Document wDkYD2ZkogJXvjR5yyVLnmb8Q

Mines Department, Kalgoorlie. 0)L A1^ V OH /cr^o Br* A* Xbbotson, District Inspector of Bines , POST. STOLAHD* ' 30th Horcn&er, 1964 Dear 8ir, Asbestos Dust ' Dr* Xeiham referred to me your query regarding the use of asbestos mine tailings for road surfacing around Barbie Bar* This practice must cease* The nee of asbestos sue tailings for purposes shore the general public may be exposed cannot be permitted* If you hare any difficulty in stopping the shire council, let ae know and action can probably be taken under the health Act# This matter is important and Z mould be grate ful for word from you that the practice has ceased* Thank you for drawing attention to It* Details In regard to the fibrt/aise quartz content will be obtained and a copy sent to you later. Regards* Tours faithfully. \ J. Hctfulty CHEST FHTSXClAJf PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT /C'ys&'Q H. MAYNARD RENNIE r.R.C.P. O.OHD.I. F.R.A.C.P. t TEUPTONE: BW 771 t 4 f.h.>XU 2540 Macquarie Chambers. 183 MACQUARIE STREET. Sydney 2)*-- >c~yvu s)6u fj*-- \ I^T- d^i <> I n= i 4 i i rJ J i 5; J v: n : $ - "1 * rs i ' -is i~ <Li ft 6th November 1961 Dr. n. Maynard Rennie, Macquarie Chambers, 183 Macquarie Street* SmJEf. N*S*V. Dear Ted, Ifh k very brief note m I u just bark in Perth after three weeks* bolide/* Thank /on for yow letter of 30tn October enclosing yow reply to Don Letha** I also bare eopies from McNulty of your letter to Us of / 29th September and Ms latter to you of 25th October* I as Tory glad /).J indeed that steps are being taken in this very serious mstter* tk My secretary this morning shovatsa a note from last Saturday*s paper (4th November) which readst "Dr* KL Sutherland* director of research of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co** of Sydney* Is visiting this State and will study the blue asbestos industry on a visit to Vittenoom Gorge mine *2. My presumption would be that Dr* Sutherland is a Doctor of Science rather than ef Medicine bat 1 would be glad of information on this point and also a note as to whether you would like me to do anything for the gentleman while be is here* Yitli best regards. H. MAYNARD RENNIE F.R.C.P- <USKO.). F.R.A.C.P. Telephone: evv 771j <* P.M.lXL 2540 Macquarie Chambers. 183 Macquarie Street. Sydney 10th November, 1961* Dr* Bruce punt, 37 Ord Str VEST PERTH, Dear Bruce, / Many thanks for your note of 6th November. Dr* K.L. Sutherland is a Doctor of Science as you surmise and he was already on the point of departure from Perth vhen I received your letter* He is due in Sydney on Monday next and I will get in touch and see vhat goes on* I will let you know if there are any immediate developments* Warmest regards, Yours sincerely. ....... r, -32 3Wq-- i MEETING 8TH JANUARY. 1962. IN'. MR. BRISBANE* S OFFICE. MINES DEPARTMENT. PERTff- EZSPSP&-- Mr* Brisbane, State Mining Engineer* Mr* Boylan, Chief Mines Inspector* Dr* McNulty, Chest Ifcysieian, Ealgoorlie Chest Clinle* Ur* Thomas, Manager, Australian Blue Asbestos* Dr* Letham, Physician, Occupational Health* Dust counts were reviewed. Those ..In l^sirisp^sfcipwed considerable improvement and Mr* Boylan expresseCfgeheyal satisfaction with the improvement of conditions; in thenine* High counts still prevailed in the mill; a recent:visit had been made by a representative of Gregorys and Co*, Sydney* It is the intention.of this Company to seek furtherinform ation on a form of stocking filtration which has been developed in America* This, apparently, is of exceedingly fine mesh and will trap the fine particles which are a problem in the mill at present* Ur* Thomas said that Aust ralian Blue Asbestos is prepared, if necessary, to pull put the existing exhaust system in the mill and entirely replace it, virtually regardless of cost* He stated also that there are five employees from Hart A Co*, Perth, at present con tinuously employed on the duct work in the mill in an all- out effort to improve conditions in the existing plant* A further meeting will be held about July or August by which time it is hoped that the ventilation in the mill will be satisfactory* DEL/CT 25th January, 1962* (D.D. Letham) PHYSICIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH* r.R.c.