Document n9xyVkwwQNnweN637rnq9Dqg6

O CO December 7, 1976 Mr. Lewis Duell 210 Smith Ave. Port Allegany, Pa. 16743 Dear Sir and Brother: Local Union 1019 On November 15th Secretary Treasurer Uncapher and myself traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan where we met with Dr. Irving J. Selikoff and Dr. Edwin C. Holstein of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The purpose of our visit was to review a program of testing Instituted In Port Allegany by the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation and was to talk to Dr. Selikoff regarding a long-range program of monitoring. Dr. Selikoff advised us that a monitoring program for the men in Port Allegany could be instituted at Mount Sinai', v/here nost expert facilities and technicians are available. There would be no charge for this arrangement. It would be necessary, however, to make arrangements in Port Allegany for x-rays and other tests to bo taken which would be evaluated later by Dr. Selikoff and his associates. Attached is a'copy of a letter that we have written today to Mr. McPherson of the company requesting a meeting with management for the purpose of obtaining their views on instituting the program tluit has been suggested. Sincerely and fraternally Ceorge M. Parker International President GMP/lli cc: Charles Croop, L.U. 1019 Enclosure B*b"0000753_2 01 1570 Decenter 7, 1976 Mr. R. C. McPherson, Director Personnel and Industrial Relations . Pittsburgh Coming Corporation 800 Presque Isle Drive Pittsburgh, Pa. 15238 ':T OID Dear Mr. McPherson: w'- ltm rriuiil PPG FILES On February 16, 1976 and again on June 9th you advised us concerning the details of the program instituted by the Pittsburgh Coming Corporation designed to examine employees of the company who were exposed to the Unibestos manufacturer previously in operation there in Port Allegany. We recently reviewed the program with Dr. Irving J, Selikoff of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York. Dr. Selikoff as you know is a respected authority on this particular subject, lie is of the opinion that a more thorough test arrangement should be instituted in Port Allegany. We are confident that management also is Interested in taking all steps possible to safeguard the health of those exposed. The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the program recommended by Dr. Selikoff. It would include the following: I. MOM-SMOKERS. PIPS AND CIGAR SMOKERS A. Employes with less than 20 years from onset of asbestos exposure; yearly chest examination including x-ray and spirometry. 8. Employes with more than 20 years from onset of asbestos exposure (this phase would not begin until 19S4, unless a worker had had exposure to asbestos elsewhere prior to the Unibestos operation): same, plus sputum cytology and test of stool for occult blood. II. HISTORY OF CIGARETTE SM0KIK0 BB 0000754_^ A. Employes with less than 15 ycara from onset of asbestos exposure; yearly chest examination, spirometry and aputun test. 01 1571 Hr. R. C. McPherson December 7, 1976 Page 2 DID NOT COME FROM PPG FILES B. Employes with 15-20 years from onset of asbestos exposure (this phase would begin In 1979 except for those few with asbestos exposure prior to the Unibestos operation): annual chest examination with x-ray and spirometry, but ' with sputum test every 6 months. C* Employes with more than 20 years from onset of asbestos exposure: some but with stool test annually and sputum test every 4 months. The frequency of sputum cytopathology should be increased to every 4 months for any Individual In any group found to have, marked atypia. Any Individual found to have pleural thickening for the first time on serial x-rays should have repeat films made every 3 months until it is determined that rapid progression is not occurring; then as per schedule above. The above program should be made available to all present employes retirees, and separated employes who had one month or more of ex posure. The results of the several Industrial hygiene surveys that were performed during the years of the Unibestos operation should be made available to help determine which job catagorles would have been excessively exposed. Any x-rays, spirometry, or other te3ts already performed should be made available for evaluation. Results should be made available to the worker without delay, and, if he desires, to his physician. We believe that the above program would substantially meet the needs of the Port Allegany men. In a few cases, modification might have to be made because of special circumstances. In addition. Individual arrangements would have to be made for those men who no longer live in the Port Allegany area. | BB 0000755 | According to information ye had received Dr. Sclikoff would arrant with Mount Sinai for reading the x-rays aud checking other eoscntlc medical data forwarded to them from Port Allegany. The entire pro gram and the health situation of each man exposed would be monltorc there where facilities arc excellent and without charge. It 13 hoped that through the cooperation of the Pittsburgh Coming Corpo: ation management would be agreeable to absorbing the coot of the x-rays, sputum cytology and related matters. 01 1572 Mr. R. C. McPherson December 7, 1976 Page 3 v The purpose of this letter Is to request a meeting In Port Allegany with you and your associates having authority to make decisions In this vital area. Please advise when such a meeting can be held. Sincerely George M. Parker International President GMP/lh cc: Dr. Edwin C. Holstein Dr. Irving J. Scllkoff Ivan T. Uncapher. Sec. Trees. Lewis Duell,_ L.U. 1019 Charles Croop, L.U. 1019 be:(Richard Colasurd) Pbb 02221---- 01 1573