Document w5K9BQp6XQqg5EN3mZZdJxyQ

FILE NAME: Ford (FD) DATE: 1975 DOC#: FD215 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memos - NIOSH Meeting Cover Memo: RMM (Robert M. Middlekauf) SFM (S. F. McKenna) agreed that the company should be represented at the NIOSH meeting provided the notion expressed in item 4 on page 2 of the attachment is fully exploited; or, if evidence is presented that asbestos exposure is an auto industry problem that Company comment be withheld pending internal discussion. Dr. Northrop was advised accordingly and told me he agreed with the approach. July 15, 1975 Mr. S.F. McKenna Attached is the memo concerning the July 21 NIOSH meeting I mentioned to you this morning. Since I will be out of the office the remainder of today and all of Wednesday, if you seek additional information before I return Howard Meyer will be pleased to accommodate you. A.W. Hanlon Handwritten note: OK with me as long as Dr. Northrop understands that #4, P.2 is important. I don't want anyone to give any indication to any group or individual outside the company that we have an asbestos problem. If the facts indicate otherwise, we should discuss internally. tab b ies' PLAINTIFF'S L' l v t; rv . .. cS*7&42L ;z^*' ^ >"* V Ttz&or -- ^ r~*''Z' v * 7 /rr 8008 0160 PRODUCED BY FORD Note to the File SS S' 7/ I T /75 cKe^rSSed A. W. Hanlon 8008 O U I ' PRODUCED BY FORD A. W. Hanlon July 15, 1975 Mr. S. F. Mi Attached is the memo concerning the^ July 21 NIOSH meeting I mentioned J y to you this morning. Since I will be out of the office the remainder of today and all of Wednesday, if yo' seek additional information before I return Howard Meyer will he pleased to accommodate you. Attachment 8008 0162 ' PRODUCED BY FORD Mr . Sidney F. McKenna ~ cc Mr. Robert M. Middlekauff July 15, 1975 Subject: Julya, W5_W0SH Meeting to Discuss Health Pmbleus Heguni^ l sonnel Committee meeting. Through Mr. Middlekauf? resolved that MVMA attendance v ^ l d be inappropriate and t h a t T l Per" Coramlttee I f In v ite d , should in d iv ld su a iy ,, .o ld ' S L T o ^ t S S e n S ? " ' c a w ^ ' ' To obtain the background information for this meeting tv- it m .. and Mr. P. Toth were contacted. They indicated t U some S m e ^ o V ceived a telephone invitation to the July 21 OTOSH meeting p-mm^ t 'k TM fe~ the new KIOSH Director. Dr. Finklea advised Dr. Block that the meeting was eoniSW data, aSE"bled D r - Ii-ving Selikoff, NYU Mt. Sinai School ofMedicine ~ concerning health problems related to asbestos dust exposure among workers ^ ingnDr" * ZL i - 5k o f i ^ f l ? r Sahlin i neE* elaborate on J* his is r tCipated that at th^ Preliminary findings dealing a with !!?- asbestoa- h6a]`i? proble,mc a few brake lining workers as he outlined in a n 1487 1 6 ' 1975 at our Scientific Research Center. You will ' r diCal an? indutrlal hygiene personnel were at that meeting, S S L ? ! ? med^ al Parf ^ el General Motors, Chrysler and American Motors! At that time, Dr. Selikoff presented slides showing results of his studies in \ t l fPea and brf f1^ s c r i b e d four West Coast cases of mesothelioma (asbestos-related lung cancer) that had come to his attention. While no one from the UAW was at the May 16 meeting, it is our under standing that the UAW has been invited to the July 21 meeting. We have also been advised that invitations have been extended to selected organizations and individ uals including the AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists, Johns-Manvilie Company, Amorican Petroleum Institute, New York Auto Dealers Association, and the niversity of Pittsburgh School of Public Health; however, no other automobile companics have been invited* further discussions with Dr. Northrop and Mr. Toth, it was confirmed that Mr. Toth had discussed the upcoming July 21 NIOSH meeting with Mr. N. McCallum who subsequently docketed it for review by the MVMA Personnel Committee. When Dr. Northrop and Mr. Toth were Informed the Committee had rejected an MVMA appear ance at the NIOSH meeting, they indicated that Ford personnel should attend. (Previously Dr. Block and Dr. Northrop had felt that with the relatively small number of Company employes exposed to asbestos, Ford interests could best be served if the automotive industry was represented as a group through MVMA.) 8008 0163 Jfc. ' PRODUCED BY FORD Mr. Sidney F. McKenna - ? - July 15, 1T5 Specifically, Dr. Northrop has asked for our comments regarding the possibility of his and Mr. Toth's attendance at the NIOSH meeting. (Dr. Block was personally invited, but because he will be away on vacation Dr. Northrop is the appropriate substitute. NIOSH has agreed.) Mr. J. A. O'Reilly has been informed of this matter and he has advised that there are no legal considerations which would dictate that we decline to attend. In fact he recommends that Ford be represented. For additional background, Mr. Toth provided us with information regarding; the extent of potential asbestos dust exposure in the Company, a field communication and bulletin concerning Company action to be taken in con nection with asbestos exposure, and certain 1973 and 19Tk correspondence between Dr. Block and Dr. Selikoff or his associates on this and a related industrial health subject. A copy of this material is attached. You will note that in a January 11, 197b letter to Dr. Selikoff, Dr. Block indicated an interest in the asbestos' research project and willingness to discuss possible Ford assis tance. Also attached is a copy of a paper presented in 197k by the UAW to Chrysler which refers to asbestos-related hazard research by Dr. Selikoff, as well as BNA material describing the OSHA standard currently in effect for asber tos dust exposure, the basic role of NIOSH under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and a brief report on Dr. Finklea who earlier this year was ap pointed NIOSH Director. Some reasons in support of Company attendance at the NIOSH meetingappear to include the following: 1. Dr. Finklea took the time to call Dr. Block personally. A rejection of his invitation may be considered a personal af front and may prove detrimental in the future, given Dr. Finklea's position. 2. Rejecting the invitation could be construed by Dr. Finklea to mean that Ford is not sufficiently concerned about poten tial industrial health problems in its plants or dealerships. 3 . The Company might be able to influence the direction that a NIOSH action plan might take. <lj k. Th- Company would be able to restate its views as expressed in " the May meeting with Dr. Selikoff that this is not an auto industry- problem but an auto repair and service problem, and thus forestall a potential NIOSH research effort in our manu facturing and assembly operations. 5. The Company would be aware on a "firsthand basis" of Drs. Eelikoff's and Finklea's intentions and attitudes on the subject. 8008 0164 JL PRODUCED BY FORD Mr* S id n e y F . M cKenna - 3- July 15, 1975 Some reaEons for the Company not to attend the meeting might he: 1. r n o S H I T ^ 8 Pr T nr COUld prOVide an PI*>rtunity for raoSH to attempt to draw the Company into a study. .2 The Company'8 presence may provide an occaBion for a Union attempt to embarrass the Company on other health and safety issues. J On balance, it appears that the Company should accept the invitation to the subject meeting. If you concur, we will advise Dr. Northrop accordingly. Attachments Arthur W. Hanlon S008 0165 ' PRODUCED BY FORD