Document 82pXX4V9QbD6373kBVK81pYDa

FILE NAME Cape Asbestos CAPE DATE 1971 Nov DOC CAPE005 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Report - International Conference of Asbestos Info Bodies - London Laurie Kazan 9 Tintagel Drive Stanmore Middlesex HA7 4SR ENGLAND Re N plc Dear Laurie During the clean review of our files we came across some material which Mike O'Connor thought might be useful to you Accordingly I have enclosed this material for your review Yours Faithfully ame = Eric Kytter Legal Assistant Encl LIT1 115781 4 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES LONDON 24TH ae AND 25TH e NOVEMBER 1971 - a9 ore Bi ane Se eb PAUSE SE ath ec eeRRC e SPA ATE NTS hae?RAGE anTR,PBC rh AeA tae iota oe Wa he be te NES yna te d e as ee CT: ARIS INDEX PAGE Mr. M.F. Howe Dr. W.J. Smither Mr. A.A. Cross Dr. S. Holmes List of Delegates 1 Welcome and Introduction 4 . Use of Asbestos - Some Recent 5 Advances in the Medical Background The UK Asbestos Regulations 1969 16 The Research behind the UK Standards 22 Mr. A.R.Kolff van Health and Asbestos - Situation Past 26 Oosterwijk and Present in Holland Mr. G.C. Schmidt Mr. R. Join Report of the West German Delegation The Situation in France The Situation in Scandinavia 30 36 40 Mr. A. Calamandrei Brief Review of Current and Prospective 45 Regulations in Italy Mr. W.P. Raines Prospective Brief Review of Current and 48 Regulations - USA Mr. W.P. Howard ~ ' Action Taken in the UK to Defend 53 MY Asbestos Mr. W.P. Raines Asbestos Brief Review of Attacks on 61 and our Defences - USA Mr. M.F. Howe Final Comment and Summary List of Addresses of Delegates 65 Appendix 072871 rae Paola en aa ett utes cu fee i ai Atlepe ee List of Delegates wee nee ee nee eee BENELUX oy Commissie Voorlichting Asbest Comite d'Information de l'Amiante Mr. J. van Haagen 8 _c Holland s Ke - Mr. A.R. Kolff van Oosterwijk ' HolandHolandHolland Holland Holland HollandHolland Holland Dr. J. Lepoutre ~ Belgium Mr. A. Eyben - Belgium DEMARK DEMARK DEMARK DEMARK DEMARK Danish Danish Danish Danish Danish Danish Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos Information Information Group Finnish Asbestos Information Group Mr. A. Palom^/ki Mr. G. Flouest 4 Mr. G. Mahut Dr. J. Avril eev.ines *, peop lasting cunpet hyde eee ca SLA Re a? Bee ak ra : Dt te Le Sal ctit Cie + eine ano AEE ry eee! pe Saat ep La ee tf te bese ewes ys ene a eo 7 Wirtschaftsverband Asbest e.V. Dr. C. Fernbach Mr. H. Mehling Dr. H. Meyer Mr. G.C. Schmidt Mr. H. Askevold Mr. H. Schaefter Mr. G. Engelmann Mr. R. Skrozypczek Mr. L. Knutsen SWEDEN Swedish Asbestos Information Group at\yow Mr. A. J^nsson UNITED KINGDOM Mr. M.F. Howe Dr. S. Holmes Dr. W.J. Smither Mr. A.A. Cross Mr. W.P. Howard Mr. D. Wright Mr. J.D. Grieve Kr A. Masterton Mr. D.F. Brady Conference Chairman Secretary ARC Medical Advisor ARC Chairman Environmental Control Committee Secretary AIC AIC AIC Hill & Knowlton Ltd. Interpreter . 07 07 sede tae STAI DPA EIN A DRACO ETS me RS re BT ies LETS, an U.S.A. Asbestos Information Association America Mr. W.P. Raines .* a f. 07257 07257 07257 07257 wee a kee ke gated aN es ws ee OS eee DUNE OL Ee Bc OMEN a Ut Fa a EE ", "" / ty" ""D fiRE RE LY er EAD ee ET i Fee i GS lie cord INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Mr. M.F. Howe Deputy Chairman Asbestos Information Committee As your Conference Chairman and on behalf of the Asbestos Information Committee it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the First International great " Conference of Asbestos Information Bodies Many of you here today attended the Conference held in London two years ago That Conference aimed at making available to our European friends the benefit of our experiences in Britain We hope it was useful At that time the AIC was the only Information Body in the world now there are 11 in various stages of development So this year we felt it would be appropriate to hold a Conferencoef Information Bodies so that we might all exchange facts views and experiences ad The fact that there are 35 of us here from 11 countries underlines the importance of the subjects which we shall discuss Speaking for the delegates from the Asbestos Information Committee and the Asbestosis Research Council we are certain that we shall benefit greatly from the exchange of information and ideas I hope that you the delegates from the other 10 countries will benefit similarly I know that we are all regarding this as a working conference and it is taking place at a very critical time in the history of the asbestos industry In ov North America in Great Britain and in other European countries severe attacks on asbestos and its uses continue to be made in the press on television and on radio In these and many other countries Government Departments are showing growing interest in Factory and other Regulations related to asbestos Interest in the subject of environmental pollution is perhaps only now in its infancy These are the subjects which we shall be discussing during our Conference ~- ra Aree TRO tN ee ene a ga E28 DREISER te er tiie ATSC RINDSS Capea tn ee PUPAE ets et due oe -5- USE OF ASBESTOS SOME RECENT ADVANCES IN THE MEDICAL BACKGROUND Dr. W.J. Smither Asbestosis Research Council In recent years there have been several international conferences on the biological effects of excessive inhalation of asbestos dust Since the New York Academy of Sciences Conference of 1964 world interest has been stimulated and maintained At that conference the largest number of papers from any single country came from the U.K. and the largest contribution from the U.K. was made by members of the Asbestosis Research Council In the intervening period the literature on the subject has been extremely extensive so much so that it is impossible for one man to be conversant with the whole output ** I have attempted to select and report the results of work done mainly by researchers whom I know and whose reputations command international respect I must emphasise that the selection is my own and the opinions I express are personal ones Discases Associated with Asbestos Exposure Let us first recapitulate Table I shows the disorders associated with excessive exposure to asbestos I propose to deal briefly with these We can first dismiss the last of these listed Asbestos corns in my view are increasingly rare have no more significance than the foreign body reaction to any kind of sliver in the skin and need not concern us further here except to say that they are simple to prevent and to treat TABLE I Asbestosis ae . Cancer of lung , Cancer of intestinal tract Skin iy 22 fibrosis of lunits fibrosis of pleura + calcification 2 bronchial f. 2 pleural meothelioma 1 peritoneal mesothelioma 1 asbestos corns Table II outlines the position with regard to asbestos 072576 Fibrosis of lung Dose related R conc x time 072576 072576 Most individuals susceptible Causes disability and shortens life Progresses after removal from dust after a certain stage Severity possibly depends on Almost certainly preventable type of asbestos by practicable dust control eats Dobe tee oe PORE uw ot . pve + see RUNS a S ag a : tal . Ee ead Up eaye fot DEED cebdde a Sg ase dete MiMee Lo oat gyS ee.kt gle ce en eae eee e tteR eld pee ee ae Oe ae ordeal PS -6- 072577 072577 . DOSE RELATIONSHIP The dose relationship is becoming increasingly evident Since the work of Dr. Newhouse in this country which demonstrated the dose relationship in a crude way in a factory where all types of asbestos were used new studies have corroborated the point In the Quebec mining areas Dr. MacDonald made the observation that the ill effects of chrysotile inhalation were far more marked in those men who had worked in the dustiest areas and similar results have been shown in Cyprus It is worth looking again at the results of the Newhouse study . Dose equals degree of exposure multiplied by time 2 ees For all causes of death those men with exposure of low to moderate amounts either short or prolonged had no excess of deaths over the number expected For those men with severe exposure for a prolonged period excess of deaths from all causes there was an For those with severe exposure for a short time those men not submitted for regular medical examination in the early years had an excess of deaths from all causes ad 0 - There is a paradoxical situation in that a group with severe exposure for a short time who were subject to initial and periodic medical examination had no greater incidence of death from all causes This may pos ibly possibly be due to the initial rejection of men for such work who had signs of some other disease so that these men would be healthier than the general population However it is known that these were the men who worked in called scheduled occupations that is those recognised as the most dusty by the framers of the first British legislation for the industry Early efforts at dust control were concentrated in these occupations so that although conditions were severe they were subject to the first measures of control Another factor in the better record of this group is that periodic medical examinations may have removed them from exposure at the earlier signs of chest trouble Dr. Newhouse showed that all respiratory disease other than cancer of the lung that is all malignant respiratory diseases which include asbestosis is more likely to occur in those workers subjected to severe 1 uO AN ROL CTE RE NTICELE RAT PTS Ne SEI as ce levels for a long time particularly if they are not medically qupervised SUSCEPTIBILITY~ There is as yet no conclusive epidemiological evidence that susceptibility in individuals veries greatly Work was sponsored by the A.R.C. at the Brompton Hospital and done by Dr. Margaret Warwick on the presence of certain abnormal proteins in the blood of cases of asbestosis and other interstitial pulmonary fibroses It was hoped that there might be found a means by blood test of discovering which individuals were more likely to develop asbestosis in the future Unfortunately it was found that blood changes which did occur in a pertain proportion of asbestos workers did not precede other signs of the disease but tended to accompany them In other words we failed to find a means of selecting those men least likely to suffer from excessive exposure to asbestos DISABILITY MORTALITY AND PROGRESSION A few years ago the prognosis once asbestosis had been diagnosed was that the disease would rapidly progress For the past ten years or so efforts to diagnose the disease at an early stage have met with some success The more sophisticated techniques of measurement of lung function have enabled us to diagnose asbestosis at earlier stages Recently there has been some disenchantment with the results of lung function tests There are some research workers who are sure that lung function changes occur earlier than other signs of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis while others find them to occur no earlier than ray changes oe This is no occasion to discuss the diagnosis of early bestosis except to say that any recent research with which I am familiar has confirmed me in my belief that diagnosis rests on a table with four legs These are history of exposure clinical findings ray changes and fairly simple lung function tests In the survey of workers in the industry records must be carefully preserved from the initial examination onwards so that each man may be used as his own control Absolute values are of less significance than relative changes in all the diagnostic components Each leg of the table must be firm If any one component of diagnostic supports is lacking or shaky the diagnosis of asbestos related disease in life is not truly secure Having said that I must report a personal impression which is shared by eet foi one hig far ee ee . : PES inte ED ate Oe RTE ae Se vee CE aCe ARTIS Tree LCDS NNGD (2) STEN De Ze S eneLC GAA sNSrSTeO e AOnSPY eS ee ee RR -8- other experienced colleagues that early diagnosis and removal from further risk may so reduce the rate of progression of pulmonary fibrosis as to enable the worker to live & reasonably full life TYPOEF ASBESTOS AND PREVENTION Except to say that recent work some published and some in the course of publication supports these views I propose to quote with little comment the views of a most distinguished worker in the whole field of pneumoconiosis Dr. J.C. Gilson head of the Medical Research Council's Pneumoconiosis Research Unit in Wales to whom I am indebted for some of the tables shown presented recently at an International Conference on Pneumoconiosis some personal impressions with which I heartily concur Chrysotile SR vd R It seems fairly clear now that it should be possible to mine mill and manufacture chrysotile in safety given good housekeeping There must be some uncertainty about its use for building and ships where control of the dust is much more difficult but I think it probably can be used at an acceptable level of risk if the new codes of practice are followed Amosite In mining and milling using wet processes and great progress in dust exhaust ventilation at control has the bagging been achieved plants The by dust control problem in this part of the process does not look insoluble When the material is manufactured again should achievable buildings and ships at least into boards and insulating sections dust an economic cost In insuclhraytsiontgile as high a standard as for work in will control