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JUoKjRM KALGOORLIE. 10th December , 1962 Dr. H.M. Rennie, F.R.C.P.(Lond.)F.R.A.C.P*, Macquarie Chambers, 183 Macquarie Street, 9YPWEY : N.S.ff. Dear Dr. Rennie, Thank yon for yonr letter regarding dnet conditions at Australian 81ns Asbestos* Unfortunately the situation has altered little, the dost has not been laid and, to date. It Is doubtful If any major 'lessen ing of the hazard has taken place* In July of this year dost counts at the nine and mill were as bad as ever* The Xonlaster Is 8till being used for dust counting and although It Is not the Ideal lnstrtnent, there is little point in pressing; for a finer Instrument until the coarse dust has been supressed* TTowever, since July several events have occurred which stay radically alter conditions* Through ventilation underground Is possible now that shafts have broken through to the surface In several places* A recent earth movement altered the geography of the mine and this is expected to considerably improve ventilation* A new type of dust extractor embodying a synthetic fibre sock has had successful experiments and is being Installed in the mill* This is s pretty expensive dust extraction process and thers are great hopes that it will help to solve the problem. My information In regard to this Is derived from discussions with Dr* Letham, Vines Department Inspectors and Ur. Thcraas, Superintendent of the company. Tairly short exposure is still causing silicosis and aebeetosls and the tragedy is aggravated by their relative youth. There are now about 1*2 men fairly seriously affected, or dead, and In most Instances their only exposure to harmful dust was at Wittenocsn. The industry has been producing for about 15 years and only the huge labour turnover prevented disease on an epidemic scale. SO p.c. of the workers, at any one time, have been employed for leas than three years. Many of them have scattered elsewhere In the "rising industry and now complicate the overall picture. cont Continued** The plans end Improvement mentioned earlier make me hopeful that steady Improvement will he maintained* The coincidental diagnosis of disease in so many men in 1956-59 highlighted the problem and had a dramatic effect* The problem is 8tlU acute and much more work will be needed before the hazard to the men will be reduced to at least that of gold-mining* I am still a little concerned about the carcinogenic effect of crocldollte and wish that the Company wouldn't use its tailings for roads and paths* Tailings were used as fillers at the golf course so that the poor devils inhale asbestos at rec reation as well* ifany thanks for your interest* Anything that you. can do to impress upon Australian Blue Asbestos the seriousness of the problem would be appreciated*.. Dr. D.D. Letham, Physician Occupational Health, Department of Pu'olic Health, 57 Murray Street, PERTH : ff.A. Coe- for "C.T inferraation: Tours faithfully. J* HcHulty CHEST HnrSICIAg