Document 2j1qnLXO6vqEXjYD3gQm5bBL

T. B. BONNEY PITTSBURGH OFFICE MR. V. A. :EIA PARANAM,/ SURINAME 1981 June 29 RE: ASBESTOS SUBSTITUTES Ref: Crucible Lid Gaskets Much to my embarrassment, I recently discovered that I had failed to respond to your earlier letter on the captioned subject. So far as I know, the Pyrotek Z-5 fabric is the only material that our people have come up with that represents a reasonable and asbestos-free substitute for crucible lid gaskets. Bob Flanagan is chasing down some other leads, but it will be some time before we know if these will prove acceptable. We'll keep you informed. I don't have a good answer to your question relative to the rubber-bonded asbestos material supplied by the Bagges Asbest Kompani. Obviously, bonded material is more desirable than that which is not bonded. The former material provides much less opportunity to generate airborne fibers. The likelihood of any bonded material putting fibers into the air can be estimated only from a knowledge of how it is used. A more definitive evaluation would require sampling. Because the bonding material in the Bagges fabric is rubber -- a material that is not especially heat resistant -- one wonders if the fibers have to be made of asbestos. Would it be possible for Bagges to provide a material containing fibers other than asbestos? From our point of view, Alcoa is much better off to eliminate asbestos completely, wherever possible. Where we are unable to find adequate substitutes, we must then continuously control its distribution, the manner of its use, and its disposal. Periodic sampling and special medical exams may also be required. As you know, there are costs associated with these control procedures. Best regards. T. B. BONNEY TBB/eds 3cc: R. W. Flanagan - Pittsburgh Office j