Document 3Q40EoBLgnxyJbQpX8ZmM2Nya

CC: Dr, Charles Walker, Jr. * Cheataut Run a:, John A, Zapp, Jr. - Haakall iu . C -0(5*47 / 2-n) June 2, 1966 DR. ARTHUR C, STEVENSOS, DIRECTOR ELASTOMER CHEMICALS DEPARTMENT ELASTOMERS LABORATORY Dr, Zapp has passed your lattar rafarxing to tha health hazards of aabaatoa to me for a reply, jI / That asbestos fibers can cause chronic pulmonary disease has been recognized since 1907 sad vlth this recognition came control measures aimed at reducing the amount of dust produced during the mining of the crude mineral and its subsequent conversion into finished products. Combined vlth the measures aimed at reducing the amount of duet were ateps to prsvent the duet that was produced from being inhaled. This meant the veering of dust respirators. / / 1 J f Whet has caused rena\Md concern over the hazards of asbestos has been the finding of an apparent link between some types of cancer and exposure to asbestos fiber. This link has been demonstrated, not in the trades usually thought of ae constituting tha "asbestos Industry" where dust control methods have bean in use for years, but In such occupations as insulation vorkars and pipe eoverers. j I J/ I jThere ere three factors which are disquieting about these new health problems surrounding the use of asbestos. Firstly, the possible association between cancer f end aabaatoa, naturally is a matter for concern, secondly, such evidence as there la / points to an "incubation" period which may be aa long ae forty years end thirdly, f there Is same rather franent*ry evidence thee short exposures to apparently smell f amounts of aabaatoa fiber may product cancer many years later. At this time our knowledge is insufficient to ansvmr the question "what la tha smallest amount of JJ dust end the shortest exposure that might produce ceneart" From e practical point J of view if the dust does not gain aceasa to tha body thara will ba no problem, I therefore, dust respirators will protect the personnel veering them. f Operations which product aabaatoa dust should ba dttlgntd to that tha dust 1*1 contained end exhausted Into a system that will prevent re-entrainment of the I asbestos fibers* / Customers should be advised thee there la same heserd sssocleted with workine^--^ with asbestos end thee strict dust control measures suae be taken. If personnal will unadvoldably be exposed to asbestos dust, they should wear dust respirators. -- Lte8 DUP 0900505 SC-DP-01245 as.thus. c, sxmKsoii 2 Juaa 2t 1946 Za ton* cutt perhaps other fibers such u glut could be used la plaea of UbtltOt, Za aetawpelag to vara people of tha haalch huarda of ubattot X bava been handicapped by the inauaerable uaasof tha aiaaral to that it becaaes vary difficult _ to loeata groupa such as /ours that ara working with tha aatarlal. Should you know of othar tuch grcupe Z should ha grataful if you would let as know of thaw. - If Z'cah ba of further utitttuce plaata latino know. . ' .. ORIGINAL SIGNED BX a J. STORM 0. J. StOppt, M.B., l.S, Chief, Physiology Section CJS/jtd \ DUP 0900506