Document mb9op450mL55J2zMg9bGXaK5k

FILE NAME Quebec Asbestos Mining Association QAMA DATE 1969 Apr 18-19 DOC QAMA122 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Minutes of the Special Meeting of the QAMA 5+. NATIONAL ASBESTOS MINES LIMITED Na Parsanni Ligbility OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE Killian To Mr. E. P / V.P. SUBJECT Q.A.M.A. Special DATE May 27 1969 Meetings Clearwater Florida FROM R.S. Coleman a c.c, Mr. H.A. Berg Fle - I attach a copy of the minutes of the subject NN meetings held at Clearwater Florida April 18 and 19 1969 R.R. J.J. Calemon Calemon Calemon flp encl ~ THE KOPY KORNER N16 N. PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT NO.4556.0 NO.4556.0 37178 MINUTES THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE QUEBEC ASBESTOS MINING ASSOCIATION HELD ON APRIL 18th AND 19th AT THE BELLEVIEW CLEARWATER FLA FRIDAY APRIL 19th Present Messrs K.V. Lindell R.S. Coleman J.A. Main J. Merrill J. Messel W.W. Oughtred F.P. Smith A. R.M. Bagenstose Bateman R.D. Bradford C.B. Burnett I.C. D. Campbell Christian D.T. Colton Y. Couture R. Hebron J.W. Duncan J.O. A.R. Eby Fisher W.H. Foster R.P. N.W. Gagnon Hendry H. Hennebach _ J.R.M. Hutcheson J. Killian L.C. Piuze | D. Poutiatine P.H. Riordon G.W. Smith J. Smith G. Robinson I. Sabourin Paul Filteau In opening the meeting the President Mr. K.V. Lindell extended a cordial welcome to Messrs Bateman and Killian as well as renewed greetings to Mr. Fisher It was moved and seconded that minutes of the meeting of the Asso- ciation of March 25th 1969 be approved as submitted CARRIED At this point committees the President called on the Chairmen of the standing TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Further to his remarks in the minutes of the previous meeting of the Association on March 25th the Chairman reported as follows 1. Wet Classification~ A program of comparative testing the Bauer McNett Classifier and the T & N Classifier was on both conducted at two laboratories subsequent to a statistical analysis These re- sults will be reviewed by the committee at their next meeting 2. Color Test - The procedure for this test has been reviewed and is being rewritten to suit an improved apparatus from the same manu- facturer which is found to be more accurate than the model in use at the present time 3. Product Handling - This committee is presently studying the methods of producing unitized loads namely strapping of piles of bagged fibre gluing paper bag loads and the use of a shrunk polyethylene film as the containing material Several requests for received from customers and freight carriers unit packages have been A meeting is planned in the near future to compare the approaches taken to this end by the various companies UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING COMMITTEE The Chairman was pleased to submit the following report 1. Sherbrooke Laboratory - The Zeiss Particle Analyser work Fibre length combined with image shearing fibre diameter is being pushed Two technicians are working full time on the project 37180 2. Monthly Shipping Test Report - As per instructions the U.C. & G. Committee discussed sal A decision was at a meeting on April not possible but has 10th Mr. Messel's been requested for propothe next U.C. & G. Committee meeting It was pointed out however that this proposal would reveal the exact tonnage shipped of most members grades as in a lot of cases there is only one grade under the name grade testing 3. Basic that the Research - On April 10th the U.C. & G. Committee agreed Basic Research needs are those listed on the appendix I sheet given to Directors on March 25th These needs are Length - Diameter Openness - Crudiness , * Harshness - Softness Amount of true fibre or converse The Committee also agreed on the methods of measuring with the most promise The Chairmen of the Technical and U.C. & G. Committees will visit Ottawa with the Sherbrooke Laboratory Director early in May and will discuss our needs with Mr. meeting with Dr. Convey or clude perhaps the Q.A.M. Woodrooffe as a preliminary move Mr. Orclet This latter meeting President and General Manager to a later would in- INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE The Chairman reviewed briefly the status of labour between the Syndicat and several member companies so far have touched on monetary clauses only negotiations Meetings held The meeting sche- dule with various companies has been disrupted by arbitration pro- ceedings conducted simultaneously and also because of sickness suf- fered by certain union negotiators It is not known at this time what sort of settlement would satisfy the Union 37181 ./4 4. , A meeting of the Conseil du Patronat du Qu^'bec Quebec Employers Council was held recently to discuss the general thinking and most urgent action to undertake in the field of labour relations A 00licy statement and operating mechanisms were defined for the purpose of properly approaching problems and