Document 2jpbjMK1Kovz3ja5d0Dpryg6a

FILE NAME: Asbestos Information Association (AIA) DATE: 1971 Dec 10 DOC#: AIA022 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Unpublished Conference Presentation International Conference of Asbestos Information Bodies - with Cover Memo from 1994 To: From: Date: Re: MEMORANDUM Russell, Lisa, Peter, Al & Tech File Pat Folkerth June 21, 1994 Asbestos InformationAssociation/North America GAF documents produced to Steve in Madison Co. contain many good AIA documents which we have never had. I thought you might be interested in the fact that there were international "Asbestos Information" bodies which held international conferences. By the 1970' s, they were fighting hard to save the asbestos industry. Attached are excerpts from a report on one such conference held in 1971. F.J. Solon, who prepared this report, was JohnManville's representative on the AIA/North America Board of Directors. I thought the comments about not being able to find anyone to counter Dr. Selikoff were interesting. Also, Mr. Bateman's comments illustrate the callous indifference which Turner Brother's exhibited regarding their asbestos products causing meso. December 10, 1971 F. J. Solon INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES NOVEMBER 24-25 ,. 1971 LONDON . I. INTRODUCTION Three documents accompanied this report, and are vital to its content: A. A copy of the program.of the Conference, which identifies individual speakers iC . B. A list of delegates present at the Conference and the specific name of the Information Body to which each belongs. C. The summaries of papers presented at the Conference, as they were available at the end of the Conference. This report, therefore, will not repeat information that is in attachment C and will identify individuals only by their last name and the country from which they come. Thirty-five delegates represented eleven Asbestos Information Bodies at this Conference. A complete summary of the Conference will be mailed to each delegate by the AIC-UK *.. **e future. II. Medical Aspects - Doctor W. J. Smlther Cape Asbestos 01-0217958 -7 Mr. Calamandrei indicated that dust counts in Italy are at least as high as those reported in France. He stated that between 15 and 20% of the employees in his plant had contracted some degree of asbestosis! Incidentally, Mr. Calamandrei is the one who made the cloth that was imported into the United States for the "infamous" coats. He greatly regrets having lost this business! H. - United States - W. P. Raines I followed the outline in attachment C, so I will not add to that. During the question and answer period, however, great interest was shown in the pending ban on brake linings in Illinois; on the Water Pollution Act and the effect it might have on pipe; and, most intensely, upon the proposed reduction of our occupational PLV from 12 fibers to 5 fibers. The British, in particular, were absolutely horrified at this de velopment and at the fact that we were not going to put up a desperate, all out fight against it. This will be commented upon at the end of this report. Part of the problem is a difference in interpretation and measurement of numerical standards between our two countries. (-- Tea Break -- ) IV. Attacks and Defenses A. United States - W. P. Raines Again, I st'-1- to the outline. At the very conclusion of my talk, a Telex from Matt Swetonic was delivered, informing me of our victory in Illinois. I read it to the audience and it was a great ending to the speech! There was considerable oi-nrtiet-A -8- relief that this first attempt to impose a ban on asbestoscontaining brake linings had been defeated. During the question and answer period, there was expressed by the British, in particular, the fact that we need in ' the United States a medical spokesman to counter Dr. Selikoff at Press Conferences, Medical Meetings, etc. I restrained my reply to the understatement that we at Johns-Manville and, subsequently the AIA, have recognized this need for at least six years but have thus far been unable to find the qualified individual who is willing to do the job. The question arose as to what the AlA and AIC-UK are spending on their information programs. -The British gave their figures so I also gave our 1971 figures, in round numbers, specifying which part of it was advertising and pointing out that it represented only part of the cost since J-M personnel contrib uted the overwhelming bulk of the time and their salaries were not included. B. - Scandinavia - W. Johnsen - Denmark The International Labor Organization (ILO) is preparing for a conference nextyear at which they will demand strict controls on asbestos throughout the. world! This very much needs follow-up! I have asked Hill and Knowlton, before they leave our payroll, to ' ...er what information they can. 01-0217964 -11- The Financial Times will do a four page editorial section on Asbestos (not a paid ad this time). Their policy on television is to agree to live interviews but to go on tape only if they have advance assurance that it will not be edited. They have some good material on environmental control at some of their plants, and recently interested a TV program in runningpictures of a clean operation. They do divide up the public, relations work among their members. in that one company does the displays; another does movies, and another does the literature and the ads. In each case, however, they are public relations people who devote a great deal of time to the subject. Of course. Turner Bros, and Wilfred Howard devote by far the largest amount of PR time and effort, in addition to Hill and Knowlton. V. Private Discussion with Turner B r o s C h a i r m a n Following the conference. I was invited by Idle British delegates to meet with their chairman. Mr. Bateman, to give him some of the highlights of the information from my prese**^_*on. Messrs. Hardie. Hills and Howe were present at the meeting, which lasted for about an hour. - - Oi0 2 17967 -12 Mr. Batsman obviously has a very constructive and conscientious viewpoint towards the Asbestos problems and is willing to give up areas of business in order to save the entire structure. For example# he is considering the possibility of dropping the Asbestos Fiber Spray Business. (Both Turner and Cape are actually in this business as contractors, as opposed to our position in the United States as a raw material supplier. ) Mr. Bateman has the long range view that future growth in sale of Asbestos Fiber and of Asbestos products, particularly things such as Asbestos Cement Building Materials and Pipe, may have to be concentrated in the lesser developed countries. He is speaking, of course, over a rather long range view. His point is that in many of^ these countries the life expectancy is so low, as a result of deaths from diseases from impure drinking water, for example, as well as starvation, and in adequate housing, that the question of the very, very, small risk of mesothelioma that may exist in exposure to Asbestos . in some situations, is totally out-weighed by the contribution that Asbestos Pipe and other products can make to improving the living standards and, indded, the life expectancy of people in these countries. This is an interesting philosophy, although it has to be expressed rather carefully. 