Document ykGOxZgVLQDByjXN3k3xjXOJ4

tCHUTES or THE JOINT KEETIW6 OF THE AIC/UK* AIA/NA AMD QAMA HELD OK JANUARY 24. 1974. IN MONTREAL. CANADA There, were present: Messrs.: C.H. Fenton D.V. Hills M.r. Howe J.H. Harsh R.fl. Kereness M.J. Hessel I.C- Campbell R. Hichon Dr. P.V. Pelnar P.A. Filteau INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Chairman, A.R.C. Member* A.R.C. Deputy Chairman - A.I.C. President* AIA/NA Executive Secretary, AXA/HA President, .QAMA Chairman, QAMA PR Committee Director, QAMA Information Services Scientific Secretary, X.O.E.B. General Manager, QAMA In his opening statement, Mr. Hessel extended a most ooxMial welcome to all participants, and expressed the hope that the meeting would be a fruitful one. "Bow can we get the most truthful and -accurate information `to the public?", he emphasized, was the object of the meeting-; It in de sirable to this end to coordinate oar efforts towards dealing more effectively with the media and gaining their support in believing what industry says. There lies the major problem. Mr. Hessel then invited Hr. Campbell, Chairman of the QAMA P.R. Committee to chair the meeting.  -2 - The Chairman called on each association delegate to review the important areas of concern. REVIEW OF SITUATION IN U.K. Hr. Howe explained that there were two active bodies in the U.K., namely the Asbestosis Research Council (A.R.C.) and Asbestos Information Committee (A.Z.C.) and that every attempt was made to keep the two bodies apart in the public eye. The ARC has a high . repute as being independent, although financed by the Industry. As regards "Asbestos i Health", the-public image in U.K. has been relatively quiet in the recent past. There are occasional sensational articles in the press and T.V. programs', but not to the extent of creating a national impact. To counter such adverse publicity, the AXC has a policy of releasing, whenever deemed advisable, letters to the Editor of important newspapers; it is a standard practice in U.K. to publish these letters; same are read extensively. The AIC is fortunate in having Mr. U. Howard who is an expert in preparing letters very much to the point. This year the AIC has doubled its budget for advertising in policy forming newspapers. In the past, the Committee has received a large numbi er of inquiries in connection with the ads, which shows their impact on people. In every ease reference is made to health risks and precautions. The new advertising campaign adopts a childish approach. The theme is concentrated on "fire", by reason of the great many fires in Sigland in recent years. An attitude survey is presently being conducted which -should tell the effective ness of the program. The AIC is, however, worried about Doctor Selikoff attacking the . . U.K. standard of 2 fpcc. Indeed it was felt most timely to hold the present joint meeting of the three groups, since our countries endure the brunt of the attack because of the common language. It f seems that the experience in the U.K. is that nothing happens when statements are made in countries with different languages. The ARC has just completed a fils on "Asbestos at Work", whioh shows how best to deal with health hazards. Copies will be given to the factory inspectorate and this should improve the relations with this Government Department. The fils is a pictorial presen tation of basic factory regulations. It was produced by SorelFilms, with three sponsors, at a cost of 110,000. 200 prints have been sold in U.K. Mr. Hills added that, in general, people in U.K. are nore tolerant towards unfavorable publicity. As one would expect; the U.K. reproduces occasionally syndicated articles from the U.S.A. such as stories by Dt'- Selikoff. TIN conducted in 1973 a series of seminars for the benefit of industrial medical officers in U.K. (Approx, a dozen meetings). A valuable relationship has thus been established. SITUATION IN U.S.A. Speaking for AXA/HA, Mr. Marsh stressed that the "Asbestos 6 Health11 problem in the U.S. is a very serious one, and that in many quarters it had not been recognized until fairly recently. Many in industrysimply don't understand the situation. There is one exception, namely, Johns-Hanville Corporation which has attempted to place the problem in its proper perspective, the Company soon realized, however, that alone it could not effectively represent an' entire industry in dealing with the press and Government officials. In the'first*placct--therc are no