Document 6Bp7X0k0Yp5QKOgRXDoBEKXwE

^ dO ^ Ip RtPOBT OH CURRENT STATUS Or ASBESTOS/HEALTH SEAVIEM c SEPTEMBER 38, 1970 IWTRI^OUCTIg Considerable adverse publicity has appeared in the a*dU with regard to possible occupational and public health hazards associated with the manufacture and use of asbestos-containing products. Recently, much of this publicity has resulted fru* actions by the City of New York to curb what they consider potential hazards arising out of the use of asbestos-containing spray insulations in commercial high-rise building construction. The ( city Department of Air Resources issued in April strict regulations designed to prevent the release of free asbestos fiber into the ambient air. The issuinq of these regulations end subsequent public hearings on the subject were widely publicized throughout the netion. Similar investigations, generated by the New York City publicity, have been held or are underway and regulations are being considered in a number of other cities and states, including Philadelphia. Sen Francisco, Cleveland, and the states of Illinois. Indiana. New Jersey, Massachusetts and Con: jcticut. Indications arc that la at least two cities. Hew York end Philadelphia, the decision will be made to ban entirely the use of asbestos-containing spray materiele because of the alleged public health hazard. U A CE-1O>~i >i L7 Un Jr Q, 2 Additional adverse publicity has been generated by environments lists and consumer protection advocates such as Barry Commoner, Here Dvbos and Ralph Nader, who from time to time include asbestos in their list of public health hazards. Certain politicians, especially those from cities and states where the use of sprayed asbestos is under investigation, have sought to cash in on the current interest in the environment by attacking asbestos. New York Congressman Richard Ottinqer is a prim* example. Ottinctr. who is staking a strong bid for the U.S. Senate seat from New York, made a number of 'scare* attacks on asbestos during his primary campaign and will probably do the same in the November election. On the Federal level, many groups are at work on the problem of adbestos-related disease. The Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (BEW) is preparing a report on Federal dust standards for asbestos processing plants. A special coemittee of medical experts (including Dr. George Wright, Jtedical Consultant to Johns-Manvills on asbestos/ health mattars) has been set up by the National Academy of Sciancaa under a grant from the National Air Pollution Control Administration (KAPCA) to draft reconmendations for the control of asbestos eadssioas into the ambient air. An interim report from this committee is due before year and. 3 Closer to hone, possible asbestos-related health hazards to workers and to the general public at Mar.ville have been raised by the striking union. The New Jersey press has given a great deal of i coverage to these union allegations. ^he lo*iuwing laces On ailn.s t..s/ jit-- * t.1. c:.u inluoitation on J"M \ activities in this important area will help you place the problea I in its proper perspective. i i i \ c 8SS8 CE-T **** " * > ! # j o p p. i .l I p l l p - 5- # The Amounts of Asbestos dust thst can be fully tolerated by the human Are presently unknown. c It hss not been shown that all so-called "asbestos bodies* found in Human i'nqs contain bo*to*. Animal research has indicated that other fibrous materials, in addition to asbestos, are capable of producing 'asbestos bodies" in test animals. The term 'asbestos hodv" has for years been loosely applied to describe a tiny body of.tissue in the lung containing a core of some inhaled particle -- asbestos, talc, man-made fibers or other common substances. Such bodies are frequently found in great numbers xn the lungs of asbestos workers. Because the overgrowth tissue contains some iron, a batter term being used by many specialists today is 'fsrruginous (iron- . like) body.* The finding of scant numbers of 'ferruginous bodies* in the lungs of some city dwellers is being used by some doctors and politicians ss evidence of dangerous asbestos air pollution. The affect of asbestos on human health ia probably limited to those who are exposed to heavy concentrations of asbestos dust in the mining, milling, fabricating anu application of asbestos or esbeetoecontainlng products and who are not properly protected for thia work. Thera ia still no evidence of any risk to the general public from exposure to the very ssmll amount of asbestos known to exist ia the ambient air, or from the use of finished asbestos products. 