Document 4JjL8Q15VKzrkDKp5vGRRGZLa

A/C Pipe Producers Association Public Affairs Committee International Affairs Committee l^r.UJjLmU FROM ?{. Welch, Director, Publjc Interna! Correspon ence DATEAugust 18, 1981 SUBJECT: Field Problem - Brick Township (Ocean County), New Jersey REF: JFW correspondence, same title, July 9,1981 ACTION REQUIRED: Review for information Enclosed are two articles from the Asbury Park Press describing the resolution of this field problem. Staff has requested a copy of the report of the Citizens of Brick Township for Asbestos-Free Water, as well as the Township Council statement. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. JFW/ajb Enclosure cc: A. Kahn, Esq. N. Rahn, Esq. M. Greenberg, Esq. N. Battle copies to: Public Affairs Committee International Affairs Committee H. Olson B. Cook I. Adams \Js. Perrell J. Woods J. Baker T. Dougherty D. Stinson W. McCallie B. Collier R. Dorner E. van der Rest B. Giboin C. Walters R. Hobbs A. Saoulis R. Jalan V. Pattabhi H. Hudson C. Barton S. Al-Tarkait HEGA/6 Chrono CAPCO JEN 0013203 ft .-v. ^hury Park Press/Thure. Aug; 12,1981 ^mm Council finds means. pipes "pose no BRICK TOWNSHIP -- The Township other members of the asbestos-free water proven that the ingestion of asbestos fibers Council says it has determined that the group met with a committee of council is safe." asbestos pipes carrying water to about 10 members two weeks ago. Potoczniak, who relied heavily on a percent ol the township present no health' hazard. ' However, Council -President Joseph Scarpelli said, in stating the council's posi tion, that the issue "is an emotional topic The asbestos pipes were put in the ground by private companies. The town ship eventually incorporated the pipes into the municipal water system. variety of scientific studies linking the ingestion of asbestos to cancer, said there is disagreement among scientists as to the validity of the methods used in the Nation al Institute of Health study. of significant concern which warrants con Although only about -10 percent of the - Council members and members of the tinual, factual study." 'township has asbestos water pipes, the sys Municipal Utilities Authority have estimat Based on its conclusions, the council determined there is not sufficient evidence to warrant replacing the pipes at this time. tem is a series of loops, so water going to other parts of the township also travels through the section with asbestos. . In a statement it released, the council ed that it would cost each homeowner in the township $80 a year for 40 years to re place the asbestos pipes. The council made three formal re Joseph Potoczniak, chairman of Citi zens of Brick Township for Asbestos-Free Water, said he was disappointed. The council, he said, did not recognize ' the studies the citizens' group noted in its reached three conclusions: Asbestos, a mineral,' is in the water naturally and may be introduced into the water syste.m by the asbestos cement pipes. quests in concluding its report: The utility should continue monitoring and testing the water for asbestos fibers. ' The utility, relying on various govern mental agencies and the citizens' group, should keep abreast of research on the ef 40-page report on the possibility of con- There is no "direct scientific evidence fects of asbestos. trading cancer from ingesting asbestos. which links the ingestion of asbestos fibers The utility should "seek to alternate to cancer" according to a National Insti asbestos fiber filtration systems." Potoczniak, an industrial engineer with tute of Health study released in July.. Scarpelli stressed that "the issue has a master's degree in science management However, "based on present levels of not been swept under the rug." from Stevens Institute of Technology, and scientific knowledge, it is not conclusively Councilwoman Mary Anne Butler, who met with the asbestos-free water group, said she is continuing-to organize a survey to determine whether the incidences of cancer has been higher in some sections of the township.