be required At present I am less confident than in the case of chrysotile that the work can be done safely but even when the material is sprayed it looks as though the exposure of the insulators and those in the neighbourhood can be kept at an acceptable level if all the precautions recommended are followed The greatest uncertainty is in the removing of old insulation when supervision is difficult Crocidolite In this case I am naturally influenced by the experience and situation in my country On the one hand there are many cases of mesothelioma some of which appeatro be linked with past exposures to crocidolite alone but in the majority to more than one type of fibre On the other hand there is the evidence of the rapidly falling imports of this type of fibre This strongly vate lag dba pee ir athe Seg ate RE 2 ae PAL, ee suggests that it may not be If this is so then in view really of the essential except for a present uncertainty of very few purposes the relative risk of using crocidolite against other types of fibre why not phase out its use in new products as soon as practicable This will leave much of it in old insulation The removal of this should only be done with the strictest control and with more supervision than is essential for dealing with chrysotile in the same circumstances TABLE III Fibrosis of pleura Information far less complete May occur alone or combined with fibrosis of lung Alone not cause of severe disability a) Prognosis urgently needs further study Probably preventable by practicable dust control The fibrosis of the pleura which occurs in people exposed to asbestos has attracted considerable attention in the past few years I have no evidence to change the opinions expressed in this table but I can elaborate on a few points Thickened pleura may later become hardened by calcium so that it is visible on the ray as a pleural plaque Plaques occur with different frequency in different countries They are especially prevalent in the anthophyllite areas of Finland and occur with considerable frequency in South Africa They have been found in areas where there are no asbestos mines or works a high proportion of asbestos in farmers who till soil which contains ea, Our experience of pleural fibrosis has been in an area of London where there were many who worked in asbestos factories or lived very close to them in the days before dust emission from the factories was controlled The pleura in this group has been more frequently affected than the lungs themselves We are coming to the conclusion that comparatively slight exposure particularly before the age of 21 is more likely to lead to pleural effects We are also fairly sure that these pleural signs have little siginificance as far as disability is concerned In my opinion the presence of pleural plaques or thickening alone is no more siginificant than the presence of asbestos bodies in the lung or sputum being merely evidence of past exposure to asbestos 07.2 07.207.2 ytd bot dalle Pon pa RR tt Re aR Le i En ET SO YW a ing RESO re -10- CANCERS OF LUNG PLEURA AND PERITONEUM : TABLE IV Bronchial carcinoma 076591 Common tumours Incidence related to severity of asbestosis hence intensity of dust exposure Other factors - cigarette smoking - type of asbestos > air pollution small Specific asbestos effect probably preventable by practicable dust control The Newhouse series showed the dose relationship to cancer of the lung which is now generally accepted Professor Selifoff of the Mt. Sinai Research Unit now has I believe 87 non- smokers in his large and intensive studies group of insulation workers In this group the incidence of carcinoma of the lung is no greater than that in the general population The suggestion which Dr. Selikoff made some years ago about the role of cigarette smoking in asbestos cxposure is slowly accumulating more corroborative evidence TABLE V Pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas Rare tumours closely associated with exposure to asbestos A small proportion of those exposed develop tumours Long latent period ( > 20 years tumours Dust exposure short and possibly small in some cases In mines and mills incidence apparently related to type of asbestos amosite anthophyllite crocidolite chrysotile In manufacturing industry no asbestos proved innocent Other factors - not due to cigarette smoking others not identified Prevention I propose to say a few words about some of the statements in the table The interesting fact about mesothelioma is that cases although they have increased in numbers considerably as interest in their diagnosis has increased continue to occur in those areas in which asbestos is most extensively used As more and more of these cases are investigated the association with INDUSTRIAL Exposure becomes more evident Contrary to earlier gloomy predictions there has oe | 4 f ii taga ene gee wt tity eat ee Ba OE et bec fot eee ecle ares -11- 07892 07 892 892 not been explosion of cases among the general population and are reported it is found that cases of mesothelioma show an number of asbestos bodies well above the level of called as more series increased ferruginous bodies found in the general population In a recent series a history of industrial exposure was obtained in 80 of cases It is a personal opinion that those who develop these tumours are those who have had heavy although possibly short exposure in youth We may yet find a dose relationship if we consider that the significant dose in the case of mesothelioma is the amount of asbestos which actually goes through the lung and reaches the pleura ~ With that idea in mind let us consider the difference between the of fibres various types of asbestos In some elegant experiments Dr. Timbrell of the Pneumoconiosis Research Institute has demonstrated the great effect of fibre shape and diameter on , the ability of the fibre to penetrate deep into the lung The curly fibres of chrysotile appear quite different from the straight amphiboleosf amosite and crocidolite when they reach the lower air passages in the lungs and approach the point at which the airway divides This is the point at which impingement is most likely The straight fibres of the amphiboles are able to pass this point much more readily than chrysotile Experimentally it has beendemonstrated that the amphiboles penetrate more deeply and are retainedin greater amount than equal weights of chrysotile In a similar series of experiments Dr. Timbrell has shown that the depth of penetration is dependent more upon the fibre diameter than the fibre length The fine fibres of North Cape crocidolite penetrate much more deeply than the fibres of Transvaal crocidolite These latter have a fibre diameter much nearer the diameter of Transvaal and are therefore much thicker It has been recognised for many years that crocidolite produced more mesothelioma than amosite More recently it has been revealed that while North Cape crocidolite produced human mesotheliomas fibres of crocidolite from the Transvaal produced none Similarly amosite produced very very few The penetrability of the fibres provides the reason The fine straight crocidolite fibres from the North Cape are clearly more able to penetrate into the deepest recesses of the lung and to the pleura itself It is aC Se -12- personal opinion not yet substantiated experimentally that those mesotheliomas which have occurred in chrysotile areas may well be due to inhalation of fibres of chrysotile which are the straighter and harsher Some chrysotile samples do contain these fine straight fibres When I spoke to this audience two years ago I listed some of the exposures other than exposure to asbestos which can produce fibrosis of the lungs very similar in many ways to asbestosis Similarly there are now being found cases of mesothelioma in Africa in which no evidence of asbestos exposure be found The idea is gaining support that there may well be some other factor besides asbestos itself which causes mesothelioma can Once again I wish to quote Dr. Gilson of the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit Recently at an international conference on pneumoconiosis he urged the assembled delegates to keep the whole matter of the biological effects of asbestos in perspective comparing the likelihood of death from those effects with the likelihood of death from some other exposures and occupations Dr. Gilson's table shows the excess mortality in a few selected occupational groups The S.M.R. is the standard mortality rate calculated by multiplying the observed number of deaths in a group by 100 and dividing it by the expected number of deaths in the absence of exposure It is a means of measuring the comparative risks The outstanding fact emerges that asbestos workers coalminers and even fishermen who have one of the highest occupational smoke twenty risks in theU.K. or more cigarettes are per all day at less overall risk than compared to Amokers those who Dr. Gilson also made the point that all epidemiologicalresearch in occupational medicine tends to emphasise the ill effects We need to lock more at the benefits of asbestos and consider the ill effects on the community of depriving it of asbestos Finally I would say that in my own personal view speaking only for myself and implicating none of the distinguished speakers who are yet to address you the real purpose of this conference is to find the means to continue to offer to the community the great benefits of asbestos while doing all we can to minimise and even eliminate its ill effects on some individuals ws . Ct as rei ge ah ce BR vitae ath el Pe Gl lt panen cetiae ter ent -13- Fe TABLE VI COMPARISONS OF EXCESS MORTALITY IN MALES All Causes SMR = Observed deaths x 100 Expected deaths in absence of exposure Exposure Asbestos Coal Mining Rhondda S. Wales Cigarette Cigarette Cigarette Smoking Seafaring Group Mining Quebec Manuf London Insul New York All miners & miners Miners with simple pnc Miners with Compli.pnc Doctors UK 25+ p^. Gen. pop 20 p^ Fishermen UK SMR Note 92 150 139 | All deaths since 1950 | > 6 years exposure | >20 years exposure 143 125 (| Age 25-74 171 1607 200 Age 35-74 177 |Age 15-64 . . a ee] f 072604 - PIN Tee OAS, TR PEN ME ON i CW ete ee eg aD a, antes eden baT Gearemy ees eR -14- DISCUSSION ON PAPER BY DR.W.J. SMITHER MR.M.J. VAN HAAGEN CVA Question What are the dangers of Asbestos fibres in the stomach Answer The question is wide open Asbestos has been found in peritoneal tumours We believe it has a direct effect The question is how does it get there There are two theories on this MR W.P. HOWARD AIC UK ne - Question B. Most dust particles get into the stomacbhy swallowing e.g. by coughing and swallowing etc. b Others demonstrate that fibres can be blood borne but I personally am not happy about this theory On the subject of Dr. Smither think can be adverse swallowing does that swallowing DR.MEYER DBR SIG.CALAMANDREI SIG.CALAMANDREI SIA Answer In speaking of swallowing I refer to heavy exposures My overall view is that dose relationship is the significant factor Question Answer How do you measure the efficiency of lung function tests against ray examination as a diagnosis ; N ? diagnosis diagnosis means of early There are differences of opinion f. One group of opinion says that these are changes in lung function before ray examination shows changes Others say this is not so One must have a good health service and depend on the four legs of the diagnosis table It is unwise to rely on one leg only ; Question Does Dr. Smither think that the use . of asbestos in filtration has an adverse effect Answer Nu - the amounts are infinitesimal DR.S. HOLMES ARC UK emphasised the insignificance insignificance of ingested fibre from filtration processes originated wee ee he ae ES Ct eet a AN eee Le te -15- INTRODUCTION FOR MR CROSS AND DR HOLMES bal oe i contribution This is an important contribution as been in full operation for 1years . 