Document ke6Ev3E1kwe2gywBRLyvaZ3y

tr*M pcv. ip cc; I. du Pont de Nemours S. Company Wilmington. Delaware 19898 TEXTILE FIBERS DEPARTMENT R. W. Lowe J. F. Bowling W. c. Moser J. c. Dorschel M. G. Gamble E. S. Brinton E. 0. Johnson E. C. Jones R. E. McDonald R. J. Blair L. K. McCune R. A. Kasey C. W. Borden H. L. Funk . F. Morgan, Haskell Lab June 19, 1969 V. D, W. J, F. C, W. H W. M E. S A. L R. H C. P RHODES - CHATTANOOGA MANEY, JR. - MARTINSVILLE MINER - SEAFORD JEFFRESS - SPRUANCE READING, JR. - KINSTON VOOLARD - OLD HICKORY ACKER - MAY STAFM - WAYNESBORO FISHER - CAPE FEAR ASBESTOS DUST CONTROL Attached is an outline of a safety talk on this subject that Martinsville pre sented to its insulators. Also included is a write-up of questions and answers from this session. Concerns about asbestos hazards were initiated when a non-company insulator and acquaintance of several Martinsville insulators died of asbestosis. The review by Martinsville supervision was well received by their insulators. They are satisfied that we are "on top of the situation" and expressed appreciation for Du Pont * s concern of employee safety. last March, we recommended a program of ventilation, housekeeping, work practices, and dust level audits to control asbestoB dust within safe limits. We agreed at this time not to initiate talks with our wage roll, but we do intend to provide full and forthright answers to their questions, if and when these are raised. * I suggest that you inform your supervision of the information reviewed at Martinsville and advise them to be especially attentive to comments or questions from their people on this subject, as you may find it necessary to take similar action. MANUFACTURING DIVISIONS J. A. Sigman Division Engineer DDD/ddb attachments Per 0 D _____--,) D. D. Drummond RECEIVED IUN 2 3 1969 HASKELL LABORATORY. BETTER THINGS FOR BETTER LIVING . . . THROUGH CHEMISTRY* iiiM--iiiiii Cc Martinsville, Virginia June 11, 1969 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY INSULATORS 1. What are early symptoms of asbestosis? Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of small particles of asbestos. There is apparently some chemical reaction within the lungs to the asbestos as well as an irritating effect by the fibers of asbestos. There are several factors in the development of this disease that should be noted. Of the three common kinds of asbestos available one kind is much more toxic than the other two and we do not use the more toxic kind. The size of the fibers inhaled have a definite bearing on how much is inhaled and how far into the lungs these can be breathed. The amount of asbestos in the air obviously affects how much is inhaled; further, the number of hours of ex posure per day will influence how much is inhaled. Another factor we do not have any measurement of is the resistance of any individual that might be exposed. - . The most common symptom experienced by those people that have been diagnosed as having asbestosis is shortness of breath on exertion. Obviously, this is also a symptom of many other diseases which include not only pulmonary or chest conditions but any systemic illness and especially circulatory illnesses. The second most common symptom is a dry hacking cough. Other symptoms do occur when the' disease is more advanced. 2. Can asbestosis be cured, and how? When asbestosis has developed enough to be recognized I do not believe it is curable. By this I mean that I do not believe the asbestos can be removed from the lungs; however, we would certainly not allow any further exposure to asbestos or any other type of pulmonary irritant. This again points to why we are continually monitoring the conditions under which we work and the preventive measures that we have insisted upon such as good ventillation and masks. In this instance prevention is the only cure that is of any great value. NSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED INSULATRS Page 3 8. Why did the Company quir: using Ar-Cell and Sponge Felt Insulation? Cost- These are nor considered safer types, because the particle size in them is smaller & 'M7