remove the dust at the scarce cr to enclose ore apparatus as completely as possible maintaining it under pressure. T.-.e dust is collected in a battery of stocking collectors and the purifier air recirculated. respectfully submitted', H. h. Jackson, Chains: Air Hygiene Committee GARLOCK INC. 00058-009011