4 - *4 P n t. L u u u CE-1 Crocidolite asbestos fiber appears to be more hazardous to humans than cither chrysotile or amosite asbestos fiber. Hew British regulations governing the hard ling of asbestos impose stricter controls cn crocidolite than on other varieties of asbestos. c The Threshold Limit Value -- or standard of allowable dust in asbestos mining, milling and manufacturing operations in the United States -- has been revised twice in the past three years. In 1968. it was fro- * -<11 inn Darticles per cubic foot of air to 2 million particles per cubic toot, or 12 fibers (5 microns in length or longer) per cubic centimeter. In 1970, these standards were reduced even further, to a time-weighted average of 5 fibers (5 microns in length or longer) per cubic centimeter, with a ceiling of XO fibers per cubic centimeter. J 7- PROGRESS REPORT OF J-M ACTIVITIES Policy Conmittee the responsioility for directing the total Johns -Manvilie environTM nental health program, establishing priorities in the health area. and setting corporate policy is centered in the Policy Ccomittee of the Environmental Health Task Force. The members of this committee are: C. B. Barnett R. M. Ball Dr. Thomas Davison - Corporate Medical Director J. B. JOba K. V. binds11 * A. B. Merchant r. L. Fundsack Ivan Sabourin - Legal Counsel, r. J. Solon, Jr. w. L. VanDerbeek Dr. C. H. Wright - Medical Consultant to J-M O v'F'\ Policy Committee meets every two months to study current probl* and programs and to review the progress of the four working Task Force Sub-Committees. These Sub-Committees and their Chairmen arei Environmental Control Sub-Committee W. L. VanDerbeek, Chairman Public Relations Sub-Comittoe P. J. Solon, Jr., O:airman * Scientific Relations Sub-Coraittae Dr. 6. w. Wright, Chairman legal Problems Sub-Caemittee /B. M. Ball, Chairman S 9- c Envi rorvnenta1 Control Environmental Control activates. including air and water pollution abatement a w,ii * = asbestos <b>t oontrcl. hold a high priority at Johns-Manyills. In 1969, capital fundinq for environmental control projects underway, initiated or authorised totaled $8.5 million and covered 52 J-M plant and mine locations. During the year J-M actually completed and put into operation environmental control projects budgeted at $2.6 aillioa. In the first six months of 1970. an additional $1.46 aillioa was allocated for cr.vironscr.tal control projects. From December 1. 196* to June 30. 1970. J-m completed and put into operation projects totaling $1.36 aillioa. Last year the membrane filter personal air sampler technique for measuring asbestos dust concentrations was introduced in plants and mines. All locations with ssbeetos exposure have been re-aprvayod by this method. Continuing this year is a prograa to measure asbestos dust concentre-- tions at the property line at selected J-M plants and mines, ia adjacent communities, such as Nashua, Waukegan, Kanwiile and Aabestoa. and in certain large cities in the United States, such as New Tort Port Worth and Los Angeles. All tasting thus far has demonstrated a -- L*>atoa fiber In i:. ci.. air, but not significant quactitJ.es. .V I v f c Working with Others in the Industry Johns-Manville continually works to orient other asbeatoa produce re, processor* and customers to the potential occupational hazaiJs of asbestos dust and encourages the adoption of packaging, handling and fabricating practices that will mirimlze exposure on the part of all who wcik with asbcctcs. Sene of these activities, past and present, includei 1. Presentations on the occupational hazards of asbastos and recommended safety practices have been made to such industry trade groups as: National Insulation Manufacturers Associa tion, Asbestos Textile Institute, Asbestos Cement Product* ' Association, National Insulation Contractors Association. 2. A presentation on the legal aspects of the asbestos/health situation was made last year at a meeting of the Health and Safety Counci 1 of the Asbestos Cement Products Association. 3. All asbestos fiber bags shipped into the United States and within Canada now carry a caution label that urges careful handling of the fiber to avoid unnecessary exposure to asbestos dust. .4 Advice end informstion on vsrious aspects of the asbestos/ \-health situation is given to numerous customers tdio inquire 1 on this subject each year. This activity Includes not only Mlit - e asseei / j answering question* on the subject, but ',1*0 providing technical advice and assistance on the safa handling of asbestos fiber. Some customers with when J-M has dealt recently in this regard include the inland Division of General Motors, Milton Bradley Co., French Eternit, Delta Airlines, western Electric Co., and the American Oil Company. A booklet. Reconmended Safety Practices for Handling Asbestos Fiber," was prepared by the J-M Public Relations Department in 1969 and sent to all overseas customers. Exchange plant tours were arranged with Rnybeetcs-Manhattaa in 1969 so that each company could inspect the d"st control technique* of the other. Liaison is maintained with the British asbestos companies tfto are members of the Asbestos Information Committee (MO and the Asbestos is Research Council (ARC), this involves periodic exchange of medical papers and press clippings as wall as personal visits by such J-M people as C. I. Burnett, E. N. Fenner, F. J. Solon, Jr., J. Goldfield and others to meetings and plants in the United Kingdom and by British ' officials to this country, in 1970, J-M has beer, visited J1' *v< *by Alex . Crr. mnental Control Officer Cape Asbestos Co., Qiairman of the Environmental Oontrol 12 - Committee the ARC. ar.d a of the Working Sub committee of the A1C: Dr. Walter J. Snither, Medical Director, Cepe Asbestos Co., and a medical consultant to the ARC; Michael F. Howe, Managing Director. Turner & Wewall Asbestos Fibers, and Deputy Chairman of the AlCr and Dr. Stephen Holmes. Secretary of the ARC. Health Research )3 Johns-Manville is currently sponsoring, co-sponsoring or cooperating in twelve scientific research projects in t.ie asbestos/health'area, as well as conducting incepcndint 'work at the J-H Research ar.