*. (lond.i r.R.A.c.R. le.konc: 8W 771 1 *R 4 f.H. > XU 2540 ft M Macquarie Chambers. 183 Macquarie Street. Sydney 26th November, 1962. . r.-r. t.^* /> .. .' -2SS PI. '?%>> T1Sj&i;i--*-'v-*''v>U'.1 ---:*"'';' "' -. vJ--d.:4iv:*fc..rv.v a Dr. T. McNulty, ''/host Physician, District Hospital, KAT.OOORLIE W.A. Dear Dr. McNulty, A little over a year ago we had some correspondence concerning the health of workers employed by Australian 3]ue Asbestos* I-understand that the Company has made' some further alterations to allow for the dust problem and I am anxious to know whether yon hrve any farther views on the matter. Would you he good enough to bring me up to date? Yours sincerely. *3 H. MAYNARD RENNIE $ 8 n --1 - -:. 4*/> . -... - .. #1 9M THK MRD1CAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA LwkmiiKH Hi, |JC2 PicufiE II; Figure ill. ' * !' FtctmE IV. lung, but none of the classical showers of flue metallic crepitations associated with asbestosis. An X-ray film of the chest showed extensive pleural thickening throughout the left hemithcrax and a left lateral view showed a well-defined shadow projecting inwards from the anterior chest wall. The heart was displaced slightly towards the right. The right lung was normal. The hemoglobin value was 12-3 grammes per 100 ml., the red and white cells were normal and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 125 mm. in one hour. The sputum contained asbestos bodies. An attempted aspiration of fluid from - the left side of the chest was unsuccessful and a pleural biopsy, performed by Mr. F. J. Clark, produced a thickened, white, rubbery specimen, which was reported to be a malignant pleural mesothelioma. Treatment with thiotepa was commenced and continued until the patient died in June. 1961. Autopsy Findings The only relevant autopsy findings were in the left hemithorax and there was no obvious'primary or secon dary tumour in the right lung or the abdomen. The left lung was grossly compressed and completely enveloped in the thickened, rubbery, adherent pleura. The pathologist (Dr. J. Stirrat) reported as follows. The specimen consists of two wedges of material 11 x 4 x 3 and 7x6x4 cms. The larger portion ot tissue consists of a portion ot spongy grey-brown lung tissue covered by the thick firm pleura measuring * * cma. Sr. iklcUiicstf [Figure I]. The smaller portion of tissue is spongy grey-brown lung with a smooth pleural surface in which there is one small greyblack nodule. Microscopic: Sections show a poorly differentiated malignant tumour infiltrating the pleura and adjacent lung tissue This tumour consists of pleomorphic cells which tend to line spaces and form small knots and pseudotubular structures: In some Instances the space lining cells are flattened or low cuboidal in type, mitoses are present, 'but are not numerous. There is a marked fibrous tissue stromal increase in the pleura [Figure II].1 In addition to the tumour, there is a nodular h* aline fibrosis In the lung showing the whorling around light brown crvstallne deposits, characteristic of silicosis [Figure III] together with a more diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lung with asbestos bodies in considerable numbers distributed in this fibrous stroma [Figure IV]. Lastly there is an acute bronchopneumonia present. The malignant lesion is a pleural mesothelioma as previously diagnosed by pleural biopsy. This is super imposed on a lung showing the combined picture of silicosis, asbestosis and a terminal bronchopneumonia. Diagnosis: Pieum -- pleural mesothelioma: Lung.