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No Evidence Yet

Mr. Dave Cutler

The Merchant Magaane

4500 Campus Drive, Suite 476 Newport Beach, Cal. 92660

Dear Dave:

So far, I have not read about nor seen a problem that significantly relates wood dust to cancer.

Several years ago, I read the report from England and felt it included so many "ifs" and "maybes" that it was nothing more than an attempt to get another problem before the world.

There has been wood dust for a long time. I feel that if it were a major problem, we would have seen the evidence of it before now. Yours sincerely,

Warren C. Jimerson

Executive Vice-President Wood Moulding & Millwork Producers

1730 S.W. Skyline Portland, Or.97225

WOOD/CANCER LINK?

Dear Dave:

After reading your November editorial, I feel compelled to let you know what is being done to find any possible link between the occupation- al environment in the wood products industry and cancer. Let me assure you that a number of U.S. industries, including wood products, are following two new studies in the U.S. verv closely. We expect they will shei light on this problem, providing a basis for further action.

Although fragmentary worldwide data has been collected on cancer in workers exposed to wood fiber and related chemicals. the field still requires thorough scientific investiga- tion. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has made two federal grants to the Stanford Research Institute to exoand this knowledge.

The first study is being conducted by Dr. William R. Gaffey, Ph.D., to determine whether the death rate from malignant diseases is higher than normal among workers in the Northwest pulp and paper and plywood industries. The study will attempt to identify agents or processes which may be responsible. If causes can be identified, the data may call for more detailed studies and programs to prevent malignancies in those occupational groups.

Dr. Gaffey's project is in its second year. The only reportable results: identification of certain groups of deceased employees known to have been exposed to specific locations and processes for sufficient time to pro- vide a statistical basis for further study. The data is drawn from death records.

A second project just under way will examine the relation of wood dust to cancer on a broader base, involving all industries manufacturin! or re; manufacturing lumber in any way.

In the last 20 years or so, some 60 research projects in various nations have examined the relation of wood fiber to skin, lung and respiratory system disorders as well as hypersensi- tivity of workers to wood fiber, wood dust and wood processing chemicals, including resins, glues and treating compounds. To date, this work has yielded no conclusive scientific evidence of a link with cancer.

In spite of worldwide interest, knowledge of the toxic properties of wood remains fragmentary. The foreign studies involved exotic woods used in furniture and other processes beyond primary manufacturing.

Dr. Raymond R. Suskind, M.D., in 196'1 studied skin disorders amons forest industry workers exposed to cedar, pine, spruce, fir and hemlock in the Pacific Northwest. He concluded that allergies caused by those species were uncommon. He later said: "Most of the diagnoses of wood poisonings are usually made by local general practitioners who, as a rule, have neither the time nor the inclination to study such problems in any detail."

Dr. Samuel Milham, M.D., an epidemiologist with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. in the late 1960s examined New York State death records. He found that men dying of Hodgkins disease had been exposed to wood fiber in their occupations more often than a control group. Studying members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Dr. Milham reported association of cancer in mortality patterns of workers in various union trades.

Although his data was limited, Dr. Milham stated that he found:

(l) excess lung cancer mortality in acoustical tile applicators and insulators (probably related to asbestos)

(2) excess cancer of the stomach, pancreas and colon in pile drivers

(3) excess leukemiaJymphoma (group cancer) in millwrights and other lumber and sawmill workers as well as cabinet makers, and

(4) excess lung and stomach cancer in construction workers'locals.

All of these things, taken together, point to a need for more knowledse and, if necessary and medically feal ible, development of measures to protect the health of workers. The wood products industry works in an advisory capacity to NIOSH on the study projects at the Stanford Research Institute.

Should these studies conclusivelv establish a connection between wood occupations and cancer, the industrv is prepared to support measures aimei at protecting the health of our workers. Sincerely,

Kenneth P. Patrick Director, Safety and Health

Western Wood Products Assn. 1500 Yeon Bldg. Portland, Or. 97204

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Help Wanted

POSITION AVAILABLE Los Angeles area for experienced retail lumberman. Office and counterwork with general contractors and drop-in trade. Send resume. Write Box 255 c/o The Merchant Magazine.

EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY for experienced home center-lumberyard manieer who likes the desert. Excellent salary Dl-us strons profit participation and many iringes. Sdnd resume c/b The Merchant, Box 258.

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HELP WANTED. Retiree with plywood and door experience for part time work. (714) 547-08s1.

WANTED EXPERIENCED counter man and estimator. Wadds Lumber Co., North Hollywood, Ca. (213) 8'17-4129.

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