1 HAWKINS PARNELL THACKSTON & YOUNG LLP Asbestos Claims Based on Automotive Work Edward M. Slaughter...
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Transcript of 1 HAWKINS PARNELL THACKSTON & YOUNG LLP Asbestos Claims Based on Automotive Work Edward M. Slaughter...
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HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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