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Asbestos ClaimsBased on Automotive Work

Edward M. Slaughter

Hawkins Parnell Thackston & YoungLLP

Atlanta • Austin • Charleston • Dallas Los Angeles • St. Louis • San Francisco

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Epidemiological Studies Involving Auto Mechanics

Study Evidence of Causation?1) McDonald and McDonald (1980) NO

2) Petersen and Milham (1980) NO

3) Teta et al. (1983) NO

4) Spirtas et al. (1985) NO

5) Olsen and Jensen (1987) NO

6) Jarvholm and Brisman (1988) NO

7) Hansen (1989) NO

8) Gustavsson et al. (1990) NO

9) Woitowitz and Rodelsperger (1994) NO

10) Coggon et al. (1995) NO

11) Teschke et al. (1997) NO

12) Agudo et al. (2000) NO

13) Milham and Ossiander (2001) NO

14) National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) (2002) NO

15) Hansen and Meersohn (2003) NO

16) Hessel et al. (2004) NO

17) McElvenny et al. (2005) NO

18) Rolland et al. (2010) NO

19) Rake et al. (2010) NO

20) Aguilar-Madrid et al. (2010) NO

21) Merlo et al. (2010) NO

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Funding for Epidemiological Studies Involving Auto Mechanics

Government, Universities and/or Medical Community Industry Car or Brake Manufacturers

Petersen (1980) McDonald (1980) Hessel (2004)

Teta (1983) Gustavsson (1990)

Olsen and Jensen (1987) Jarvholm and Brisman (1988)

Hansen (1989)

Spirtas (1985)

Woitowitz and Rodeslperger (1994)

Coggon (1995)

Teschke (1997)

Agudo (2000)

Milham and Ossiander (2001)

NIOSH (2002)

Hansen and Meersohn (2003)

McElvenny (2005)

Rake (2010)

Rolland (2010)

Aguilar-Madrid (2010)

Merlo (2010)

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Sam Hammar:

“the epidemiology does not support evidence that chrysotile causes

mesothelioma in brake mechanics.”

- Dr. Sam Hammar, Farag Depo, 11/02/10, 18:18-20

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Sam Hammar:

“In terms of science the question of whether automotive mechanics and especially

dedicated brake mechanics with protracted exposures to dust derived from grinding,

shaping of new brake block linings have an increased risk of malignant mesothelioma

remains unresolved and contentious”- Dail, David H. and Samuel P. Hammar. Pulmonary Pathology. 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994

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Changing Regulations Regarding Asbestos

1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s

5

10

15

20

25

30

f/cc

30 f/ccACGIH

12 f/ccWalshHealy

5 f/ccOSHA

2 f/ccOSHA

0.2 f/ccOSHA 0.1 f/cc

OSHA

0

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Author Sampling Year(s)

Affiliation Approach8-Hour TWA

(f/cc)

Mean (Range)*

Hickish & Knight

1968 Ford UKAnalyzed personal samples for a mechanic cleaning 11 cars

0.68

Johnson

et al. 1976–77 NIOSH

Analyzed personal samples using PCM at 7 garages

0.066

(0.011-0.11)

Roberts 1979 NIOSHAnalyzed personal samples for 1 mechanic using PCM

0.012

Roberts 1979 NIOSHAnalyzed personal samples for 2 mechanics using PCM

0.011

(0.006-0.017)

Roberts & Zumwalde

1979 NIOSHAnalyzed personal samples for 13 mechanics using PCM

0.069

(0.01-0.143)

Rodelsperger et al.

1986Germany Univ. Institute

Analyzed 31 personal samples using PCM

0.039

* Concentrations from authors or estimated from published data by Paustenbach et al. 2003

Exposure Studies – Automobiles/Light Trucks

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Author Sampling Year(s)

Affiliation Approach8-Hour TWA (f/cc)

Mean (Range)*

Plato et al.1976-1988

Dept. of Occ. Health – Karolinska Hospital - Sweden

Analyzed 23 samples using PCM

0.1

(0.02-0.2)

Moore 1988 Univ. of PA Analyzed 35 samples0.002

(0-0.009)

Sheehy et al. 1986–87 NIOSHAnalyzed 83 personal samples

0.0021 (0.000007-0.0025)

Yeung et al. 1996Worksafe Australia

Analyzed 4 personal samples using PCM

0.034

(0.0042-0.094)* Concentrations from authors or estimated from published data by Paustenbach et al. 2003

Exposure Studies – Automobiles/Light Trucks

Exposure Studies – Automobiles/Light Trucks

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Automobile Brake Mechanic 8-Hour TWA Exposure Studies

