Document 4v8D5LanXLgbOyx4jxpEGqarR

BC: File 4 lEC 7J. L. Myers ClulkdruO:ASBESTOS THE DISCOVERT COMPANY UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION- MINING & METALS DIVISION P.0. BOX S79 NIAGARA FAUS. N. V. 14302 TEL 716-278-3376 July 18, 1975 Mr. Peter Zschunke Grace GmbH 6520 Worms Rh. Postfach 449 In der Hollerhecke Germany Dear Peter: Bob Byrne has asked me to respond to your letter of June 24, 1975 on the subject of the use of asbestos In filter equipment and packaging material for pharmaceuticals and food. This has been an emotional and controversial subject In the United States ever since Nicholson, Maggiore, and Selikoff published their data and publicly expressed their concern. Basically two different problems have been examined by the FDA: 1. The use of asbestos filters for the processing of injection drugs, foods, and beverages. 2. The use of asbestos contaminated talc in foods. After much debate and testimony, the FDA decided to put severe restrictions on filters and packaging for injection drugs only. No restrictions have been placed at this time on talc contaminated with asbestos in foods or on the use of asbestos filters for processing foods and beverages. Extensive research on the effects of injected asbestos are planned to deter mine if such restrictions are necessary. The essentials of these decisions are summarized in the attachment, "Consumer Health." A copy of the complete regulations from the Federal Register is also provided if you want more details. You may also be interested in an excellent summary of the facts on the problem that was submitted to the FDA by the Asbestos Information Association. The AIA concluded that there was no evidence of any danger in the use of asbestos filters for injection drugs but did not object to the requirement of an after-filter as an extra precaution. I hope this gives you the information you need for the customer. If you have any further questions, please let us know. Very truly yours. HBR:pcr Enclosures H. B. Rhodes Technology Manager A UJ/ Mr. Peter Zschunke Grace GmbH July 18, 1975 Page 2 Added Notes 1. A copy of the J. L. Myers paper which you requested is also enclosed. 2. Mine Safety Appliances tells us that they have offices in most of the principal cities in Europe. Me are enclosing a list of addresses. H. B. Rhodes HBRrpcr Enclosures cc: R. E. Byrne, Jr. J. L. Mvers A. Dambach, M. R. Grace, Lausanne, Switzerland A i o3/ 3