Document jm5aKkgrGGd2bZ2VXzYy3EQdN

CORPORATE MEDIA STANDBY STATEMENT _______ ASBESTOS PROGRAM ________ Du Pont Cortgpany sites have begun a comprehensive review of medical histories of employees over forty who may have been exposed to asbestos dust through prior work with insulation material or in other manufacturing operations. The purpose of the company-wide review is to detect possible early signs of asbestos-related lung abnormalities. It should be strongly stressed that an early positive reading on an x-ray does not necessarily mean that an employee has, or will develop asbestosis. These abnormalities, generally a thickening of the lining of the lung, may not have been detected in standard interpretations of x-rays by physicians and radiologists. All chest x-rays of employees in the group will be reviewed by a consulting radiologist and, if the x-rays are inconclusive, additional x-rays will be taken. Any affected employee will be advised immediately and pri vately by his site physician, as is normal practice. Any such work-related cases will be referred to a pulmonary specialist for evaluation, although no immediate medical treatment is required for these abnormalities. If new cases of early asbestos-related lung abnormalities are found, they would represent the result of exposure many years ago at Du Pont or in previous employment when the potential danger of handling asbestos insulation was not fully recognized. The program, believed to be first of its kind in the chemical industry, will be completed in Spring of 1981. ***** /T DUP 0905993 B000447