comparable studies to refute the mortality studies of Dr. Selikoff. He often extrapolates, hie find ings on the insulation workers (death from asbestos exposure - 351) & /V r' I -4- to encompass the entire industry, which the reporters ere happy to emphasize in the media. Secondly the press relations battle has yet to be' won. One could refer to the attack an Johns-Manville in a Mew York Tines article a year ago and another story later in the Mali Street Journal. In another instance, the A1A/NA was successful in stopping the publi cation of an article in the Newsweek Magatine, but what about the recent article of Paul Brodeur in the New Yorker. Lately a new' series of three hour T.V. educational programs on lung diseases, called "The Killers" has been introduced in the U.S.; a very expensive undertaking indeed. In the third place, the problem is with pressure groups - unions, environmental groups, etc. These various bodies essentially demand the banning of asbestos. Yet when the Association undertook a public awareness survey on the health issue a year ago under the direction of the Opinion Research Corporation. The results indi cated that only 3% of the people interviewed considered asbestos as a health hazard to the general public. The relations of the Association with OSKA are excellent. The Association was asked to select four industry representatives on the Advisory Committee established to revise the standards on asbestos. Next to OSKA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - an enormous organization - is responsible for assessing the economic impact of regulations on industry. The Association is presently working with EPA on the development of asbestos content. standards in water effluents. Over the past year the Food and Drug Administration has bean very active as regard asbestos and health hazards. Fortunately, as a result of appropriate information supplied by the Association, as . well as the excellent supporting evidence by Dr. Holmes, the .FDA changed its attitude on the question of banning filter pads in the beverage and drug industries. j ' I 1i t.- - iSB' v 11-fajrtl"ac?^ J 33LO aUI.B in l. 'P -5- The AIAJHA is lso sponsoring some medical research namely t$ie project on chest sounds conducted fay Dr. R. Murphy of the Rsrverd School of Public Health. As regards the news Media the Association prepared an Asbestos and Health information kit which was nailed to sons 3,000 newspapers, nagazines, trade publications, radio t T.V. stations, science . writers, etc., across the United States. The all important problea, however, is how to deal with SellkOff. There is no such organization as the ARC in the USA. Within the Industry, Jobns-ManviUe is the only Company with sound and acknowl edged expertise. Mr. Karsh suggested at this point by way of two illustrations - the eases of Union Carbide Co. and the spotted use of asbestos for Modeling in schools - that it was possible and preferable to meet and discuss these situations directly with SelDcoff. The battle is still continuing and Industry needs help; the assistance of other groups concerned with the problea in U.K. and Canada is always appreciated. FoUowing Hr. Marsh, Mr. Mereness consented briefly on some of the attacks by the media, such as the artiale in Times Magazine entitled "Death fro* Dust Ciyier Plant)" and in Hewsueele under the title "Living Dangerously". As' a result the number of queries received by the Association increases every week. Obviously,-.the asbestos and health problem is a good topic for journalists and thus considerably overdone. To strengthen its action, the Association, although representing . major interests of the Asbestos Manufacturing Industry in the Tfaited States, is presently endeavouring to expand its membership. ^ nies like Armstrong Cork, U.S. Cypeua, Jim Walter, etc., are still not aeabers of AIA/MA. SmiATIOK IM CANADA - 6- Mr. Campbell pointed out that the question of esbestoa & health was not as big a problem in Canada as in the U.S.A. Besides, the audience is' mostly confined to Quebec and more in the English than in the French Press. It seess that the French media have never tackle too strongly the asbestos S health problem. It should be pointed out, however, that the release of the McDonald report received excellent press coverage. Yet the blue leaflet "Asbestos and Your Health" campaign through the Canadian week-end press, some two years ago, resulted in only 3,200 enquiries from an eatimatad circulation