01-0217968 December 10, 1971 F. J. Solon INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES NOVEMBER 24-25, 1971 LONDON . I. INTRODUCTION Three documents accompanied this report, and are vital to its content: A. A copy of the program of the Conference, which identifies individual speakers B. A list of delegates present at the Conference and the specific name of the Information Body to which each belongs. C. The summaries of papers presented at the Conference, as they were available at the end of the Conference. This report, therefore, will not repeat infoxmation that is in attachment C and will identify individuals only by their last name and the country from which they come. Thirty-five delegates represented eleven Asbestos Information Bodies at this Conference. A complete summary of the Conference will be mailed to each delegate by the AIC-UK *. _*e future. II. Medical Aspects - Doctor W. J. Smither Cape Asbestos 01-0217958 -2Dr. Smither gave an excellent one-hour presentation on the Asbestos Health subject. He used slides and presented the information in such a way that it vas both understandable and not at all boring to laymen. Dr. Smither is a good speaker and, in my opinion, would make an excellent witness at Public Hearings, etc. His ability to sum up this complex subject in a reasonably short time is unusual. Among the highlights of his presentation were the fact that he agrees that Dr. Newhouse's study of the factory near London confirms the Selikoff Study of the Patterson, New Jersey Plant . in that there can be a high death rate from very Joigh^ levels of exposure over a short period of time (two years or less) among occupationally exposed individuals. Dr. Smither believes that Mesothelioma has a long latent period which he places at in excess of twenty years. He feels, however, that the actual exposure to dust may be for a relatively hort time and possibly small doses (still far greater than the ex posures to which the general public might be subjected). He holds to the theory that Cr ocidolite is much more likely to produce Mesothelioma than other types of asbestos. He believes that most ME sothelioma cases are contracted while the victim is in his ^outh, because the lungs are more susceptible then to being penetrated deeply by the thin, straight fibers of Cr ocidolite and this enables the fibers to get into the pleura. He also believes that there is some other cause, in^additioi^to asbestos for M esothelioma. 01-0217959 -3 Dr. Smither quoted from Dr. Gilson (Cardiff, Wales) to the effect that the likelihood of death from occupational . exposure to asbestos, even in the past, has been far less less likely than among coal miners and among the general public who smoke twenty or more cigarettes a day. Dr. Smither believes and is willing to state flatly that the amount of asbestos in the ambient air has no effect whatsoever on health. He has the same feelings regarding asbestos in water, beer, etc. III. Current and Prospective Regulations A. United Kingdon - Alec Cross Reviewed the factory regulations which have been in effect since May 1970. Among other things they provides that employees must not frustrate measures to protect them. Employees must wear work clothes that are provided by the company and these must be left at the work place. The regulations on Crocidolite are ten times as severe as on other types. The Royal Navy has not banned asbestos (as we had heard) but has listed a number of non-dusty products in which asbestos may be used. Steve Holmes Reviewed the details of the British Factory Regulations, with which we are familiar. 01-0217960 -4- Significantly, the member companies of the AIC-UK give free dust counts and engineering advice to their customers as a part of the cost of doing business. They do not charge for these services! B. Holland - A. R, Kolffvan Oosterwijk A semi-government research committee has been set up to study the epidemiological relationship between asbestos and Nesothelioma. This is the result of Dr. Stumphius* work and publicity. The study will include asbestos dust in the ambient air, emissions from auto brake linings and the development of reliable measurement devices for asbestos in the ambient air. Some unions are seeking to ban all asbestos insulation in Holland and are trying to include this ban in their union contracts. Asbestos cement products are not under fire, as yet. C. Belgium - Dr. J. Lepoutra There are no regulations specifically covering asbestos but there are general factory regulations in Belgium which may apply. The Common Market is studying the possibility of regulations that would affect all of its members. They may well adopt the UK Regulations, in view of the impending entry of Britain into the Common Market. D. Germany - G. C. Schmidt There are no regulations on asbestos, per se, but the factory inspectorate has jurisdiction and will have regulations on asbestos by 1972. There are heavy insurance penalties on asbestos factories (equivalent to our Workmen's Compensation). 01-0217961 -5- The Germans use a different measurement technique for occupational exposure to asbestos than we do. It is the old particle technique that was abandoned by the U. S. in favor of fibers. There is quite a problem of lack of standardization of measurement techniques between the various countries in Europe. There are two German Asbestos Information Bodies, one representing the Asbestos Cement Industry and one representing the rest of the industry. Until recently they have not gotten along too well. The Conference seemed to draw them together; For instance, Mr. Schmidt spoke for both groups. The Asbestos Cement people seem to be more inclined towards the "let sleeping dogs lie" philosophy while the others know that they arc already under fire. { E. France - RobertJoin The French use yet a third system of air sampling (neither like UK or US). Mr. Join has been quite active in collecting clippings and information about this subject but his information association, thus far, has tended to remain on the defensive. At one point, in answer to a question, Mr. Join said that some measurements of total dust (not just asbestos) in French Asbestos-Processing Plan -- . ran as high as 300,000 particles per liter! "6-- F. Scandinavia - A. Palomaki (Finland) Mr. Palomaki reported for the four small, separate Asbestos Information Groups representing Finland,.Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Primarily they are Asbestos Cement people although Insulation people are included also. He gave an interesting slide talk and is quite conversant with the situation in the United States. Interestingly, Finland, alone of the European countries, has chosen to adopt U. S. standards rather than copy the British. The Finnish Government has not been agressive of late, but unions have been pushing for controls. G. Italy - A. Calamandrei Mr. Calamandrei represents an individual company, rather than an Asbestos Information Body, although they are in the process of forming the latter. Asbestos is considered officially as a hazardous occupational substance. However, the Government pays very little attention to it and industry is in no hurry to call it to their attention. Union pressure are handled very simply. The union contracts provide that every worker in an asbestos plant (not just those who handle asbestos) gets premium "hazard" pay of about $22.50 per month. Employers also have to pay for special health insurance for asbestos workers. This averages about 4% of their wages 7 Mr. Calamandrei indicated that dust counts in Italy are at least as high as those reported in France. He stated that between 15 and 20% of the employees in his plant had contracted some degree of asbestosis! Incidentally, Mr. Calamandrei is the one who made the cloth that was imported into the United States for the "infamous" coats. He greatly regrets having lost this business! H. - United States - W. P. Ratines I followed the outline in attachment C, so I will not add to that. During the question and answer period, however, great interest was shown in the pending ban on brake linings in . Illinois; on the Water Pollution Act and the effect it might have on pipe; and, most intensely, upon the proposed reduction of our occupational PLV from 12 fibers to 5 fibers. The British, in particular, were absolutely horrified at this de velopment and at the fact that we were not going to put up a desperate, all out fight against it. This will be commented upon at the end of this report. Part of the problem is a difference in interpretation and measurement of numerical standards between our two countries. (-- Tea Break -- ) IV. Attacks and Defenses A. United States - W. P. Raines Again, I st*"-^ to the outline. At the very conclusion of my talk, a Telex from Matt Swetonic was delivered, informing me of our victory in Illinois. I read it to the audience and it was a great ending to the speech! There was considerable oi-nmcpfi -8- relief that this first attempt to impose a ban on asbestoscontaining brake linings had been defeated. During the question and answer period there was expressed by the British in particular the fact that we need in the United States a medical spokesman to counter Dr. Selikoff at Press Conferences Medical Meetings etc. I restrained my reply to the understatement that we at Johns-Manville and subsequently the AIA have recognized this need for at least six years but have thus far been unable to find the qualified individual who is willing to do the job. The question arose as to what the A2A and AIC-UK are spending on their information programs. The British gave their figures so I also gave our 1971 figures in round numbers specifying which part of it was advertising and pointing out that it represented only part of the cost since J-M personnel contrib uted the overwhelming bulk of the time and their salaries were not included. ' B. - Scandinavia - W. Johnsen - Denmark The International Labor Organization (XLO) is preparing for a conference nextyear at which they will demand strict controls on asbestos throughout the world! This very much needs follow-up! I have asked Hill and Knowlton before they leave our payroll to ...er what information they can. 01-0217964 .  -9- The Finnish Government is investigating Union charges that there are hazardous conditions in a mine in that country. There maybe a "messy" television debate on this subject. (That concluded the first day of the conference.) ________________* * * __________________ At the beginning of the second day of the conference, we showed the Channel 13 film, with appropriate introduction as to its background, as a way of getting across to the European delegates the climate, particularly the press climate, in which we operate on this subject. The film was to have been the introduction of my talk, but the pro jector did not work. The soundtrack unfortunately was very poor and difficult to hear. _ C. France - RobertJoin There has been considerable publicity in the French press regarding hazard to the general public, most of this has been picked up from overseas reports, particularly from the United States. The French press tends to be quite volitile, also, although they have not yet reached the point of the U.S. media. D. Germany G. C. Schmidt There have been very few attacks in the press thusfar and, it was clear from Mr. Schmidt's remarks, the Germans are rather comr"-At on this subject, as compared to the U.S. and Britian. They are very reluctant to spend money on information activities until they are attacked.7110 rest of the delegates urged them, however, to at -10 least start to build up the material they will need when they are attached. E. Holland J. Van Haagan The Dutch are afraid to contact the press for fear of stirring up more trouble. They have already had a good deal of unfavorable publicity as a result of Dr. Stumphius and the attempts by As bestos Corporation to locate a mill in Holland. . Dutch authorities are investigating the question of a health hazard from drinking water passed through Asbestos Cement Pipes! F. Italy - A. Calamandrei - There has been no publicity, except for a few articles in Communist publications. The government does not appear to be interested in this problem. G. United