Document 5kn2yVwXVX4X3kxgLkv7XeZLN

3C- -*-2 1 * wt Ns ll,K N I N . Fiberglas INTRA-COMPANY CORRESPONDENCE fo From SwbicT Mr. A. S. Kevlin - New York F. H. Edwards - Toledo BATH IRON WORKS o.. August 9,1966 ec The subject company is pursuing the best course of action to solve their problems by hiring the Harvard School of Public Health as consultants. They will determine the degree of exposure and recommend methods of bringing it to acceptable levels. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has established a threshold limit value (sometimes referred to as maxi mum allowable concentration) for air-borne asbestos particles at 5 million /] particles per cubic foot of air. in the air should not ' exceed this^ualuc which is an average figure over an 8-hour working day. ' However, exposures may be considered excessive if massive exposures occur'-, at certain times of the work period even though the computed average is within the limit value. The extent of air contamination is determined by the air sampling unit - a Konimeter in this case. In order to avoid expense and work, the hygienist may assume that the collected aggregate consists only of the hazardous material.^ Bn,Mf?Tr tKt /maatny other dusts are air- borne in the industrial atmosphere and, of course, are collected by the sampling unit. I am sure that Harvard will analyze the samples for 5i\i asbestos fiber. As an example, our Kaylo products are composed primarily : a Vr of calcium silicate which is not considered a health hazard. Intermixed 3 ! -* r3, \ in the calcium silicate is approximately 15X of asbestos fiber. Obviously, the dust created in the cutting or sawing of Kaylo should contain about this same percent of asbestos. 3.*.N .... It is possible that Harvard may not agree with the limit value > ^ > X) Si of the A.C.G.I.H. and may suggest a lower limit. If such is the case, they, no doubt, have data to support it. 4 "Vi) Wx ^ Because of Bath Iron's unfortunate experience, I am sure that they will want to take drastic measures to prevent future problems. They have two alternatives with a hazardous material: (1) provide ventilation adequate to maintain dust levels within the recommended limits, or (2) provide suitable, approved respirators for workmen if ventilating equipment cannot be adapted to the operation. The former method is the best because workers will remove the masks whenever supervision is looking the other way. yna-rc frrrbnrrng ~in -r-nr i/T'"1111 1 nftri 12 Gonooquonsby,rpn enlightened company will pro- vide^protection and we aisaMid endorse adequate health and safety programs. j As you know, many companies are handling asbestos without health problems ` and they are doing it by means of good protective measures. 01 020 147