Document mp7QanMYyxMOyq4e89DZaM93d

HI LI. *Nti KNOWI.TUS', Ini'. Rtce"*6" R, r WJ6 MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental Health Task Force Johns-Manville Corporation August 6, 1969 SUBJECT: Conference on "The Control of Asbestos in the Working Environment,* British Occupational Hygiene Society and the Ashestosis Research Council, London, June 18, 1969. The British Asbestos Regulations of 1969, which will become operative next year, strengthen and extend the provisions of the old Regulations, calling fo'- protective measures afainst respirable asbestos dust throughout industry. . Accordingly, the British Occupational Hygiene Society and the Asbestosis Research Council jointly sponsored a conference on the implementation of the new Regulations. The audience of about 300 included representatives of various businesses concerned with asbestos, and research people from Britain and the Continent. Secretary of the conference was Anthony Masterton-Smith, Hill and Knowlton's London account executive for the Asbestos Information Committee. The typed transcription of the Conference runs to 70 legal-sited pages. In order to make the information contained therein more accessible and readable, the text is divided into eight parts, with separate summary and evaluation forms *nr *ib nr rnn nrmcioai sDeaners. uuu uiw iui ,*ausl At the conclusion of the Conference, a summation of the proceedings was presented by Dr. S. A. Roach, and is marked Number One on the stack of papers. Otherwise the papers are numbered Two through Eight in sequence as presented. 1. "Final Consent and Summary" Occupational Hygiene Society. Dr. S. A. Roach, President, British 2. "Opening Remarks" -- R. H. Dent, Chairman and Managing Director, Cape Asbestos Co., Ltd; Chairman, Asbestosis Research Council. 3. "Asbestos Products and Health Problems" -- Dr. J. C. Gilson, Director, PnetMOconlosis Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Penarth, Wales. A. "Hygiene Standards for Asbestos" -- Dr. S. A. Roach, President, British Occupational Hygiene Society. 5. "Legislation" B. n. Harvey, Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, Department of Employment and Productivity, Ministry of Labour. 6, "Monitoring Techniques and Sampling Procedures" -- Dr. S. Holmes, Turner Brothers Asbestos Co., Ltd.; Secretary, Asbestosis Research Council. nnn I2 7. "Medical Supervision and Control" -- Dr. W. J. Smlther, Medical Adviser, Cape Asbestos Co., Ltd.; Medical-Consultant, Asbestosls Research Council. 8. "Prevention and Personal Protection" -- Panelists: Dr. R. Murray, Medical Adviser, Trades Union Congress; A. A. Cross, Environmental Control Consultant, Capa Asbestos Co., Ltd.; Chairman, Environmental Control Committee, Asbestosls Research Council; W. P. Bamblin, Turner Brothers Asbestos Co., Ltd.; Member, Envlronaental Control Committee, Asbescosls Research Council; P. Swift, Technical Director, Dust Control Equipment, Ltd. CT:bt nnn SUMMARY AND EVALUATION Subject; S tarnation of the proceedings of a British conference on asbestos and occupational health. Of Interest and importance. Evaluation: The first speaker. Dr. Cilson, reviewed current medical concepts. Dr. Rmirher discussed the role of the plant physician, emphasizing the Importance of periodic medical examinations. The other papers were largely technical. The importance of prevention of disease through dust control was stressed by Dr. Gilson, and subsequent speakers '.tr. laie-lj c^r.ccrr.ed with the practical aspects of main taining a safe work environment. (The papers and comments of each of the speakers are evaluated separately.) Author: Roach, S. A. Unpublished: Presented at the Conference on "The Control of Asbestos in the ( SO ..a M ..i . J .1 A.___...1 .. - 1 ... C..1. .. J Research Council, London, June 18, 1969. Title: "Final Comment and Summary." Summary: As given above. #C/So&S(33sr ^ s' 7Qtt$&<ttT3*rsL-------- PIMM, r,v`"~'\,T >P rr'-v.oy S.A. H. ACH It now falls upon me to summarise the main points of today's Conference. Mr. Dent mentioned that rone incidence of arbestosis is still occurring but said a sound and practical series of precautions have been drav/n up so as to enable this most useful material, asbestos, and products from it to continue in widespread use. Dr. Gilson outlined some o*" the medical problems associated with the use of asbestos - the world production of 1 asbestos is ir.trvr.oi " especially crocidclite and c'*rysbtile m- . /tsbestosis is characterised by fibrosis of the lung or pleura - i and cancers of the lung may be bronchial or pleural. Dr. Gilson emphasised that fibrosis of the lung and pleura .is almost certainly 4 preventable by practicable dust control and progression of the disease may be halted by removing men ith very early-signs. Bronchial carcinoma is related to the severity of asbestos exposure and while other factors, such as cigarette smoking, are also involved, the specific asbestos effect is probably also preventeole by practical dust control. Dr. Gilson emphasised that the p.uural and peritoneal tumours, mesotheliomas, are uncommon, even in asbestos workers, but those tr.at do occur are closely associated with exposure to asbestos after a len,- latent period. In mines and mills processing ant.