Document rBZ0VNypEL49Ve7poNbLRXQrJ

H30 August 29, 1979 MR. R. L. BRUNNER Ron: Attached is the NCI comment regarding fibrous glass press reports. This is the major issue and I will discuss it with you when I get back on Friday. Attachment v : - T'-cr)rl5 | C-O j :-:<M | DP A CCC SArEiy :Or ,. ions l.'/'i. i WMC pj:v[ njD FILE R. E. JOYNER, M. D. laM 002164 DPMC-17853 \Jationa .Cancer Vi It'- ill- 'tf'lH (fff> communication July 9, 1979 Reports have appeared in the public press suggesting that dust from fibrous glass may be responsible for causing a form of King disease in workers similar to that produced by asbestos. These reports are attributed to information about a case of pneumo coniosis presented at a meeting held under the auspices of the National Cancer Institute on November 15, 1978. They have occasioned widespread concern among those who make and use fibrous glass. The purpose of this communication is to provide additional information which now shows that the case in question was almost certainly due to asbestos and not to exposure to fibrous glass. Sincerely, Arthur C. Upton, M.D., Director National Cancer Institute National Cancer Program Chairman Asbestos Education Task Force LAM 002165 DPMC-17854 PNEUMOCONIOSIS AND FIBROUS CLASS Introduction A paper entitled "A Case Study on Fiberglass Pneumoconiosis and Some Comments on the Principle of Pneumoconiosis Prevention" by Tatsuo Sano, Keizo Chiyotnni and Hisao Shida, was presented by Dr. Sano (Vice Director, Institute for Science of Labour, Environmental and Occupational Disease, Kawasaki, Japan) at a meeting of the Asbestos Education Task Force of the National Cancer Institute on November 15, 1978 in Bethesda, Maryland. This report included preliminary findings in a case of pneumoconiosis that appeared to be associated with occupational exposure to fibrous glass dust. Although the authors noted that the results were not conclusive, news of the report published in the lay press occasioned widespread interest and concern because of the implication that exposure to fibrous glass was capable of producing lung disease similar to that resulting from exposure to asbestos. Since that time Japanese investigators have completed previously planned studies on the case in question and have also examined other workers in the same factory. The findings and conclusions of these investigations are summarized below; they leave little doubt^that prior exposure to asbestos dust was responsible for the effects observed. Initial Findings As reported by Dr. Sano on November 15, 1978, a woman, aged 54, who had worked from 1970 to 1973 in a factory making prefabricated houses, where she was cutting glass wool insulation, was found in 1975 to be suffering from irritation of the larynx and a dry cough, and to have developed calcified plaques on the diaphragm and parietal pleura. Examination of the lungs by selective alveolobronchography showed changes in the small airways to those produced by inhalation of long-fibered asbestos dust. Ferruginous bodies were found in tissue obtained by transbronchial biopsy. Tentative Conclusions Discussing these results, Dr. Sano considered it possible that the type of pneumoconiosis seen in this case could have been caused by fibrous glass, but observed that such a conclusion could not be reached without additional evidence from electron microscopy. In particular, it was important to determine whether the ferruginous bodies were caused by fiberglass or asbestos. He did not believe that asbestos was involved because it was understood that the patient had neither lived nor worked where there was the likelihood of inhaling asbestos dust. Dr. Sano also noted that the lack of a thorough epidemiological study was an important deficiency. LAM 002166 DPMC-178 2- - Analysis of Biopsy Specimen The planned examination by electron microscopy of the tissue obtained by transbronchial biopsy has now been completed. The results show that many small chrysotile asbestos fibers were present, but no glass fibers, nor any fibers of other materials. The chrysotile ' fibers were found in higher concentration than is normal for such tissue; they were between 0.05 and 0.07 urn diameter, and 0.3-0.5 um long, some 1-2 um long. The fine structure of some of the chrysotile fibers was seen, by selected area electron diffraction, to be amorphous, which implies that some magnesium or silicon ions had been leached out of the fibers as a result of long residence in the tissue. Some non-fibrous mineral dust particles were identified as well as some particles of glass dust. Chemical composition of the various particles detected was determined from x-ray energy spectra taken in the microscope. Occupational History At the time of the initial report, it was believed that the patient in this case had neither worked nor lived where exposure to asbestos dust was likely. A more thorough occupational history obtained subsequently indicates that