Document mZjYoBDw6VM8D8z1GVqjpYJk

R7.1T MS CONrTIO'Nr.'G. KEATING 4 REFRIGERATION NEWS WHIT. 22.OC0 cnepia ar Asbestos-induced cancer ruled compensable in N. Y.; doctor urges strict control of asbestos use by Patricia Keliay ROCHESTER. S' V. - Death due co a rare asbestos-induced cancer, known as mesothelioma, has been found compensable here as the result of a ruling issued by a referee of the New York Work men's Compensation Board. Lawrence J. Antczak. an em ployee of the Mickiewicz Co., a heating and air conditioning firm located in nearby Irondequoit. died in 1970 His death was attrib uted to mesothelioma. He had worked with asbestos material for e than 20 years. . the referees ruling on Feb. 27, a judgment of $11,312 was granted to Antczak's estate. Also awarded wore $7-50 in burial ex penses and a $1-10 biweekly pay ment to the family. Attorney for Antczak's estate. Richard Regan, of Hogan and Regan law firm in Rochester, told the .Van that he does not antici pate the insurance carrier for Mickiewicz. Continental Casualty Co., to appeal the ruling to the Ap pelate Court in the state of New York He said that Continental Cas ually dropped its objections when it allegedly could not locate a physician to dispute the medical report submitted by Dr. Irving Selitnff. professor of medicine and director of the Environme'ntal S-i"`h<*, I.m..,rr.:cry at '-It. zinai f'oMcgc of Medicine in New York C:tv Kegnn explained that at the lime of Antczak's autopsy, tissues in his lungs wore removed and I on file '.Vhon Regan Tit-ii el.mn with the le-srd. ie .-ent til.- t:r.-:.ie< to Dr. Selikoff for e.\..miaatiop Following analysis, the diictur rrported finding asbestos fibers in the tissues, a condition which must exist before death can be attributed to mesothelioma. Regan added that much of Ant czak's work was done in the inner city where he would convert coal furnaces to oil furnaces. Part of this work intolvcd the packir.c of the outside of the furnace w ith a combination of powdered asbestos and xsater and cement. Also, he said, asbestos exposure resulted when heating and air conditioning ducts were taped with asbestos tape, or from insu lating complete burners with pow dered asbestos, water, and ce ment. Regan noted that he had kept Antczak's autopsv report on file for some 20 months, not knowing exactly what action could be taken He filed his claim after reading of Dr. Selikoffs research or. the subject of asbestos expo sure. He said he researched the dis ease and couldn't find a previous ruling for compensation. Dr. Seiikoff advised that New Jersey Workmen's Compensation Act did make allowances for the disease It is also reported that the federal government ruled mesothelioma compensable for thuse who worked in the i.. i. Na'-y mp a,.Is during World W,i. 11. Asbestos: 'a hicid.jn time bcir.b' Dr. delikoi. told me senate rev -in. .rnnmental Aun- -ommir.ee n W.'ish.r.gtrm. D <". .- , ,.j,, ..... w.... a 'nuthil (.me I..u.i:' vn,e!i w ulid claim oik million lives bv thexur 2000 "All will die within ihe iu.xi d" to 35 years." he told the subcom mittee. This "bomb" causes cancer that may not be detected for as many as 20 years, and. he added, these victims will be persons w ho have worked with asbestos regu larly. Dr. Selikoff and others warned the subcommittee that it was "time to start cleaning up the as bestos mess and prevent further damage to human health. We need a bill to cover all phases of asbestos use and we need public awareness, hn.,r, research, and labeling and err. ironmental con trols," they said "It's what's hatipening in 197:1 that will become evident in the year 2U00." Dr. ieiikoff cautioned. "Of the one million workers w ho already have been exposed. 200,000 will die of lung cancer. 70.000 of ashestosix or lur.g scarring, .mil 150.000 of w.rious other ali ments " The Mickiewicz Co did not rcpiy to a AY./ s inquiry to comment on the ruling GAF 16137