Document p2aQVYaGn855wy49qq8jNj46w

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: MEETING OK DECEMBER 13, 1971, CONCERNING NI03H/P1TT3BURCU CORNING CORPORATION RELATIONSHIPS References: 1. Letter to J#nes Z. Peavy, M.D., Commissioner of Health, State of Texas, from William M. Johnson, M.D., Acting Deputy Director, Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations, NIOSH, dated November 16, 1971 2. Letter to William M. Johnson, M.D. from the undersigned dated November 29, 1971. The subject meeting vas requested by the undersigned to avoid further misunderstanding between Dr. Johnson and the undersigned as set forth in Reference 2 above. This meeting was attended by Dr. Joseph K. Wagoner, Director of the Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations, HlQStt and several members of his staff and also by Dr. Charles Powell from Dr. Marcus Key's office in Rockville, Maryland. NIOSH expressed their concern for the employees of the Tyler Plant of Pittsburgh Corning whom they felt were being exposed to too much amositc asbestos and were evidencing some adverse effects based on data they had available from their own study of the employees, Including a history, auscultation of the chest and inspection of the hands and data on mechanical ventilation studies of the lungs assumed by the undersigned to have been given them by Dr. George Hurst, Director, East Texas Chest Hospital, who is conducting a medical study at the request of and financially supported by Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, They were also concerned that Mr. McMillan, who was the former Plant Manager had died from lung cancer, Mr. Snavely, the Plant Accountant, apparently has a partially disabling lung disease, and one other employee has a pleural lesion &a yet undiagnosed. They felt that little had been done to control the exposure to asbestos at the Tyler Plant since the Public Health Service Study in 1967, while they felt that the conditions at the Port Allegany Plant were much better. They wanted cheir panel of experts to review the chest x-rays taken of the employees by Dr, Hurst as soon as possible. The undersigned indicated he has also evidenced a long-standing interest in the health of Che Tyler employees. He aaid that following the Public Health Service Industrial Hygiene Survey in 1967, he discussed a medical examination follow-up WV-11075 Pg<8 2 with Dr. Hurst who agreed to perform same, but this was deferred on information Erom the Public Health Service that they anticipated performing such medical examinations on the Tyler and Port Allegany employees. The undersigned said that the Public Health Service never got around to performing these examinations, so in 1971 Dr. Hurst was requested by him to go ahead with the studies. These studies were delayed until August because of personnel shortages in Dr. Hurst's hospital. These factB wore mentioned to put In perspective the urgency of MlOS11 now to have their panel of experts review the Hurst films. The undersigned indicated be docs not want to unnecessarily delay this review but feels that it will serve the best interest of the employees if the x-rays are released following his meeting with Dr. Hurst on January S and 6, 1972, at which time the complete study will be discussed so as to determine <a) If a health problem related to employment exists, (b) If so, the extent of the problem, (c) What further study or clinical care may be indicated, if any. A NXOSH representative was invited to participate in this meeting with Dr. Uurst and the undersigned. The undersigned, again attempting to put the industrial hygiene data obtained at Tyler in 1967 by the Public Health Service into proper perspective, made the following analysis based on a reasonable industrial hygiene interpretation of the data in terms of the TLV for'asbestos of 5 million particles per cubic foot of dust. It was pointed out that the material being manufactured was only 607. amosite asbestos, not 1007: (The complete report as submitted to the *Tyier Plant Management is shown in Attachment i*l). Mixinc Area to 5 samnles taken: 5. 13. 9. 7 for a 8 MPPCF averave. One sample of 51 was considered contanunacca Since it was 6X greater than average of other samples. Formine Area - 8 samples taken: None above TLV for average of 3.1 MPPCF. Cur!he - 1 samnle: .1 MPPCF. Finishine m 6 samples taken: 1.9, 1.6, 2.6, 2.0, 2.4 for 2.1 MPPCF average. Une sample was 10.9 and was consxde^cu contaminated since it was 5X greater than average of other samples. Inspection m 3 samoles taken: 2.5, 2.1 for 2.3 MPPCF avernrr*. One sample, 45, was considered couTamTnatcd since it was 2QX greater than average of other samples. . In no case was the average of the samples that agreed relatively closclvi one with the other, in excess of the then TLV. This TLV was not changed to 12 fibers until 1970, at which time the intended value became TLV. The undersigned pointed out that in a study done by University of California at Berkeley, at the request of and supported by Pittsburgh Corning comparing Unibestos and 4 leading asbestos-containing thermal pipe insulation materials indicated that none of these products would be used in the construction industry without exceeding the 12 fibers/ML TLV and that this study intensified the research effort in Pittsburgh Corning to find an asbestos substitute. Being unsuccessful in finding such a product that was economically competitive with the asbestos-containing products was a factor in the Pitcsbutgh Corning decision to get out of this market. The undersigned had provided copies of this University of California Study back in September, 1971, to Dr. Johnson. The undersigned requested the following be provided to him, if possible? ji+i) Copy of OCAW request to NIOSH to investigate asbestos exposures at Tyler, Texas. qC-(2) Copy of NIOSli Survey of October 26-29, 1971, at Tyler. 0^-W) History and physical findings of NIOSH on Tyler employees. <4) NIOSH recommendations on type of medical follow-up on current and past employees of Tyler Plant. %&W**Jt* #&) NIOSH recommendations on irrmediate corrective action to reduce asbestos exposure at Tyler. (6) Report of medical studies on Port Allegany Plant employees. LBG:Ic Attachments cc? Dr. J. K. Wagoner Dr. Charles Powell Dr. Marcus Key Mr, . V. Holman Mr. C. E. Van Home bcc* U C. P.icMrJ ?* .Martha C. A, lium, Jl.D. Medical Director