consultations with the Governments to which the Council might be exposed at this stage and in the immediate future TRAFFIC COMMITTEE It would appear that as a result of the agreement signed between the ship owners and the longshoremen on April 9th the situation in the St. Lawrence River ports should be pretty stable over the next years The contract provides for an increase of 85 cents three over a period of 3 years 54.60 per hour for third year a guaranteed annual work season of 37-39 weeks no restriction on the use of con- tainers and a technological displacement fund The latter will be established through contributions of ship owners based on a certain amount for each ton of cargo handled at the ports of Montreal Trois- Rivi^res and Quebec The first vessels of the Wallenius Line with whom member companies have contracted for carriage of asbestos to the Continent have al- ready taken place and the experience gained in using the roll type of vessel has been valuable It would appear that sort of arran- gement may well be a better answer in the long run for shipment of asbestos than containers PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE The Chairman tabled a report prepared by the new Director of Information Services of the Association in which the latter discusses some of his activities for the immediate future The Chairman indicated ... 37182 5 that it is planned to hold meetings of the Public Relations committee at more frequent intervals in order to establish a continuing public relations program and review same periodically At the suggestion of the Chairman the General Manager briefly ex plained for the benefit of the regular attendants and guests the setting of a committee to prepare a brief for presentation to the Provincial Government on the Situation of the French Lan- guage in the Asbestos Industry A Commission of Inquiry has been recently appointed by the Government to look into the position of French as a working language and to suggest measures to insure its full development and also the linguistic rights of the majority and the minority The Committee plans to have a working document ready by the end of May for submission to the Directors the brief must be presented to the Commission before June 30th Guidelines have been received from the Commission to this effect and further instructions are expected within the next few weeks LEGISLATION AND TAXATION COMMITTEE with regards to the general economy of the country the Chairman stressed the fact that we may be faced sooner or later with an extre- mely unpleasant dose of inflation medicine This could well take the form of higher taxes rather than an increasingly severe squeeze on credit For instance a tax on capital gains as recommended by the Carter Commission has been predicted by 1970 by sevBral financial analysts As for corporation taxes the future treatment of capital cost allowances depletion and the three year tax exempt period are still of major concern to the whole mining industry in Canada and the Mining Association of Canada is actively preparing a barrage to face an expected tax reform proposal by the Federal Government 37183 ... It would be most helpful that all companies complete the questionnaire on tax data etc. forwarded on February 12 1969 and file same with Riddell Stead Graham & Hutchison This information is essential when discussing such matters with the Government ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL COMMITTEE 1. Bag Collectors - C.J.M. unit operating with virtually 100 efficiency Lake Asbestos unit efficiency continues at more than 99 Expect to be able to make a firm recommendation by Summer as to 8 solution to the continuing problem of having to pass the filters during the period of high gas temperatures 2. Wet Collector - Rotoclone testing continues J.M. unit running well under Winter conditions efficiency at to be improved with the 83 still 3. Tailings Stabilization - The Chairman reported that the committee is now ready to embark on modest laboratory and field programs In the first instance the Committee recommends for your approval the installation of a control growth chamber with its associated plant growing equipment at the Association laboratory at a cost not to exced ced 1,500.00 Moved and seconded that such an amount be allocated CARRIED In the second instance It is proposed that one or more member companies a Test plots of plant growth presuming a likely candidate is found in the laboratory b Test applications of a chemical binder should an economically feasible candidate be developed 37184 ... 