Document 3Q4ZzZLe71Vq10LoN6rK9B7qO

fOM BIOS *' PITTSBURGH CORNING CORPORATION I_. A. Spardy ^Asbestos Health Hazard Valter P. Sinclair #aa. 6, 1969 Dear Ernie: Attached- is a copy of the article which we discussed during our recent telephone conversation, entitled *U.S. Warned of Asbestos Peril", published in Dec. 4 1965 edition of The Washington Post. Paragraph 2 and 3 of the article blast the Navy, the Labor Department and the Public Health Service for not waking public acknowledgement of the warning they were given in September by Hew York Mount Sinai Hospital, where autopsies have shown that most men who worked in shipyards had excessive asbestos fibers in their lungs, a condition that often leads to serious lung disease. In view of the above and other statements in the Article, HACK. J. J. Stilwell, Deputy Commander Shipyard Management, ISSC Code 07, on Dec. 4, telephonically requested information and comment from Capt. W. Eiblett, Head Ship Systems and Engineering Department HAVSEC Code 6100. The job of preparing a memo., complying with BAH*., Stilwell*s request was assigned to A. Munkres, Marine Engineer, Piping Components and Instrument Section, Auxiliary Equipment Branch, NAVS.bC Code 6153. for collaboration with E. Cherowbrier, Chemical Engineer Biological Warfare Defense and Hazard Material Section, Material Development and Application Office,. MAVSEC Code 6101. The memo, has been completed, approved by Capt. Eiblett and forwarded to EADM.Stilwell. During a conference with A. Munkres, he stated that although precaution is being exercised by the Navy, he proposes information be obtained from the Navy lards, private shipyards performing Havy work, Public Health Service and manufacturers on the precaution measured employed in the handling, use and manufacture of asbestos products. He also referred to a statement by Dr. Irving Sellkoff, New Tork Mount Sinai Hospital in Oct. - Hov. 1968 J.K. News Pic that, "Asbestos health hazard is a problem but it can be removed". Beference is also made in the same edition of the News Pic, that $362,500 has been budgeted jointly by J.M., and International Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers for financing research of the problem at New Tork Mount Sinai Hospital. During a conference with E. Cherowbrier, he referred to a survey of the uses of asbestos in shipbuilding, disclosed that the material is used primarily in two areas. The first for packing gaskets and the second for piping lagging and boiler insulation. For a health view point, the second area is considered to be more important. According to Cherowbrier, probably the greatest asbestos health hazard occurs by air borne particles of the material during "rip-out" operations, PITTSBURGH CORNING CORPORATION . Ar. Spardy Asbestos Health Hasard Valter P. Sinclair 6, 1969 eapecially on ships built during and shortly after World War II, when asbestos was widely used. Although respirators are specified for personnel engaged in these operations, overall control of the dust problem is extremely difficult, other personnel in the immediate vicinity say be exposed. Cherowbrier contacted and discussed the problem with the Industrial Hygienist at Mare Island and Puget Sound Kaval Shipyards. The Tards were aware of the faasards of asbestos and as in the case of aost, if not all Kavy shipyards, appropriate safety precautions are exercised. v7o further Minimize the health hazard, associated with asbestos, Cherowbrier proposed that precaution measures be observed in the handling and the use of the material with emphasis on "rip-out" operations, be included in Chapter 9390 Thermal Insulation of HAFShlPS Technical Manual. Also, insure that proper documentation is made available and is utilized by the shipyards. In addition to conferences with Munkres and Cherowbrier, I also contacted Capt. Riblett, Capt. C. Tedholm, Director Machinery Systems Division, NAYS&C Code 6140 and called Capt. A. Bodnaruk, Commanding Officer Haval Ships Research and Development Center, Annapolis, Md. It is the definite opinion of each of these gentlemen that appropriate safety precaution is being exercised by the Kavy Tards, in the handling and use of asbestos products and the articles published in The Washington Post during Dec. 1967 and Dec. I960 exaggerate the problem. Capt. Riblett, however was somewhat apprehensive about the health hazardous conditions caused by air-borne asbestos particles during "rip-out" operations of asbestos materials from old ships. VPS/is Sincerely, /UjQ^ Valter P. Sinclair ce: R. E. Fuhs < JAN 101969