Document pB4NpgzLBmjz4ZK5vVy3VbgZB

Preliminary Dust Survey for Asbestos Textile Institute June, 19*7 o Engineering. -- Mechanical cathode vore seen in use in ano or rare plants vhich effected practical dust control in ell operations, bringing dust concentrations down to five Gillian or lower with one cr two exceptions. It is proposed to prepare formal detailed descriptions of theso csthods for gener al distribution to members of Asbestos Textile Institute. Medical Supervision of Workers. -- Only five plants have had any radical x-ray eurveys of employees. In the others, therefore, there is a serious lack of information as to the incidence of asbestosis. The lack is more serious, in a sense, because in cost of these plants no compensable cases of asbestosis have occurred to draw attention of top management to the problem. While the medical survey conducted by ocs plant recently shows only about three per cent of the employees with asbestosis, two other plants appear to have about 20 per cent of their employees affected. Medical supervision of workers in this Industry is of utnost im portance for the protection of both employee and employer, not to mention other considerations.' Therefore, it Is strongly recommended that each plant insti tute a program of medical and x-ray examinations of all exposed workers as early ao practical. Physical Testing (Dust Counts, etc.) -- The "maximum permissible dustiness" for asbestos is commonly taken to be five million particles per cubic foot. 2>la represents good attainment in the dust control program. It is em phasized, however, that dust elimination to this extent docs not positively In J sure that no asbestosis vlll develop in some workers after a long working life (greater than 20-25 years). Scientific evidence la obscure on this point. It is recommended, therefore, that studied be initiated aimed to develop another MTS 007893