7s the British Asbestos Regulations have These Regulations will probably have a big influence upon future Regulations to be introduced by other countries Mr. Cross Chairman of the Environmental Control Committee of the Asbestosis Research Council and Dr. Holmes Secretary of the Asbestosis Research Council have been closely concerned with this subject from the beginning They are here to British tell us amongst legislation the other things about measures which have the principles behind the to be adopted under these Regulations and the ways in which different forms of respiratory protection are to be used for different dust levels Tela oe ceed SA ee ke - 4 ae aot eae Spee a ae ee dee aD n : DN ee ele Cae de da we ete ha ee pe -16- coy THE UK ASBESTOS REGULATIONS - 1969 A.A.Cross NBE Chairman Environmental Control Committee ARC At the conference of representatives of the European asbestos industry in London two years ago we discussed some aspects of the United Kingdom Asbestos Regulations other countries have which had just been introduced introduced various measures for Since then many the protection of asbestos of these workers or are actively considering some have followed fairly closely the methods form of adopted control Some in this country others appear to be taking somewhat different lines It seems to us therefore that it might be helpful if we were to review briefly the fundamental principles behind our legislation and the main features of our law as it is being applied As you know the older established sectors of asbestos manufacturing industry had been subject to legally enforceable controls in this country since 1933 so that the basic approach to a new and more comprehensive law was to build on those parts of the old law which experience had shown to be effective to expand and define more clearly the control methods required and to extend the application of the law to cover all persons who might be exposed in their work to harmful quantities of dust It should be for asbestos noted that the is confinetdo law in this country working situations specifically There specificaly catering is no statutory control specifically designed to deal with possible hazards to the | general public In such matters as disposal of asbestos waste discharge of filtered air from asbestos factories overspill of fibre from spraying operations the official view so far has been that existing powers of local authorities are sufficient to deal with any nuisance which can be identified In one case i.e. disposal of asbestos waste advice drawn up by the Asbestosis Research Council has been issued to local authorities by the Government Department concerned the Department of the Environment pointing out the need for particular consideration of a potential hazard are ete as Te eee tee Mee RR le Sew Swe oY Tee * o aren a SOR -17- * The new Asbestos Regulations themselves are based on a number of clear principles 1 They only apply to processes where dust above a certain level can be produced 2 They apply wherever and whenever employed persons are exposed to such levels of asbestos dust There are some limited exceptions such as dockworkers who will be covered by separate regulations 3 They discriminate against blue asbestos in that they call for additional measures of control and a lower standard of dust concentration =, an 4 They envisage the application of control measures related to the , extent of the hazard 5 They do not spell out standards of dust levels or degrees of hazard They rely for the detailed application of the law on the publication of explanatory documents known as Technical Data Notes which can be varied as experience or fresh knowledge dictates For example in the Regulations the various control measures are to be applied where asbestos dust can escape into the workplace Asbestos dust is then defined as dust consisting of or containing asbestos to such an extent as is liable to cause danger to the Health of employed persons We are continually reminded by our Department means in precise terms can only be decided in but for practical purposes at present this is of Employment that what this due course in the courts defined in the Department's Technical Data Note 13 as in the case of chrysotile and amosite 2 fibres measured in a certain way Should expert opinion change and indicate that this is unnecessarily high or is too low all that is needed is the issue of a revised Technical Data Note i When by these standards a process is recognised as coming within the scope of these Regulations the measures to be adopted fall into the following clearly defined groups 1 No process to which the Regulations apply can be carried on unless exhaust ventilation is provided which prevents the entry into the air of any workplace of asbestos dust as defined tey Leese 2285 vie to ae Peete tf ~ 1 4 oa RBee oT -18- 2 - 3 4 Only where the provision of exhaust ventilation equipment is impracticable this means impracticable in engineering terms is personal protective equipment acceptable as an alternative In such cases the equipment provided must consist of approved respiratory protective equipment and protective clothing ventilation equipment is provided but does not reduce the Where dust concentration sufficiently then personal protection may be required in addition to the ventilation equipment At the present time there is some uncertainty as to what level of dust concentration achieved by exhaust ventilation will be considered to be necessity of wearing profective equipment low enough to avoid the We have been working to a level of 12 fibres but there is some indication in recent months that High a lower standard than this will be demanded standards of factory hygiene are demanded Part ations which entirely concerned with the cleanliness III of the Regulof premises and plant requires that all machinery and premises should be regularly cleaned by means of vacuum cleaning equipment suitably designed or by some other dustless method Where a dustless method is not possible then personnel employed on cleaning must be supplied with personal protection and so must any other persons who may be in the vicinity of such cleaning work The Regulations require that new buildings used for the first time for processes giving rise to dust above the permitted level and where such processes occur for more than 8 hours in any week should be constructed in such a way as to reduce the possibility of accumulations of dust and should be provided with recuum cleaning system having filters and a source of suction located at a fixed central point and with pipes throughout the building with suitably placed inlets from which portable cleaning implements can be operated 5 Accommodation for workers clothing must be provided in such a position or in such a form that there should be no risk of asbestos dust being deposited on it and accommodation for changing into and out of protective equipment and clothing as well as for the accommodation of such equipment and clothing when not in use must be provided 076909 076909 Perea en Ar eae Ng a ee bare og RS ta eT ee SO tee REY ys Eee ae OES Ce NOT eer 072590 072590 072590 072590 072590 -19- 6 All loose asbestos or waste stored or distributed within a factory must be contained in suitable closed receptacles which prevent the escape of asbestos dust therefrom 7 Young persons i.e. people under eighteen years of age may not be employed in any processes where it is necessary for them to be provided with protective clothing and respiratory equipment 8 The special requirements concerning blue asbestos include the need for notification to the local factory inspector before starting any process or operation involving crocidolite or blue asbestos and the requirement to mark any receptacles containing blue asbestos with the words blue asbestos - do not inhale dust 's Pad aa The Regulations having allowed for 12 months grace came into full effect in May 1970. In that time the Factory Inspectorate has been getting familiar with the existing practices in various asbestos factories and in particular among those people who are using asbestos materials without previously being concerned with regulations for its control This particularly applies to people in the construction industry and in building work and more especially where sprayed asbestos has been used The particular branch of the Inspectorate responsible for taking measurements has paid many visits to factories and site situations taking measurements of the air in the breathing zone of workers and has on the whole appeared to adopta flexible and understanding attitude However in recent months there are signs that their attitude toughening and indeed the first prosecution under the new Regulations decurred on November 10th It is to be expected that they will apply increasing pressure for the development of more effective forms of ventilation equipment for the modification of processes to be less likely to emit dust and for the wearing of protective equipment i.e. both respirators and protective clothing where they are not satisfied with the dust levels which are attained by engineering controls It is also to be expected that they will be increasingly severe in their requirements for high standards of factory hygiene The attitude towards site working again has been so far Lomewhat sympathetic They appear to have been gratified by the efforts of the industry to develop less dusty methods of working particularly for example in development the development of predamping methods of specialised tools for working with for spray and in the asbestos boards of All Byatt ob : BR Sart et ea sie at ADAM 2 EG tt tee narra ee te a ta teNe Date tonesFe creCeRaetoMees eed coi?e kinds but where individual concerns are slow to take advantage of such methods known to have been satisfactorily developed and tested to the Inspectorate's satisfaction it is to be expected that they will be particularly tough They have said that they will not hesitate to prosecute for example if they find spray contractors who are not using predamping equipment and whose employees are not using the more sophisticated type of respirators such as positive pressure respirators From time to time when the Asbestos Regulations were published i.e. in May members 1969 until the ipnafrotrimcaullarly between various present time there have been regular of the Factory Inspectorate discussions those specialist branches concerned with the measurement of dust levels and those concerned with the development of control equipment This has been helpful to the industry It has meant that we have been able to anticipate to some extent the way in which the Regulations would be interpreted by inspectors and it has also enabled us to advise our customers and users of asbestos materials generally on the measures they need to take in order to satisfy the requirements of the new law These unofficial Official's contacts have understanding also been helpful in enlarging the of the different types of asbestos Government products that are in regular use and the manner in which they are used They have appreciated the fact that asbestos many materials do not produpce roduce harmful quantities of dust The Inspectorate Headquarters has in fact issued a list esbestos products which in their opinion are unlikely to be affected by the Regulations and they have also asked for the assistance of the Asbestosis Research Council in identifying further materials which would come into this category They have also sought the operation of the Council in developing improved procedures and products for example they sought our advice on the question of sprayed asbestos with the result that have all now sprayed asbestos insulation contractors in the United Kingdom accepted as standard procedure the predamping of asbestos fibre which as a result of measurements taken by the Government been reclassifiebdy them and other Government Departments Officials has as a low risk operation Other Government Departments have consulted the Asbestosis Research Council in with enquiries from the the formulation of general public advisory documents or or from institutions in dealing These have included the Home Office the Department of Environment the Department of Health and Social Security the Customs and Excise Department Of en these references have been at the suggestion of the Department of Employment nu ' a tom, ate aste pss . ~ eM OS ROL ra TE aa -21- While undoubtedly there are many organisations and individuals who take an extreme view of the possibility of risk we believe that the sensible application of the new Regulations enables us to claim that many asbestos materials entail no risk and that for others it is usually possible to prevent any risk to users by the application of practical control measures F , -22THE RESEARCH BEHIND THE U.K. STANDARDS Dr. S. Holmes Secretary Asbestosis Research Council 4 Further to the report which Mr. Cross has just given I would like to add a few words explaining how the British Standard for chrysotile asbestos has been established At the same time I would like to clear up one or two misunderstandings that obviously still persist regarding the relationship between hazard to health the size of the . asbestos fibres counted and the Many years before the British Occupational Hygiene Society decided to explore the idea of a standard for asbestos the asbestos companies had adopted for routine factory monitoring the fibre count restricted to fibres above 5 pm in length and having a diameter ratio of at least 3 to 1 When the B.O.H.S. Committee was looking for information on dust exposure and hazard to health the only figures available on dust levels were these fibre counts to the collected over the years Committee along with the by the health industry and the figures were given records of the people exposed As most of you are aware B.O.H.S. standard eventually recommended was in the form of a total permitted exposure to asbestos dust expressed as dust concentration multiplied by time of exposure The figure for chrysotile was 100.fibre per ml . and was put forward as the exposure limit if more This than % allowed of those 10 years exposed were to get the first exposure at 10 fibres 20 signs or asbestosis years exposure at 5 fibres and so on It was suggested that the standard should not not be used for levels above 10 fibres because little was known about the effects of high exposure even for short periods of time As the arisen chrysotile standard has become to the effect that fibres less widely known a misunderstanding than 5 ...mlong are not hazardous has in any way There is of course a lot of medical evidence pointing to view that the longer fibres are of special significance biologically there is nothing about the figure of ...m It was arbitrarily chosen the but many years ago and has continued as the lower limit for counting for historical reasons It is therefore more correct to think of the fibre count as an -230 index to exposure but the range