she had held many different jobs, several of them in dusty conditions, and that there had been at least one opportunity for occupational exposure to asbestos as early as 35 years before symptoms of pneumoconiosis developed. Other Workers During discussion of the original report to the Asbestos Education Task Force, it was understood that six other cases of pulmonary disease had been found among workers at the same factory. The existence of these cases cannot be confirmed and is attributed to a linguistic error. It is reported chat all 20 workers in the factory have recently been examined at the Rosal Hospital for Silicosis. Only three of them had been exposed to fibrous glass. No disease was found that could be attributed to this exposure. Comments The information summarized above leads to the conclusion that the case of pneumoconiosis reported by Dr. Sano on November 15, 1978, was a result of exposure to asbestos dust, probably many years previously. This conclusion is entirely consistent with the large body of accumulated information on the natural history of asbestosis. A Note on Sources and Acknowledgements The report given by Dr. Sano to the Asbestos Education Task Force on November 15, 1978, had previously been presented at the 5th Conference on Pneumoconiosis, LAM 002167 DPMC-17856 3 October 29 - November 3, 1978, Caracas, Venezuela. After hearing the report in November 1978, the Division of Cancer Control and Rehabilitation of the National Cancer Institute wrote to Dr. Sano requesting information on any new findings in connection with the workers who had been exposed to a fibrous glass. At the end of February 1979, a personal communication from Dr. I.J. Solikoff, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, indicated that electron microscopical analysis of the biopsy material by N. Kohyama, H. Kyono, and K. Kawai, National Institute of Industrial Health, Kawasaki, Japan, showed the presence of chrysotile fibers but no glass fibers. Confirmation, and a copy of Dr. Kohyama's report were received in March with a report by Dr. Jon L. Konzen, Owens Corning Fiberglas, who, with Dr. Paul Kotin, Johns Manville Corporation, met with Japanese occupa tional health authorities in February 1979. Further details of the occupational history and the health of other workers were included in the latter report. So far as is now known, none of the reports mentioned above have been published in the scientific literature. 1 HE NATIONAI CANCER PROGRAM is a I io.ru eMort by IHe Federal Government nonprofit organisations private and public institutions to coordinate the discovery and implementation of knowledge that will advance the attack on cancer Thecommrlmem of the National Cancer Program to the Amerced people is that the most promising 'esearch leads will be pursued with diligence and that every research advance that can benefit oeiients will be aoplied without delay Armor C Upton M O Director National Cancar institute National Cancar Program j Carotann w Hooton Coordinator Cancer Communications I30D4M-SM3 NCP/Speclal Communication National Cancar Institute U S Department of Health. Education i Waifara Batheeds. Maryland 20014 OFFICIAL BUBINIM FIRST-CLASS MAIL POSTAGE & FEES PAID NIH BETHESOA. MD PERMIT No. G29 ROY E JO YMFR. p O POX ? A 6 3 HOUSTON. TX M .D . 7700 1 LAM 002168 DPMC-17857 CURRENT REPORT .Safe LL ti <rF> hf-o, Uss 241 "Occupational Health and Stress," "Quantitation and Statistics in Occupational Health," and "Occupational "Health and Safety Education." In addition to the general scientific sessions, five postgraduate seminars open to physicians and industrial hygienists will be held Tuesday, September 25. The conference is open to nonmembers as well as members of the two organizations. For further information, contact American Academy of Occupational Medicine, 150 North Wacker Dr., Chicago, 111. 60606; telephone- f'lio' 782-2166. PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT Variances -------------------- ---------------- SH-2618 AGENCY REPORTS 14 VARIANCE REQUESTS IN PROCESS. 83 GRANTED AS OF JUNE 30 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration had 14 applications for variances from its standards in process on June 30,1979, according to a report on the status of variance applications for the third quarter of fiscal 1979. By June 30, 1979, 1,261 variance requests had been received by OSHA, and 83 variances were granted. Of the 14 applications being processed as of June 30, five were undergoing technical review, five had been published in the Federal Register and were awaiting further ad ministrative action, and four were returned to the applicants for further information. No variances were granted during the third quarter. Laclede Steel Company, Alton, 111., was issued an interim order on its application for variance from 1910.1025 (lead) (Current Report, July 19, p. 169). Three applications received during the quarter are un dergoing technical review. In addition to the application of Laclede Steel, the applications of the following two firms are being reviewed: General Electric Company, St. Louis, Mo., for variance from 1910.108 (c) (2) (1) (dip tanks containing flammable and combustible liquids -- overflow pipes). Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., for variance from 1910.107 (e) (2) (flammable and combustible liquids -- storage quantity). Two firms were denied variances from OSHA standards. Patterson Construction Company, Monongahela, Pa., was denied a variance from 1926.500 (d) (1) (guarding of open sided floors), and Bunker Hill Company, Washington, D.C., was denied a variance from 1910.1018(m) (inorganic arsenic -- hygiene facilities and practices). No applications were withdrawn during the third quarter. General Policy SBA APPROVES OVER $750,000 IN LOANS DURING THIRD QUARTER OF FY 1979 The Small Business Administration approved $764,000 during the third quarter of fiscal 1979 in loans to small businesses seeking to comply with provisions of the Oc cupational Safety and Health Act. Under Section 28 of the Act, SBA is granted authority to make loans to small businesses that otherwise would suffer substantial economic injury without assistance in paying the cost of compliance with OSHA standards. Loans approved for the third quarter, April through June, 1979, were as follows: Acme Feed Mills, Burlington, N.C......... $500,000 Davis Cabinet Shop, Inc., Matoaca, Va. $222,000 Fish Lake Resort, Medford, Ore. . $42,000 Discrimination WORKERS FIRED FOR SAFETY COMPLAINTS WIN NEARLY $35,000 IN BACK-PAY AWARDS Two construction workers who were fired in 1975 after they complained about safety on the job site were awarded back pay totaling nearly $35,000, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced August 2. Robert Elliot of Herndon, Va., and Patrick Coady of Bran dywine, Md., were fired by P & Z, a construction company working on the Washington, D.C., Metro subway system. The company claimed the men were fired as the result of their involvement in an accident. The court, however, found in favor of the workers, who contended the real reason for their dismissal was their fre quent complaints about safety hazards. U.S. Magistrate Henry H. Kennedy, Jr., ruled for Elliot and Coady in March 1978, but appeals by the construction company delayed the awarding of the back-pay checks until last month. Basil Whiting, deputy assistant labor secretary for oc cupational safety and health, awarded Coady his back-pay check in a brief ceremony July 27. Elliot received his back pay award July 24. "We're pleased with the decision -- not only with the size of the award -- but that the court has recognized that when workers file safety complaints and are fired as a result, their rights are being trampled upon," Whiting stated. United Kingdom j NEW CONTROLS ON MAN-MADE FIBERS RECOMMENDED BY HEALTH COMMISSION 1/ LONDON -- (By a BNA special correspondent) -- New control limits on airborne concentrations of man-made mineral fibers were recommended July 11 by the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Commission in an effort to reduce the health threat posed by these substances. However, the commission maintained that because research so far has failed to demonstrate a cancer risk to man from such fibers, it cannot suggest a threshold limit value based on the risks associated with using these materials. Man-made mineral fibers, such as glass fiber, and rock and slag wool, are used as substitutes for natural fibers such as asbestos, which is a known carcinogen. The commission nonetheless warned that "the implications of animal studies should not be ignored and it would be pru dent to regard very fine fibers with suspicion." The central problem is that, although there is no evidence of carcinogenic effect in workers, animal experiments have shown that fibers of a certain shape and size may induce tumors, the report indicated. The proposed new limits, along with many recommen dations, are contained in a report made to the commission's advisory committee on toxic substances by a working party set up to review present policy on the health risks of man made mineral fibers. The report recommended introduction of a fiber-count con trol limit of five fibers per milliliter of air, to minimize in halation of respirable fibers less than three micrometers in diameter. However, labor union members of the working party disagreed with this recommendation, explaining they want the limit reduced to three fibers per milliliter. The report also proposed that the mass concentration of fibers should not exceed five milligrams per cubic meter of air. The threshold limit value for "nuisance dusts," which currently applies to man-made fibers, is 10 milligrams of total dust per cubic meter. 