* Engineering Center. The current status of these asbestos/heelth projects, as well as a review of past and present J-K sponsored studies or. the he*!*'' effect? of fibrous glass, diatomite and perlite are contained in the attached "History of Johns-Manville Health Research.* Two of the siost important of these current studies are the Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program (1IHRP) and the Epidemiological JS.j Jy ^ / * t - PCpuivviSn* if l i > , The IIHRP (described on page 14 of the attached 'History*) is a major cooperative effort by labor, industry and seienca, consulting with government, to develop improved methods for minimizing the aapoaure of insulation workers to dust, primarily asbestos, and fiaaes encounteredi in their work. Under the direction of Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Director of the Environmental Sciences Laboratory, Mount Sinai School of Medicin?, Hew york, the program is jointly sponsored by Johns-Manville and the asbestos workers union. J-M scientists and engineers have aeveVoped. as part of the recommendations of the IIHRP. (1) s disposable respirator for protection against asbestos and other pneumoconiosis producing dusts, (2) factory scored Thermobestos insulations to eliminate dusty A on-the-job hand acoring and (3) a plastic asbestos-cement mixing b*9 to which water can be added tr.rough a special nozzle to product dust-free slurry. J-M asbestos-cement ccxrpounda became available rrmncreiallv in such bags as of September 1. the second important program, the Epidemiological Study of the Canadian General Population (described on page 17 of the attached 'History'), is under the direction of Dr. Corbett MacDonald, Chairman of the Department of Epidemiology and Health at McGill University in Montreal. The preliminary results of this study, while confining the association between occupational exposure to asbestos and lung cancer and mesothelioma, nevertheless show that the risk to workers is virtually confined to levels of dust exposure which are controll able? if not already controlled, in most Canadian mines end mills. Money spent or allocated by Jchns-Manville for research projects currently underway or recently completed in the asbestoe/health field totals more than $1.3 million. It should be pointed out that this does not include such items as consultants fees, production line employees' time (for the Public Health Service study, for example, employees were made available to take respiratory function testa aa wall aa for filling out questionnaires), research activities undertaken by J-M people with J-M equipment, and other intangibles connected with the J-M research effort. Medical Meetings J-M personnel and consultants attend every medical meeting on asbestos deemed to be significant in studying the problem. P. L. Fundsack. Dr. S. Speil, E. M. Fenner and Dr. C. W. Wright have all presented important papers on asbestos/health at medical meetings throughoat the world. In recent months. J-M personnel have attended meetings in Johannesburg. South Africa? Cardiff. England; Tokyo and in the United States. K. V. Lindell, Ivan Sabourin and Dr. C. H. Wright have been most active in this regard. c -16- Public Relation! Over the pest lev years, the J-K Public Relations Department has collected, sorted, analyzed and studied a vast amount of material, ootn ^ieuicai *nu t!i<.rvieon all aspt'ts of the asbestos/neelin problem, ar.d has prepared a sizeable number of wel 1-documented, position and background pi;>crs. pamphlets, booklets, bin lets and other pieces ml lections of material for use in dealing vith adverse asbestos/health publicity, whenever and wherever it might arise. J-M efforts in the public relations area have been aimed at (1) placing the asbestes/health problem in proper perspective for various publics, including thj media, government officials and tho general public, (2) publicizing the efforts being undertaken by especially Jchr.s~Kan.illw. to identity ana control asbestos/health hazards, and (3) pointing out through publicity and advertising the indispensability of asbeatoa in oar modern technological society. These objectives are being attained through various activitiesi 1. Since 1968. the J-M Public Relations Department haa prepared position and background papers on the following haalth topicst a) *Xsbeatos and Health' b) 'Asbestos and the General Public" c) 'Asbestos -- A Pamily of Minerals * ad) 'Asi,--'.os-Cament Water Pip* and .man Haaltb* a) 'History of Joh; s-Manville Haalth kesaarch" t c 'Asbestos and Human Health* and `Asbestos-Cement Water Pipe and Human Health* have both been revised since first issued as nw information became available* these papers arc used by J-M in dealing with newspapers, radio and television reporters, science writers, government officials, customers and others inquiring into the prml-'r--i - ' "*'Pt't* related disease. 