Document wgXmqdQnzXpR83ZR9bzzrG89V

FROM H. A. SEMKEN ROCKDALE WORKS January 12, 1968 TO DR. L. V. CRALLEY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT PITTSBURGH OFFICE EXHIBIT AL-350 CONFIDENTIAL RE: POTROCM CRUCIBLE REPAIRS One of our brlckmasons, who regularly works on potroom crucible and furnace trough liner repairs, is greatly concerned about the hazard to his, and his family'8 health, from his exposure to asbestos dust. He has clipped some recent articles from the Austin Statesman on the subject and sent them to his foreman. I have not personally seen the articles, but supposedly they relate the hazard of cancer of the chest cavity from even short and intermittent ex posures to asbestos. One article also relates that a workman's wife died from a similar cancer of the chest cavity from washing the workman's clothes. The article further states that the cancer is terminal, generally within one year of the time of detection. Several times a week this man dry-mixes asbestos shorts and Lumnite cement used in the crucible and trough liner repairs. Part of his duties is also removing worn-out liners from crucibles and troughs. This work is generally done in the crucible repair room and a fair amount of dust is created during the tearing out operations. Workmen performing these tasks regularly wear Martindale masks, but use no other protective devices. We would appreciate having your comments, as soon as possible, as to what this man should be told, and also your suggestions as to what additional protective devices we should consider. H. A. SEMIOCN HAS-.S ^ (K KAK. / vv t . VA IsP, ES ALCOA *r 4s3-kev. oom n tt