Document mB9eDGa60p69neN36EoazN1Gg

M May 27, 1981 TO: ALL EMPLOYEES FROM: A. 0. CYPHERS, MANAGER ASBESTOS SCREENING PROGRAM A few months ago, the Medical Division initiated a special program to review x-rays of employees over forty with ten years or more of Du Pont employment, who have possibly had exposure to asbestos, primarily through handling of insulation. The objective of this program is to determine if there are any early lung abnormalities that may be related to asbestos exposure at Du Pont. Other employees' x-rays are being reviewed at the time of their regular physical examination. This x-ray screening program is now being extended to pensioners. As is our policy with employees, pensioners will be informed immediately of any abnormality observed. Physicians and radiologists traditionally have-not specifically examined x-rays for minute, early signs of thickening of the lung lining (pleural thickening). Based on developments ip and outside the Company during the past decade, medical know ledge and understanding of asbestos-related lung abnormalities have Increased dramatically, making early identification of these abnormalities more feasible. Therefore, the review program Is being conducted in the light of this increased knowledge and understanding to identify and follow up cn any abnormalities which may have gone undetected by traditional methods. The Medical Division began a program last year to better- train Company p'.ysicians in early detection procedures. That training is now completed, and the physicians are reviewing x-rays in conjunction with our consulting radiologists. Du Pont believes that It Is the first company In the chemical industry to initiate such an extensive program. We strongly stress that an early positive reading on an x-ray does not necessarily mean that an employee or pensioner has, or will develop, asbestosis. No medical treatment is required for asbestos-related abnormalities where no disease Is present., " but all work-related cases will be referred to a pulmonary specialist at Company expense for evaluation and consultation. % We believe that our current procedures for handling asbestos insulation ensure a level of exposure well within acceptable limits. Therefore, no changes in handling procedures are anticipated. Any cases of asbestos-related abnormalities detected now are the result of exposure many years ago, at Du Pont or in previous em ployment, at a time when low levels of exposure to asbestos were rfot known to be potentially harmful. The Installation of asbestos Insulation on this site was discontinued by 1972. ADC/11 DU 050334 DUP 1001582