7 c Examine old dumps to determine if any natural vegetation has been able to establish itself NEW BUSINESS A. Treasurer Copies of the audited 1968 were distributed conded the auditors financial statement of the to the Directors and upon report was adopted Association for a motion duly se- The Treasurer plan benefits meeting will submit a report on the dating of the to the staff employees of the Association at pension the next It was pointed out by the Treasurer that the Association held an amount of 181.40 as the share of Nicolet Asbestos Mine in the working capital of the Association It was moved and seconded that this amount be refunded CARRIED As to any liability to the industry as a result of future compensation claims by former Nicolet employees 81 Counsel pointed out that the policy of the Workmen's Compensation Board is to grant a 10 incapacity to those workers of Nicolet unable to find work because of dust fibrosis is not exposure as shown too important but on ray pictures suspected So far B. Cautionary Labels a U.S. and Canada to place a warning health hazard - J.M. has had legal suits because having omitted label on bags of fibre as to asbestos being a 37185 ... 8 b Other Countries - Copies of a confidential legal advice on the status of foreign law regarding asbestos as a hazardous substance were distributed by Manville to the Directors of the Associa- tion From this document it is reasonable to assume that compara- ble provisions exist in the codes of other nations throughout the world In the United Kingdom according to Mr. Bateman the dockers of the port of London refuse to handle even finished goods because of the mere word asbestos It is feared that this attitude may spread to other U.K. ports . At this point Counsel alluded to the question of the degree of as- sessed responsibility is still a matter left unsolved For instance what has been the reaction in other countries to the attack on the tobacca industry in the U.S. Has there been any restrictions imposed by other governments As opposed to the somewhat mercantile objective of the tobacco industry the asbestos industry considers the problem a moral responsibility It is believed that eventually imputations leveled against asbestos products will be vindicated Legal Counsel of the companies of the Association should get together to ascertain the policy of other countries as to a war- ning on cigarette packages At the same time they should seek the official opinion as to any liability of asbestos as a hazardous subs- tance in other is not spoken countries Presently What language labels used in should be used where English U.S. and Canada are in Eng- lish The President agreed to take on this assignment and report to | the Association in due courge The President also suggested that the matter of an assistant to 37186 / 9 Counsel of the Association be discussed between himself and the Directors GENERAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS In the U.S. supply and demand in industry are in balance In spite of the change in Government Administration inflation is still rampant Capital expenditures are expected to be some 14 higher in 1969. The long term outlook for the construction industry is strong from 1,650,000 housing starts originally forecast a reduced estimate still points to 1,575,000 starts Projections would suggest that prices will have to increase judging from increases over the past 4 or 5 years Expanded use of fibre in plastics reinforcements floor underlays etc. is expected In U.K. the political situation is still bad Plants are running far below capacity Fibre sales to U.K. are not likely to improve Fortunately the textile industry is very active in spite of the dreaded health problem In Canada it was observed that certain companies were enjoying a period of profitless prosperity However leaders were more optimistic for next year As regards future developments it was announced that in connection with the Asbestos Hill project a concentrate and fibre treatment plant having a capacity of some 100,000 tons of group 4 and 5 fibre would very likely be built in one of the Benelux countries ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was formally adjourned Paul Filtaau General Manager 37187 ~ & Secretary April 19th MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING QUEBEC ASBESTOS MINING ASSOCIATION HELD ON APRIL 18th AND 19th AT THE BELLEVIEW CLEARWATER FLA SATURDAY APRIL 19th In addition to participants in April 18th meeting Dr. Wright and Dr. Pelnar attended the meeting respectively as Chairman and Secretary of the scientific committee of I.O.E.H. The President opened the meeting and immediately called on Dr. : Wright to lead the discussion G.w. CCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE ~~ Comments by Chairman of Scientific Committee In reviewing the situation to date Dr. Wright indicated that since last year nothing had transpired as regards the view that asbestos in certain circumstances does possess certain qualities to produce on the human body a pathological condition known as asbestosis The meaning of the word however varies in foreign countries in South Africa it is interpreted as a scar effect on the lung tissues comprising also pleural plaques For instance in U.K. there is a high incidence of asbestosis in the lungs carcenogenic of asbestos textile workers surprisingly in South Africa no