of fibre sizes in an asbestos dust cloud does not change much for the different industrial processes and the figure we use is still a reliable measure of the health risk It has the added advantage that it represents more than 90 of the total weight of asbestos and also it ensures that only asbestos fibres are counted When the Factory Inspectorate was considering how to incorporate dust standards into the 1969 Asbestos Regulations the report of the B.O.H.S. Committee was conveniently available Inspectorate did two things In making use of the report the 1 They assumed that the asbestosis hazard from emosite and anthophyllite was the same as for chrysotile and therefore made the limits the same for all three types 2 They decided that the limits for crocidolite asbestos should be ten times more strict Little useful comment is possible on the first of these because although the B.O.H.S. is at present looking at the possibility of a separate standard for amosite nothing has emerged so far so the assumption is a reasonable one in the circumstances The adoption of the separate limit for crocidolite is also understandable in view of its strong association with mesothelioma but to set it at tenth of the chrysotile figure cannot be justified These limits are derived for asbestosis only and a dose response relation between crocidolite and mesothelioma has not yet been established We can only assume that the Factory Inspectorate were determined that extra special precautions should be observed in handling - observed crocidolite and in this they have succeeded In deciding what should be safe level of dust concentration below which the substantive clauses the Factory Inspectorate have of the Asbestos Regulations taken the figure calculated should not apply from the B.O.H.S Standard related to exposure over a whole working lifetime i.e. 50 years This of course gives the known threshold limit T.L.V of 2 fibres In the region between 2 and 12 originally 10 but raised to 12 for transatlantic reasons the action required will depend on the level and duration of the exposure i.e. the B.O.H.S. concept of an exposure calculated as a product of dust concentration and time is to be followed Where concentrations full personal protection must be above worn 12 fibres however short are the inevitable exposure in then time OES eee eh Oe EN Cat ARES ne et Maha owe ane Ie Pees oe Leta las woe 1 oy cas eae WEEN ae oR de eee AEG LO a me 24- The way in which the Factory Inspectorate intend the dust concentration to be measured is also important The first assessment is based on a 10 minute sample taken in or as close as possible to the workers breathing zone If the result is less than 2 fibres then the Regulations are not applied is taken but If it is between 2 and of 4 hours duration or 12 fibres then a repeat sample a series of samples designed to give a 4 hour weighed average It is on this longer sample that any action will be based representing a considerable concession in most cases because the average exposure of any particular worker over 4 hours is generally much lower than that indicated by short period samples When the 10 minute exploratory sample is above 12 fibres repeat 10 minute sample must be taken If this is also above 12 then full personal protection is called for if the job conditions cannot be improved It must this be remembered also that the total exposure case - full protection is required even if idea does not apply in the exposure is only one hour per week Theadoption by the for safe working is Factory Inspectorate of reflected also in their the 2 fibres T.L.V. system of approval for dust respirators Dealing first with nasal or half respirators the cartridge filter is generally very efficient indeed 99 or better but the weakness lies in the uncertain seal between the face of the wearer and the edge of the mask In most most cases this reduces the overall efficiency to about 95 i.e. the facepiece 5 or 1/20 of the dust will If this is not to be more fibresthe penetrate to the than 2 inside then of the concentration outside must not be above 40 fibres half respirators are therefore only approved up to this figure pressure respirators where filtered air is pressure to For positive the face of the wearer the fit of the facepiece is less important limitatimis in the efficiency of the filter itself and the only This is about 99 i.e. % or 1/100 penetrates and so these respirators are approved only for situations where One face otherwise it pressure is necessary the concentration is not more than 200 fibres respirators is approved for use above this level to provide hoods or helmets fed by a supply of fresh air 075805 075805 075805 075805 075805 075805 075805 Db a UE erecie ot -25- Finally the standard has also been used in defining the dust concentration permitted in the exhaust from vacuum cleaners and in filtered air from an asbestos process which is being recirculated The criterion here is that the dust in the recirculated air should make no significant contribution to the overall dust level in the workroom and therefore a limit of 0.2 fibres i.e. 1/10 of the T.L.V. has been specified The member companies of the A.R.C. have recognised that many asbestos users have neither the equipment nor technical experience to check their own situation by carrying out dust counts They have therefore made available to their customers a dust sampling service where necessary engineering advice | This has been well received and has no doubt resulted in many companies continuing to use asbestos when they would otherwise have been so daunted by the Regulations as to abandon it xz cass ee ~ 071506 071506 071506 t. -26- THE SITUATION IN HOLLAND Mr. A.R. Kolff van Oosterwijk C.V.A. Holland 072097 072097 072097 HEALTH AND ASBESTOS SITUATION PAST AND PRESENITN HOLIAND The first case of asbestosis was officially recorded in Holland around 1934 Since there was at that time hardly any nationally important producer or user of asbestos goods in Holland the attention paid to this isolated case was negligible For the . 7 W same reason no : a special legislation was >) introduced After the Second World War this situation of relative unconcern slowly changed as more and more cases of asbestosis were discovered although the total number remained small Most of these cases were also found to occur in the insulation contracting field It was in this period that the major companies producing or using asbestos containing products began to introduce periodical medical inspection of those employees who could be considered to be frequently exposed to asbestos dust The factory inspectorate also gradually paid more and more attention to the situation were directed toward advising on dust suppressing methods Their and on activities protective measures to be taken for personnel exposed to dust There was hardly any general publicity on the biological effects as asbestosis was considered to be an occupational disease which could only be contracted after many years exposure to high dust concentrations This situation radically changed after the publication in 1968 of a thesis by Dr. Stumphius wherein the author describes his experiments on the occurrence of asbestos bodies in lung tissue and the occurrence of mesothelioma among the male population of a small region of the Netherlands centred around a major shipyard He came to the conclusion that a large part of the population must have been exposed to small concentrations of asbestos dust because of the frequent occurrence of asbestos bodies in lung tissue More reaching however is his other conclusion that a correlation exists between the exposure to small concentrations of asbestos dust and the occurrence of mesothelioma This publication at once caused a stream of publicity where some or perhaps most news channels went so far as to suggest that the whole population was at risk Without going further into this publicity uproar it is important to note that several more serious actions resulted from Stumphius research and the following publicity AGM BARE at 4c abe os ed Se hy ae . oe - a heh er . . a ee i . . 7 . * Pt ye ~~ eet yon Wests. ee or 4 a a -27- These were a the formation of a research committee to study the biological effects of asbestos by T.N.O. the governmental research establishment in the Netherlands After a general survey of the asbestos problem this committee has now started several research projects i.e. 1 epidemiological research of relation between occurrence of mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos 2 occurrence of asbestos dust in outside air 3. the generating of asbestos fibres during braking 4 the development of apparatus for the detection and counting of asbestos fibres in outside air b The factory inspectorate started an intensive medical inspection of all workers who could be presumed to be exposed to asbestos dust The first part of this inspection concerning mainly workers in the asbestos industry and in the insulation field has been concluded It is now intended to extend this inspection to other industries which are not obviously connected with asbestos a It is also the object to repeat these inspections during regular intervals , in the future The factory inspectorate Working with Asbestos asbestos its biological has recently published Herein a short survey effects the permitted a boutlet called is given of the use dust concentration of the necessary protective measures and some substitute materials That part of the booklet which gives an outline of the protective measures to be taken when working with asbestos is comparable to the guides as published by the Asbestosis Research Council Although this booklet is not backed by the necessary special legislation the factory inspectorate is in the position to enforce the introduction of certain measures advised in it In the very near future factory inspectors will visit all industries using asbestos and asbestos containing goods and will rigorously check whether the working conditions comply with the requirements as set out in the booklet Mew -28- There is at present in preparation legislation on the use of asbestos This however will take a long period of time before completion as it is difficult to formally fit it in existing legislation It may however be expected that within a year the use of crocidolite will be forbidden while there is a possibility that the use of asbestos containing materials in the insulation trade will be prohibited These measures cannot be taken technical repercussions onesidedly as they could cause economical and It is therefore usual that the industries concernaendd the trade unions are officially consulted before such a decision is made The unions have reacted sharply and they have in fact contributed in no small way toward the adverse and often irresponsible publicity given to the biological effects of asbestos It is their ultimate aim to obtain a complete ban . on the use of asbestos and asbestos containing goods As this is of course at present impossible they have now tried another approach i.e. to include the collective labour agreements a clause forbidding the use of asbestos in all its forms in the industries falling under these collective agreements As this new demand is still under consideration it is too early yet to comment but we feel that a dangerous developmenits under way here As is usual under these and similar circumstances large number of organisations become interested Perhaps characteristically of Holland is that in our country we feel that no problem can be tackled efficiently without forming as many committees as possible Besides the committee and organisations already mentioned there are the following committees or organisations which are also involved in some way or another in the problem of asbestos 1 Asbestos Committee Netherlands Soxiety of Safety Engineers 2 Asbestos Committee of the Industries located in Amsterdam 3. Asbestos Committee Society of Insulation Contractors 4. Safety Institute fifi fl fifi fl Contact organisation of Workers in the Building Industry 6 Safety Department of National Health Administration -29- te DISCUSSION ON PAPER BY AR.A.R. KOLFF VAN COSTERVIJK CVA HOLLAND MR.W.P. HOWARD AIC UK DR.S. HOLMES ARC UK M. ROBERT JOIN CSA FRANCE Question Answer Regarding your mention of the possibility of a ban on asbestos in Holland - would this include asbestos cement No - only asbestos for insulation Dr. Holmes here pointed out that the measurement of asbestos in the general atmosphere had progressed The ARC in the UK had produced results using very sophisticated methods showing that levels are surprisingly low - in the order of 10 gms per cubic metre i.e. 1 millionth part of the level regarded as negligible Question Is there a general public conscious- ness of the risk in Holland Answer I think NOT gan | f ' REPORT OF THE WEST GERMAN DELEGATION Herr G.C. Schmidt Secretary Wirtschaftsverband Asbest V. Shortly after the danger involved in the exposure to airborne asbestos dust became known the German asbestos manufacturing companies together with the called Berufsgenossenschaften liability insurance corporations covering industrial diseases and accidents and the local Factory Inspection Authorities began to develop precautionary measures to overcome this problem oo Statutory requirements defining the maximum acceptable dust concentrations do not yet exist for the asbestos industry However the united efforts of the Berufsgenossenschaften