Document oY9kjk0ONpvnr02XX81qvorw

DATE: FROM: TO: SUBJECT: 03/20/97 JOHN ELLIOTT L. MITCHENER, M. GO KEY, H. PROPST ASBESTOS AWARENESS On 03/20/97 at 8:00 AM in the West Main Training Room, Hoechst Celanese had Dr. Kevin Soden (HCC Southeast Regional Medical Physician) to put on an asbestos awareness education class for HCC employee(s). The meeting was opened by the plant manager Darrell Nordeen. Dr. Soden opened his presentation by stating who he was and what was the purpose of the asbestos education class which are as follows. Want's to talk to the employee(s) about their concerns. Provide medical information & address health concerns. Educate each HCC employee Educate plant leadership Educate the community and some of the surrounding physicians Dr. Soden talked about the asbestos rock compared to a standard rock such as a standard rock will break down into a dust while a asbestos rock will break down into a fiber. The fiber is then separated into 3 forms: 1. Crocidolite (Blue in color) 2. Amosite (Brown in color) 3. Chrysotile (White in color) "Most Common" Dr. Soden then talked about three (3) issues dealing with asbestosis. 1. Definite Threshold Level of Exposure (Dose): This example was given compared to an aspirin in the safe level and a toxic level. If an employee was to take one aspirin tablet a day for a few days this would be in the safe level as to taken 40 aspirin tablets at one time which will be in the toxic level. 2. For A Certain Time Period (Duration): What is the history of the employee as to the exposure to asbestos. "Working with asbestos for the past 10 years." 3. Takes A While To Develop (Latency): If an employee is exposed to asbestos for 10 years (from 1955 -1965) then it will take 20 to 30 years to develop (1985 -1995). Dr. Soden then talked about what can happened if you were exposed to asbestos fibers. 1. Nothing would happen 2. Plaques in the chest cavity would develop.: BC 0084 Plaques: If exposure to asbestos for 10 years plaques may develop 15 to 20 years after exposure. (Not a risk of cancer if Plaques develops only on one side of the chest cavity and on the diaphragm). Plaques is the thicken of the chest cavity lining. 3. Asbestosis with or without health problems: Asbestosis develops with 10 years exposure to asbestos in the lower part of the lung 20 to 30 years after exposure. Nothing can be done medically for someone with asbestosis. 4. Lung Cancer can develop: 5. Mesothelioma: Tumor of the lining in the chest; Extremely rare (one in one million) 1/1,000,000 and takes 35 to 40 years to develop. Mesothelioma is Not associated with smoking. Interstitial fibrosis of the lung: Can develop 10 to 20 years after exposure of 10 years. How do you diagnose asbestosis? Past history of exposure to asbestos plus a combination of the following: Have a chest x-ray done: Radiation from a x-ray is about one hour of sun. Have a CT or Scan done: Radiation from a scan is about 100X a x-ray. Restrictive changes on Pulmonary function test (Spirometry). Bilateral: Crackles at the base of the lung (Auscultation) Asbestosis other than asbestos fibers can be caused by 50 different diseases, and 23 different dust. SMOKED NEVER 1 PACK PER DAY FOR 20 YEARS 2-3 PACKS PER DAY FOR 20 YEARS LUNG CANCER 55-65 NOT EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS 1/10,000 10/10,000 ? WAS EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS 5/10,000 50/10,000 ? Note: Review occupation exposure Review Past & Present Medical History If Adequate Past Exposure: 1) Spirometry 2) Chest X-ray Provide Counseling & Preventing Measures "Smoking" Supply copies of all test to doctor. 3) Cat Scan *Show flow chart* BC 0085