-- asbestosis ami silicosis -- bronchopneumonia. Discussion There appears to be a relationship between exposure to blue asbestos, and the' development of the pleural meso thelioma in this case. Pleural mesotheliomas are very rare tumours and details are known of only three cases in Western Australia. Asbestosis has, regrettably, become less rare, but there are less than 40 known cases in the State. The relatively short period of exposure to blue asbestos dust confirms an impression received from Wagner et alii (I960, 1961) that these tumours may arise after transitory exposure to crocidolite in susceptible persons. Experience in Western Australia certainly confirms that blue asbestos is a very harmful and lethal fibre. The dust is one that urgently requires further experimental study (Barnes, 1961). The interval between exposure and the development of the tumour is much shorter than has been previously reported. This also applies to the interval between exposure to blue asbestos and the development of asbestosis in this State, which in one Instance was less than four years. The surface gold mining in which the patient was engaged may have contributed to the silicosis which was present, but silicosis is rarely found in Western Australian gold miners with only 10 years' surface mining experience. Summary A case is reported of malignant pleural mesothelioma in an asbestos worker suffering from asbestosis and sili cosis after two years' work in a blue asbestos mill 10 years previously. Acknowledgements My thanks are due to Dr. S. Webster, for referring the patient; to Dr. W. Harris and Dr. D. D. Latham'. tor helpful advice; and to the Public Health Commissioner. Dr. L. Henzell, for permission to publish this case. References Barnes, J. M. (1SC1). "Mode of Action of Some Toxic Sub-- stance", Brit. med. J., 2: 1079. Heard, B.. and Williams, R. (1961), "The Pathology ot Asbestosis with Reference to Lung Function", Thorax, H>: 264. c.Wacner, J. C.r SLEGCET, A., and Marchand, P. (1960) "Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in the North Western Cape Province". Brit. J. indust. Med., 17: 260. Wagner, J. C., Slsccet, c. A., and Marchand, P. (1961). "Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma in South Africa", S.A. med. J.. 35: 28. Australasian Medical Publishing Company Limited M-nmer and Arundel Streets, fllehe. Sydney. N.S.W. Reprinted from The. Mctliati Journal of Australia, December 1C. 1DC2. n MALIGNANT PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA IN AN ASBESTOS WORKER J. C. McNulty, M.B., B.Cb., B.A.O. Chest Physician, Kalgoorlie District Hospital, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Blue asbestos has been mined In Western Australia since about 1946, and with Increased production over the last 10 years, dust control end suppression have been serious problems. The asbestos vein lies in a rock body which is mainly quartzite. A number ot men have developed asbestosls, silicosis and a mixed type ot pneumoconiosis containing elements of both. The blue asbestos fibre is crocidolite, and Wagner et alii (I960, 1961) suggested the probable .relationship between exposure to this fibrous mineral and the occur* rence of diffuse pleural mesothelioma. The pathological evidence tor the association of these tumours with asbestos exposure was not conclusive; in only eight ot 33 cases was evidence of asbestosls present. However, with one exception, there was circumstantial evidence of at least transitory asbestos exposure. In their series the meso thelioma occurred 20 to 40 years after the exposure to dust. Most authors stress the long interval between exposure to asbestos dust and the development of asbestosis, and theories of the pathogenesis of the disease have been based on this long interval and its effect on the asbestos body (Heard and Williams, 1961). The following is believed to be the first case of pleural mesothelioma