the industrial medicine experts and the local Factory Inspection Authorities have come to certain agreements which are voluntarily observed by the companies These agreements are strictly observed because a quickly growing number of reported cases of asbestosis might motivate the insurance companies to raise the premiums proportionalloyr even progressively Due to the high occupational risk the premiums are already rather steep - the asbestos manu- facturing companies in some cases have to pay ten times the normal premium After the war and in the Sixties they therefore doubled their efforts to control the dust and minimise the risks by installing exhaust ventilation ; 5 systems By As already mentioned the government and the insurance Companies have arrived at mutual agreements based on the experience of the past years The asbestos industry has accepted such agreements although they are not yet binding In case of observance of the peril points the violator cannot be punished These peril points are defined as follows 1 mg mtotal dust concentration if the asbestos content amounts at least to 50 percent 078301 te a deg oe SE LN OS 0 PTT TE re gn be a heb te ee a RE | ELS oot eed Sita ee eA ee Dg a a a gw bane -31- should not be exceeded This limit is practically equivalent to a respirable dust concentration of 0.15 - 0.40 m In addition the individual asbestos manufacturers - to the extent that they are members of a called Berufsgenossenschaft that is aware of the health risks of asbestos dust - have developed private guidelines for the medical supervision of employees exposed to dust In most cases these persons are required to undergo ray examinations prior to their employ- ment If during a subsequent periodical examination asbestosis is diagnosed the employee will be retired and the Berufsgenossenschaft must - pay him a pension ; *y As requested by the insurance companies and the authorities the current agreements and recommendations shall be integrated into a legally binding Regulation which is in its meaning and effect comparable to the Asbestos Regulations of our British friends Probably in the autumn of 1972 this called Unfallverh^...tungsvorschrift zum Schutz gegen gesundheitsgef^/hrlichenmineralischion Staub - a safety regulation for the protection against health hazards caused by mineral dust - is expected to come into effect in Germany A group of experts including some from the asbestos industry worked for two years on this Regulation Regulation This Regulation shall apply to all factories which materials containing asbestos or free crystalline silicic acid These factories must give notice to their called Berufsgenossenschaft and the local Factory Inspection Authority All factories in which asbestos dust is created must institute appropriate measures for dust suppression and control Such precautions may be in the field of construction of buildings design of machinery and apparatus and installation of exhaust ventilation equipment ES gee * Pease id cle ET tye ae R, IES A a Eo ERASE Tp ay ete L. L. -32- y The Regulation stipulates the acceptable dust levels as follows If the asbestos fibre content is below 10 may not exceed 2.0 mg the total dust concentration if the asbestos fibre content is between 10 and 50 concentration may not exceed 1.5 m the total dust for an asbestos fibre content above is limited to 1.0 m 50 the acceptable total dust concentration These peril points have still provisional character until the final limits - the calleMd AK values are available MAK means maximum acceptable dust concentration at work place A special committeies currently working on these limit values assisted by experts of the asbestos industry According to the Regulation only particles are defined as being asbestos fibres which are of a length greater than 3...and which have a diameter ratio of at least 1 If we multiply the number of particles by the number of asbestos fibres and divide the product by 100 we receive the asbestos coefficient The asbestos coefficient may not be greater than 10 People employed in the asbestos manufacturing industry are required to undergo periodical medical examinations every 3 years Prior to their employment an authorised physician must carry out initial examinations and certify that there are no medical objections to such employment examinations must be borne by the manufacturer He records on all employees The costs of such must keep health g Full particulars on the scope of examinations may be found in the Guideline for Medical Examinations This Guideline can be taken as a supplement to the Unfallverh^...tungsvorschriftand among its requirements includes general physical examinations ray of the thoracic organs and analytical tests to diagnose a lung restriction It also gives details about medical findings which should give rise to objections to employment RL 8 eld wt Be Saba Se pate ale et SEN GT Ti ae EEE ed ae TA Se OTA ra) te -33- I mean Gentlemen we have already the right feel for our internal dust problem in the German asbestos industry The environmental problem with its partially unknown hazards and diseases which are difficult to diagnose does however still exist This is the greatest of our worries because we cannot solve this problem ourselves This is mainly the problem of the physicians My colleagues representing all German producer groups are well prepared to answer any questions arising from this report an > oe - + . 072604 s oe DISCUSSION ON PAPER BY MR.G.C.SCHMIDT WVA & WAVWAV . MR.A. PALOMIKI AIG FINLAND Question Answer MR.A.R. KOLFF CVA HOLLAND VAN OOSTERWIJK * : Question Answer Can you explain how the Threshold Limit Values are applied If the fibre content of the is less than 10 the TLV is grammes per cubic metre product 2 milli- If the fibre content of the product is -15 of the total TLV is 1.5 milligrammes per cubic metre Above this percentage the TLV is 1 milligramme per cubic metre How is the concentration measured At the present by a Konimeter a better method is needed but DR.S.HOLMES DR.S.HOLMES ARC UK Question Answer MR W. JOHNSEN AIG DENMARK - ae Question Answer DR.D.W. HILLS CHAIRMAN ARC VARIOUS GERMAN RESPONDENTS Question Answer Why do you have the relationship between the percentage content and Threshold Limit Values the The reason is basically that if a gravi metric method of dust measurement is used the percentage of asbestos in the total dust is significant However in the UK we do not like the Konimeter and have advised against its use in favour of the membrane method Is there not a significant difference between the mixed dust in a factory composition and the composition of the product Yes - but no conclusions have been reached on this problem How do current practices in German factories compare with the standards required by the proposed regulations I can quote one A factory where the level is up to 2.5 mg per cubic metre but we cannot comment on all factories as the level varies In brake lining factories we do not yet have continuous monitoring but short term checks indicate that the position is satisfactory Millboard manufacturers appear to be meeting the TLVs but on textiles the position is difficultto define Pn Gates ean Ae aN faye ee wa = a et fen Se TR A Ve Ly tte ote eet e Lreecn ad a] wi REM Eitas BEt UR LE eA DIE BOE TEM pe ie LE ag BL RE OR MR.A.A.CROSS ARC UK Question 1 Answer Question 2 Answer Are the same TLVs proposed for all types of asbestos Yes What happens if you exceed the TLV This is forbidden but we are very near to them anyway - i wP - ow om w owon 4 ~ a . . 4 . a Hid ips aa 07 07 07 07 07 : : 406 406 ph AMIR EE RN EE BIEL emit re cou ne EE handy OES URS Bivins ieee EE Te a en Le -36- ory THE SITUATION IN FRANCE M. Robert Join General Secretary Chambre Syndicale d'Amiante Several bodies in France are concerned with the industrial health and hygiene problems Factory Inspectorate Social Security - ; Industrial Medicine : Institut National de Recherche et de S^'curit^'an association for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases comprised of representatives of employers and employees 2 There is no particular national regulation concerning the working conditions in the asbestos industry similar to the British Regulations of May 1969. The concerns employment only general prohibition applicable in the industry of young people under 18 in some dusty occupations - handling of raw asbestos carding spinning There exists however a local regulation of 1965 drafted by the Factory Normandy Inspectorate and the Social Security Branch of Normandy in operation with Chambre Syndicale de l'Amiante called Recommendations concerning the working conditions in the asbestos industry f Despite its title - Recommendations - this document is in fact compulsory for all the firms dealing with asbestos within the jurisdiction of the Social Security Branch of Normandy - and there is an important concentration of firms in this area The Recommendations concern the premises and their cleaning prevention and individual protection measures medical control and information of workers of the possible risk a level of general dust is set but no asbestos dust level Sab ie RES rE ee ee RRR bgeae: nn eae pad Seas ee cates oe cat cnt Ata St neds GAL Rtg hee GTS a GE -37- Although the National Social Security Office has the possibility of extending local recommendations to the whole of the national territory this has neither been done nor proposed since the Normandy Recommendations came into force 4 Asbestosis has been recognised in France as a compensable occupational disease since 1949 distinct from silicosis with which it was previously merged Under Table 30 of Occupational Diseases no diagnosis of asbestosis can be made unless the three following conditions gathered - signs are radiological functional troubles asbestos bodies No other than heart complications is recognised 5 When a worker thinks he is entitled for compensation it is his responsibility to file his claim with the Social Security After a technical inquiry concerning period of occupation exposure to dust etc the file is forwarded to the Factory Inspectorate and then according to the duration of exposure to dust to an agreed specialist in pneumoconiosis or to a panel of three experts who take the decision whether or not to compensate A procedure of appealprovides employees Beside the human aspect of the question financial interest in keeping the number and with all safeguards employers the employer has a direct of compensable cases and the amount of compensations at as low as possible a level since his Social Security contributions for occupational accidents and diseases are his based wholly or partly the amount of own workers during the previous three compensations paid to period It is therefore in his interest to take all necessary prevention measures which the Social Security Administration may support financially either by low rate of interest loans or by reducing the rate of his contributions We Nedealr Seon tos te RE Fe aee Nid ly ne erre Seater sot Pir AO aa waa gecaptl ete tg ahd ERAT ELS OO 4 ee tee Oe ae te a aia -38- This system has never been argued inside the Social National Technical Committee where Social Security Security employers and employees are represented There are comparatively few compensated cases for asbestosis number can be estimated at about 120-130 at varying rates The 7 To our knowledge it is not anticipated that the present position will be modified shortly Lo] fn) ad e- de 8 Chambre Syndical l'Amiante follows closely these questions " ; ne It organises meetings of factory doctors and manufacturers allowing for mutual information and fruitful exchanges of views It has inter alia set up recommendations on the medical control of workers taken part in the drafting of the Normandy Recommendations organised in 1964 the first international congress on asbestosis in Caen secured the assistance of medical experts who take part in international medical established information documents for meetings occupational the use of its members on the procedure of compensation of diseases obtained from Institut National de Recherche et de Securite approval on a method of dust sampling and recently it has favoured Recherches Comit^' Recherches the foundation of Fran^ais d'Etudes et de Effets Biologiques de l'Amiante l'Amiante COFEREBA sur les lack As may be seen lack of regulations does not imply of control and does not prevent the industry from constantly working for an improved safety of workers sihws ET eT ated 8 Sth AS ah TH Ts RS RL gn ele ate Ca hee A AO LG WLA el ts ae Cleat MES ae o. Pa PoEtebeeet oR a NL RE OL ye ge etdoot esti toe Te Sa -39- DISCUSSION ON PAPER BY M. ROBERT JOIN - CSA FRANCE VAN HAAGEN MR.W. JOHNSEN AIG DENMARK Question Answer Question Answer Can you clarify the position of the Normandy Regulations France has a total of 14 Social Security Districts Only Normandy has a Social Security Office with Asbestos Regulation The Normandy Regulations have been in force since 1965 The question of regulations for asbestos has never been raised at a national level as the asbestos industry in France is below the accident rate for most industries How do you measure airborne asbestos under the Normandy Regulations Particle standards are not specified The level is 300,000 particles of all using dust per litre filter method soluble membrane ... Pa ~, 072410 ele GAS TE ae AN Be dE MR ST Tate ie a er ital Nar RAI RE ET ial 9 REARR Ae Be ole 