Kingdom - Wilfred Howard Wilfred Howard gave an excellent slide presentation and showed some T.V. clips. The British are in the fourth year of their advertising campaign. They are also preparing a new movie called "Fire At Work" , to show how Asbestos saves lives. It will be sponsored jointly by the AIC, a British Fire Extinguisher Company and a Ventilation Equipment Co mpany. They will be happy to sell copies o this to the AIA if we should want one. 01,,021796` -11- The Financial Times will do a four page editorial section on Asbestos (not a paid ad this time). Their policy on television is to agree to live interviews but to go on tape only if they have advance assurance that it wiJl not be edited. They have some good material on environmental control at some of their plants, and recently interested a TV program in running pictures of a clean operation. They do divide up the public.relations work among their members, in that one company does the displays; another does movies, and another does the literature and the ads. In each case, however, they are public relations people who devote a great deal of time to the subject. Of course, Turner Bros, and Wilfred Howard devote by faur the largest amount of PR time and effort, in addition to Hill and Knowlton. V. Private Discussion with Turner Bros..Chairman Following the conference, I was invited by the British delegates to meet with their chairman, Mr. Bateman, to give him some of the highlights of the information from my prese***_.on. Messrs. Hardie, Hills and Howe were present at the meeting, which lasted for about an hour. - - -12 Mr. Bateman obviously has a very constructive and conscientious viewpoint towards the Asbestos problems and is willing to give up areas of business in order to save the entire structure. For example, he is considering the possibility of dropping the Asbestos Fiber Spray Business. (Both Turner and Cape are actually in_ this business as contractors, as opposed to our position in the United States as a raw material supplier. ) Mr. Bateman has the long range view that future growth in sale of Asbestos Fiber and of Asbestos products, particularly things such as Asbestos Cement Building Materials and Pipe, 4 may have to be concentrated in the lesser developed countries. He is speaking, of course, over a rather long range view. His point is that in many o these countries the life expectancy is so low, as a result of deaths from diseases from impure drinking water, for example, as well as starvation, and in adequate housing, that the question of the very, very, small risk of mesothelioma that may exist in exposure to Asbestos , in some situations, is totally out-weighed by the contribution that Asbestos Pipe and other products can make to improving the living standards and, indded, the life expectancy of people in these countries. This is an interesting philosophy, although it has to be expressed rather carefully. 1-0217968 13- Most of all, the British were, as mentioned above, greatly disturbed over the prospective lowering of the USTLB to five fibers. I was more candid with them at this private interview than from the podium. I pointed out that they should not be surprised at this development since the ACGIH had made this recommendation three years ago and a blue ribbon panel of doctors assembled by Marcus Key had come up with the same recommendation two years ago. (Theywere told of these factsJ I pointed out that we would have absolutely no medical support if we attempted to fight the lowering to five fibers. Our real concern, I told them, was that it would be lowered to two fibers! Thus, the five fiber question is a rather pragmatic one and we could lose far more than we would gain by attempting to oppose it. The British did not entirely agree with this, so I gently reminded them of the situation which we had fallen into by opposing bans on Asbestos Fireproof Spray in this country (largely at their instigation!). Bateman seemed less concerned than the others, although they are really worried that they could not meet this type of a level in textile operations. There is, of course, a difference in the way of our TLV is interpreted and enforced from.the way the British enforce their two fiber TLV which, as w <**ww, is a "floor" rather than a "ceiling". W. P. Raines INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES 24TH AND 25TH NOVEMBER 1971 . programme CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN - MR. M. F. HOWE PART I WEDNESDAY. P4TH NOVEMBER 09.50 Welcome to Delegatee and Introduction by Chairmen 10.00 - 11.00 The Medical Background 11.00 - 11.15 Coffee '* 1 ' Speaker . Dr. W. J. Smither, Medical Consultant, Asbesto8ls Research Council PART II WESHE5BAY. 24TH NOVEMBER 11.15 - 11,50 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in United Kingdom 11.50 - 12.05 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in Holland 12.05 - 12.20 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in Belgium Mr. A. A. Cross, Chairman, Environmental Control Committee, Asbestos!s Research Council and Dr. S. Holmes, Secretary, Asbestosis Research Council Mr- A. R. Kolff van Oosterwijk, Member of Commissie Voorlichting Asbest, Holland Dr. J. Lepoutre, Secretary, Comit d'information de l'Amiante, Belgium 01-0217970 2 PART II WEDNESDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER 12.20 - 12.40 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in Germany 12.40 - 13.55 Buffet Luncheon 14.00 - 14.15 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in France 14.15 - 14.30 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in Scandinavia 14.30 - 14.45 Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in Italy 14.45 - 15.15 2 4/* Brief Review of Current and/or Prospective Regulations in U.S.A. 15.15 - 15.25 Summary of Reviews 15.25 - 15.55 Tea and Showing of Asbestos Information Committee Film "Why Asbestos?" PART III WbbWfesMYt 24 TH NOVEMBER >6.00 - 17.10 ;Thls will include the of a recent A .:rican T >levision pro;j ramine) film Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences - U.S.A. 01-0217971 Speaker Mr. G. C. Schmidt, Secretary, Wirtschaftsverband Asbest e.V., Germany and Delegate from Wirtschaftsverband Asbestzement e.V., Germany Mr. R. Join, Dlgu Gnral of Chambre Syndicale de l'Amiante, France Mr. A. Palomki, Finnish Asbestos Information Group Mr. A. Calamandrei, President, Associasione Razionale degli Industriali Amiantieri, Italy Mr. W. P. Raines, Secretary, Asbestos Information Association/North America Mr. W. P. Raines, Secretary, Asbestos Information Association/North America 4 12.05 - 12.20 12.30 onwards Final Comment and Summary Refreshments and Buffet Luncheon Mr. M. F. Howe, Deputy Chairman, Asbestos Information Committee Close of Conference - 3- PART III W e d n e s d a y , 24t h No v e m b e r 17.10 - 1 7 . )0 Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences Scandinavian Countries- Speaker Mr. W. Johnsen Danish Asbestos Information Group . End of First Day of Conference 19.30 for 20.15 DINNER FOR ALL CONFERENCE DELEGATES AT HYDE PARK HOTEL Chairman Mr. H.D.S. Hardie, Chairman, Asbestos Information Committee THURSDAY. 