figures in said connection are published Pleural plaques - a thickening of the inner surface of the chest envelope membrane - does not seem to have a serious import meaning with those affected Mesothelioma = pleural when in the pleura membrane ... / 37188 ? enveloping the lungs and peritoneal when in the lining of the peritoneum - has become frequent in the last ten years This tumor is of great concern because it is found not only in employees but also in the general public Some experts even predict an epidemic within the next ten years Looming on the horizon is the gastrointestinal cancer in this case fiber would be actually swallowed Also the high frequency of ferruginous bodies found at autopsy would somewhat mean generalized public exposure Accordingly the industry recognizes the obligation a to protect present employees b to see what happens to workers who have been exposed for the past 25 years c to remove from employment those who have a lower ability to handle asbestos fibre - predilection to develop abnormalities d to find out whether or not there is public problem as a result of greater public exposure with the ex- pansion of production fibres widely disseminated and inhaled Are none or all of these fibres as- bestos bodies The truth lies somewhere in between At this point Dr. Wright called on Dr. Pelnar to report on the activities of the I.O.E. and the status of the research projects sponsored by Q.A.M. through the Institute Comments by Secretary of Scientific Committee In his report copies distributed to all attendants Dr. Pelnar ex- plained the function of collecting and distributing retrieval system available information by the Institute He pointed out that the Ins- ... 37189 3 titute had been instrumental in setting up the Mesothelioma Registry of Canada and had obtained a key position with himself as Secretary on the committee on Asbestosis of the Permanent Commission and International Association on Occupational Health of which Dr. Noro Finland is Chairman Followed a review of research projects in progress 1. Epidemiological Study of Asbestos Miners in Quebec - Or McDonald et al Cohort of 11,700 persons 2,432 presently working investigated 42,029 readings of ray films completed according to new standard classification of radiological signs of asbestosis results on computer cards ready for analysis Assessment of environmentda uslt exposure also completed and re- sults are being analysed 2. Epidemiological Study of Primary Malignant Tumours of the Pleura or Peritoneum in Canada - Dr. McDo ld et al 165 cases reported by 423 pathologists in Canada from 1960 to 1968. Occupational exposure would seem to be associated with the manufacture and industrial application of asbestos rather than with mining and milling Chemical and Mineralogical Studies of Chrysotile Asbestos - Ors McDonald and G.W. Gibbs Important discovery as to interaction between asbestos and polyethylene bags Work continues 37190 . / A. Ultrastructural Study of Experimentally Induced Asbestos Granu- loma in Hamsters Investigation under way but analysis awaiting delivery of some equipment diamond knife 5. Epidemiological Study at Balangero Mine and at Port of Genoa and Arsenal at La Spezia - Dr. Vigliani In progress in many directions 980 workers and workers exa- mined as well as 720 people of the environment 3 cases of pleural plaques found The Cellular Basis of Biological Effects of Asbestos - Dr. P^'rnis Study under way but evaluation not until sometime yet Anthophyllite Asbestosis in Finland - Dr. L. Noro 450 workers being investigated and dust surveys being conducted in the mine mill asbestos factories and their vicinities Chairman of Scientific Committee cont'd Resuming his remarks Dr. Wright commented on his recent trip abroad with Counsel of Association In U.K. the Asbestosis Research Council by means of animal experimentation since 1933 has endeavored to reduce fibre counts and virtually eliminate fibrosis among textile workers In France it was believed that no asbestos problem existed but recently a whole issue of a scientific journal was devoted to mesothe- 37191 ... 5 lioma and asbestos Experience in this instance had not been fully reported Worth noting is that talcum powders contain fibers in U.S. whereas in France hardly any West Germany would show a prevalence of mesothelioma in certain districts Unfortunately there to carry out the needed indicated are no well equipped laboratories studies German scientists are presently investigating the problem as to which fibers are injurious It is still generally thought that fibers over five microns in length | and not the very short fibers cause asbestosis In Italy the Balangero Mine is a good case for an epidemiological study since it parallels that of Dr. McDonald 30 miles away there is a textile factory using crocidolite only it would offer a good field for study whether chrysotile behaves differently than croci- dolite or not In South Africa mesothelioma cases are distributed in the