Document 6R35pn23EvZzZ5Ob1XkoGka34

ground Information concerning the.commercial [and industrial use-of asbestos fibers and products containing asbestos. While the Consumer Product Safety. Cotamission was part of .-the notice, .the main -impact-on ,- friction materials manufacturers would be from the EPA Office of Toxic Substances. In this notice the EPA asked for information on definitions of asbestos^ the-extent of exposure to those dm the workplace and others- ;; In the environment, the .necessity for-using asbestos in-certain commercial products,-treads in the marketplace for.asbestos containing products,- information*an substitutes for asbestos, and-other .such questions con-j_- ceming background Information on exposures and health-effects from exposure..- This.notice had been sent out by the Institute on the : cL.z- Friday beforerthe-meeting. Some members bed not seen the notice and others had.-not had* time to study it in depth. It was .stated that aomer----; of the questions - on-populatlanexposed and types of exposure could -berm r.-- answered .by-using the draft of a letter-that the'Institute offlce-hed- 5i. . prepared concerning shortcomings in-the llT-.-Research Institute report =-.; .. which was a background document for those at ZPA's Office of Toxic Substances.. ..The III Research Institute Report had beenfrefuted- prior .; :; to this.by certain Industry-groups,: including the .AIA end It was felt;s that the Instituted critique could be in the form-of an-answer to; the.---; 1 . EPA'a request in the Federal Register for information on exposure -of. r.. brake service personnel and the routes, duration and frequency of these exposures. - It was-suggested that the response could-be-condensed. ... and the emphasis on criticism of the XIT-Report be deeophasized. - The-, comments would focus on an answer to. some - of the questions-in-.the Federal Register notice. The Secretary was directed to revise this proposed -letter and-send copies:-of it- to the committee members. - The committee members will be -asked to approve->or consent on the..draft and . return, comeats-to the Institute .-office by November 15, 1979. If there., are any difficulties with the comments by .the members, the Secretary will work out the final wording of this letter with the Chairman of ; the committee. - - - - - : " : --..i". Based on earller-recoameadatlons to work with the AIA'8 ad hoc committee, this committee will consider plans by the AIA for response and - Berber suggestions for comments -on the other .questions asked in the .Federal _ ::2 Register notice. : . FEDERAL ASBESTOS HEALTH HAZARDS COMPENSATION ACT , In Hay of 1979 the Institute received a copy of a draft for * Federal Asbestos Health Hazards Compensation '.Act. This-draft was prepared by an industry group and had been patterned after -the Fenwick Bill con sidered In an earlier Congress, but It was never even .-considered by the ; current Congress. The essential-content of the suggested Federal -. Asbestos Health Hazards Compensation Act was that a fund be set -up-with assessments on asbestos products manufacturers, the tobacco Industry, . and the Federal' Government. This fund would be used for compensation awards to those who could prove disability from asbestos exposure, i.or ;