8-9-79 Copyright 1979 by The Bureau of National Affairs. Inc. 0095-3237/79/S00 SO LAM 002169 DPMC-17858 242 OCCUPA NAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER In most manufacturing situations where engineering con trol is possible, the new control limits already are being achieved, according to the report. Where they are not, the new standards "should be achieved with the minimum of delay." However, in some situations, such as construction sites, "special difficulties arise and the time needed may be longer, but should not exceed three years," the report stated. Report Findings Other conclusions of the report included findings that: No evidence has been produced to indicate that man made mineral fibers cause fibrosis of the lung. Skin and eye irritation are unpleasant but do not appear to cause long-term disease. Irritation of the upper respiratory tract may be caused by nonrespirable fibers, but does not appear to be irreversi ble and constitutes no long-term risk to health. Most studies suggest that bronchitis is not an oc cupational hazard of exposure to man-made mineral fibers but if any cases of bronchitis are attributable to it they are few in number. The working party emphasized that while current medical and scientific information has been taken into account, "at this stage it is not possible to set standards which are deter mined on this basis. The recommendations therefore are based on the application of normal occupational hygiene principles, which are to prevent exposure where it is reasonably practicable to do so and to keep as low as is reasonably practicable any unavoidable exposure." The recommendations are "interim", and should be reviewed "as soon as significant new information becomes available." The discussion document, "Man-made Mineral Fibers," is available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Comments on the report should be sent no later than October 19,1979, to R.G.H. Eltze, Health and Safely Executive, Hazardous Substances Branch D2, 25 Chapel Street, London NW1 5DT. California APPEALS JUDGE EXCLUDES EVIDENCE OBTAINED BY DOSH THROUGH ILLEGAL MEANS SAN FRANCISCO -- (By an OSHR staff correspondent) -- Evidence of an alleged violation may be excluded from an appeals hearing if it was obtained through means that violate the law, according to a ruling by an administrative law judge of the California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board. In vacating a citation against Don Dittemore Company, Inc., Buena Park (Docket Nos. 836-78-839-78), Judge Ronald F. Peters found that a Division of Occupational Safe ty and Health (DOSH) inspector acted improperly in conduct ing an inspection for alleged scaffold violations. . The DOSH inspector testified that while driving past a con struction site he noticed what appeared to him to be violations of scaffold safety standards. To observe the situa tion more closely he went on the site but did not contact an employer representative and afford him an opportunity to accompany the inspection. Only after observing the alleged violations did the inspector request permission from the job : superintendent to inspect the site. The actions of this inspector violate not only the division's own policies and procedures but the provisions of Labor Code Section 6314(d) as well, Peters concluded. Both require that an opportunity be given to the top management official at the site to accompany the inspector. "It was obvious from the testimony that the engineer chose to surreptitiously return to the site in order to es tablish the requisite employee exposure ,in order to write a citation," he noted. The DOSH engineer's conduct also demonstrated bias against Ditteinore, he added. Although the procedures for appeals under the California Occupational Safety and Health Act are civil in nature, not criminal, it is appropriate to borrow from criminal procedure the exclusionary rule, Peters explained. Evidence gathered by the division in the course of this improper in vestigation should be excluded from a hearing, he said, citing the U.S. and California Constitutions. Thus, Peters vacated five citations and a total of $1,750 in civil penalties proposed by DOSH. Cordova Chemical A citation is valid even if its description of the alleged violation omits a reference to the terms of the cited stan dard, unless the employer is prejudiced "by the manner in which the violation is pleaded," Administrative Law Judge Adolf Loeb said in the case of Cordova Chemical Com pany, Sacramento (Nos. 457-79 and 458-79). He upheld a serious violation of a standard requiring prompt cleanup of asbestos spills even though the asbestos exposure did not result in a spill in the normal sense of that term. The case arose when a DOSH inspector touring Cordova's plant noticed that insulation containing asbestos had fallen off some pipes and was not cleaned up. He cited the firm for alleged serious violation of 8 CAC 5208(c) which requires asbestos spills to be cleaned up promptly and debris, waste, and scrap to be disposed of in sealed impermeable