Cape Province pointing to crocidolite mined in that area - Northwest In con- trast in the amosite mines of East Transvaal no cases of mesothe- lioma cases have been reported Yet in U.S. Dr. Selikoff of mesothelioma among insulation workers using has reported amosite and chrysotile According posure in Cape than in to a Government Transvaal would inspector even a higher exbe of any magnitude as to ac- count for such a difference What should be our program for the immediate future The insulation workers in the U.S. and U.K. have been and are still being investi- gated Studies on long fibres versus short fibres are needed as well as answers to progression of asbestos exposure ../6 37192 Next year it can be expected public sector For instance that the greatest push the questioning of the will be in use of A.C the pipe for water transportation U.S. Public Health has been asked to give an opinion The question must be answered directly - past experien- ce with A.C pipe - and indirectly - more knowledge about mesothelio- ma U.S.P.H. is conducting a cancer survey in ten cities as related to air contaminants but asbestos has been left out Asbestos should be one of the monitored materials Studies on mixed exposures should be undertaken to evaluate human experience New Orleans would be a typical case to study with its stable population its several J.M. plants and National Gypsum A.C. plant A protocol has been submitted to companies so as to obtain their authorization A condensed version of the volume effort assembled last year on the analysis of the current status of the asbestos problem and suggestions for further systematic study and development of solutions has been put together in printed form It is entitled Towards the Safe Use of Asbestos Fibre It is proposed to distribute copies to scientists institutes of higher learning and public authorities The matter was left for further discussion pending the advice of Counsel for companies in this regard Counsel It can be stated that whilst the Asbestos Health Problem as such is now spreading over a territory creater than ever said problem however is gradually becoming under relative control and this visibly so. For instance a noticeable and rather uniform sympathetic attitude is now detectable in the respective jurisdictions of U.S.P.H. across the Nation 37193 ../7 In Europe last Fall Counsel and Dr. Wright the asbestos health problem with outstanding met and discussed there scientists and labora- tory heads this in France and Western Germany Laboratories and institutions which Dr. Wright had not hitherto visited It is the impression that neither in France nor Western Germany can it be said that mesothelioma is the mounting ogre of the proportions given same in South Africa England or U.S.A. Although scientific inves- tigation is of course needed it does not seem however that the cli- mate in France or Germany is bad In South Africa mesothelioma figures seem to be on the wane as a substantial portion of tumors hitherto labelled as mesothelioma are being counted out tumors The point this because of verificatiion n depth of said is that the very diagnostic of mesothelioma is still a matter often enough of mere conjectures as no uniform norms standards have been agreed upon as yet In according to mesothelioma would not Counsel our be as yet much of asbestos a threat mining populations,. if we consider that no mesothelioma has acceared and withstood verification since 1960 on the books of our Clinics either at Thetford Mines or at Asbestos And period anterior verification only four mesotheliomha avee been to 1960 two of which might well raised vanish in the after procer We are now entering the most serious and active phase of the inves- tigation field recommended by our Scientific Committee We are to reach into the depths of our problems A few years ago we were not equipped as we are today to face the struggle Today we have and the personnel and enough accumulated data to go into the battle field and paint what might well be an image vindicating at least chrysotile asbestos as such If the programming proposed is implemented the 37194 ... industry as a whole will come out in strong positions good shape in most of its now We should now be in a position to effectively seek from Quebec and Ottawa Governments subsidies to support the implementation of our programme Also the contribution of the companies was submitted should come out of sales figures irrespective of pro- . fits arising out of said sales At this point the Chairman remarked that sufficient funds were available it is assumed that Cassiar will continue its annual contribution of 10,500 and it has been decided that Advocate Mines would participate in the programme In answer to a question was agreed that a copy of Dr. McDonald's report should go the the Union prior to releasing same for public consumption ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was formally adjourned Paul A Filteau General Manager & Secretary 37195