25TH NOVEMBER 09.00 - 09.30 Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences - France 09.30 -*10.00 Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences - Germany lO.OO - 10 .3 0 Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences - Benelux io .3 0 - 10.45 10.45 - 11.05 Coffee Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences - Italy 11.05 - 12.05 . . Attacks on Asbestos and our Defences - United Kingdom Speaker Mr. R. Join, Dlgu Gnral of Chambre Syndicale de l'Amiante Mr. G. C. Schmidt, Secretary, Virtschaftsverband Asbest e.V. Mr. J. van Haagen, President, Comit d'Infonnatio de l'Amiante/Commlssie Voorlichting Asbest Mr. A.. Calamandrei, President Associasione Nasionale degll Industriali Amiantieri Mr. V. P. Howard, Secretary, Asbestos Information Committee 1-0217973 Internati oziai Conference of Asbestos Information Bodies 24th and 25th November 1971 List of Delegates BENELUX Commissle Voorlichting Asbest/Comit d 'information de l'Amiante Mr. J. van. Haagen - Holland * Mr. A. R. Kolff van Oosterwi^k - Holland Dr. J. Lepoutre Mr. A. Eyben - Belgium - Belgium LEXMARK Danish Asbestos Information Group Mr. V. Johnsen FINLAND ' Finnish Asbestos Information Group Mr. A. Palomki - FRANCE hambre Syndicale de ^Amiante Mr. C. X. Latty Mr. P. Conas Mr. G. Flouest Mr. R. Join Mr. G. Mahut Dr. J. Avril GERMANY ' Wirtschaftsverband Asbest e.V. Dr. C. Fernbach Mr. H. Mehllng L . . H. Meyer Mr. G. C. Schmidt Mr. H. Askevold * Mr. D. Merkel Wirtschaftsverband Asbestzement e.7. Mr. H. Schaefter Mr. G. Engelmann Mr. R. Skrczypczek - 2- ITALY Associazione Nazionale degli Industriali Amiantieri Mr. A. Calamandrei -Mi1. Angelefrtt* M tv rtli. NORWAY Norwegian Asbestos Information Group Mr. L. Knutsen - SWEDEN Swedish Asbestos Information Group Mr. A. Jnsson UNITED KINGDOM Mr. M. F. Howe . Dr. S. Holmes Dr. W. J. Smither Mr. A. A. Cross Mr. W. P. Howard Mr. D. Wright Mr. J. D. Grieve Mr. A. Masterton-Smith Mr. D. F. Brady U.S.A. Asbestos Information Association/ North America Mr. W. P. Raines a INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES London 2^/25 November 1971 SUMMARIES OF PAPERS A. REGULATIONS 1 United Kingdon A. A. Cross Chairman, Environmental Control Committee, Asbestosis Research Connell Review of principles behind the U.K. legislation Statutory controls applicable only to protection of work people oxposed to harmful quantities of asbestos dust in the course of their employment. Protection of general public from any risks which might exist are considered so for to be adequately covered by existing nowers of local authorities. The U.K. Asbestos Regulations cure based on these principles: . 1. 2. 3* hm 5* They only apply to processes where dust above a cortain level can be produced They apply wherover and whenever employed persons aro oxposed to such levels of asbestos dust They discriminate against blue asbestos in that they call for additional measures of control and a lower standard of dust concentration They envisage the application of control measures related to the extent of the hazard They do not spell out standards of dust levels or degrees of hazard. They rely for the dctailod ' application of the law on the publication of explanatory documents known as Technical Bata Notes which can be . varied as oxporience or fresh knowledge dictates The measures to be adopted under these Regulations are reviewed, and the manner in which HMFI has beon applying them since they came into effect in May 1970 1* disousted. Cont *d Dr S. Holmes, Secrotary, Aebestosis Research Council The work leading up to the establishment by tho British Occupational Hygiene Society of Hygiene Standards for chrysotile asbestos will be discussed. The way. in which these standards have been adopted by the Factory Inspectorate for the purposes of tho 1969 Asbestos Regulations will be explained, including the reason for the difference in recommended dust levels between erocidolite- asbestos and the other types. The way in which different degrees of respiratory protection are uc be used for different dust levels will be described. 2. France 1. Thera is no French national regulation concerning the asbestos industry, except a prohibition of employment of young workers under 18 in certain dusty occupations. The asbestos industry, however, is under strict control by the Factory Inspectorate. 2. "Recommendations'* drafted by tho Factory Inspectorate i , and the Social Security Office'of Normandy, in f' */' - \/` co-operation with Chambre Syndicale de l'Amiante, apply to the industry's units situated in this province. 3 , Asbestosis is recognised as an occupational disease. There ere a relatively small number of compensated c<taes, at varying rates. k. The asbestos industry is- represented on the Social Security National Technical Committee concerned. 5* The present situation is not expected to change in the near future. 6. The French asbestos industry, through Chambre Syndicale de l'Amiante, follows closely all questions related to asbestos and health, prevention and legislation. 3* Germany 1. Safety Regulations for protection against health hazards caused by mineral dust are expected to co:.ie into effect in autumn 1972. The experts working on the Regulations have included some from the asbestos industry. The Regulations will apply to all factories handling asbestos-containing materials, stipulate acceptable dust levels, and lay down measuros for dust suppression and control. They require periodic medical examinations every three years. 2. At present conditions are governed by precautionary measures agreed between the asbestos manufacturing companies, employers' liability insurance companies and local Factory Inspection Authorities. - Ql-0217977^ 3 U. Denmark Regulations are valid from 5th liay 1970. 1. Threshold limit values of airborne asbostos dust are in principle the sane as those valid- in United Kingdom in 1970, although these have not been issued in the regulations of safety precautions. 