- Potoczniak, who said he plans to re lease another report.on.his group's re search, will speak'on the subject 8 p.m. tomorrow at the regular meeting of the; Democratic Club. . .... AU may attend the meeting In the Municipal Complex. . '...... e=E _---.A CAPCO JEN 0013204 RECEIVED AU8-7 W * '" .* :.'. V ` ' !'J i--* >"-:. Asbury Parfc'Press^ 1* , 1 :>*. !.Wed-v Jnly.29;-198t! * ^T"-.T.n - . ': V.i'; -S' " . ** - .-:t\ .,. - - .- O' / v \.V?\.''S'.C.' , yf-.; -T y*.,^ 'Mj&'iSr* ,, . *'/v *** * . *..'. '.; ! - v-ow* :**; -By JOSEPH CAVALU22J .""' '.= There are'levels of asbestos in water j ;. Pras Staff Writer >;.- samples taken throughout the township,, -'. -&v; ':'.VJ - CJesla said. ' " -- -, ' BRICK TOWNSHIP -- To the officials However, he said, it is too early'to say < who would have to ask residents for $5 mil-,. whether the levels, which average 200,000 \ Hoc to replace asbestos water pipes, there fibers per liter, are significant * '. is a question as to whether asbestos causes '. > Some samples, taken inSutton Village, cancer when Ingested.. '. *.. . revealed levels of 700,000 fibers per litter, \ But to'several, residents who have- .Cieslasaid. . *- spent months preparing a detailed-, 40-page', . _ `ilf particles are breaking oft the pipes; report on'tbe removal of asbestos' cement' they would go through the entire township j pipes, there is little question. . because the water system is looped," he j "The amount needed to start cancer .said. v.- ; ; I'* '. :} will alwayq be a hot Issue," said Joseph J. - 1 iBut, Ciesla said, the Information does j Potocznlak, chairman of Citizens of Brick- not necessarily mean the pipes are erod- i town tor Asbestos Free Water, adding that' log." ' - .i * research on inhalation Is more prevalent - . Potocznlak called, for the township to; than research oh ingestion. : - */ -replace the asbestos cement pipes with. Either way, Potocmlak told Township ductile iron pipes. j Council members David Wolfe, Mary Anne On this, too, the experts differ, said i. Butler and Charles Anderson that the William Miller, authority chairman. - j cancer-causing fibers wind up In the blood. ' The ductile pipes are coated with a; "The general conclusion that we're seal that may leak polychlorinated bi- drawing here is if you are exposed to large quanities.over a short period of time, it's the same as being' expo*d. to small quani- ties over a long period," he said. ' phenyls (PCBs), and plastic pipes may! leak vinyl chloride into the water. Miller' said- Ji. "It may take 30 to 50 years before the' Mrs. Butler said the council should con-. effects are known." he said. sider surveying the area with asbestos Andrew R. Ciesla, executive director of pipes to determine if the cancer rate that! the Municipal Utilities Authority, said the is greater than other sections of the town real issue is not whether asbestos, a known ship. carcinogen, is in the township's water but' "It's not a question of money," Mntf whether it causes cancer when ingested. Butler said of replacing the pipes. *1 doo;i; "I don't think there is enough evidence - want to fial out in 20 years that we sSJl that it presents a ^health hazard," Ciesla here and did nothing and that our ds are!,, said after the discussion. developing cancer." * He agreed, however, that Potocznlak. 'To willing to pay out' of my made a good point when be noted that-a' pocket I think it's that serious," Wolfe: federal Environmental Protection Agency.' said. ; <p-` study states 8 to 9 percent of the country's . It would*cost IS million to replace $ asbestos workers get gastrointestinal can pipes, at a cost to each resident of VZ'k. . cer. `year for 40 years. ~ -Hi. The township purchased the' pipes far . . Developments with asbestos pipes uU' question 30 years ago when it took over a ' dude Hollywood Mannor, Sky Manej^ private water company, Wolfe said. Tod- Greenbriar, Burnt'Tavern Manor, Briar: day, those pipes make up about 10 percent Mills north and south, and Sutton VIBagij. of township's water system. OesIasald= -. ' \z> CAPCO JEN 0013205