Transcript Steiner Opening Statement Draft

Asbestos Claims
Based on Automotive Work
Edward M. Slaughter
Hawkins Parnell Thackston & YoungLLP
Atlanta • Austin • Charleston • Dallas
Los Angeles • St. Louis • San Francisco
1
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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)
2 21) Merlo et al. (2010)
HAWKINS
NO PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
NO
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)
3
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
4
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
5
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Changing Regulations
Regarding Asbestos
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
30
25
f/cc
20
15
30 f/cc
ACGIH
12 f/cc
Walsh
Healy
2 f/cc
OSHA
10
5
5 f/cc
OSHA
0.2 f/cc
OSHA
0.1 f/cc
OSHA
0
6
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Exposure Studies –
Automobiles/Light Trucks
Author
Sampling
Year(s)
Affiliation
Approach
8-Hour TWA
(f/cc)
Mean (Range)*
0.68
Hickish &
Knight
1968
Ford UK
Analyzed personal samples for
a mechanic cleaning 11 cars
Johnson
et al.
1976–77
NIOSH
Analyzed personal samples
using PCM at 7 garages
Roberts
1979
NIOSH
Analyzed personal samples for
1 mechanic using PCM
0.012
Roberts
1979
NIOSH
Analyzed personal samples for
2 mechanics using PCM
0.011
(0.006-0.017)
Roberts &
Zumwalde
1979
NIOSH
Analyzed personal samples for
13 mechanics using PCM
0.069
(0.01-0.143)
1986
Germany
Univ.
Institute
Analyzed 31 personal samples
using PCM
0.039
Rodelsperger
et al.
* Concentrations from authors or estimated from published data by Paustenbach et al. 2003
7
0.066
(0.011-0.11)
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Exposure Studies –
Automobiles/Light Trucks
8-Hour TWA (f/cc)
Mean (Range)*
Sampling
Year(s)
Affiliation
Plato et al.
19761988
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 samples
0.002
(0-0.009)
NIOSH
Analyzed 83 personal
samples
0.0021 (0.0000070.0025)
Worksafe
Australia
Analyzed 4 personal
samples using PCM
0.034
(0.0042-0.094)
Author
Sheehy et al.
1986–87
Yeung et al.
1996
Approach
* Concentrations from authors or estimated from published data by Paustenbach et al. 2003
8
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Automobile Brake Mechanic
8-Hour TWA Exposure Studies
Prior OSHA Level 5.0
ASBESTOS CONCENTRATION (f/cc)
2.0
2
Mean or Single Value
Range
1
(no mean or single value reported)
0.2
0.1
0
0.68(1)
0.020.18(2)
0.1(3)
0.03(4)
<0.002(5)
0.012(6)
0.034(7)
1970
1979
1984
1987
1988
1990
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)
9
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
U.S. Government Warning - 1972
CAUTION
Contains Asbestos Fibers
Avoid Creating Dust
Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause
Serious Bodily Harm
10
29 CFR 1910, §1910.93a(g)(2)(ii) (June 7, 1972)
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Actual Brake Product
Warning - 1973
Caution
Contains Asbestos Fibers
Avoid Creating Dust
Breathing Asbestos Dust May
Cause Serious Bodily Harm
11
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
U.S. Government
Jobsite Warning Signs - 1972
Asbestos dust may
cause asbestosis, a
severe lung disease,
and is implicated in
the development of
certain cancers. Control
of exposure to
asbestos dust helps
protect against these
hazards.
12
29 CFR 1910, §1910.93a(e)(2) (January 12, 1972)
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
OSHA – Government Position:
Asbestos Is A
Carcinogen
13
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
EPA “Gold Book”
Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics (1986)
14
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Asbestos – A Carcinogen
Asbestos is 1 of over
130 occupational
carcinogens listed by
the U.S. Government
15
Source: www.cdc.gov
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Peanut Butter – No Safe Level?
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
And peanut butter has aflatoxin in it, right?
It's not supposed to, but they allow a certain amount of
aflatoxin in peanut butter, yes, sir.
Do you eat peanut butter?
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.
16
Dr. Arthur Frank, Schwarber Depo, 09/10/07, 106:1-17
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Dose Calculation 101
X
Exposure Duration (work-years)
Asbestos Concentration (fibers/cc)
Cumulative Asbestos Exposure Dose
(fiber/cc years)
17
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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 time
Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 20)
18
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Average Time Weighted Average
for Mechanics = .04 f/cc
Estimated and measured 8-hour
TWAs for mechanics servicing automobiles
and light trucks range from:
<0.002 to 0.68 f/cc
Mean of 0.04 f/cc
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)
19
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Example #1: Applying a 0.04 TWA
20
Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work
25% of the time
Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1 year)
.25 x .04
=
.01 f/cc years
Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work
25% of the time
Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)
3.75 x .04
=
.15 f/cc years
Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work
50% of the time
Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 40)
20 x .04
=
.80 f/cc years
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Example #2: TWA = 5.0 f/cc
Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work
25% of the time
Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1 year)
.