2. Inspection is carried out by local Factory Inspectors in co-operation with the State Institute fox* Industrial Hygiene, which lays down norms for dust control 5* Medical examinations are combined with tuberculosis x-rays for all works employees once a year. X-ray findings indicating asbestosis lead to thorough clinical examination and full scale x-ray. Suspect cases are followed up ones a year or once every three years. 4* Prospective regulationst The Danish Factory Inspectorate is discussing dust hazards when working with asbestos material in insulation work. 5 Finland A Safety and Health Act includes regulations for effective dust control in work places where asbestos (mineral) dust is emitted. Th- act has been valid since 193S and the asbestos regulations revised in 1971 1 Threshold limit values of airborne asbestos dust are in principle similar to those valid in the USA in 1970. These values are not issued in the act or regulations. 2. Inspection is carried out by the local Factory Inspectors of the state at least once a year. 3* The rules for handling asbestos and materials containing asbestos are made by the Factory Inspectors. Concentrations of airborne dust are measured by the Institute of Occupational Health in Finland by tno ordor or the employer or the inspector. U. Regulations for medical examinations are established by the Safety and Health Act. The preliminary medical examination takes place before employment or one month after commencing work in an asbostos mill or in a factory producing asbestos-containing materials. X-ray and lung function are included. Periodical examinations are obligatory once a year in asbestos mills and once in three years in other works producing materials containing asbestos. Minimum x-ray size: 100 x 100 mm. . 5* Prospective regulations: The new national standards are very similar to the USA latest figures for airborne h^.tod dust and will be confirmed very soon.__ ____ 01-0217978 6. Norway Regulations for the prevention of asbestosis were issued in a circular by the authorities and have been valid fru t 1962. . 1* Threshold l.init values of airborne asbestos dust have, not been fixed. In the Norwegian general rules established by the above mentioned regulations tbei> is reference to 200 particles/cm-* as tins hygienic threshold li nit value in the USA at that tine. 2 Inspection is carried out by the Factory Inspectorate onco a year. Dust controls are the responsibility of the Institute of Occupational Health. 3 The Factory Inspector will ensure that the rules and directions of the circular are observed. Medical examinations t Preliminary examination before employment includes x-ray. Periodical examinations are done once a year with x-ray of suspectod and exposed persons every third year. 5- Prospective regulationst The authorities are working for new national standards on airborne asbestos du.*t. Sweden t . A Worker's Protection Act, passed in 19'9# declares that the employer has to take every reasonable precaution to protect his employees from illness and accidents caused by the conditions in the work places. More dotails aro given in the proclamation attached to the act. 1. Threshold limit values: The safoty regulations do not mention any figure for the amount of asbestos dust in the air regarded as & potential risk, for giving asbestosis. 2. The Labour Inspector ensures that the safety regulations are observed. 3 Safety regulations from 196b regulate work with asbestos and products containing asbestos. This regulation gives directions about steps that have to bs taken to reduce the amount of dust in places whero asbestos is handled. k . Medical examinations t The workers who are employed in places with potential risk for asbestosis havo to be examined by medical inspectors annually. 5. Prospective regulations 1 The 19^9 Act has been amended several times. In the present situation, hovover, a full reconstruction has boon found necessary. This work is still going on and the results will appear successively as from 1972. Tho new regulations are under preparation and thoy might be ready 1972/1973 T* is nuits cortain that this new Act will give figures * *4 # % 01-0217979 - 5- health risk. Probably they will follow the figures givon in the U.K. Regulations from 1970. B. ATTACKS ON ASBESTOS A?TD DEFENCES 1. Benelux . The Asbestos Information Committee Benelux In the Netherlands the first symptom of adverse publici;* was the publication in 1968 of a thesis of Dr Strrnnhius, who drow attention to the risks to health involved with asbestos. The author pays special attention to mesothelioma* symptoms of which he found amongst a number of patients in the surroundings of Flushing* whero largo shipyards have been established and many workers are occupied with the insulation, of conduits. There has been frequent adverse press coverage - o.g. "asbestos ought to bo forbidden"* "tho use of asbestos dangerous to life" and "asbestos causes cancer".. The Belgian press has paid attention to this problem too* although far less than in Holland. The request of "Asbestos Corporation" to set up a mill in Ghent* after failing to get a-licence to do so in Flushing (the Netherlands)* resulted.in publicity in Belgium* which induced a. refusal from the Belgian authorities. The result was that after a conference arranged by tho Asbestos Information Committoe in London in November 19^9 the Belgian and Dutch industries decided to found an Ar.bc.stos Information Committee in Benelux for tho purpose o f : . 1 Providing information regarding the advantages and disadvantages attached to the use of products containing asbestos 2 Coordinating medical and technical research in order to promote the best possible occupational hygiene in factories belonging to Asbestos Information Committee members The Committee is assisted by a medical advisory council* consisting of four professors of universities in Belgian and the Netherlands and Dr. Lepoutre* industrial medical officer of Eternit* Belgium. This Council is working as a body* independent of the Conunittoo. Dr Lepoutre will explain further its activities. In ordor to give you a view of the working mothod of the Committee* I think it desirable to divide the sutjact into four itemst A. The public* which is brought into contact with thw " problem of asbestos and henlth through tho newspapers, broadcasting and television. 