reported in an asbestos worker outside South Africa. Clinical Record A white male worker, bom in 1913, now employed as a labourer, had been a surface gold miner from 1937 to 1946 and a mill worker In an asbestos mine from 1943 to 1950. He had also been an occasional prospector for gold. On December 13, 1959, he was referred to the chest clinic for radiological examination of the chest. The X-ray film showed what appeared to be a small left-sided pleural effusion, but the patient refused to attend the hospital for a report or a clinical examination, and returned to the "bush". Figure I On October 25, 1960, he was referred again to the chest clinic for examination. He had had some loss of weight, malaise, cough, moderate dyspncea on exertion and heavy night sweats. He looked HI and wasted, and had early finger clubbing, diminished sir entry to the lungs and a dull percussion note over the left side of the chest. There wejj a few crepitations at the base of the left / -it JMcN:RM DISTRICT HOSPITAL ...............KAIaQOBLIE.............................. Date..............6th..Eehruary.,...196.3.......... *i i n d :r\ Dr. B. Hunt, 37 Ord Street, WEST PERTH : W*A. Dear Dr. Hunt, I was very pleased to see that you had returned to practice and. hope that your health is fully restored. Dr. Rennie still writes to me about Wittehoom but conditions are still bad. A 50 year old man who commenced work in the mill in 1954 and ceased in 1959 died of Cor Pulmonale due to pulmonary asbestosis in 19^2. Enclosed is a reprint which might interest you. With kind regards, Sir, -4 *_vs Yours sincerely. J. HcHulty CHEST RHYSICIAH i-'i ' ' '-1i ^ 5 -4 _ H. MAYNARD RENNIE r.R.C.P, (LOUD.) F.R.A.C.P. TELEPHONE: BW 7711 (AFTER 4 P.K.) XL 2840 3r. J. MdTrOI- Macquarie Chambers 183 Macquarie Street Sydney 13th Jcivuery, 1963. Th*nV you very rev eh rcr jy.xr letter of the 10th December r>(-)>*pr-T'5'1 ^^** Austv*"nLnrs T^uo *eVeetor " I -'* ytrc, '*'y : re -1? * in the .jrv^ortV'tion you hsve -j-r^vN vt :eroTe'-.cu.h Mi the 'ventilation #..+ tNe '`lire ?nt ~M1 ey*. thr 7trroutinery eerier- of evertr. to the it*.v>ir*cr Mv?hioh ree" rodics^3v olter ^* r>-r`,: v-ii <-p*t + *'- t!'y \t* ' c.f t dvist count?? vere -.t ".`-o r.r- over. T vi'?. hr. -.ert in terer-t.-cd to ?c:-r:i vhether !-.* j-- rr>r> 4r* ^ loot4 ,*o <sn~ 1 -yrcive''sent follnv.Tiri7 the tv^-3 ~o>v'" ` *i*''*r:. ?r'U to rood enough to let nie Vrov 4li~ ''pj* r' -'i1- V* ^''rtile-* ir c,reilrhle. 7 '-r-'v.- --^rtJ.c'lo-re Yi^'or in your letter t -v.^'iy rc"tiiv'.? " ^e v1'-' t 1 con to help fer X too p.r ^ ,,r s. . t > J *Vrf - Vie' ro"0T. Yours sincerely, H. :-IAYITA^D Rff^IE JMcN :RM KALGOORLIE. 6th February, 1963. p Dr. H.M, Rennie, Macquarie Chambers, 183 Macquarie Street, SYDNEY : N.S.W. Dear Dr. Rennie, Thank you for your continuing interest in our asbestos problem* Unfortunately the latest inspection of the mine and mill at Australian Blue Asbestos suggests that I may have been too sanguine in my last letter. The Mines Department Inspector reported to me that the mill was dirtier than ever. Despite a reduced ore production from the mine, a higher rate of fibre extraction has been achieved at the expense of higher dust concentrations. Is it to be-wondered that this cynical attitude towards their workers1 health makes me doubt the Companyfs good faith. Enclosed is a reprint which might interest you* Also enclosed are copies of letters concerning a man bom 1910 who was unfortunate enough to be employed in the mill by Australian Blue Asbestos from 1954 to 1959. Such rapidly progressive disease is uncommon in the literature of industrial chest disease and confirms the fearful hazard to which the workers are exposed. Yours faithfully. J. McNulty CHEST FHY3ICIAN ~j t-/i '^i i (y&j sui r^M7i ion* B. Itegraftrd fiiatfti Boq*t Fft*CP9 )89| KlMfiarlt Street* Z^UuJl- ty feur ted. x *irted verb * vMh r t ago. rely yarte-t^ repaired* litr tnm Hr* IteSalty Mr*?