bags or containers. The written DOSH citation described the viola tion as a "spill," but Cordova contended the citation was in valid because the fallen insulation did not constitute a spill. Loeb rejected Cordova's argument, saying that the stan dard should be construed liberally to protect workers so long as the employer's rights are not prejudiced in the process. "The terms of the safety order take precedence over the division's description of the alleged violation," he said. "Any proof that would bring the violation within the ambit of the cited safety order is relevant, even though the subject matter of the proof is not referenced in the division's description of the alleged violation, excepting however, if the employer shows that it is prejudiced by the manner in which the violation is pleaded, such a showing not having been made here," Loeb concluded. Loeb affirmed the designation of the violation as serious and upheld the division's proposed $1,000 fine. Publications LAM 002170 BOOK EXAMINES U.S. SAFETY, HEALTH POLICY. PROPOSES IMPROVEMENTS Regulating Safety: An Economic and Political Analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Policy ex amines the origins of U.S. occupational safety and health policy, assesses its effectiveness, and presents proposals for improvements. Written by John Mendeloff of the University of California at Berkeley, the book examines the forces that influence legislators, lobbyists, and bureaucrats in making regulatory policy. The book also includes an evaluation of the Oc cupational Safety and Health Administration's impact on work injury rates. Mendeloff concludes the book by presenting several new proposals for enforcement and cost/benefit analysis, in cluding the proposal that programs for enforcing standards be designed to simulate the operations of a tax. The book is available from MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., for $15. 8-9-79 Occupational Sofety & Health Reporter 0095-3237/79/S00.50 DPMC-17859 DISTRIBUTION LIST AMArORTF's RFFTNFRY MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT DEER PARK MANUFACTURING COMPLEX SUPERINTENDENT, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER, HEALTH AND SAFETY GEISMAR PLANT MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT MARIETTA PLANT MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT MARTINEZ MANUFACTURING COMPLEX MANAGER, HEALTH AND SAFETY NORCO MANUFACTURING COMPLEX MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND MEDICAL ODESSA REFINERY MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TAFT PLANT SAFETY AND TRAINING REPRESENTATIVE WILMINGTON MANUFACTURING COMPLEX MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL WOODBURY PLANT MANAGER, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT WOOD RIVER MANUFACTURING COMPLEX MANAGER, SAFETY AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE BT8708503 lam 002157 DPMC-17846 By PHILIP SHABECOFF activity In the Industry. Manufacturers years earlier. Scientists who have re Special toThe New York Time* of the synthetic fibers have undertaken viewed the studies agree that these WASHINGTON, March 14 - Emerg ing evidence that fiberglass and other manufactured mineral fibers may cause lung cancer and other diseases Is creating a sensitive, potentially farreaching public health issue. The evidence, although far from con clusive, Is sending tremors through the fiber industry and Federal regulatory costly new studies oh the health effects workers show a higher rate of lung can of their products and are consulting cer than normal. with Federal regulators. Industry officials Insist that the evi If the fibers prove to be a serious dence about fiberglass and other syn health threat, It could result in loss of thetic mineral fibers Is Inconclusive sales, expensive damage claims and and that it Is Just as likely that the extensive measures to reduce expo worker deaths found in the studies sure among workers, and possibly the were caused by other factors, such as general public. smoking, exposure to cancer-causing chemicals and family history. They agencies. Industry officials, however, The studies (hat are generating the also said that even If the synthetic insist the evidence to date shows no most concern were based on an exami fibers did cause cancer, the exposure health problem. nation of mortality records of workers levels were so low that there would be These synthetic fibers, already in in North America and Europe who no serious public health threat. wide use as building materials and In produced synthetic mineral fibers and But within the past few months, the sulation, In cars, furniture and packag were first exposed to relatively low ing and for many other applications In levels of airborne fibers at least 30 Continued on Page 18, Colummn 3 a $3 billion-a-year Industry, are In-, creaslngly being employed as substi tutes for asbestos, a known cause of cancer and other