01-0217980 - 6- B The authorities( whose decisions on the problem arc - influenced by the modia mentioned under A. Here we must distinguish between industrial hygieno (the domain of the Factory Insurecurate) and general environmental hygiene. C. The worlcors, who are made afraid to work with asbestos influenced by the mndia mentioned under A or by thoir trade* unions. ~ D. The consumers of our products who are looking for substitutes, also under the influence of item A, either because they do not want to apply our products any more, or because they perceive that thoir customers do not want to buy products containing asbestos any more. To elaborate these four itemst ad A The Committee collects the most Important press reports and circul&tas them to members and a numbor of interested bodies. The Committee has only once contacted the press In view of the very doubtful result achieved herewith we are somewhat afraid to repeat the experiment. Unfortunately the Independent press prefers alarming reports to objectivity. ad B An official study of asbestos workers has shown Ck asbestosis and 1 mesothelioma cases among 2,1*00 workers. The Factory Inspectorate has published a booklot "Working with Asbestos". In the Netherlands tho subject is being studied by T.N.O., a setni-governmental research establishment . Crocidollte may be banned. ad C Workers' anxioty is increased by the trade unions in the metallurgical industry, and has led to questions put to the Minister in Parliament. The trade unions, to which tho employees of Eternit are affiliated, have not supported this action till now. ' Tho relatively favourable result of *!.. researches of'the Factory Inspectorate and the measures tnksn b y many factories to control dust havo helped tho morale of employees. ad D Consumers of products made from asbestos -* ovc* asbestos cement materials -- hesitate to apply tuis uiatorial. 01-02179B1 - 7 - Wo think, that action must be specially aimed at increasing knowledge of the consequences for hoalth of using asbestos and loss at explaining the great benefit of products containing asbestos. Tor, if tho benefit is emphasized without removing fears of the risk, then we encourage all those who are looking for substitutes for asbestos products. 2. Germany We are in the fortunate position to state that in Csrmany there has not yet been a public discussion concerning tho possible consequences of exposure to asbestos dust. Isolated articles in some newspapers such as Bild-Zcitung, Hamburger Abendpost, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zoitung and the Welt, concerning the danger to dockyard workers and a meeting of lung specialists, have been ignored by us. According to our motto "Let a sleeping dog lie", we did not reply to a radio comment on the subject of "The Poiiutoil Creation" which cited the asbestos chapter from the well-known book by Taylor. In the same way we treated the news brought by tho Frankfurter Allgemoine Zeitung in October stating that according to Japanese presumptions talcous rice would create stomach cancer. The same applies to a number of articles by dust experts and experts on industrial medicine published in relevant industrial., magazines Nevertheless, by taking advantage of th experience of tho AXC we have begun to devolop together with a public, relations agency a plan of compaign which will give us the possibility of countering an attack by the press in its early stages. Our efforts in this direction are, however, not yet very developed. ' 3. France There have been in recent years, in Franco, many press reports concerning asbestos, but less than in some other countries. - Most of thess reports bear on the possible carcinogenic offsets of asbestos, and leave aside the very large contribution of this material to safety. Many of them come from the same sources. The French asbestos industry - one of the most important with a yearly consumption of some 150.000 M.T. of raw asbestos - concerns itself with the ' ~_-ct of such pross articles on the users and on the public at large. In order not to draw undue attention from the public to a problem which has apparently not aroused much interost, and in order to avoid useless controversy, it has adopted tho policy of not replying systematically to ovory attack from tho press - general or'nodical - and of building up a complete end up-to-date file on the case. 01-0217982 i Chambra Synciicale do l 1Amianta works in two train directions t Documentation and liaison with other bodies, participate >n in international medical conferencejt etc. Full and unbiased information of its members , and rolease ol' brochures addressing to manufacturers ("l'amiante polluant ou matcriau do socurite") or to the public ("amianto et population generals"}. Studies and research to ascertain the accuracy or inaccuracy of certain theories ("asbestos bodies" in the lungs of city dwellers asbestos exposure and mesotheliomas, dust from brake linings, etc.) and original research (for instance on the nature of the core of "ferruginous bodies"). The asbostos industry expects that such a policy will serve to put things straight and at the same time will contribute to improve the knowledge of the asbestos and health problem. - h, Scandinavia . Scandinavia in renerai The four Scandinavian;AC-industrios are cooperating closely over questions relating to asbestos as a hazard. A four-member working group meets at intervals to discuss problems and exchange information. The group hr.r no contact with the public. Each country is contemplating some sort of national, contact bodies representing interested firms. Public attention to asbestos hazards in the four countries must in general be characterized as rather limited. Newspaper publicity is scarce, and TV and radio have not paid very much attention to the question. In the AC-field there has been little or no reaction from customers, but special* ships boards containing asbestos raise increasing animosity. This stiffening attitude in tha shipyards, which tends to bo aggravated in the direction of a wish to abandon completely asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, gives riso to some anxiety. The Factory Inspectorates and health authorities in general appear to have a non-aggressive attitudo, but never regulations and others we expect to be issued in the near future tend to increase dema on those consuming or handling asbestos. The tendency is towards regulations and codes of practice like the British. Cont *d 01-0217983 9 The Scandinavian AC-compani.es .iave agreed upon an information policy to be executed