ALCOAST 364/17 - DEC 2017 MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF ASBESTOS AND LEAD EXPOSURES ON COAST GUARD CUTTERS

R 221557 DEC 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N06010//
ALCOAST 364/17
COMDTNOTE 6010
SUBJ:  MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF ASBESTOS AND LEAD EXPOSURES ON COAST GUARD CUTTERS
A. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
B. Technical Directive, Medical Documentation of Asbestos and Lead Exposures
on Coast Guard Cutters Constructed Prior to 1991, HSWLSCTD 2017-009
1. The Coast Guard Occupational Medical Surveillance and Evaluation Program (OMSEP)
is designed to identify work-related diseases or conditions through baseline and
periodic examinations (IAW Ref (A)).  Coast Guard personnel who are enrolled in
OMSEP protocols have known exposures to specific hazardous chemicals or physical
agents at levels documented or reasonably determined to be above the Coast Guard
Medical Surveillance Action Level (MSAL) for that hazard. 
2. Coast Guard military members assigned to cutters that were constructed prior
to 1991 may have been exposed to very low levels of asbestos and lead.  A full
listing of these cutters is provided in Ref (B).  The levels of exposure were
well below the MSAL for asbestos and lead, so enrollment in OMSEP was not required. 
However, medical documentation of these potential exposures may facilitate the
processing of possible future Veterans Administration disability claims. 
3. Coast Guard Active Duty and Selected Reserve (SELRES) members who have had a
prior or current permanent duty assignment on a Coast Guard cutter that was
constructed prior to 1991 will have appropriate medical documentation inserted
into their Service Treatment Record (STR).  Refer to Ref (B) for additional
information.         
4. The POC for this message is CAPT Nancy Sahakian, Chief, Occupational Medicine,
CG-1121, (202)-475-5271, Nancy.M.Sahakian@uscg.mil.
5. RADM Erica Schwartz, Director of Health, Safety and Work-Life, sends.
6. Internet release authorized.