AS

BE

ST

OS

CO

NC

EN

TR

AT

ION

(f/

cc

)

0

1

2

Prior OSHA Level 5.02.0

0.2

0.1

0.68(1)

1970

0.02-0.18(2)

1979

0.1(3)

1984

0.03(4)

1987

<0.002(5)

1988

0.012(6)

1990

0.034(7)

1996

(1) Hikish & Knight (1970); (2) Johnson (1979) NIOSH; (3) Nicholson (1984) NIOS 1979 Data; (4) Kauppinen (1987); (5) Moore (1988); (6) Federa Reg (1990) 1986-89 OSHA Data; (6) Yeung (1996)

Mean or Single Value

Range (no mean or single value reported)

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U.S. Government Warning - 1972

CAUTION

Contains Asbestos Fibers

Avoid Creating Dust

Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause

Serious Bodily Harm

29 CFR 1910, §1910.93a(g)(2)(ii) (June 7, 1972)

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Actual Brake Product Warning - 1973

Caution

Contains Asbestos Fibers

Avoid Creating Dust

Breathing Asbestos Dust May

Cause Serious Bodily Harm

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U.S. Government Jobsite Warning Signs - 1972

Asbestos dust maycause asbestosis, a severe lung disease,and is implicated inthe development ofcertain cancers. Controlof exposure toasbestos dust helpsprotect against thesehazards.

29 CFR 1910, §1910.93a(e)(2) (January 12, 1972)

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OSHA – Government Position:

Asbestos Is A Carcinogen

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EPA “Gold Book” Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics (1986)

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Asbestos – A Carcinogen

Asbestos is 1 of over 130 occupational

carcinogens listed by the U.S. Government

Source: www.cdc.gov

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Peanut Butter – No Safe Level?

Q. And peanut butter has aflatoxin in it, right?A. It's not supposed to, but they allow a certain amount of

aflatoxin in peanut butter, yes, sir.

Q. Do you eat peanut butter?A. Occasionally.

Q. Here's some peanut butter. Would you hold that up, please? That's peanut butter, right?

A. Yes.

Q. And based on your view, that there's no safe level of exposure to a known carcinogen, someone who eats peanut butter will put themselves at an increased risk of liver cancer?

A. Yes.

Dr. Arthur Frank, Schwarber Depo, 09/10/07, 106:1-17

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Dose Calculation 101

 

Exposure Duration (work-years)

Asbestos Concentration (fibers/cc)

Cumulative Asbestos Exposure Dose (fiber/cc years)

X

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Cumulative Estimate of Brake Work in Work-Years

• Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work 25% of the time Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1)

• Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work 25% of the time Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)

• Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work 50% of the timeExposure duration = 20 (.5 x 20)

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Average Time Weighted Average for Mechanics = .04 f/cc

Estimated and measured 8-hour TWAs for mechanics servicing automobiles

and light trucks range from:

Paustenbach et al. “An Evaluation of the Historical Exposures of Mechanics to Asbestos in Brake Dust.” Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 18: 786–804 (2003)

<0.002 to 0.68 f/cc Mean of 0.04 f/cc

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Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work 25% of the time

Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1 year)

Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work 25% of the time

Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)

Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work 50% of the time

Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 40)

.25 x .04 =

.01 f/cc years

3.75 x .04 =

.15 f/cc years

20 x .04 =

.80 f/cc years

Example #1: Applying a 0.04 TWA

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Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work 25% of the time

Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1 year)

Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work 25% of the time

Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)

Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work 50% of the time

Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 40)

..25 x 5.0

= 1.25 f/cc years

3.75 x 5.0 =

18.75 f/cc years

20 x 5.0 =

100 f/cc years

Example #2: TWA = 5.0 f/cc

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Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work 25% of the time

Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1 year)

Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work 25% of the time

Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)

Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work 50% of the time

Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 40)

..25 x 0.68

= 0.17 f/cc years

3.75 x 0.68 =

2.55 f/cc years

20 x 0.68 =

13.6 f/cc years

Example #3: TWA = 0.68 f/ccHickish & Knight (1968)

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Worst Case Scenario

Career auto mechanic does brake jobs for 4 hours each day for over 40 years

40 x .5 x .04 =

0.80 f/cc years

40 x .5 x 5 =

100 f/cc years

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Ambient Lifetime Exposure Range

.00002 .0001 .0005 .00075 .001

.0001 .001

.0001 .001

.00002 .00075

0 .0005 DEFENSENED HOLSTEIN

SUSAN RATERMANRICHARD HATFIELD

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Comparing Ambient to Working Hours

Ambient (Background):