9 EET ME LR -40- THE SITUATION IN SCANDINAVIA Mr. A. Palomki A.I.G. Finland NOTE The situation in each of the four Scandinavian countries differs Mr. Palom^/ki presented these differences in relation to Asbestos Regulations Threshold Limit Values and requirements for medical examinations in three tables t 1 gos 072611 072611 Pan ~ Swedn Norway Finland Denmark Country | A The 1 asbetois.directonscirular for Act prevntigNo,235/1962, A materials Safety working Safety The and with name SCANDIVAIN of ASBESTOS SCANDIVA Act when regulations * an .asbetos and precautions Denmark precautions valid precautions examintosrules colecting materials asbetosjenral inedical containg asbetos inspection ors, dust materialsyear containg containing dust of dust the inspection authories Finladcolecting materials andcoleting, examintos,coleting, precautionsinspectors coletingprecautions theare inspection materials inapectorsasbetosabesto contrlied inpectors working factory lakour have rules by rules by by work. by the in for Finland by by Safety once the the dust rules 1964, been A Safety Act Act 1958 ~ own are examinations given State rulesAct local also medical by equipment give cirular factory inspectors with once the Norway dust | inspectors examintos materials examinations inspection inspection rules Norway prevnting Norway Norway No.235 1962 and New col ecting will a full be rules as new materials from act in given for in inspectors is issued Swedn Protecion containg Imedical inspectors examintos handling isued by Sweden Sweden the rules examinations inspection Swedn is Imedical inspection by going authories suces- on asbetos asbetos by genral generalasbestos labour TABLE we 1 ; . ASBETOS REGULATIONS IN SCANDIVA and materials in we Pati he etn he say de ceatices OED tS eee a ~can Sie cae RE Le Sate ECE els naeNee Swedn Norway Finlad Denmark Country T2 ABLE thresoldNo at rules have 200 that not time. refer been REGULATIONSASBESTOS In In those princple princple Noumbfer REGULATIONS SCANDIAV limit REGULATIONS SCANDINAVIA Limit REGULATIONS of Airbone Limit Threshold oe zihe Values the Airborne * like Asbetos particles 5um USA: limit from or Valid particles in 5um per as prosectiv values values 1970 These limit cmvalues -42~ Kingdom USA same .as 1970 en? values as 1970 wilsimilar IN authories The general 1970 1962 The the from | arefor limit values New valueslimit fixed New will have fixed simlar simlar for to asbetoshandlingcontainthose in are Kingdom all of working now in 1964 quite The New EPswane" handling limit limit asbestos values to values values are the will not latest be ~~ revaled valid hand. for steps . * confirmed asbetos new in likehod Amcrian in and in the 2 regulation 47 Unite limit products limit values,1972, Se ae oe nea ae A gee FPL EEL, Case ho RLRor Dear ee oget e tage dr on are Swedn Norway Finlad Denmerk Country ' | A workers Royal its Safety -wiintghSafety Name REGULATIONS examinto asbetois,Directons for IN of REGULATIONS to Medical Regulations certain CUR ENT Established Established SCANDIAV Regulations Examintos injuriesprevnt Medical aM EstablishedAacntd wwohreind precautions precautions precautions work conection with Examinations examination a findings lead and year. month ment: o1n9c7e1 ination and ful Health Act and 1971 Prelimnary examinto function. after examinton years. Health and 1971 Prelimnary examination after Subsequent employment . examinations examinations examinations regulationexaminto medical examinto examintos include. thre threeyears Subseqnt examintos for Prelimnay then prevntig prevnting a before examinto one Proclamtion Medical Medical examintosexaminton 1962 ment Prelimnary a Subsequent Subsequent ye19a4r9 Prelimnary Prelimnary Prelimnary examination examinto examinto certaincertain injuries injuriesinjuries function, every and 3 and years. exposed of a x year ed thre vp Suspect Remarks 10mx-,ray years. yearly case or size: are once in folw- TABLE 3 Medical CURENT once Suspect exam- IN one lung Minmu employ- Be DISCUSSION ON PAPER BY MR A PALOMEKI AIG FINLAND M.ROBERT JOIN CSA FRANCE HERR SCHAEFTER WAV GERMANY MR W. JOHNSEN AIG DENMARK MR G.C. SCHMIDT WVA & WAY GERMANY Question Answer Question o . Answer Comment Comment Question Answer You say that the TLV in the Norwegian Regulations is 200 particles per c.c. Is this asbestos or all dust All dust Do you have a time allowance for a preliminary medical test Yes - 2 months In Germany it must be before employment In Sweden one month's grace for ray and lung function new employees is given tests on Who pays the cost of the examination . The employer ran LNG nt Ln Yee ee DS Se) Oe OP a a tee eoFe OSee) Cie Y eoen pe ie watt Sn nr ae ae ona RATS a rd Am pk a at w NN pe PEP Meg BS > ae OE -45- st : BRIEF REVIEW OF CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE REGULATIONS IN ITALY Sig A. Calamandrei Associazione Naz degli Industriali Amiantieri Currently in Italy the processing of asbestos is classified as harmful to health but there are no specific provisions establishing a dust limit in the working environment The existing norms only prescribe a medical examination for the worker before he is hired followed by an annual check up from the I.N.A.I.L. Instituto Nazionale per gli Infortuni sul Lavoto - National Institute for Insurance against Labour Accidents including ray examination for every individual working in the asbestos industry In the event of asbestosis being diagnosed a pension is allocated to the individual who has contracted it and whose working capacities have been re- duced by over 21 This is increased in amount as the disease increases in severity Furthermore all employees in the asbestos industries are granted an additional wage amounting to 0.70 = per working hour Moreover the asbestos manufacturers are responsible for paying an extraordinary insurance for asbestosis which figures as on the salary gin The great outcry about the danger of asbestos manufacturing outside of the present provisions and laws began some time ago including both the mining of the mineral and the manufacturing processes The E.N.P.I Nazionale per la Prevenzione degli Infortuni - National ' Organisation for Accident Prevention has been studying the problem for some time and has drawn up a plan of norms which should regulate the matter Article 6 of the said norms states Defense against dust In those lines of manufacture which normally give rise to dust formation the employer is held responsible for adopting suitable and measures for inhibiting as much as possible the development diffusion of : . van . Men -46- dust in the working environments and thus containing its concentration below certain maximum levels which - considering their harmful effects are to be established by decree from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare prior to the approval of the Permanent Advisory Committee for Accident Prevention and Labour Hygiene according to article 393 of D.P.R. April 27 1955 - No.547 The Ministry of Labour which is responsible for establishing the maximum level of dust concentration in the working surroundings has never expressed itself in this regard. Contacts were made by our Association Istituto Superiore di Sanita Higher at Government level through Institute of Health the The results of these exchanges showed that the problem is not properly represented and that much more importance is being given to rumours and minor events conventional which have been blown out of proportion oftebny economic and reasons rather than actual facts studied and documentebdy competent persons Lone wy, 078617 Ng ee ETE EON a Ae AA RE A a ee RR Om Ba RG ST! TEN aN Ean tl ok Bl aE HR UI OT a Heh ee WE ey Weeed a TE, coe DISCUSSION ON PAPER SIG A. CALAMANDREI ANIA ITALY MR W. JCHSEN AIG DENMARK DR.W.J. SMITHER ANC UK Question Answer Question a. Answer Question Answer I understand that you have to pay additional compensation to every worker if any asbestos comes into establishment the Yes Do you use local Chrysotile Asbestos Yes We also use Crocidolite but the regulations do not differentiate > on this How many post mortem results on workers'mortality are available Not many - say 20 sees ee al RE re te BE alae ON a aed a Se tes ARON SIPEA OAR H EDF BEE eee ee AE RR E ETE ile eed -48- . INTRODUCTION FOR MR W.P. RAINIES REVIEW OF CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE REGULATIONS - U.S.A./CANADA Now may I introduce Mr. Raines who has come a very long way to be here I am especially glad that he is present because the situation which his Association faces is extraordinarily difficult probably more so than in any other country It goes without saying that the pattern of legislation in U.S.A. is certain to have a profound effect throughout the world We shall all listen to Bill Raines account of current events with the greatest interest 072619 072619 072619 oe ~ RE Sly a , . xy . - . : * a . . - - , r i yke On Panda cet tabeev. aak alt ab an e iy apa teres ig -49- 7. BRIEF REVIEW OF CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE REGULATIONS - USA Mr. V.P. Raines IAI I. Brief comment on overlapping jurisdictions of federal state and municipal governments II Protecting the Worker A. Federal Government 1 Occupational Safety and Health Act 2 General provisions vis a vis asbestos b Pr^'sentthreshold limit value of 12 fibres per cubic centimetre C. Labour Selikoff pressures to lower TLV to 2 fibres d Prospective move to 5 fibres level e Selikoff pressures for emergency standard of 2 fibres 2 National Institutes for Occupational Safety & Health 8 Emergency studies on asbestos and fibre glass b Investigation of epidemic of mesothelioma among workers in Manville New Jersey area B. State Government III Protecting the General Public A. Federal Government 1. Clean Air Act wot oN ie Fur we fa a Asbestos declared hazardous substance by Environ- mental Protection Agency EPA b Asbestos emissions standards i Development ii General Content iii Next Steps C. Studies of asbestos in brake linings and in asbestos asphalt paving d Studies to develop ancient air measurement techniques <. Probable future revision of asbestos emissions standards based on numerical limits 0726 0726 0726 0726 1 , Ff ad aes ea ee amet OO eee CIA Sie 9TReS ee abi ede BEAL RCE IN sy Cee yi tel eee -50- 2 Water Pollution Control Act 8. In sponsored by Muskie and backed by Nixon b Possible effects on asbestos C. Present action under 1899 law 3 Toxic Substances Control Act .. In Congress - probably stalled until 1972 b Possible effects on asbestos d Crocidolite rumour B. State Governments a 1 Ban on Spraying Asbestos Fireproofing , | Illinois New York 2 Illinois Proposed Regulations 8 Illinois Pollution Control Board b General content of proposed regulations - especially ban on asbestos in brake linings c Hearings and testimony jj Outlook e Other states watching closely C. Municipal Governments 1 2 Ban on Asbestos Spraying New York City Boston Philadelphia Philadelphia Chicago | Control of Asbestos Spraying San Francisco got woeR ? Q 3 Interest in Banning Asbestos in Brake Linings New York City Fay eR ee a he at Ya pe abe el ee l eek ae tice bands antaaarA eA s Kae etl dey LEASE I ree ue tae vatr biness. tke uehgesy ltrs als ae Raetd -51- DISCUSSION ON PAPER BY MR W.F. RAINES AIA USA MR D.W. ARC UK HILLS Comment You suggested in your paper that US Asbestos Industry would agree a 5 fibres per c.c. maxinum TLV the to Answer The 5 fibre figure was agreed as a reasonable level by engineering and medical authorities and by the Government Levels Committee Remember that the Unions are pressing a level of 2 fibres per in the US for c.c. There is also an allowance for peaks of 10 fibre HERR SCHAEFTER SCHAEFTER WAV GERMANY 2 Question 1 Is the Illinois ban in effect or is a - it in preparation 4 Answer I have just heard that asbestos in brake linings has not been banned but spray has Question 2 Are States and so on rights superior to City . MR M.F. AIC UK HOWE M. ROBERT JOIN CSA FRANCE Answer * Question ~4 ue Answer Question Answer A State can go further than the Federal Authority and a City can go further than the State Is legislation against water pollution likely to affect asbestos cement water pipes No the legislation applies to waste disposal anything maintains but would not guarantee jsSelikoff at present that asbestos cement pipes are safe ro How has the US friction materials industry reacted to the Illinois situation Can it rely on substitutes Originally it looked like nonsense but now alternatives appear to be possible We do not know what the Automobile industry said to the Board General Motors resisted the Board but would not testify 07867 . eekly a Dat ase Yee tee EE, -52- ATTACKS ON ASBESTOS The substance of the papers dealing with Attacks on Asbestos and the defence of their positions by industries concerned these have been covered by the summaries of papers Conference in various circulated countries before the In discussions at the Conference additional pointspoints were made and these are appended ae We have in addition included the summary of the paper given by Mr. W.P. Raines on the situation in the USA and Mr. W.P. Howard's Howard's papapepr er on action taken in the United Kingdom 7 a5e, =U. 076693 076693 076693 Pee eee e s e ae ACTION IN TAKEN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO DEFEND ASBESTOS Mr. W.P. Howard Secretary Asbestos Information Committee UK At the last European Conference two years ago we explained what