Document 0JqYkYOgLXm0jMBxjMd96w7Yn

^il'fi - - -t^7-- 2e'_zL7*~ &i ^*,V4wm*La> 2dL*-~7Za , Xf.^.. ,r///--ti--i, ' ' i2_* a3 ~(~- j-2~-~-i. 0J??,^*,- *y]ar ^/\^/ -/000S- JZ+aA^ (M) 42S-2000 7/'_ . * /7AT w KV7"?>'' -/v//x"/ S*.2f.?. .. <?(?: er, (202) 236 ~SCST February 10, 1567 Mr. James P. Verhalen United States Mineral Products Company Stanhope, New Jersey 0787^ Dear Jim: Enclosed is the letter dated February 7, 1967 from Mr. Sherman, Chief of the Division of Industrial Safety of California setting forth his Division's views on the asbestos dust situation. I am also enclosing a reply from the Federal Trade Commission, dated February 8, 1967 on the complaint against the two Houston, Texas insulation companies, which indicates that the Commission has the matter under investigation. Sincerely yours, JB/jn Enclosure cc: Board of Directors :J '^ SiAH & CAU?CN1A--iMHOTMINT ItunONS AC8XCT '.OAfTMtNT OJ IN0USTUA1 tOATlONl DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ASS G0U3EN CATS AVCNUI Un uancuco February 7, 1967 ^onaiq Reacan^ *o*ONO*xAr3>(. s.... Aoontsa *^.r to. P O. ICX *03 r*AMCisco. uur. *t *. Mr. J. P. Verhalen, President Sprayed Mineral Fiber Manufacturers Association, Inc. Suite 2300, One Wall Street Hew York, New York 10005 Oear Mr. Verhalen Our Oivision of Industrial Safety, in conjunction with the State Health Ceoertmenc and the U S. Public Health Service has, over the last three years, maae extensive studies into the hazards of asbestos because of the emergence of a full-fledged asbestos industry in California. The MAC for asbestos in our General Industry Safety Orders is 5 mill ten par ticles per cubic foot, this to be measured by the method recognized by tne U.S. Public Health Service. This has been the standard light field technique. Re cent studies by the U. S. Public Health Service, using electron microscopy and dark field microscopes with phase contrast and higher magnification, identify particles of chrysotile down to less chan 0.01 micron in diameter. In typical air samples, more than 90 per cent of the particles counted would not be visible using standard light field techniques. For at least ten years, evidence has been accumulating relating lung cancer to asbestosis, and in the last few years a serious increase in mesothelioma among asbestos workers has been reported. We have made studies in much the same manner as the Ohio Division of Safety and Hygiene with similar findings; we also require the use of approved dust respira tors by the exposed workmen. We have also Had injuries from slips and falls caused by the slippery, wet material which plops to the floor. We have not found serious asbestos dust concentrations resulting from the v/et "spraying11 operation, one reason being chat the building is not enclosed at this time. We do consider dry sweeping of this material in an enclosed building to be potentially hazardous. The USPHS has studied this operation using phase con trast, higher magnification and dark field lighting and in personal discussion, has indicated they find very high concentrations of small particles. So the immediate cleanup operation is important in our view, for both reasons. Mr. J. P. Verha1en Page 2 February 7, 1967 We appreciate your concern that "unnecessary cautions" work a hardship on industry. We want controls which will provide for a reasonable level of safery for employees. There has been considerable misinformat ion aoout asbestos dust in recent years. Examples are the correlation between as bestos bodies and asbestosis, and the misconception that only 20 micron particles and larger cause asbestosis. We hope you are well aware of these matters. The correct answers are im portant to you and to us, and most important, to the exposed individuals. Very truly yours cc Mr. J. A. Cinqueminl, Executive Secretary Los Angeles Building and Construction Trades Council 1626 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90026 cc Mr. V. C. Mathis, Assistant to Executive Secretary Los Angeles Building and Construction Trades Counci 1 cc Mrs. Margaret ft. O'Grady, Deputy Director Oepartment of Industrial Relations