Document jm56rR3eoObxjjDeq8Rwnygg5

tojrtw.w* canmfc* ONotOOmta. DMSOfiC* WtIVAftOHKtt* December 18, 1987 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT BRK-26 Ms. Judy Spencer Legal Department Industrial Commission of Ohio 246 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Re: OD 30004-22 Employer: Inland Division General Motors, Dayton, Ohio Employee: Marjorie Carr Dear Ms. Spencer: Marjorie Carr is a 59 year-old woman who has worked at the Inland Division of General Motors for approximately 31 years. According to her statement, she is now retired. The exact date was not given. During her employment, she has done a variety of jobs in the old building and "up on the hill". She worked for a short time, in the brake-lining" department, doing a number of jobs there, including grinding of the shoes. For the rest of her employment she worked "up on the hill" in the weather-stripping area doing a variety of jobs related to molding, affixing brackets and other hangers, trimming, inspecting and packaging the finished weatherstrip products. Exposures to asbestos occurred, most likely, only during Ms. Carr's short time in the brake-lining area. Crinding asbestos-containing materials generates dust in measurable quantities. She worked in that area only for a few months. It is possible that she received a sufficient dose (concentration and time) of asbestos to cause or complicate respiratory disease. It is surprising, however, that it was significant, because the latency period of 20-25 years has passed, and the recognized symptoms have only shown to a minor degree. Ms. Carr alleges other asbestos exposures in recent years from pipe insulation in other areas. ... M&k? <."* c> (. Cincinnati District Office Suite 107 8230 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 (513) 791-1980 nt It is very unlikely that any measurable asbestos exposures occurred from those sources. The dose would be negligible, if any. Ms. Carr has worked in and near areas which used glues, solvents, paints and isocyanates. While it is not likely that low level exposures to these chemicals would produce respiratory disease, they could complicate a non-occupational problem. Ms. Carr appears to have a number of caxdio-vascular, gastro intestinal and respiratory problems that are not necessarily job related. Since the work areas and product lines have changed so much over the years, it is difficult to estimate what contribution chemical exposures may have had in this case. There is no evidence that Ms. Carr was routinely exposed to significant levels of any specific chemical, except asbestos, to which she was very likely exposed during her short time in the brake-lining operation. Some of her symptoms appear to be asthma-like. Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI), which is used in the manufacture of foam rubber, can cause respiratory disease, or sensitization to disease similar to asthma. There is, however, a medical test which can substantiate or negate the possible connection of isocyanates to these problems. In summary, the available information and claimant testimony do not give convincing evidence of significant exposures to any agent, except a limited exposure to asbestos at the brake-lining operation. It may remain for the medical diagnoses of the physicians involved to determine if the apparent affects support the contention. If I may be of further assistance in this claim, please let me know. Sincerely J5F:cb J James S. Ferguson, CIH Industrial Hygienist 7 Literature sources used in this includes 1. Occupation Lung Disease, Weill & Warrick, Marcel Dekker, Inc., H.Y., 1981 2. Pulmonary Function Tests in Clinical and Occupational Lung diesease. Miller, Grune & Stratton, Inc., N.Y., 1986 3. Asbestos Related Disease: Difficulties in Diagnosing Occupatinally Related Illness, Raymond Murphy, M.D., Frontiers in Medicine, February 10, 1981