the Asbestos Information Committee was why it had been formed and the kind of things we do I points which were most of this talk do not propose to go over old ground or to repeat made on that occasion What I would like to do is to describe some of the things we have done in the for the the past two years since we last met during which time we have been operating b] against the background of new Asbestos Regulations In conclusion I shall outline the way in which our working arrangements have developed What have we done We have been engaged in two kinds activity First of all positive work constructive work stressitnhge virtues and secondly defensive work which has consisted advantages largely of of asbestos and correcting the false impressions left in people's minds by misleading accounts of the asbestos issue First then - the positive action ie Let us start with our advertising campaigns This advertisement comes from our 1970 campaign The theme we adopted was where would we be without asbestos and the three advertisements for this series dealt respectively with safety at sea the safety of buildings and safety on the road They appeared in the more serious and authoritative newspapers like the Financial Times Daily Telegraph Sunday Times SEW s = are BR tog Nt ER ab toh oh ce -54- The Guardian and Scotsman as well as in some key magazines and technical media - New Society Management Today New Scientist Engineering Engineer Building Architects in the journals read Journal and Shipbuilding At the same time we put by industrial safety officers an advertisement which explained that advice on the practical aspects of the new Asbestos Regulations was available in a whole range of literature from the Asbestosis Rescarch Council It also encouraged safety officers with particular problems to get in touch with the Council direct At the present time British papers are carrying our 1971 campaign This is our fourth annual campaign Its theme is asbestos - it's a natural In English this is a clever play upon words You must take my word for that Again we at sea are We dealing with safe braking with fire protection and with safety are using the same range of opinion newspapers and magazines and technical media as before We think that this particular advertisement which deals with safety at sea particularly effective one because it underlines the isolation of a people at sea and hence the importance of using materials in ship construction which resist fire Our next positive step was the production of the film Why which you have all seen separate copies have been This has sold with been a very successful an English commentary Asbestos venture 86 52 in the United Kingdom and 34 overseas We have plans as you know for German and French versions which the German and French asbestos industries are now discussing It may interest you to know that 12 copies have been placed in film libraries in this country and that as a result 4000 people have already seen the film When one adds to these circ1ul2ating audiences that must have seen the other 40 copies copies the in this country you film include can imagine the impact The audiences that have seen the technical colleges universities and schools safety officers and professional people like architects and engineers as well of course as customers of the industry For the benefit of lay viewers like school children we produced for distribution at film showings leaflet entitled Why Asbestos We also find this booklet useful to send through the post to general enquirers and produced in order to stimulate interest in showings of the film a small page leaflet which describes the film and gives various technical details about it wm Ld sal fo. -55- Only this week we have started shooting a new film dealing with the subject of fire being sponsored protection It will be called Fire by the Asbestos Information Committee at Work and is and two companies which have a special interest in fire protection one of them a manufacturer of fire extinguishers and the other of ventilation equipment The film will cover the use of asbestos to control fire It will show the use of fire protective clothing asbestos fire blankets and the protective use of asbestos building materials The commentary has been written in collaboration with the Fire Protection Association This new film will be ready in the New Year and copies will be available to you if you would like to buy them \ 3 Another field for positive action has been in the editorial columns of the press We have produced in conjunction with the Press Association a feature article which explains how asbestos is used to save life This article has already appeared in 17 newspapers each newspaper has treated it in its own way throughout Britain though We have cleared world copyright of this article in case any of you wish to make similar use of it We have also taken the opportunity to encourage articles like this one in the Leicester Mercury What would we do without asbestos We have given considerable publicity to the publication of the Asbestosis Research - Council's Control and Safety Guides and we are currently working with the Financial Times in the production of a special survey on asbestos This four will occupy at least pages of the newspaper and will resemble an a earlier survey we arranged in the Times We ; Now for some of our defensive steps Those have been aimed at putting the health situation into perspective wherever it is publicity misrepresented We have had to do this work in the context of the new Asbestos Regulations and also against the ' nd of a continual series of references in newspapers to inquests o who have died of asbestos diseases This map gives an indic extent of these adverse references Every dot on it repre reference to a coroner's report in a local newspaper -56- A basic activity has been to produce an armoury of literature which deals with some of the recurrent criticisms and questions which we have been subjected You know the booklet entitled Asbestos - Safety and Control we have just produced the third edition of it It has been very helpful to sales representatives and industry managers in giving them an authoritative point of view to put across in the face of founded anxieties We have also produced Public not at Risk a new This edition of deals with our leaflet some of the entitled Asbestos - more general criticisms which are levelled environment against ae the Asbestos Industry for polluting the Next a booklet on a particular point which is involved in these environmental arguments Asbestos bodies - their signficance This leaflet explains the difference between asbestos and ferruginous bodies and the importance of being quite sure that the bodies found in the lungs of many city dwellers really do contain asbestos and not some other mineral To ensure that our own representatives and our customers do not overlook the availability of literature on particular subjects we have set out all the important pamphlets together in an order form which is easy to complete and easy for our offices deal with Literature is very valuable for a number of reasons $fr8 First it ensures that the arguments which different members of the Industry use are consistent Secondly literature covers the main points of our argument comprehensively - nothing important is left out Thirdly literature just because it has been properly produced and printed carries an authority which a letter or the spoken word somehow does not seem to enjoy This does not mean of course that we have not bothered to use the spoken word . On the contrary we have been quite active on this front We have formed an AIC Speakers Panel whose members have now addressed 70 different groups advice of safety officers our customers often These safety officers are people on rely for detailed explanation explanation of the whose Asbestos Regulations We have addressed some 80 of the safety officers in the . mn -57- country on the practical steps which can be taken to continue the use of asbestos products but in such a way that workers use them safely These posters are freely available to any asbestos user who wants to educate his workers in safe practices We have in this field also continued to give television training to senior directors in the industry studio conditions gives him Training very much man for television under realistic more confidence to project what he has to say This precaution has paid off as you will see from the clip which we are now going to show you from a BBC television programme which was screened last year A year ago we came to the conclusion that the market for solid preformed insulation products was largely lost for asbestos Naturally we did not want the same thing to happen with building materials generally and so with the marketing managers of our building material companies we formed a building materials study group to see what positive steps could be taken to make sure that architects and builders did not suffer from any misunderstanding of the surrounding the use of facts afsbiesrtsost two publications as a result of our discussion The card which explained that buildings which incorporated asbestos perfectly safe from the point of view of the occupants whether We produced a simple were these were schoolchildren hospital patients or office workers On the back of this card we showed in graphic form the levels of dust count which were considered safe for employees of the asbestos industry and demonstrated that even the highest dust count which had been experienced in buildings incorporating asbestos were a long way below the level which would be con- sidered acceptable for a worker engaged in the industry over a 50 year period We also produced for architects a leaflet entitled Asbestos and . Health in Perspective 676968 676968 -58- We have encouraged over the years people with enquiries on asbestos or on asbestos and health to telephone or write to our London office which is in the offices of our public relations consultants Hill & Knowlton In the last two years alone we have answered over 1,000 such enquiries Some we have been able to deal with by sending them the appropriate literature to others we have others passed we have over to written letters dealing with specific points the Environmental Control Committee of the Asbestosis Research Council Yet in spite of all the work we have done and it has been considerable we remain under attack few months ago we had another onslaught on a television programme this mounted by one of the commercial television companies and directed by the same young man who directed a similar TV programme for the BBC the one you saw two years ago We have also seen the publication as you have of The Doomsday Book which contains some very misleading pages on asbestos We produced a long critique on this book sent it both to the author and to the publishers unfortunately without receiving from either points which we have raised However when a satisfactory answer to the some of the distortions from The Doomsday Book were repeated in newspapers and magazines our letters to the editors have put the record straight The rebuttal of press criticism has in fact continued to be an important part of our work magazines is saying At least once a month we find foolish and misleading things that some newspapers or about asbestos products for example that the home handyman is at risk from the use of asbestos cement sheet or that the whole community is in danger because drinking water has been delivered via asbestos water pipes or that we are all at risk because millions of vehicles use asbestos in their brake linings or because tens of thousands of buildings use asbestos in their construction These attacks are by far the most dangerous We know that there is no medical risk from the use of asbestos products On the contrary they are used to protect the public from fire or from road accidents and so on It seems to us essential that this particular lie is nailed whenever it appears one result of the many comments that have been made on the pollution of the mal Tes, a PNR NAL aes ces NA i ede ag Moe -59- t > environment by asbestos has been that we have thought it sensible to join the National Society for Clean Air We have nominated a representative to sit on the Council so that we shall be in a position to challenge at source any misleading comments which look as if they may be emanating from this source and also to suggest a proper line to take should the subject be raised as a possible matter for a paper at a conference or for representations to Government I should like to conclude by pointing four morals which emerge from our experience over the past four years with this kind of work The first is that it takes up public relations time and it consultants takes and I up staff We as you know retain want to emphasise that this is of consider- able value but you must not think that the role of a consultant is to save you doing the work If you have a consultant part of his role is to stimulate you into doing the kind of things which have to be done and this will certainly mean that you spend very much more time and deploy more staff on handling the information problems surrounding asbestos than you would without a consultant This has certainly been our experience It is also of course useful to have independent advice from a consultant who sees problems more from the public's point of view than we do ourselves Secondly we have found it