Industrial Hygiene Foundation Proposal for an Epidemiological Study of Lung Cancer in Asbestos Workers (1956)

A six-page memorandum of May 21, 1956 (the Industrial Hygiene Foundation's file copy) proposing an epidemiological study of lung cancer in asbestos workers for the Asbestos Textile Institute. It noted that Dr. W. C. Hueper of the U.S. Public Health Service counted about 100 cases of lung cancer with asbestosis and that "when lung cancer occurs in an asbestos worker, it may be looked upon as an occupational disease by some Workmen's Compensation Boards." After visits to seven member plants, it judged a study feasible and estimated its cost at $17,500.

What it shows

The memorandum says the Institute's Air Hygiene Committee had asked the Foundation about a study "to prove or disprove, if possible," whether lung cancer was related to asbestosis or to "any considerable exposure to asbestos fiber and dust." The plant survey found pre-employment records at all plants, periodic chest X-rays at all but one, group life insurance data on causes of death, and autopsy reports on some lung cancer cases. The plan was to follow a group of workers through company and insurance records and compare their lung cancer rate with the general population's. It was sent with C. Richard Walmer's cover letter.

In Johns-Manville's index

Johns-Manville's legal department indexed the Motley 1,000 in 1984. Its index describes this document as follows:

Document entitled "Memorandum on Proposed Epidemiological Study of Lung Cancer in Asbestos Workers for the Asbestos Textile Institute," dated 5/21/56, prepared by the Industrial Hygiene Foundation.

Related documents

• C. Richard Walmer to Myril C. Shaw Enclosing the Proposed Lung Cancer Study for the Asbestos Textile Institute (1956)
• Industrial Hygiene Foundation, Proposed Epidemiological Study of Lung Cancer in Asbestos Workers for the Asbestos Textile Institute (1956)

About this copy

This is document 97 of the Motley 1,000, from the set the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust's records facility certified as true copies, pages CRMC-Motley1000-Subj-000797 to CRMC-Motley1000-Subj-000802.