Document rpX6v6OLKLJj58G4NBEqG45OE

Dear Annuitant: In recent years, the medical profession has become increasingly aware of the adverse health effects of asbestos. Asbestos fibers deposited in the lungs have been found to have caused scarring many years later. Such scarring occurs primarily on the surface of the lung, the pleura, but can also occur within the lung itself. Recognition of subtle changes on X-rays due to previous asbestos exposure has become widely appreciated only in recent years. Unless severe, this scarring does not cause symptoms. Since some Exxon Company, U.S.A. annuitants worked around asbestos at a time when these X-ray changes were not well recognized, we have recently reevaluated their X-rays taken prior to retirement. Your last X-ray indicates changes that could possibly be related to scarring from asbestos. However, many other conditions such as pneumonia, chest injury or surgery can cause similar changes. We call this to your attention since if asbestos was the cause of these X-ray changes, you should not smoke. As you know, smoking is not good for your health in the first place, but smoking and asbestos combined greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. If you smoke, quit now. If you never smoked or have stopped smoking, then you are already doing what you should to help maintain your health. We would welcome the opportunity to take a new chest X-ray for comparison with those in our files or to answer any questions you may have in this regard. If you would like to come in or arrange for a repeat chest X-ray, please call. Sincerely, February 23, 1984 EM002512