of 3,700,000. During the last Provincial election, the new member of Parliament for Frontenac (Thetfard Mines, Black Lake, etc.), Sr. Deoours, campaigned for the protection and adequate compensation of workers and people affected by asbestos related diseases. Recently Doctor Nicholson, of Mount Sinai Hospital, came to Thetford Mines, and met with the tnion officers in an apparent effort to undertake a research project on asbestos mine workers. The question is: "Vas it Dr. Leoours who invited him or is Dr. Selikoff trying through such a study to discredit Dr. McDonald's report?" The Association will look into the implications of such practise. tt As is well-known, the contribution of QAMA to the asbestos and health problem is the funding of the 10EH activities. Under the guidance and recommendation of its- Scientific committee presided by Dr. 6.W. Wright, it has so far granted financial support to some nineteen (IS) research projects. Naturally our P.R. efforts are somewhat limited geographically, yet if QAMA can be of further help, i.e. as with customers, kindly let it be known. For instance, should a campaign on the useful applications of asbestos be conducted in other Provinces than Quebec? Actually this type of information is disseminated through "Le Producteur", the monthly__. .. -7- newspaper of the Association. Do Unions think there is a problem in the asbestos mines? So far the situation has been fairly well managed. It seems that the area where Industry has to protect itself is with the uses of asbestos-based products. Is there adequate liaison between AIC/UX, AXA/NA and QAMA? Certain documents, for instance, could be circulated for accuracy before publication. No doubt the service > uld be welcome. As compared to U.K., advertising in U.S.A. and Canada is different and truly expensive. The only economical way, according to Messrs. Marsh and Kereness, is to have articles published in the trade press. Such a means in U.K. reaches the opinion formers and this is where the AXC is comparatively more effective. How about advertising by AIA/NA rather than by individual companies? The efforts of the Association at the moment are placed on informing members of the medical problem. To this end, AIA/NA would like to / produce with the help of a good science writer a digest of artiolea on the health problem. It remains that in Canada as in U.S.A. the problem lies with Dr. Salikoff, who has all the facilities to deal and treat with people. The only way to manage effectively and combat the situation is to seek a broader and closer industry involvement both in time and money. INDUSTRY SPOKESMAN The consensus is that the assignment would require a medical man capable of standing off Dr. Selikoff; possibly, .mis man in. Worth America and one in Europe. Such a person should preferably not be employed by Industry. He could act as an adviser to AIA/NA and...... ZOZH and attend the many' scientific conferenoas hald on this continent and abroad. The position calls for a strong convincing speaker *> .y -I- with persuasive power, to stop irrational statements from various sources. All agreed that this was a priority matter. CLOSE* COLLABORATION IN RESEARCH WATTEUS This item refers to the exchange of views and information on research projects between the groups concerned with the asbestos end health issue in Europe and North Aaerica. It was noted that there was no U.X. representative an the I0EH Scientific Coamittee. The suggestion was aade and unanimously approved that soaeoae from ARC/TOC be appoint-* ed on this Committee. This recommendation will be processed through the normal channels and should be placed on the agenda of the next eating of the XOEH Scientific Cosmittse. IOEH KEPICAL DATA BANK Dr. Pelnar reviewed briefly the operations of his medics! data collecting system. All published scientific and general information on the question of asbestos and health is collected for filing in a library. When such is published in another language, English abstracts ore prepared by Dr. Felnar. A network of mediators located in various countries, has been, organized and a mechanical retrieval system is used to obtain information promptly. Documents received are circulated to scientific people. It should be mentioned that the amount of material thus collected increases exponentially. In addition, based on the information glaaned and the. views expressed fay the members of the Scientific Committee, volumes one and two on the biological