Document 2LObKd5wrBXaYOq4490DRx66

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: 1974 Jan 21 DOC#: USG 128 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo from MP Edison to JC Fountas re Asbestos and Health conference ec: Ur* lark *99, Mr. S. D. Foggim lev Brighten, Mr. 1. J. 8couare Mr* J. C. foBBtu Mr. M. ?. Edison "Asbestos and Health* Confsreace lev Brighton 1-21-7k On Thursday, January 17, the vrlter accompanied John Whyte to the JohnsManville Ccmpeny's conference on asbestos and health. Topics discussed included Effects on Health, K M end C6HA Standards, and Safe Handling of Material. The following la a brief summary. Effect b on Health Asbestos particles of less than 3-l/2 microns disaster are harmful over a long period of time (shout 30 years; at high concentrations (greater then 25 - 30 fibers/ce). Fiber partlelea dry up lung vails, eaose abnormal cell grwth, and cause scar tissue formation. Associated diseases are aabestoeis and lung cancer. The safe level of exposure is an average of 5 flbers/cc of no Mare than 5 microns length. Insulation Yorkers are the most vulnerable, more than tvlce os likely to suffer ill health effects as factory workers. m . - OBHA. OBBk allows a marlimsn concentration of 5 flbers/cc on an 8 hour time weighted average and on absolute maximum of 10 flbers/cc at any time. On July 1, 1978 a new standard of 2 flbera/ce will he enforced. In 6 - 12 months, OBHA. will release work practices guidelines for asbestos. ZF& simply requires >'no visible misslon,>. Material Handling Several ideas are now under oonaldcratlon/evaluation to reduce ambient asbestos content. One such idea is a bulb tank car for transportation. The car is automatically filled by ptap and unloaded by alrveyar. This system is only feasible far operations using in excess of 200,000 tons/ysar; the investment is 4100,000. A less expensive system is the assigned ear plan. Ballroad ears are assigned to a oustoner who pays far inflatable dunnage to protect loads in transit, reducing bag breakage. Several older systems were suggested as veil, including dust collectors, n antemetic bag openers, sad fiber pumps. <*T O <01' , J+ aJ. C. Tonta* ' "Aebevtoa and leollh* Coaftrsma lev Brighton 1-2\^1-7*^ - Hone** la the on&srlal Itself a m aim Vala studied. Asbestos Uak, M*>tad vlth polyethylene shrink vrvp, aad palletised fiber am eerreotly vailaibX Tor svalantian la Ilutad aottklcs HUatlaad asbestos dis- aolTM msdlly la votar aad la potentially eypllsabla to lav Brighton's Baady U x syvtaau 9m of tha wild, dast-fe-ee pellets mold sharply decrease M bestos lavis la voloedlag, stooge* tad produvtlao amas* 'This *ay also be a practical, eecoenlc alternative to expensive bag spaaing eqaijs*nt. Plaadrantagas staa roa tho lacraasad vol^rt a sat moaot at Material as s o m 10 1 hitat a pallet Is votar. Alpplae costs tbas lacraasa. So aovt data vos available Tor the Material. Finally, tanrsaggastloas for aaterlal handling vara aadet 1. Inoonlng shlpaaota should be Inspected aad vaetsai tlaaaad of any loose fiber.' 2. Torn bags ahoald be sealed. 3. Toilets should be kept clean by veshlng or veoooalng after use. b. Material should be stored aa near as possible to where it Till be used. Jf loog-tena storage Is called for, the begs should be covered vlth plastic. It vas the opinion of the Jnhns Manrtlie representative that these four item In conjunction vlth conscientious housekeeping - preferably ssploylng a vseesaa clssnlng systsa - sould appreciably reduce bleat concentration. MZKilMT 00S3 b<-JmU o 5