.25 x 5.0
=
1.25 f/cc years
Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work
25% of the time
Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)
3.75 x 5.0
=
18.75 f/cc years
Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work
50% of the time
Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 40)
21
20 x 5.0
=
100 f/cc years
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Example #3: TWA = 0.68 f/cc
Hickish & Knight (1968)
Plaintiff worked for 1 year doing brake work
25% of the time
Exposure duration = .25 (.25 x 1 year)
.
.25 x 0.68
=
0.17 f/cc years
Plaintiff worked for 15 years doing brake work
25% of the time
Exposure duration = 3.75 (.25 x 15)
3.75 x 0.68
=
2.55 f/cc years
Plaintiff worked for 40 years doing brake work
50% of the time
Exposure duration = 20 (.5 x 40)
22
20 x 0.68
=
13.6 f/cc years
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
23
40 x .5 x 5
=
100 f/cc years
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Ambient Lifetime Exposure Range
.00002
.0001 .0005 .00075
.0001
.001
.0001
.00002
0
24
.001
.001
.00075
.0005
DEFENSE
NED HOLSTEIN
SUSAN RATERMAN
RICHARD HATFIELD
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Comparing Ambient
to Working Hours
Ambient (Background):
24 hours/day
X 365 days/year
X 40 years
Total = 350,400 hours
25
Working Life:
40 hours/week
X 50 weeks/year
X 40 years
Total = 80,000 hours
Ambient Hours
350,400
Work Hours
80,000
= 4.38
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Calculating Ambient Lifetime Dose
Age
X Ambient Range
X 4.38
Cumulative Lifetime Dose
60
X [.0001 - .001]
X 4.38
Range 0.026 – 0.262
26
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Example of Friction Exposure
Exposure
Exposure
Duration
(work-years)
Asbestos
Concentration
(f/cc)
Low
Cumulative Estimate of
Vehicular Brake or
Friction Work
Ambient Lifetime
Exposure
Exposure Estimate at
Current OSHA PEL
27
<0.25
49-year lifetime
equivalent
40
High
Average TWA = 0.04
0.0001
0.001
0.1
Cumulative
Asbestos
Exposure Dose
(f/cc-years)
Low
High
<0.01
0.021
0.21
4.0
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Auto Mechanic With Mesothelioma
What’s the true
source of exposure?
28
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
29
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
30
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Sources for Searching
for Alternative Exposure
 Social Security Records
 EPA Superfund Website
 ASTDR Website
 Bankruptcy Trust Websites
 WR Grace Website
 OSHA Website
 Environmental Working Group Website
 USGS Asbestos Survey Maps
 FOIA Requests
 Local Newspaper Searches
31
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
32
Crocidolite
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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”
33
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Example of Hammer Mill Exposure
Exposure
Exposure
Duration
(work-years)
Asbestos
Concentration
(f/cc)
Low
Cumulative Estimate of
Hammer Mill Work
Ambient Lifetime
Exposure
Exposure Estimate at
Current OSHA PEL
34
<0.50
49-year lifetime
equivalent
40
High
Average TWA = 50.0
0.0001
0.001
0.1
Cumulative
Asbestos
Exposure Dose
(f/cc-years)
Low
High
<25.0
0.021
0.21
4.0
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
What’s the Difference in Risk?
Cumulative Estimate of
Brake Work
<0.01 f/cc
X (Chrysotile) 1
0.01
35
Cumulative Estimate of
Hammer Mill Work
25 f/cc
X (Crocidolite) 500
12,500
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
36
Crocidolite
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Marrero, Louisiana
0.5 miles
JM Plant
1 mile
1.5 miles
Plaintiff ’s Residences
37
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
EPA Asbestos Removal Area – Marrero, LA
Plaintiff ’s Residences
38
School
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
39
Crocidolite
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Cairo, Egypt
Plaintiff Attended
elementary school
and lived in North
Cairo
Went to University
in Helwan
Asbestos Factories
40
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
41
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
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
42
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP
Conclusion
Work with asbestos-containing
brakes does not cause mesothelioma
Epidemiology
Industrial Hygiene
Alternative Exposure
43
HAWKINS PARNELL
THACKSTON&YOUNGLLP