affeets of asbestos were prepared showing the ongoing studies and the areas of adequate and inadequate action. From this analysis, recommendations were submitted as regards further studies pertinent to a solution of the health problem. / $L I .3- :* V cr. J i- * -9- To whet extent is this information used toy othar groups such as AIA/MA and AIC/UK? So far, the HeDonald studies have been extremely useful, especially in the case of exposure to pure chrysotile asbestos. The findings of Sr. McDonald were confined by a similar study in Italy (Sr. Vigliani). His study of mesothelima in Canada was also confirmed by a group of authors in Italy, showing that mesothelioma is not necessarily the result of exposure to asbestos. The question of attendance to the large nuaher of Scientific Conferences was raised. In order that these naetingt be well covered, it was suggested to set up a clearing bouse; Dr. Pelnar could circulate the appropriate information. AIA/KA appreciates the facta that it can call on IOEH for medical information. The former is oonteaplating the publication of a brochure on work practices in the asbestos manufacturing plants in U.8.A. IIP HECTIMG IN 6EHE7A - DECEMBER 1973 Mr. A.A. Cross, Chairaan * ARC Environmental Control Committee, represented the U.K. Doctor Pelnar attended as an observer for the Permanent Commission and International Association an Occupa tional Health. It seems that the meeting offered a very reasonable and practical discussion. The British view was strongly represented by the expertise-of- a team of seven mesbers. ..During the debate, two points of interest were made: first that -the term "asbestos cancer" be replaced by "asbestos related cancer" and, second, that "there were other causes of mesothelioma than exposure to asbestos". It is possible that a draft of recoo&endations and proposals approved . by the meeting may serve eventually in the elaboration of national regulations. The 110, however, say not have time to consider- these proposals until 1976. - 10 coHrgaatcg oh the biological effects or asbestos xk ^ NSW YORK. IN OCTOBER 197t (Dr. I.J. SELIXOFT) No on apparently has had any correspondence lately nor any word from Dr. Selikoff concerning this Conference. Hr. Harsh has agreed to enquirer A Conference on Hesothelioaa is to he held in Vienne, Austria, in Hey 197V. The papers and discussion will be in Gasman. Flans axe being Bade for a public health conference is Brighton, England, in Septeaber 1975; a session will be devoted to asbestos problems. ASBESTOS MA1UCETIN6 BOARD FURTHER PROCESSING OF ASBESTOS IN CANADA Information and co-operation froa U.S.A. and U.X. may be required in order to properly eet forth the economic facts pertinent to thaaa two issues. Consents from the Industry to be submitted to tbs Provincial.Government. PLACE AND BATE OF NEXT MEETING The British delegation suggested that another conference be held in Berth, America in a year or so for the benefit of QAHA, AXA/RA, AXC/UK and ARC/UK and possibly other bodies. Brief papers on public relation* and asbestos regulations could be given to bring people up-to-date on recant developments. It would be a wonderful opportunity to infora and advise people froa all aectore of the Industry. The matter was left for the consideration* of'all parties concerned. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the steeting then adjourned. Paul-A. Filteau JOIKT MEETING OF THE AIC/UK, AIA/HA AMD QAMA HELD OH JAMUART 24. 1974. IM MONTREAL. CAMADA PARTICIPANTS Mr. C.K. Fenton c/o Scandura United P.Q. Box 19 Cleckheatoa .Yorkshire (England). Mr. D.W. Bills e/o Turner ( Newell Limited 77 Fountain Street Manchester M2 2EA (England). Mr.. M.F. Howe, c/o Turner* Asbestos Fibres Limited Faulkner Bouse Faulkner Street Manchester Ml 4DX (England). Hr. J.H. Karsh c/o Raybestoa-Kanhattan 206 Middle Street Bridgeport, Conn. 06603 - U.S.A. Hr. ft.H. Mereness Asbestos Information Assoc./North America 1660 *L" Street M.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 - U.S.A. Hr. K.J. Messel Lake Asbestos of Quebec, United P.0. Box 606 Black Lake, Quebec SOM 1A0 Mr. I.C. Caspbell Asbestos Corporation Ltd. 1940 Sun Life Bldg. 1155 Metcalfe St. Montreal, Canada H3B 2X6 Hr. R. Michon Quebec Asbestos Mining A6soc 412 IBM Bldg. S Place Villa-Marie Montreal, Canada H3B 262 Dr. F.V. Pelnar I.O.E.B. 412 IBM Bids. 5 Place Ville-Marie Montreal, Canada BSB 262 Mr. P.A. Filteau Q.A.M.A. 580 eat, 6rande-All6e Suite 320 Quebec, Que- SIR 2X2