Document 74XYXqw6wLzqKbp4OoeJgdVR

The J-M Asbestos Newsletter will be published periodically by The Asbestos Fiber Division of Johns-Manville. The goal of this newsletter is to keep you informed about asbestos and government regulations, developments in handling asbestos within user industries, and to provide factual information about all phases of asbestos. To this end, your contributions to this newsletter are wel comed. We would be glad to supply copies to any members of your organization who are interested in receiving the newsletter. Just drop us a note! ASBESTOS - WHAT IS IT? Asbestos is a generic term for a group of hydrated silicate minerals that have found broad use in today's industrial world. It should be noted that these minerals are divided into two dis tinct groups on the basis of their crystalline structure: serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. The serpentine category consists only of chrysotile asbestos while the amphibole group includes: crocidilite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Johns-Manville mines and markets only chrysotile fiber, the variety of asbestos most widely used in the United States. Chrysotile is a hydrous magnesium silicate which exists in the form of bundles of flexible silky fibers. Its unique properties have led to its use over hundreds of years in products such as textiles for clothing; durable, safe building products; brake linings; flooring; pipe; paper; paint; and numerous other applications. Recent publicity has contained both fact and fiction as to the propriety of using asbestos and through this newsletter we will attempt to keep you abreast of the latest factual information OSHA AND EPA REGULATIONS The two major government bodies regulating asbestos use are the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administra tion (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OSHA's primary function is the promulgation and enforcement of safety and health standards, and its interests with respect to asbestos lie with the working conditions in and around an asbestos using operation. OSHA regulations concerning asbestos are published in the June 7, 1972, Federal Register Section 1910.93a. The EPA's function is directed toward implementation and en forcement of the Clean Air Act and the Water Pollution Control Act. EPA is concerned with asbestos emissions from only certain manufacturing operations, and its regulations are published in the, August 6, 1973, Federal Register Volume 38, Number 66, Part II These regulations are readily available from your regional EPA office. For your convenience a summary of the regulations and a list of EPA offices is attached.