24 hours/dayX 365 days/year

X 40 yearsTotal = 350,400 hours

Working Life:

40 hours/weekX 50 weeks/year

X 40 yearsTotal = 80,000 hours

Ambient Hours 350,400

Work Hours 80,000= 4.38

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Calculating Ambient Lifetime Dose

AgeX Ambient Range

X 4.38Cumulative Lifetime Dose

60X [.0001 - .001]

X 4.38Range 0.026 – 0.262

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ExposureExposure Duration

(work-years)

Asbestos Concentration

(f/cc)

Cumulative Asbestos

Exposure Dose(f/cc-years)

Low High Low High

Cumulative Estimate of Vehicular Brake or

Friction Work

<0.25 Average TWA = 0.04<0.01

Ambient Lifetime Exposure

49-year lifetime equivalent

0.0001 0.001 0.021 0.21

Exposure Estimate at Current OSHA PEL

40 0.1 4.0

Example of Friction Exposure

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Auto Mechanic With Mesothelioma

What’s the true

source of exposure?

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Toxicity of Asbestos

• Hodgson and Darnton (2000)

• The toxicity level of the different types of asbestos is as follows:

Crocidolite : Amosite : Chrysotile =

500 : 100 : 1

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Sources for Searching for Alternative Exposure

Social Security RecordsEPA Superfund WebsiteASTDR WebsiteBankruptcy Trust Websites WR Grace WebsiteOSHA WebsiteEnvironmental Working Group WebsiteUSGS Asbestos Survey MapsFOIA RequestsLocal Newspaper Searches

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Example: Work At Asbestos Mill

Auto mechanic alleging brake products caused his mesothelioma

Through investigation, discovered plaintiff worked at Amercoat Plant, an asbestos mill in Oklahoma

At site inspection, discovered raw crocidolite still located plant where plaintiff worked

Cause of mesothelioma Crocidolite

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Newspaper Article: The Daily Ardmoreite

“The firm has grown to the extent that Amercoat is now synonymous with

corrosion control…”

“Growth plans have expanded the plant’s operations into four other areas- filament wound fiberglass reinforced plastic pipe, custom

fabricated fiberglass reinforced plastic products, asbestos mats, and

inorganic coatings”

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ExposureExposure Duration

(work-years)

Asbestos Concentration

(f/cc)

Cumulative Asbestos

Exposure Dose(f/cc-years)

Low High Low High

Cumulative Estimate of Hammer Mill Work

<0.50 Average TWA = 50.0

<25.0

Ambient Lifetime Exposure

49-year lifetime equivalent

0.0001 0.001 0.021 0.21

Exposure Estimate at Current OSHA PEL

40 0.1 4.0

Example of Hammer Mill Exposure

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What’s the Difference in Risk?

Cumulative Estimate of Brake Work

Cumulative Estimate of Hammer Mill Work

<0.01 f/cc

X (Chrysotile) 1

0.01

25 f/cc

X (Crocidolite) 500

12,500

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Case Example: Grew Up In West Bank, Louisiana

Auto mechanic alleging brake products caused his mesothelioma

Grew up in West Bank - identified address through deposition or discovery

Admitted to playing with scraps from Johns-Manville plant at deposition

Compared home addresses to EPA Remediation Documents

Cause of mesothelioma Crocidolite

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JM Plant

Plaintiff’s Residences

Marrero, Louisiana

0.5 miles1 mile 1.5 miles

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EPA Asbestos Removal Area – Marrero, LA

Plaintiff’s Residences

School

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Case Example: Egypt

Auto mechanic alleging brake products caused his mesothelioma

Plaintiff grew up in Cairo, Egypt where several asbestos cement factories are located, including ones that used crocidolite

Investigate plaintiff’s prior addresses and compare to map of crocidolite factories – have plaintiff verify map at deposition

Cause of mesothelioma Crocidolite

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Cairo, Egypt

Plaintiff Attendedelementary school and lived in North Cairo

Went to University in Helwan

Asbestos Factories

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Mesothelioma Epidemic in Egypt

• Plaintiff lived within a mile and a half of the Siegwart facility, an asbestos cement factory

• Epidemiological studies have shown that the closer people lived to the factory, the higher the risk of mesothelioma

• There were also 14 other asbestos factories within the vicinity of Plaintiff’s home and school in Cairo

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Mesothelioma Epidemic in Egypt

• Several articles have been written about the mesothelioma epidemic in Egypt

• This epidemic is due, in large part, to neighborhood exposures

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Conclusion

Work with asbestos-containing

brakes does not cause mesothelioma

EpidemiologyIndustrial Hygiene

Alternative Exposure