Document 10YQpOwMnD11Y5reExD3dDdaj

(OJM/ f THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY 2020 Building July 29, 1988 C. H. Goodman, Legal, 2030 V. M. Hancock, Legal, 2030 cc: B. R. Crary, Legal, 2020 J. A. Gray, Legal, 2030 L. F. Nute, Legal, 2030 W1LLARO H. DOW CENTEH MOLANO. MICHIGAN 48074 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT DOW-708 I am attaching a copy of an article entitled, "Asbestos in Corporate Buildings Is At Allowable Levels." Nick Nuechterlein, U.S. Area Planning Administration, has requested thorough Legal Department review of this article before publication considering the sensitive nature of this matter. This article is being proposed for publication in Centerline. It was initially written by C.O.B.A. personnel in response to question submitted through Feedback. The article has been reviewed and modified by John Gray and has been approved by Lee Nute. STOZtllYT RESTRICTED FOR USE WITHN THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY trm fttt July 29, 1988 ASBESTOS IN CORPORATE BUILDINGS IS AT ALLOWABLE. LEVELS Feedback is a corporate headquarters program that provides opportunities for employees to ask questions of management anonymously and confidentially. Questions asked or comments made and resulting answers are often of general interest and will periodically appear in Centerline. Feedback forms are available in dispensers throughout the headquarters unit. Employees should try to speak to their supervisors about Dow and its policies before using Feedback. Q. Why do we have contractors working on wiring, cable and other materials in the ceiling areas during working hours? They have special masks to protect them from the asbestos while those of us working directly below have no protection. A. When both 2020 and 2040 Buildings were originally constructed in the late 50s and 60s respectively, the structural steel of the building was fireproofed with an insulating material. This fireproofing material contains a low percentage of asbestos. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established an acceptable level for employee exposure to asbestos and also has directed what protection is needed when this level could be exceeded. Dow is aware of the existence and location of the insulating/ fireproofing products in our buildings. The Industrial Hygiene Department has carried out air sampling surveys to monitor for any asbestos. The results of these surveys have shown that the amount of asbestos, if any, in the air of our buildings, has been well below the allowable level. To insure protection for employees who in the nature of their work must work above the ceiling and may be directly exposed to the asbestos fireproofing, we require that they protect themselves by wearing approved protective devices. This jlist-in-case protection consists of wearing a pro-fitted approved respirator and, under certain conditions, a disposable suit. Air sampling surveys of the office environment below or adjacent to the areas where personnel are working above the ceiling have been - 1- r July 29, 1988 taken while the work is in progress. These samples have indicated that the asbestos level in the air is well below the standard set by OSHA. If the opening into the ceiling space is directly above a work station, the employee working above the ceiling should request that the employees in the work station temporarily move while activity above the ceiling is taking place. Quite frequently work above the ceilings is done during non-business hours if the work is expected to become excessively disruptive to the occupants. However, because these workers who are pulling cable above the celling need to interrelate with many Dow people during the course of their work, it would be very difficult as well as cost prohibitive to have all this type of work done during non-business hours. Thank you for your question. If you have any further concerns or questions, please mention them to your supervisor or call me. Robert Hossner, Manager, COBA m tiitt -2- r