Document 6B61X3VZrnxkq8DNYDmM07ZB9

Asbestos product ban / | planned by SPA' Asbestos, once used widely in construc tion as a durable insulation material and component in many building products, is (now; ultimate market extinction un der a sweeping ban being contemplated l>\ the Knvironmental Protection Agen cy arid alternative product development alreaib under way. In a letter to asbestos producers, manufacturers and environmental groups. Kl'A says it plans to issue a pro posed title next JttK burning six catego ries <!'asbestos-containing products and propose another rule rule itt October. I94, setting production ceilings for re Administration proposal to sharply re- maining products. The limits will de duce worker exposure limits, mannfac- , cline annually until all products Hirers have been scurning to find ; containing asbestos--a known carcino substitute materials. Johns-Manvitle, gen--are eventually phased out. Inc., Denver, which recently transferred The products covered by the pro rights to some of its saturated asheslos : posed initial ban are saturated asbestos roofing felts to a group of investors, ` roofing felt, unsaturated roofing felt, as- says the fiberglass now used in its nrod- bestos flooring felt, nshestos sheet floor- ucts perforins better. The firm anti par ; tug, vinyl-asbestos floor tile and ent Manville C.orp. plan to eliminate all ; asbestos-cement pipe. A "major factor" of their asbestos products by year-end. ' in the speed of the planned phaseout of Asbestos-cement pipe producers, remaining asbestos-containing products meanwhile, have tried a vancty of sub ! will be the avaitabilily of substitute ma stitutes including ratoon libers, mica, terials, says a spokeswoman for the and high-tech thermoplastics, says John agency's Oltice of Toxic Substances. F. Welch, vice president of the Asbes She notes that the proposed rules are a tos-Cement Fine Producers Association. continuation of rulemaking begun in So far. he adtls, -they have not found a 1979 when the agency announced its material "that holds a candle" to asbes intent to ban such products under the tos. Mooring Jirms similar!' -we no sub Toxic Substances Control Act. stitute rcaclily'ayailable and indicate they Faced with the Kl'A threat since 1979 will continue to use aibc-t-.-' until it is and an Occupational Safety and Health banned. a ENR/October 6. 1983 CAPCO JEN 0010809