Document p1eMRyQBJnY2m6mzO7oOx8vk

together,w on rate OWo)otMtf. OMSCH 0 V*rtTV AH) WrGHX M Munx (OMBOi o* oo 2*4 N. Htgh S. Cot 0.43215 December 6, 1985 Legal Section Industrial Commission of Ohio 246 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43215 OD 23638-22 Raymond Uhlmansiek Owens-Corning Fiberglas Cincinnati, OH 45241 Attn: Judy Spencer Ms. Spencer: A visit was made to the Owens-Corning Fiberglass facility located at 2534 Commerce Blvd., Cincinnati, OH 45241 on July 17, 1985 by the undersigned. This visit was made in an effort to obtain information relative to the claimants work history and, if possible, to obtain information regarding the conditions under which the claimant may have worked. During this visit it was indicated that the records necessary were located in the Philadelphia, PA facility and that I should contact a company representative at that facility. When contacted, it was requested that a letter be forwarded specifically requesting the desired information. A letter was sent through the Cincinnati location on September 3, 1985. Af:jr a period of two months, a second letter was sent with a response being received on November 13, 1985. According to the claim file, the claimant was hired in 1963, while company records indicate the date of hire as March 1964. Both the claim file and company records agree that the date of retirement was July 10, 1980. According to the company records, the claimant was hired as an hourly superintendent and retired as a salaried superintendent. During the initial visit it was indicated that the claimant may have worked around asbestos but not directly with it. In the response letter it is indicated that there are insufficient records "to determine whether or not asbestos would have been in the vicinity of Mr. Uhlmansiek." It is also indicated that "respirators have been available for many years." However, there are no records to either verify nor deny if the claimant utilized respiratory protection while on the job or the type of respiratory protection available. Owens-Corning Fiberglas - OD 23638-22 Page 2 Due to the nature of this occupation, and the recent changes in the materials used and work practices, observation of actual work habits were not deemed feasible at this time. According to the claim file, the claimant became a member of the Asbestos Local 13128 in 1946 while employed for Seagrams and has been employed as an asbestos worker for other employers, culminating with the employment with the instant employer. There is no indication in the claim file whether or not the claimant is now or was ever a smoker. Asbestos fibers find entry into the body by inhalation and ingestion. The fibers are retained in tl._ bod/ tissues throughout the lifetime of the host, even long after cessation of exposure. Fibers may migrate to other organs following retention in the lung. Asbestosis and certain malignancies are reiated to exposure to fibers of the asbestos minerals. Asbestosis is a progressive restrictive pulmonary fibrosis associated with inhalation of asbestos fibers. Malignancies related to the inhalation and possibly ingestion of asbestos fibers by epidemiological studies include carcinomas of the lung, mesotheliomas of the pleura and peritoneum, and neoplasms of other sites. Asbestos has a synergistic effect with cigarette smoking in producing carcinoma of the lung. Asbestos workers who are smokers have over 90 times the risk of non-exposed non-smokers of contracting lung cancer. In conclusion, the claimant has been employed in an occupation with a significant potential for exposure to asbestoscontaining materials. There is ample documentation illustrating the correlation between exposure to asbestos and the development of an asbestos relatec disease such as asbestosis. However, it is impossible to distinguish which periods of employment may have contributed most significantly to the disability diagnosed in the claim file as asbestosis. Respectfully submitted JLT/jt James L. Taylor Industrial Hygienist