Document zZMJze2ReQVX6NOEEg5zNONn

0 r /Mr I< c A'-/ -n+.a.n-Qoc ;ST00 I 1629 Safety Vcopid SA POSSIILK CAUSE OP CANCEt? mication from sevenl of our members including Edward C. Brosious and George Hydro concerning the articles that recently appeared in newspapers concerning the possible hazard involved in handling or even being in the immediate vicinity of asbestoa. This hazard, an unusual fatal form of cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities, seems to be peculiar to persons exposed to asbestos. This malignancy, called mesothelioma, was first diagnosed in South Africa in 1960 when the disease was found in 32 persons living or working in the asbestos fields. Sub sequently 57 more cases were found there in the next two years. Surveys made in the United States found that among 255 members of the Asbestos Workers Union who had died, 12 died of asbestosis, 45 had died of lung cancer, a rate 6.6 times higher than normal and five from mesothe lioma, and incidence of over 1%. r Other studies only made more convincing the evidence of the correla tion between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. In New Brunswick, New Jersey, a few miles from the nation's largest asbestos plant employing about 5000 persons, at least 19 cases of mesuthelioma were diagnosed in Middlesex General Hospital. Of these 19, only two were not asbestos workers and these two had close connection with or lived near the plant The disease is difficult to diagnose and is almost impossible to treat ac cording to all authorities on the subject It is 100% fatal and usually takes less than one year to run its course from time of diagnosis. The nature of the disease is not well understood although it is known that it attacks the lining of the chest and abdomen. No one is sure how it gets into the lining, but apparently when asbestos dust is inhaled, the fibers are trapped in the lungs and form gummy deposits, but the correlation be tween these deposits and the cancer formation is not known. None of the anti-cancer drugs has had any effect upon the disease, and radiation treat ment only removes some of the fluid build up in the lungs without arresting the cancer growth. i Mesothelioma is now beginning to create some serious social and eco nomic problems as no state lists the disease in its workmen compensation laws. Test cases now in the courts may not be ruled on for five to ten years. Many feel that the mesothelioma problem is just beginning as some doctors are of the opinion that it may take 20 years or more of exposure to bring on the disease. With the rapid expansion of the use of asbestos, and the fact that most of the malignancies reported are from earlier periods, there is a good possibility that the incidence could be very extensive and sPeargiot uTshiirnty-tthigehtnear future. Fusion--Mat, 1968 DOW 06912 r- It should be emphasized that direct exposure in asbestos mines or plants is not necessary to the contraction of the disease. Many cases are authenti cated whereby incidental exposure to asbestos or exposure to products con taining asbestos may have been the causative factor in the occurrence of the malignancy. Some of these include an asbestos worker's wife who laundered his clothes, a swiss cheese maker who worked around a boiler insulated with asbestos, a brewery employee who worked on the filters composed of cotton and asbestos. A case has even been reported where the only known exposure to asbestos was when a man spent a month insulating the piping in his home with asbestos. With all of the evidence being compiled concerning this correlation be tween asbestos and cancer, it would indicate that the scientific glassblower should exercise extreme precaution in the handling of the many asbestos products that are used so frequently in the course of his duties. EowAto Mrrz ATLANTIC HARD CIUINT Tkit Hiiiw plartla aaawat it m>H4 far aaatiap praaat flam aipatiily la `ry4aw. SappM la tfcla atafal I m. taka # uxxaoa ltuIsJrtapoamr tMakas. amez. me. #M MtRWOOD DRIVf URtR DARSY. RtNNA. IVOR "ftucott Blass V/orkiB| Cboeks* Met* bf Powers Baaofsetaring, lae. 1140 Sulllvea Streef Klmlre, New York MAKES THE LARGEST AS SORTMENT OF GLASS CUTTERS. WET OR ORT TYPE. ADAPT ABLE FOR MANT SPECIAL CUTTING PROBLEMS. ALSO A COMPLETE STOCK OF CUTTING DISCS. ftmm SWIFT OlASS WITH MITALIZIO IOOI FOR HIRIMITIC ASSIMBIY AND SIAIINO STOOI1630 hkft ENGINEERING CO. m tsm tta nun min. u. mn i u Fusion--May. 1968 ilii/rl/ t&as ^i ^-T g 12 autl, Ilmira, N.T. Paf Thirly-nint l 4 DOW 06913