2. The P.R. Department, has distributed to government health officials, science writers and others copies of medical papers and speeches which treat the problem of asbestos/health in its proper perspective. Examples of this type of distribution include (1) a reprint of so article entitled `Asbestos and Health in 1969* by Dr. George w. Wright. (2) a speech on the J-H Environmental Control Department delivered by E. M. Fenner at a medical meeting in Atlantic City last year and (3) Sn article by Dr. Z. J. Selikoff of Hew York's Mount Sinai Hospital describing J-M participation in the Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program. A mailing to science writers and editors of the above papers, plus selected J-M bsAgroend and position papers, and other significant medical papers is planned for the naar future. During the course of the year, the Public Relations Department works with a sizeable number of writers investigating the asbestoa/health problem. As following_ SRBM aft r asbestos/health tret through sections on th subject in tbs last two annual reports, in tho 1968 and 1969 annual meeting reports to stockholders, through frequent Hfticlss in NEWS/PIC. and through union-management hi monthly meetings st the local plant level. 6. J-M cooperates with government officials at all levels who art; the actual and supposed hazards of asbestos. Tor example, J-H officials from Environmental Control, Research 6 Engineering, Public Relations and other company departments have cooperated with city health officials in New York and Philadelphia on the problems of sprayed asbestos insulation. 7. J-H replies to irresponsible or uninformed criticises in the press, on radio or TV and by politicians. Recently, letters signed by J-M Medical Director. Dr. Thomas Davison, were sent to the well-known Dr. Morris Fishbein concerning errors in an editorial in MEDICAL WORLD news and to Dr.Bertram Carnow concerning an article in the SATURDAY REVIEW. A meeting was also held recently with members of Congressmsn Ottinger's staff to discuss his attacks on asbestos. 8. Beginning in August, J-M launched a new advertising campalg designed to point out the indispensability of asbestos. This campaign is being run ?" publicationsi DB WALL STREETJOURNAL, NEWSWEEK, BUSINESS WEEK and 0.8. NEWS t WORLD REPORT. - mora . \ 9. The Public Relations Department also monitors selected medical meeting*, evaluates and distributes important publicity clippings, medical papers, etc., and in general. Veeps a close watch on all activities in the asbestos/health area ar.d attempts to present industry's point of view whenever possible. The Joiins-Manville Public Relations Department is given valuable assistance in performing it varied functions in the health area by tha Environmental Health Unit of Hill & Xnowlton. Inc.. J-M's outside public relations counsel. Besides advising Johns-Kanville es public relations matters in the asbestos/hezith area, the & X Environmental Health Unit also monitor* -<oel meetings not attended by J-M personnel, Veeps the company abreartof significant developments at the Federal level in Washington, reads and analyses articles and papers on asbestos/health in the medical literature* prepares piece* of public relations health literature* and* ie general, aids and assists J-M in its total public relatione program on asbestos/health. LWKUB mbb -21- c There are certain present or developing problem areas in the asbestos/health field that J-M must be prepared to deal with this year and in the (atari. 1. The growing concern in many areas about a potential hazard to the general public from exposure to asbestos in the anbient air is jest now starting to gather momentum. Each month brings new reports of cities and states imposing strict regulations on the use of asbestos-containing spray insulations. J-M supports the position of the XXHRP that such spraying can be controlled and regulated so that asbestos will not escape into the ambient air. 2. There is some talX in certain cities, one being Mew Talk -- a leader in environmental protection legislation -- of banning the use of anv asbestos-containing product in ' conatraction because of the danger of asbestoa fiber escaping into the ambient air when the building is eventually demolished. The -otential therefore exists for s loss of business in high-rise, cosssercial end other construction in cities where asbestos is under attach. Me continue to monitor this situation. 2. hftlli i Mirations are that the upcoailng BOSH end KKPCh standards cm occupational and snvironstental asbestos dust mnrm a -4 r.i-v 22- level* will not bo inpoiiiblt to live with, nbutoi is considered in certain Federal circles to be a serious health hazard, and there will be considerable pres -"re in future years for tighter standard**, to be set. . 