* . ............-. . U a&arestly iliU ti7 Mftoppy ~iiteu* m* followt- "Dr* 8wri> *UU riW U at tlHfot UU ted. J 1 90 tmup *Jd mm l ad mh4 id 1659 4i4 ofCor fiilMlt <M .tt^ptilai^ 109a4** list /it jNftkUj m Mo5ilV tfUiH'ln BtMdtOf 1063 MM|titg tte potioat vitb ItoATljMit' plMirolMBtttftl ta fellovitg MbstUtls. .. U doo mm ttrt Ovw able ad oergatie ftoanlo it do mm lift swiog nfc l Wi r mi <torilac *rt tf (MtatfM ta lc Ute lMterttiV >14 tf >7 wfc villi Ml teal - ite loft teal U ! m lteU ~|ifiteftftjtel|y--.>. V MtlMt - tel find It U fitter fetlpdag Ml nrj 11m ~ rfraiMViuir:*t" do Mi think X mm pMtifely Mango te got mr to tho CmmiT 'IteM^fMafrjtM Barth* fte ooot rwH te rety le-Mmllti * I Mi|ii>y0f <' - with * tteptma wfeioh of mum doahlre 'all e-;; you thot wi resolving 0*7 Iimm i all f*r f Motufl ; lag to tte oncfioifflir* Wttfc test *** /i ' I --t \4 {.} Dr, J, McNulty, District Hospital, KALQOOBLXR U, Dear Dr, McNulty, Slat l>brM7v 10S3, . *. i \ --:{/' a ; *'#s| Thank you for your Xettor of 6th February, I is indeed starting professional work again hot I a* afraid that "fully roator^^i^j^;g;:;;i. really an accurate description of ay current physical recovered no power at all in the left upper extreaity;and. -left leg trill only enable m to shuffle' ecus 20 woald be too dull not to' try to do any work'at dll "end out of hospital for S weeks I thought I would.try smrsee,:!w^ ' Thank you for the article which X have, rood\vith'la^resW.-t-I V.' hawe written directly to Dr* Rennie and X enclose a cepyef thla'.iettdr* Vo shall obviously have to Scoop on haaaering add at cay tine tttat'ycu ' - think I can be of assistsitee &n this natter X shall do my best to co-operate. .. 4 sV'>v>-- Vith kindest regards. Z an yours very tlaesiwlf, Bruce Hast, mmrtnu ixc-minic. f.r.c.p. (lono.) f.h.a.c.i*. sv TeuepHONC.- bw 77ii (Arft* 4 p.m.) XL 2840 1 MACQUARre chambers. 183 Macquarie Street. Sydney . *'>' ^-rSa y '3 .v L`j P;^ M Li ra iy 11th February, 1963* Or. J. Mc^ul+y, District tJospit?l, raiOOFIIT, t.t.a, Bc.r Or. McMulty, ^ Thank yon very much dor your letter of the 6th February, 1963? with enclosures* I ~t'' very interested -nd n->rt concerned to know tVt in r- 'ite oc a number of changes in both the mine end ni'n at Fitter.oom the Minos Department inspector reports t'-yt the ~-iV is dirtier then ever. Would it he r>o-sible for you to ask Dr. Letham to vrite to ~"e evores?5.ry bir current opinion on, the positi on t +uc T*vi vi}*1 o that I may be fully informed for a tto"'to the fcmrr-nyM T car. nr-v-re you tb-'t I vrill do ry best to get some n-a^r- c tive ^ctlon in this matter. with kind regards, Yours sincerely, iH1 H. MA.YKA.HD REHTIE n 5^3 . MAYNARD RENNIE R.R.c.r. (koNs.) r.R.A.c.p. Tkuerhone: BW 7711 (Ar'TCft 4 r.m.) XL 2640 Macquarie; Chambers. 183 Macquarie Street. Sydney 25th February, 1963. Dr. Bruce Hunt, 37 Ora Street, WEST PERTH. V.A Dear Bruce, 0 / Many thanks for your note of the 21st February. 1 am deeply distressed to know that you cannot make it to the Council Meeting but 1 fully appreciate the reasons that you have given. We are all veiy sad about this and shall miss you greatly. . He Wittenoom - I fully agree that there is need for further action to be taken . It is-about a year ago now when I first took this matter up with the Company and they claimed that they had made quite a number of alterations which should prove helpful in solving the problem. At that oint in time it was not,therefore, possible to do more than to place all the bitter facts before them, which I did. However , I have initiated this later move by writing to McNultF and also asking him to get a current report from Letham on the position so that I may approach the Company again. X gather that the conditions are, in fact, worse than they were and this giv me a tremendous pull. I will let you know what goes on. Warmest greetings, Tours sincerely.