i>iside their works, i.e.y adapted to different levels of staff as woll as _ to those with direct contact with customers. All companies are spondinr, heavily cn dust precautions and also on instrumentation for dust measurement. Each of the Scandinavian firms re likely to take appropriate defence actions only if public, attention du:nanda it. Denmark "Doomsday1' by G. il. Taylor created some newspaper reactions. A TV feature has givon rise to some public discussion. There has been a labour interpellation in the Danish Parliament which may result in a ban on asbestos in insulation work. Finland There has recently been a critical development around the Taakkila Asbestos Mine The local union has started an offensive against the mine. Norway Only minor public interest has been observed. The Factory Inspectorate urges the ship building industry to work for elimination of asbestos in ship building. An insulation firm in eastern Norway is working on the same lines. New Norwegian regulations aro due very soon. Sweden There has been some reference in Swedish papers to asbestos hazards* One Swedish shipyard has taken the load in a drive to abandon asbestos in ship building. There have been several public meetings discussing health hazards in connection with the utilisation of asbestos, 5* Great Britain Positive Work Advertising campaigns Films Editorial articles .jewspapors and magazines Defensive Work Specialised literature Addressos to mootings of industrial safety officers Educational posters for factories Television training of senior executives Processing of enquiries Pebutting press criticism q 1-021799U - 10 - Lessons to be learned 1. This work takes up time and staff 2. Responsibility for particular sectors of work has been allocated to particular officers of number companies 3* The value of asbestos has to bo positively propagatod U. The information problem is becoming progressively more international hence the noed for a consistent approach r 01-0217985 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION WILLIAM P. RAINES BRIEF REVIEW OF CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE REGULATIONS - U.S.A. I. Brief comment on overlapping jurisdictions of federal, state and municipal governments. II. Protecting the Worker A) Federal Government * 1) Occupational Safety, and Health Act a) General provisions vis a vis abestos b) Present threshold limit value of 12 fibers per cubic centimeter c) Labor union/Selikoff pressures to lower TLV to 2 fibers d) Prospective move to 5 fibers level e) Union/Selikoff pressures for "emergency standard" of 2 fibers . 2) National Institutes for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) a) Emergency studies on asbestos and ' fiber glass b) Investigation of "epidemic" of mesothelioma among workers in Manville, New Jersey area. B) State Governments 1) Enforcement of standards 01-0217986 # 2. III. Protecting the General Public _ . A) Federal Government ' 1) Clean Air Act a) Asbestos declared "hazardous" substance" by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) b) Asbestos emissions standards i) Development ii) General Content iii) Next Steps c) Studies of asbestos in brake linings and in asbestos/asphalt paving d) Studies to develop ambient, air measurement techniques d) probable suture revision of asbestos emissions standards based on numerical limits 2) Water Pollution Control Act . a) In Congress sponsored by Muskie and backed by Nixon. - b) Possible effects on asbestos c) Present action under 1899 law. 3) Toxic Substances Control Act a) In Congress - probably stalled until 1972 b) Possible effects on asbestos c) Crocidolite "rumor" . 01-0217987 B) State Governments 1) Ban on spraying asbestos fireproofing Illinois ' New York 2) Illinois Proposed Regulations a) Illinois Pollution Control Board b) General content of proposed regulations - especially ban on asbestos in brake linings c) Hearings and testimony d) Outlook e) Other states watching closely C) municipal Governments 1) Ban on asbestos Spraying: New York City Boston Philadelphia Chicago 2) Control of Asbestos Spraying: San Francisco 3) Interest in banning asbestos in brake linings: New York City 01 - 0217988 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION WILLIAM P. RAINES BRIEF REVIEW OF ATTACKS ON ASBESTOS AND OUR DEFENSES ' I. Attacks A) Labor Unions - Selikoff - OSHA 1) Pressure for "emergency standard" B) Labor Unions - Selikoff - American Cancer Society . I) Major epidemiological study ~ e . 2) Large funding - 3) A.C.S. ability to gain attention C) Labor Unions - Selilcoff - and Local Agitation 1) Manville, New Jersey 2) Waukegan, 111. ' 3) Toronto, Canada D) Gastrointestinal Cancer 1) "Natures" article and Canadian scientists 2) S e likoffs position E) Selikoff and Predictions of " Epidemics" . 1) World War II Shipyard Workers and Mesothelioma 2) Patterson, New Jersey Amosite Plant and "Neighborhood" dangers. 01-0217989 F) Selikoff and Other "Threats" to General Public 1) Women's Coats from Italy . 2) Anti-freeze 3) Taic 4) School children and modeling compounds G) Press - Radio - Television Interest 1) CBC-TV (Canada) 2) Hew York City Channel 13 3) HEW YORKER Magazine and Paul Brodeur 4) BUSINESS WEEK Magazine 5) Newspapers 6) Radio H) Customer Alarm I) Ralph Nader J) Further Government Action ` (Previously Discussed) DEFENSES A) Work with Federal. State and Municipal Government Officials 1) Federal EPA ` > 2) Federal Department of Labor 3) NIOSH 01-0217990 #3. 4) Congress 5) State Governments B) Present Testimony at Important Hearings 1) Federal PA 2) Key States - c) Strengthen AIA/N& 1) Add new members 2) Internal seminars D) Prepare Literature # . 1) Supervisors 2) Salesmen 3) Customers 4) Others E) Seek Mora Effective Wavs _to Get Objective Treatment by Press, TV 1) Spokesmen 2) Prepared TV Clips 3) Rebuttal F) Publicize Favorable Information 1) McDonald Study, etc. . 2) Results c Industry Tests on Product Wear, Emissions. 3) Essential uses of asbestos 01-0217991 AGENDA . ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCXATION/NORTH AMERICA ' BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING- . DECEMBER 29, 1971 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ' ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES- I&PORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY . SELECTION COMMITTEE 1972 DUES PAYMENT MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - EPA ~ OSHA AL. FAY AL FAY . AL FAY MARTIN NEVILLE MATT. SWETONIC ED FENNER ED FENNER - /** % . 01-0217992