serious Illness. Activity In Industry Now, recent studies of the health his tories of workers who make fiberglass, rock wool and ceramic fibers, as well as tests on laboratory animals, suggest that the substitutes themselves may pose a health threat, albeit one of still unknown and heavily debated dimen sions. The results of the studios, although inconclusive, have caused a flurry of v lam 002158 DPMC-17847 Evidence Is Growing on Fiberglass Link to Ckncei ! Continued From Page I' ' (ok is stringently regulated by the Fed Lohdon' University In Britain,-said: Alamos National Laboratory, of td ' it >.1 oral Government, and the Environ "There are reasons why wo should.be a snlmflirrorcedto breathe* air contah manufacturers of flltcrglnss and re lated products. Including Owcns/ComInp. Flberglns, the Crrtalntced Corpo mental Protection Agency has pro posed gradually eliminating virtually all uses of the mlnernl. little cautious scientifically about this. lag hlghihsyeU of synthetic fibers. Ui The case Is not proven. But that is the .like the animals that had the fibers in scientific Issue. The public health Issue 'planted In their lqngs, the animals thi 1 .' ration and the Mnnvillc Corporation, Cancer and Fiber's Shape Is. different. I personally ihlnk that It breathed the fiber-laden air did not dt ' have revised technical data sheets re quired by the Occupational Safely and Health law to state Hint recent epldemlologlcnl studies have found that their products might cause lung can cer. Protection From Lawsuits Spokesmen for these companies said ^KRcesseenarrccnh puob.lishnedo Iin 1iv97/7i bnyywDr.. Mcarl Stanton of the National Cancer Institute Indicated that It was the size and shape of the fiber, rather than Its physical properties, thnt determined If It was n cause of cancer and other 'problems. Long, very narrow fibers that could penetrate deeply Into lung w, owuoludWbegwQr(ounrgthncort aton(dresealyIItstehrlinokuswlye. i,i k in imni nit mineral fibers as posing a threat." ; < j At a meeting fa Copenhagen last Oc tober sponsored by the World Health Organization, three epidemiological studies were presented by researQtent veloplung tumors,'tye said.' ; $. lmfas^q|t(j))lflerencM j ' 'tKefadOStiVirfflHals said fiberglass and most of the other synthetic fibers weredlffeteht fronp asbestos In several importapLways. For one thing they are thicker and do not pefietralc the lung as deeply.sAnd -these .'fibers, lend to be I lie changes were made because of their policy of keeping the public In formed and because It was the law. But tissue and remain there, causing tumors, are the main cause of concern, according to this research. It did not > !J Deep penetratioi ni' , more soluble and tend to' dissolve fa humarj' tissuebefore ' they cBiise tumors,they said.' - Ilicy also conceded that It was neces of lung tissue , jj-sary to protect themselves against pas matter If the fiber was made of a natu ral mineral such as asbestos, or a syn The officials also dismissed the -re search that indicated the synthetic sible figure lawsuits. may be a crucialMost of the more than a dozen scion- 'Ists, public health officials and Fed factor. >eral regulalors Interviewed said that 'ven If the evidence about synthetic Ibers causing cancer proved correct, lie country prohnbly would not be facng another health dlsas'cr of the dlnensions nf the asbestos epidemic. The lumber of premature cancer deaths raused by asbestos Is now estimated at i.OOO a year and rising. Rnymond Motley, a lawyer repre senting the Sheclmcta! Workers lnterintlonal and other construction unions n litigation over asbestos Injury aims, said a number of studies have hown tbiil fiberglass causes diseases uch as bronchitis and emphysemn In 'orkers that produce It, and he raised lie possibility that the unions might uc Die flliergiass makers. Evidence about the dangers of nsbesis began emerging in Hie l.'i.lO's. fail no . lion was taken to protect the public mil the I970's. after many workers nd nlrrntlv developed lung cancer and iher diseases. Now exposure to nsbes- thetic filter such as fiberglass, the re searchers said. In recent years manufacturers of synthetic mineral fibers have been malting them thinner to Increase their lusulailng properties. , Dr. Irving J. Sclikoff, the noted as - -- -f\ bestos authority at Mount-Sinai Hospl from the United States arid Europe.'