-tor-bclite, ana: i te end ehry. rti le 'he risk of mcsothelir-u nrpears to oc much less than those processing croci'olite, 01 thc-u.'-h in clear. *ric: m u:oractu >* r<; ln !u.: t ri- s tr. i r .1 i sti r.ot i on 1 : .o: s or . rir:-.n]y rruec i o t-'u '-ith places where a im { is :.d not *.vi 1.h the very lew levels of exposure : c-. rn i pe- . Intlcr. 'fit. Ac,S'. 4 a To >in -nr:-tund -:.cm about th'-re problems a close collr*bor:i l i on i requ.reo npfwer. rnort i c;< 1 oxnerts, hygienists, research wc.-koi'p <<nd industrialists. Tn A :ccussior, it was pointed out that fibres.s and concern are not yet amenable to effective treat-rent althouc.h .radios of this are preeneding. Fibrosis is preventable by dust control alone and bronchial carcinoma? are, in additic:., preventable by stopping cigaretfe smoking. Asbestos corps are treatable by removing the asbestos when the condition clears up. 'Pleural plaques do not appear tc be closely associated with serious Usability cut mere studies are needed to establish prognosis. Dr. Roacn discussed hygiene standards of the BOHS, the ACGIH and other relevant to the new Asbestos Regulations. In discussion, it was brought cut that the number count ^' ^ ** nr ' , ./> Mieti r0 O n 1 T 1 %Y fl HO MlintHIMWn that each fibre larger than 5 p is considered equally dangerous and all others harmless. There are certainly easier ways of measuring dustiness rnd these and others ray he used. Provision is made for this ir the ?.CH standard. It was emphasised that there is much information already contained in industry records on the costs of dust control, and tr.ese could be very useful if they can be obtain'd and analysed. Mr. i'ervey dircusred the development of legislation reluting to a.-metes curt oxtrsure:-. ir. Factories Acts end the Ro^ulat* fur. 7: -?r wnc a cm 1 ini tit ry draft tc the now asbestos i r> **, v; ur " c r. m icr"*:iv i-.r-r-'v-'-* ai- r result of d ic<--: ."itr ; u-: us * ry a:..: cth`-m mrco riy; with the.health a : c > c t: ; f art--: tor . f? 332- 7 Mr. Harvey then went on tc snow the advantcgp .-f codes of practice aaga-. r.:t tnp legal phrnscclrt;y necessary in Regulations, The languc j.- cf t r.e .gula t ;cr:s ~u. t be couched. In. precise, all embracin. ter--u ^ : f f 1 cult tc grasp (so as to protect the individual in the ct :rts of law. The changes -race by the New Regulations were outlined! which included special requironents of notification of the use of crocideli te. The phrsue "as safe as if no asbestos were liberated" was also four! in regul'i. out- i elating + o *h* guarding of nachir.es. The regula tier.? relating to n buildings v.~.s motivated by the need to give i-petur- to purposive pi arm! nr tc have built-in protection cf health of workers to a very high standard. I It v/ill be attempted to enforce the Regulations by using quantitative air quality standards and Net .lust in the major asbestos companies, but in all the smaller areas oi use .mica wer*. not covered well-enough by the old regulations. Measurements. ."111 often cnly be necessary in the marginal areas between cbvic-uslv rood ar.d obvirusly inadequa*e places, it is important that the advice offered by inspectors should be similar to the advice offered by others ana it is hoped that compliance with cedes v/ill be the norm. In this country, we are proud that our cor.di tiens in i nduntry a re ::s rood as they enn be . In discussion, it was said that vpj, t. in r. ors av be < ver-nrenevi nod ar.d costs mr,y serf't i mes be Knfit u i * r .,r,t n-l py man/' i rv the s: ys teri. Ht/ i; f-r :rrr ' If] i ' i;, -pl.* t.on to c'-ryuctile vr r -r -ibs ut 1 ..so ( . Cor.tal r f r.:l'r tc true > f r:t tc hole a rc-d ILLEGIBLE DOCUMENT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS) IS ILLEGIBLE OR OF POOR LEGIBILITY IN THE ORIGINAL. THIS IS THE BEST COPY AVAILABLE. -4 - It wap report^J ir.at Vr.c ARC ip determined to comply with the ticv; Re^uln 11 or.?. Pr. Holmes indicated the importance of the fibre diameter for determining the aerodynamic behaviour of particles and the importance of length of the fibre for determine which particles will sxay in the lungs. Dr. Holmes then went rn to describe $he techniques for determining fibre counts over short or long periods either by fl.ced position sampling or personal samplers or electronic automatic particle counting which record the results from tine to time. ' jj Grfvinetric sampling is not by itself totally satisfactory *` **** <a auu uuve w w w~ w w*-* -- - - ----i .. j ^ analysis by X-ray diffraction or electron microscopy - also horizontal eleotristors are not quite satisfactory f r fibrous dusts. Discussions are taking place between ARC and Inspectorate on the methods of dust sampling to. be used in interpreting the new regulations. Dr. Holme8 indicated during discussion that there are cent i r.ul n. veicrmontP in nfirr.nl i "'ti o*i i* heln* mode and ituprt vi'Vii'n; : ire ori '.he "ay for "mre unt i ^factory jrav'inotric methods. Hr.nU.i'r jn.int -hnt -.vn:; ">a'lp in -i i reus.ri on vrir that. chry:c*.:le : i taken V high tern era lure alter:- to p. form which wculn be er;'_-.ted to be ler.