Document yXd9BgxOyz1G2Gw1Zq7ovGv3

fiAfaCi/ty UNIVERSITY OP PI7TS5URCH GRADUATE SCHOOL OP PUBLIC HEALTH P17TS3URCK. PENNSYLVANIA I 5 : l 3 UTMENT C? OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - N> nn October 2, 1964 Mr. John T. Cantlon Consulting Actuary 40 W. Third Avenue Columbus 1, Ohio Dear John: I just retu were held on Asbestos, the Biological Effects of Asbestos, sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences from October 19-21 and the nesting of the International Union Against Cancer from October 22 to October 24 to plan and coordinate international research, on the relationship of asbestos to cancer. I thought it would be advisable to write to you now, because of the importance of the papers presented, the information developed and the implications pertaining.to asbestos which warrant serious consideration. * * The proceedings of both meetings will be published. It is believed the New York Academy of Sciences publication and distribution * may occur any time from 6 mont'Uk-to one year. For the International Union Against Cancer, this may occur within the next 6 months, and there will be worldwide distribution. I shall only attempt to provide you with an analysis and . evaluation of the information and data presented during these 6 days, which I consider the most important. I shall defer to a later Conference discussion, the more specific details which substantiate the basic points mace. . 1. ' . There is now agreement on an International level, from the facts and evidence presented, that'there ii, an irrefutable association between asbestos and cancer. At present this association has been . established for cancer of the lung and of the pleura and of the peritoneum (in the form of mesothelioma). There is suggestive evidence but not established for cancer of the stomach, color, and rectum also. # ^ 2. There is new substantial evidence, that cancer (mesotheliomas) have developed in environmentally ` exposed groups, ie. due to air pollution groups, living near asbestos plants, and asbestos mining operations, but not occupationally exposed. John T. Cantlon -2- October 2G, 19 3. Evidence has also been established for cancer -developing among members of the household, ie. relatives of workers whoare employed in the asbestos plants. Cancer (mesotheliomas) have developed among wives, laundering the work clothes of asbestos workers. * . ' ' . ' ' 4. * ' ' There isusually a very long latent period, ie. be tween first exposure and the development of the cancer. Although the cancer has occurred in less . than 20 years, the elapsed time from first exposure to development of cancer may extend to 60 years. Cancer cases appearing now, are directly related to the small asbestos- tonnage imported 20 to 40 ' years ago. With the .greatly increased tonnage or asbestos imported into the United States in.succeed- ing years from Canada and elsewhere, it can be expected, as the requirements of the latent period are fulfilled, that large numbers of lung cancer of the lung, pleura and peritoneum in the form of mesotheliomas.will be accumulating rapidly in the United States among the populations previously- exposed. (Evidence has also been provided of the developme nt of mesotheliomas in individuals who were exposed to asbestos as children, while living near asbestos mining operations). 5. Substantial evidence has been presented that slight and intermittent exposure, may be sufficient to produce cancer of the lung and of mesotheliomas of the pleura and peritoneum, secondly, that asbestosis ' or marked fibrosis of the lung due to asbes.tos, is - not a pre-requisite to the development of lung cancer, but rather that the cancers can occur, without the ' development of such marked fibrosis. 6. Initial -findings of the national study of the United 3$a&as Public Health Service on asbestos workers, fln&tantiates the association between asbestos 'workers M^cancer mortality. . Although there are a number of other points,, those already mentioned are sufficiently broad to express the health hazards.- in volved and the medical legal ramifications, in terms of medical supervision, '.Yorkmen'-ff Compensation, and legal liability \ This requires consideration row and coordinated planning by Philip Carey for all its operations,for its mining and milling, production and sale of its asbestos products. John T. Car.tlcn a October 26, 196-1 There should be no delusion, that the problem will dis appear or that the consumer or working population will not become aware of'-the problem and the ' compensation and legal liability involved. t You may wish to discuss the broad points made, with the Carey Company. I believe they would be very much interested in the findings presented at this Conference. ' . Personal regards, . TFM/a . Thomas F. Mancuso, M.D. Research Professor c. OAVENS -ILLINOIS GLASS COM PANT GENERAL OFFICES TOLEDO 1. OHIO January 5, 1950 Er. Arthur J. Vorralo, Eirectcr The Sarar.se Laboratory Saranac Lake, New York Dear Eoctcr: Tk'e are wondering whether you could give us sons werd about nor the animal experiments on the inhalation of Kaylo dust are developing, 7h: last progress report tre have is dated April 30, 1919. At the end of this report the recoiaoendaticr. is mace that the e>r mer.ts be continued for another eight conths--or possibly 11 months, c eight nonths would take the work through December oi last year, ar.o f -3that is so recent that the microscopic examinations nay not be*'eemp ieue yet, perhaps you coidd give us right nor more or less of ar. informs, progress report. Our Kaylo Livisicr. is reviewing its policies on medical prccecur:. for the people in their Sayreville, Ker Jersey, plant. Beicre any a a;:: changes are made in our present medical program, Er. Shook and Er. Kcrvcri raht to knew how your animal dusting e^erioents are progressing. V/itfc personal regards, Sincerely yours, K.G.Ka2arc:lf h;wstrial ?unc::s vis:;:: P.S. Incidentally, our records show that the last check re sent you war in July It was our recollection that re were going to pay for this quarterly*--on receipt of quarterly statements from your laboratory. Ccul: you check this for us? **> cc - Hr. C. IT. Howard Er. C. F. Shook \rS >"'' ^ ^ j? 5 0" T7Z r. r