! tal in New York, said that there were The studies suggested that fame work not enough data to make a definitive ers who hod been exposed'to synthetic statement about the health effects of mineral fibers for 30 years or more had | fiberglass but that "some serious ques contracted lung cancer. Tfie studies tlons have to be asked because this Is a covered 45,000 workers. terribly important problem." One Sir Richard Doll, a highly respected major unanswered question, he said, British scientist known for his skepti Involves the dangers to those who lit cal views about environmental causes stall and use products made of these of cancer, said fa summing up the find filters, ns well as to the workers who ings that the number of cancer deaths make them. was In excess of "expected numbers" fflers Virtually Unregulated by a small but "numerically signifi cant" amount. The" Labor Department's Occupa Philip E. Entcrllnc, co-author of the tlnnal Saf.et.y .and Health Admlnistrn United States epidemiological study, llon ,,ow classifies these fillers as "nui which looked at muitallly records ""** dlis'" 1* virtually unregufat among production and maintenance cd. The agency hns no Immediate plans workers In 17 of the oldest and largest change Ks standard because there is synthetic mineral fiber plants In this n0* enough evidence to warrant such a country, said that while more work clumge. according to Charles E. Ad- needed to be done on the contribution of flbeffl might cause damage to the cellu lar Immune system and leukemia, say ing that no Suggestion of these prob lems appeared In the epidemiological studies. ; .1 "The truth of alUhls Is that the fibers arelate," Mr. Doban said. "The over whelming body Of evidence doesn't show a connection between the libers anddisease." ti-i Mr. Anderson of Manvllle Service added, however, "We are dedicated to looking at this product more Intcn-,' slvely. than .any product has been looked atin.the past", Dr. David JL Dull,' acting director of ; the chemical control division of (he En- j vlronmcntal Protection Agency, saidthe evidence showed that, with the pos- j sible exception oi ceramic fibers, syn-' Ihetlc mInfra! fibers "are a lot less ` risky thai\ asbestos."; But he added, "Some evfaence .suggests we ought to treat It as a serious problem and regu-, late It llke,asbe*tos.'f Noting that exposure lo asbestos Is now limited by jaw and exposure to synthetic flbers:,Js virtually uncon trolled, tie Mid,^U I ,had a choice of kins, the Occupational Safely and factors such as smoking to the canter being exposed to asbestos .at current Health Administration's director for death rates, "the evidence Is very sug exposure levels and to respirable man health standards programs. gestive." 1 *' 1 made fibers, I would breathe asbestos' But other Federal public health offi Dr. Enterline, professor of biostalls- every time because the exposure limits cials believe that If the evidence proves tics at Pittsburgh University's School ar^soynuch morestringent." y. correct, exposure to these fibers would of Public Health, said In a telephone In have to be controlled as stringently as terview,`"All the answers are not fa exposure to asbestos. "We arc giving yet." But he added that the excessive this a very high priority,'' said Richarc cancer rates were "surprising" given A. Lemen, director of policy for the Na the relatively low levels of exposure. tional Institute of Occupational Safety ."It faay yet turn out that these fibers and Health, or Niosh, a research arm of have to be controlled the way asbestos the Department of Health and Human Is controlled," said Dr. Enterlfae.. - v Services. A study published last yeir by sclen- Mr. Lemen noted that In 1977, Niosh tlsts from Niosh and BateUe Laborato had proposed that limits be placed on ries found fibrous glass caused a signif exposure lo these fibers to protect icant Increase fa leukemia In.labora workers from eye and respiratory In tory rats and raised the possibility that ftammatlon. Hie Occupational Safety the fibers might damage Unicellular and Health Adintnlst ration has never I mmune system of the rats. ii1,,. acted on the recommendation, but Mr. Several studies have shown, that Im Lemen said the emerging evidence planting synthetic mineral fibers fa the about cancer meant that the Issue lungs of laboratory animals produced should receive careful reconsideration. tumors In those animals. - Richard Munson, founder and chair Dr. Robert Anderson, Corporate man of Victims of Fiberglass, a group medical director of the Manvllle Serv based In California, insisted that OSHA ice Corporation, snld the epidemiology act Immediately to reclassify the syn cal studies on workers exposed to fiber thetic fibers as possible carcinogens. glass and other fibers had demon Mr. Munson, a businessman who mar strated no specific relationship be kets cellulose Insulation, which com tween lung cancer and the duration aiyl petes with fiberglass, said the use of Intensity of exposure lo the fibers. these manfactured fibers in millions of "It Is our feeling that It probably was buildings throughout the country not the fiber that caused the small In "presents a public health problem of crease fa lung cancer," he said. | lam 002159 enormous dimensions." Robert C. Doban, senior vice presi J. Corbett McDonald, a professor of dent for science and techology pf I epidemiology and occupational health Owens/Coming Flberglas, described I at McGill University in Montreal and two studies, one of them by the Lps DPMC-17848