4. S. Johns-tlanville is presently fighting a number of conmoa law litigation cases related to asbcstos/health, Zn addition to their potential cost, any one of these suits nay trigger publicity about possible asbestos-related hansrds, which in turn night trigger other adverse reactions. Our Workmen's Compensation claims and costs for occupational disease cases over the past five years have been* YEAR 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 PO- 9F CASB 34 125 141 327 681 6 500,000 698,900 009,700 062,500 2.043,200 The huge increase of claims and costs for 1969 resulted from some' valid disability claims, extensive ameesa filing at the Manville location, end an increase in Workman's Compensation statutory benefits in most of the states in which we operate. An increasing awareness of the asbestos/. health problem in labt,* and legal circles could result la *. e large increase in common law end Workmen's Compensation cases In the near future. - more - y t :v - 23- 6. Continuing attack* on asbestos by certain doctors, politicians, environmentalists, consumer activists, etc., stimulate public interest in this problem and consequently apprehension in many circles as to whether the use of any asbcstos-contsiring product is 3.:.. r..c r.evailir.g philosophy in this country st the present time is that any product or materisl that has been called into question should be considered dangerous until proven safe. For the record, J-H's position is summarized is tha following corporate policy statement: * In cooperation and in conjunction with other agencies, Johns-Manville will continue to seek new information about the biological effects of ssbestos fiber, and to develop ways of assuring maximum possible protection from occupational * hazards, for its employees In asbestos mines, adlls and plants and among fabricators and applicators of this essential materisl." Immediate ^.;tare Projects In addition to continuing or expanding those programs and projects which have proven their worth in the past, J-H ia planning new programs in the asbestos/health area. 1, Discuscions have begun between J-H and other major - more - KAFCA art indications of this-concern. Zn Many circles asbestos is considered to be a high priority pollutant. It is therefore essential that Johns- sianviiie iii>M Oaintam working relationships in Washington with prominent officials in HEW and other Federal agencies dealing with occupational and environmental prhler. Stew in this direction have already been taken by Dr. George W. Wright. However, because of the continually changing nature of the Federal bureaucracy and because of the large nusfeer of officials and departaents involved in or concerned about the asbcstos/health problem, J-M intends to substantially broaden its contacts with officials at the Federal level. -24- United State* asbestos manufacturing concerns for the purpose of establishing a Asbestos Info<nation Committee - North America: te provide an authoritative channel of communication to all publics. b) to publicly rebut irresponsible and uninformed criticism. o) to propagate the benefits and indispensability of asbestos through advertising, publicity, speeches, etc. A similar committee, set up in Cleat Britain in 1967, hne been very successful in handling the public relatione aspects of the asbestos/hea1th problem in the O.K. Bill 6 KlwMltae, through their London office, was instrtssentsl in the formation of the British AIC and has handled many of the functions of tho organization ever since. 2. In the pest few years, thsre has been growing concern in Washington governmental circles about possible hasards to industrial workers and to the gsnersl public from a vida variety of substances, including asbestos. The debate going on in Congreaa on the Occupational Safety end Realth Bill i 1 wtd on the so-called ean Air Act, President Mixon's recant decision to form an Environmental Protection Agency, and the work being done on asbestos and other substances by 00C8 and 26 SUHV.ARY OF POLICY STATEMENT It is our considered opinion that< 1. The improper use of asbestos can create health problems. 2. Nevertheless, the conditions creating these health hazards are controllable or are being controlled. 3. Therefore, it would be totally unwarranted to think of banning this important material except when users of asbestos are guilty of gross abuses of elementary safety practices and standards. There is evidence that employees in nines, mills, and processing plants, exposed heavy cwoCcrtt tions of asbestos dust for long periods of time, are subject to hazards that tend to affect their health. This dictates that the following study and policy be adopted. List by Division, Plants, and Shops ALL asbestos dust emission points, and classify as follows! * A. Controllable by known methods. ] B. Satisfactory means of control not known. In Controllable Pointst I a) Now under control. ( b) Not new under control but funds approved to \\ ] c) correct condition. * Funds not spproved to corrsct condition. ^ ------ 4 /fi n i n n 1