convenient to allocate the prime responsibility for particular sectors of work to particular officers of our member companies One company for example looks after the advertising another coordinates literature and film making and draft letters to editors another looks after exhibition work displays and posters and on ro Thirdly we have come to the conclusion that it is no good relying simply on being on the defensive It is necessary to propagate the value of asbestos in a very positive way and this means not only spending time and making staff available but spending money on advertising on film and on literature We cannot expect people to make a fair assessment of the value of asbestos in relation to the difficulties that attend its use if they have not been told that it is valuable and why it is valuable -60- We have only ourselves to blame if we have not projected those advantages to the kind of people who are making the important decisions Finally a point that differs from the views we must project the same positive message in that each some of you have expressed of our respective countries This is because the problem is becoming more and more an international one Science knows no frontiers nor do modern media of communications The Doomsday Book in America but was has a good examploef since appeared in a publication which was first produced many languages in all our countries and has done us some damage in all of them false invalid arguments the belief that The book asbestos contained many of the seriously pollutes the urban environment These are arguments that we must challenge whenever and wherever they appear We saw yesterday how our American friends defeated a ban on asbestos in brake linings The stand made by one's country's asbestos industry must be supported by the others Fortunately we have a good case Asbestos is unique It does save lives It does prevent the worst results of fire Provided we make sure that other people know this we may be confident in the future of our industry nA 1% a.< a -61- BRIEF REVIEW OF ATTACKS ON ASBESTOS AND OUR DEFENSES Mr. W.P. Raines Secretary AIA I. Attacks A. Labour Unions - Selikoff -- OSHA 1. Pressure for emergemergeency ncy standard Labour Unions - Selikoff - American Cancer Society 1. Major epidemiological study 2 Large funding 3. A.C.S. ability to gain attention C. Labour Unions - Selikoff - and Local . Agitation 1 Manville New Jersey 2. Waukegan Illinois 3. Toronto Canada ; Gastrointestinal Cancer eS Sywv 8 1. Natures article and Canadian scientists 2. Selikoff's position - no risk from ingestion E. Selikoff and Predictions of Epidemics 1 World War II Shipyard Workers and Mesothelioma 2 Patterson New Jersey Amosite Plant and Neighbourhood dangers Selikoff and Threats to General Public 1 Women's Coats from Italy 2 freeze 3 Talc 4. School children and modelling compounds 076752 076752 -62- G. Press - Radio - Television Interest 1 Canada 2 New York City Channel 13 3 NEW YORKER Magazine and Paul Brodeur 4 BUSINESS WEEK Magazine 5 Newspapers 6 Radio H. Customer Alarm 5 ; I. Ralph Nader J. Further Government Action Previously Discussed II Defenses A. Work with Federal State and Municipal Government Officials 1 .. 3 4 5. Federal EPA Federal Department of Labor NIOSH Congress State Governments B. Present Testimony at Important Hearings HY . x 1 Federal EPA 2 Key States C. Strengthen AIA # Add new members d Internal seminars 078 . 3 SRE Gt RR ia te ed Ee etter Ge or ' eat byes ta MAG mee ae onthe -63- D. Prepare Literature 1 Supervisors 2 Salesmen 3 Customers 4 Others E. Seek More Effective Ways to Get Objective Treatment by Press TV 1 Spokesmen 2 Prepared TV Clips 3. Rebuttal - F. Publicise Favourable Information 1 McDonald Study etc. 2 Results of Industry Tests on Products Wear Emissions 3 Essential uses of asbestos en -64- POINTS FROM DISCUSSIONS FOLLOWING PAPERS ON ATTACKS AND DEFENSES MR GRIEVE AIC UK MR PALOMAKI FINLAND M. ROBERT JOIN FRANCE ; MR.A.R. KOLFF OOSTERWIJK OOSTERWIJK OOSTERWIJK HOLLAND VAN MR A.A.CROSS A.A.CROSS ARC UK MR W. JOHEISEN DENMARK - Question Answer Comment . Comment : a . Comment v4 . , Comment - wes Could I ask what the situation is in Finland Shipbuilders are using asbestos but are waiting for the availability of substitiutes Referred to the construction of a car ferry in a French yard in which the use of asbestos was banned Referred to a car ferry built in a Netherlands shipyard for Townsend in which asbestos spray was specified We should clarify what precisely we mean when we say insulation In the UK this means thermal insulation and not cabin boards Dr.Grut of the Danish Inspectorate gave the impression ' in Helsinki that while there were substitutes for asbestos in thermal insulation there were no substitutes yet for asbestos based cabin boards Dr. Grut has also registered that he was , impressed by the performance of dust suppressed cloths There was often confusion between asbestos cement sheets and cabin boards The edge grinding effect was was create believed to the reason the dust and this ban on asbestos cabin boards in some areas some 072380 072380 072380 065- FINAL COMMENT AND SUMMARY Mr. M.F. Howe Conference Chairman I shall not attempt any detailed summing up It would be impossible to summarise 1days of discussions in a few minutes If I may I propose instead to express my main thoughts after listening to all the Conference discussions 1 Wide Range of Experiences a . : A very wide range of situations clearly exists At one extreme there is a relatively tranquil situation in countries such as Belgium Italy Germany and France At the other end we have the embattled situations is U.S.A. and in Britain The other countries represented fall some- where between these two extremes Tranquillity only Temporary Listening to the growing problems facing the asbestos industries in America Holland Denmark - and of course Britain - I believe that sooner or later tempo will increase in all areas In my opinion it will be sooner rather than later I would earnestly counsel all of you to prepare now for greater Government interest and intervention and for much stronger publicity attacks You will find as we and our American colleagues have found that time is not on your side 3 Regulations As to future Government Regulations it goes without saying that if you through your asbestos origanisations can participate in the preparation of those Regulations that is highly desirable If you cannot participate directlthye next best thing is to ensure the opportunity to comment freely on the draft Regulations at an early To Sat a Te en > oo ee ala RE LE WgwoCY sede Reine bogey RT Msn . FE ee a a ME: --66- --66- stage We in the U.K. were uniquely fortunate in having an active and reputable body like were in contemplation the A.R.C. in existence when the Regulations Without the A.R.C. and remember this is an industry body the British Regulations would have been far more severe That is a point which you should all contemplate when deciding the future direction of your various asbestos organisations and here may I refer to the offer of T & N assistance made last night by Mr. Hardie That offer is made also by BBA Cape and the other component companies of the A.R.C. 4. Information Matters a As to information matters here also I am convinced that where calm now prevails it may not prevail for much longer The attacks may originate and quite suddenly from medical journalists or medical experts in your own countries or they may spring from the writings and statements of men outside like Dr. Selikoff and Rattray or could be inspired by Trade Unions The attacks may be directed firstly at selected products like asbestos spray or insulation or they may be directed at asbestos usage as a whole In my opinion they will relate to environmental fears to a growing extent 5 Look to Your Defences . I would urge you all to look to your defences now For example - re &. Have you the right sort of organisation to deal with the coming attacks The New York T.V. film has shown how strong how unfair and how damaging they can be b Have you an action committee and will it have adequate responsibility and resources both financial and of technical character C. Will your committee be ready to meet attacks at all points whether the points be asbestos cement asbestos textiles asbestos insulation brake linings It must be apparent that no asbestos usage can be regarded as safe from attack PA he RT a a Pew eke dg elds Ge Ee te Vee A ee -67- Pa a Very important have you selected a Bill Raines or a Wilfred Howard as your spokesman and is he properly trained in this task e Have you contact with Public Relations Consultants who can give you sound P.R. advice and have they knowledge of the extent of your likely problems - both occupational and environmental f Have you suitable literature perhaps like Asbestos - Safety and Control ready for when it is needed . . b) None of this is cheap either in terms of money or of executive time but I believe that it is indispensable And please remember that the A.R.C. and the A.I.C. either as bodies or through the component companies are ready to help with advice and information in any way and at any time 6 Sleeping Dogs Please do not think that I am being critical of what your organisations have done so far The maxim let sleeping dogs lie has a good deal in its favour when the tempo is slow and public and press interest is light But sleeping dogs wake up suddenly and use their voices and their teeth And when they are awake they will is a lesson which we have learned in Britain and not sleep I sure again That the AIA has learned in U.S.A. We have learned the painfupl ainful way and perhaps we can save you some pain You must prepare in advance CONCLUSION Now to my concluding remarks I certainly hope that you feel as I feel that our Conference has been full of interest and well worthwhile If that is the generally held view you may well feel that a second International Conference should take place months or 2 years time I at some time in the future should welcome views about - perhaps in 18 this after you return -68- home If there is support for another Conference we in the A.I.C. will be happy to take the initiative again whether or not it should be held in Britain If we hold a second Conference I have an uneasy feeling that more than 11 countries will want to be repsresented In the meantime I hope and believe the those two days will haelp all of us close friendships forgeidn On behalf of the A.I.C. and the A.R.C. may I again repeat our wish to help you in any way that we can ' ae y ue OeView ee een De ae ve APPENDIX INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASBESTOS INFORMATION BODIES 24TH AND 25TH NOVEMBER 1971 List of Delegates U.S.A. Mr. W.P. Raines GERMANY Dr. C. Fernbach 0 Mr. H. Mehling ; Dr. H. Meyer Mr. G.C. Schmidt H. Askevold Mr. Dieter Merkel Mr. Henning Schaefter Mr. G. Engelmann Mr. R. Skrczypczek . Manville Corporation 22 East 40th Street New York N.Y. 10016 5 Frenzelit Asbestwerke G.m.b.H. & Co. KG Zweigwerk Frankfurter Asbestwerke 6000 Frankfurt am Main Hahnstrasse 2 Textar G.m.b.H. 5090 Leverkusen Postfach 544 Asbestwerke - Deutsche 2050 Hamburg A.G. Postfach 80 Wirtschaftsverband Asbest e.V. 6 Frankfurt Marbachweg 59 d 7 Jurid Werke G.m.b.H. 2057 Reinbek Postfach 6 Martin Merkel KG 2102 Wilhelmsburg Postfach 930280 Eternit A.G. Postfach 100 1 Berlin ll Eternit G.m.b.H. Neuss Eternit A.G. Postfach 100 1 Berlin 11 078750 078750 078750 r od ; | ITALY Mr. A. Calamandrei -2- FRANCE Mr. C.X. Latty Mr. R. Join Mr. P. Conus Ke . Mr. G. Flouest Mr. G. Mahut . Dr. J. Avril ; DENMARK Mr. W. Johnsen * FINLAND Mr. Antti Palom^/ki NORWAY Mr. L. Knutsen SWEDEN Mr. Ake J^nsson Associazione Nazionale degli Industriali Amiantieri Societa Italiana per l'Amianto 10096 Leumann Turin Beldam 82 rue Paris Latty S.A. St. Lazare 9e Chambre Syndicale de l'Amiante 10 rue de la P^'pini^re Paris 8e S.A. Fran^aisedu Ferodo 64 avenue de la Grande Arm^'e Paris 17e Manufacture de Joints et Caoutchouc Chatillon Amiante Everitube S.A. 24 rue de Prony Paris 17e S.A. Fran^aise du Ferodo 64 avenudee la Grande Arm^'e Paris 17e Dansk Eternit A 9100 Aalborg Paraisten Kalkki Minerityksikk^ Muijala Oy Norsk Eternit Fabrikk 3470 Slemmestad Skandinaviska Eternit Box 43 234 00 Lomma A.B. 072661 072661 HOLLAND Mr. J. van Haagen Mr. A.R. Kolff van OosterwijOostkerwijk BELGIUM Dr. J. Lepoutre Mr. A. Eyben UNITED KINGDOM Mr. M.F. Howe Dr. S. Holmes Dr. W.J. Smither Mr. A.A. Cross Mr. W.P. Howard 4 Mr. D. Wright . N.V. Eternit Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20/22 Amsterdam C. Hertel Holding Postbox 3026 Grasweg 49 Amsterdam N. N.V. Eternit S.A. Kapelle Malines Eternit S.A. Kapelle Malines 3 Asbestos Information Faulkner House Faulkner Street Manchester Ml 4DX Committee Asbestosis Research P.O. Box 40 Rochdale Lancs Council 596 Rainham Dagenham Essex Road South Asbestosis Research Research Council Environmental Control Committee 114 Park Street London ,. W1Y 4AB Asbestos Information Committee 77/79 Fountain Street Manchester M2 2EA Asbestos Information / Scandura Ltd. P.O. Box 18 Cleckheaton Yorkshire Committee a terraAEE MN AE OE TE Go NTRS Cae: BCE al brane ekeels Mr. J.D. Grieve Mr. A. Masterton Mr. D.F. Brady Asbestos Information / Central Asbestos Central House Thomas Road London E.14 Committee Co. Ltd. Asbestos Information 10 Wardour London WIV 3HG Street Committee BBA Group Limited P.O. Box 20 * Cleckheaton Yorkshire 3 "8 . +