Document 5LJZnLY5oEqX49B3npo206M1R

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT A@ A/C Pipe =--M--. Q0-L-Jxdbc,|j Producers Association Executive Committee International Affairs Committee TO ^ \------------- - /J. F. Welch, Vice President FROM f Interna! Correspondence December 9, 1982 DATE: subject World Health Organization (WHO) - Statement on Safety of A/C Pipe ACTION REQUIRED: Review for information Background For what appear to be political reasons, the Government of Saudi Arabia has expressed concerns about the safety of A/C pipe for the conveyance of potable water. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs solicited the comments of a number of governments and the World Health Organization Eastern Metiterranian Regional Office (WHO/EMRO). Current Status Enclosed is the WHO/EMRO response, as obtained from Dr. Faroud Mansour of Etemit. While the Sanitary Engineering Advisor concludes "there should be no significant hazard due to drinking water which has passed through asbestos cement pipe," he adds the caveat "if it is not a corrosive water which can attack cement and release asbestos fibers." The presence of this proviso negates in large measure the positive impact of the "no significant hazard" assessment by implying that if fibers are present then some hazard may exist. This is an unfortunate embodiment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and public health philosophy of "no exposure - no risk." However, the document is routed with hopes that it may be useful to member companies under special circumstances. Staff is attempting to determine whether WHO has completed its review of the medical evidence on ingested asbestos and whether it will be issuing a more consistent, formal statement on the safety of A/C pipe. A similar development is being monitored within the World Bank and will be reported as information becomes available. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. JFW/ajb Enclosure cc: A. Kahn, Esq. AIA AIA/NA CAIC CAPCO JEN 0033260 copies to: Executive Committee L. Ambler J. Cran L. Taylor 0172120807 Chrono International Affairs Committee E. van der Rest L. Giannitrapani A. Saoulis R. Jalan C. Barton M. Delcourt B. Giboin J. Schmaus Dubuc R. Dorner P. Hart S. Al-Tarkait V. Pattabhi H. Hudson J. Cuvelier G. Zaviezo J. Rodrigues Dimatit CAPCO JEN 0033261 o'r* L b ' health ORGANIZATION V,"/yVSJ'i ORGANISATION XON`1 DS LA SANT2 kef: 100 Date: 1, Jeb.' 1932 <* ........... i ii... ,i. . Director General Department of I-ublic Utilities Hi: istry of Municipal and Kural Affairs Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Recently you requested that I review the health-, hazards involved t:e use of asbestos-cement pipe for drinking water distribution . rt.s within the Kingdom, and that 1 prepare a paper on this subject - now been completed and is attached. . taper is based -upon ny own knowledge, review cf reference -.vailable, and material obtained from the eastern I'.editer-- .e'otrial Office of the World Health Organization. . Occjpatior.al health hazards nay exist for workers due to nsoestos in asbestos delivery (to the factory) and in pipe oy . . A low potential hazard nav exist for workers due to airborne :;f- . durine installation and maintenance .shestos-cement none'. ^ s car: be reducer even tower ty tne use oi proper procenures. ,J. There should be no,significant hazard due to drinking water whicr; i:as passed through asbestos-cement pipe if it is net a corrosive water which can attack cement and release asbestos - fibers.' joed engineering practice incicates that corrosive water can c .se serioes uipe destruction and greatly reduce the life of the pipe, but There is no reason to restrict the use of A/C pines if rhe t runs-: if ted water is non-corrosive to cement. The use of A/C pipe for the transmission of non-corrosive warer is good engineering practice and also should present no significant heairh to the user. Respectfully f, c Donald C .Hernandez v Samirary Sreineering Advise: SAA/SHS/CD1 to: Regional Director, HHRO, Wr'C VI J-U . Kmyuch. CAPCO JEN 0033262