~ hazardous. /)<L /TOO Or /'SO PDr. Smither described mar.ufncturing processes in the Asbestos industry and how systematic medical histories in depth re obtained. Dr. b'nithcr went or. to describe the form of medical examinations an ropriate for initial nnd periodic examinations. The importance of the chert radiograph was brought ut, the physical sirn-bajal crepitant raler, the physiological index of disturbed diffusing capacity and ventilatory function. /O Statistics show that those 'workers subject to periodic medical examinations appear to benefit considerably from this. Martirnl records ccr.'ributc substantially to the increase in our knowledge of tro disease, and in combination with engineers suggest where, by me char.: sat i on, the number of wc rkers exposed becomes less end px-ouuct:vitv increases. In discussion it -was said that priority should be given to prevention, .tastes snouxo oe pruviuea mierc thie `uecuui . iriprectical. It was suggested that people with J might not be suitable for work in some asbestos conditions and these would preferably be pieced in thp Tear''- dusty jobs. ^ do need medical supervision to supplement dust control. In the Panel Session on -Prevention and Personal Protection, Dr. Murray pointed cut that we mCice the calculations but the workers take the risks. The wcrkers need taking into ones confidence and thereby '.heir cooperation is assured. Despite the work of the existing hygioi.inr, including the factory inspectors , there are not enough trained men in this field, more are required* Mr. Or'os; rt i scuoi-ert th* '"eric of the Anhortos i A Heronrch Council r f' d'vel c urn-'r.1 if r>ilor. of practice, end the rern of It or v. y f ' - 1 r'r* *< 1 c - m- i 11 r -,i p*>ront cl nor.or of n.'e. Docu-/n*L if - no i r.( pror a -r.t to h-l:i or.nl - yoru to form w.ti tt'.e new asbor; t *. .l;.t. cnr. /SoC Sr 33p Mr. Dumolin awrurri us that the* production nan and the engineers ai^ opecialis-c need to cooper re to handle the health problems mo. t effectively. Mr. S.vift described some of the devices his company have developed for controlling the duct succes:fully - but this does require ti.,ht !network throughout :ne system with good, well-designed filters. In discussion consideration of the possibility of substituting r.iterr.ative materials -.vas advocated. This was practiced rigourously in shipyards. Insulation boards can be worked 3attsr-i''4 ori 1 v with good control; wetting is another technique to be included. T e part to be played by keeping good medical records was brought out again. The health problems considered at this conference clearly have to be answered by cooperative effort between a number of different disciplines. The scientists, the medical practitioners, the engineers, production nen and factory inspectors. We've shown at this conferer.ee how this can be done. T would like to thank all the sp a kern and contributors to this conference for their efforts to make- it such a successful one. Pinally, let me thank all those concerned with the organisation of the conference especially T!r. Anthony Mnstertcn-f'mith who, wit*" his colleagues, has w rkei hard to masce it work so efficiently. "'ith that T declare the conference closed. Thank you very much. (The Coni ClUtrd at 5.Ct SUMMARY AND EVALUATION RECEIVEO A. C. SMITH AUG 151969 Subject: Opening remarks of the Chairman of a British conference on asbestos and occupational health. Of interest and importance. Evaluation: The Chairman, a representative of the British asbestos industry, expressed the industry's concern with the health problems, approved of the new government Asbestos Regulations, and expressed the optimistic view that the regulations and industry cooperation will "ensure above all that the risks, already slight, of using 'sbestos are, if possible, totally eliminated." He also affirmed continued industry support of research through the Asbestosls Kesearch Council. Author: Dent, R. H. Unpublished: Presented at the Conference on "The Control of Asbestos In the WwikiuK uiyiiuiuieiiL," Biitieii Occupational Kyxieue Society and the Aabeutosia Research Council, London, June 18, 1969. Uhtltled: Sunnary: As given above.