Document 93Jgk4yQLDbo768Yp39bkKBKR

Monsanto MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY P. O. Sox 711 Alvin, Texas 77512-9888 Phone: (713) 581-2161 December 1, 1987 Mr. David Brown Vinson & Elkins 3300 First City Tower 1001 Fannin Houston, Texas 77002-6760 Dear David: Attached are some miscellaneous letters I found--they basically just establish that Monsanto was responding to the new asbestos concerns in 1972. The brochure establishes the new OSHA Standard in 1971 to 1973. DLM/bg Enclosures Don L. Meade a unit of Monsanto Company C 000147 LAM022C57 August 8* 1972 Hr. E. Hinds Alvin Cleaners 415 W. House Alvin, Texas 77511 Dear Mr. Hindse Be Blanket Order .J This will confirm our telephone conversation of today, during which we discussed coveralls being cleaned by you under the above referenced blanket order, which will be contaminated with asbestos dust. As per our discussion* Monsanto will seal these coveralls in a plastic bag prior to shipment to you, and this plastic bag will serve as a means of your identifying the contaminated clothing* We also discussed the fact that wetting the coveralls ends any hasard that may exist from the asbestos. You indicated that your method of handling will be to completely submerge each pair of coveralls, while still in the plastic bag in the machine, filled with water, in which they are to be washed. The bag will be opened underwater, thereby keeping to an absolute minimum any chance of the asbestos dust getting into the air. We agreed that this should be a safe way to handle thie clothing. s C 000148 LAM022058 E. Hinds 2 August 8, 1972 We wish to thank you for your cooperation in this matter* and ask that you feel free to contact us* at your con* venienoa* with any questions you may have. Yours very truly* BRBssh B. R. Bradshaw Senior Buyer bcc: CB-45239 J. M. Harris C. H. McComb c 000143 LAM022059 Monsanto J. M. Harris - Chocolate Bayou.Plant OATi August 8, 1972 O.M.C. Coverall Requirements TO R. L. Miller ^ R. E. Belden J. E. Buckner F. B. Burns H. C. Clark R. A. Dorsten F. H. Dupre R. L. HarriC. H. McCom Night Supervisors In order to be in compliance with the O.S.H.A. Standard on protective clothing for asbestos, the following practices will become effective immediately: 1. The fabrication shop man will be issued coveralls daily as per standing approval of H. C. Clark. 2. Major field fabrication or dismantling will require coveralls. An example of this would be stripping or fabrication of an exchanger head or shell, or an Ethylene transfer line. Approval will be given by the Maintenance Services Superintendent. 3. It is felt that jobs like removing insulation from flanges and stripping for tie-ins, etc. will not warrant the use of protective clothing if the individual takes advantage of the wind direction. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. JMH:lm J Harris c G001S0 LAM022060 V . - Monsanto f)/^ J.__M. Harris - Chocolate Bayou Plant August 8, 1972 Use of Asbestos at Chocolate Bayou TO E..N. Brasfield. ct A. W. Adams R. E. Belden B. R. Bradshaw H. C. Clark F. H. Dupre C. H. McComh<Ssr^ R. L. Miller - O.M.C. Since the O.S.H.A. has been enacted, the following activities and plans are in progress at Chocolate Bayou concerning insulation. 1. -A study has been completed on what types we use. It is estimated that approximately 60% of all insulation used in the plant contains asbestos. (See attached memo.) 2. A request has been issued to Engineering Services to determine the feasibility of eliminating the use of asbestos at Chocolate Bayou. In turn. Engineering Services referred the study to R. L. Miller of St. Louis. Information received indicates St. Louis is to issue a standard bulletin describing suitable alternates. 3. O.S.H.A. approved respirators have been purchased for the insulators and are in use. 4. The fabrication saws in our insulation ;Shop have vacuum exhausts in operation now. A dust collection system for these saws outside the buildings is in the planning stage, with completion expected September 1, 1972. The feasibility of installing a vacuum system above the saws is also being evaluated by our group. 5. A vacuum cleaner suitable for clean-up in the fabricating shop is being sought. 6. Special clothing (coveralls) requirements are to be dealt ' with as follows: a) Fabricating man in the shop would require clothing. b) Only major removal jobs in the field would require coveralls, such as: stripping of an exchanger head or shell. Removal of insulation on flanges or for a tie-in would not warrant the use of special clothing. c 000151 LAM022061 E. N. Brasfield -2- August 8, 1972 c) Any large fabrication in the field where sawing and fitting is required would apply. 7. Caution signs and labels, as required by the standard, have been purchased and installed. I feel that any mechanical item or facility revision required should be provided by Monsanto. Other items required in the standard should be complied with by the contractor. Some of these are: 1. Monitoring for exposure to asbestos every six months. 2. Medical examinations at the beginning and end of employment. 3. Setting up program for maintaining respirators as per A.N.S.P.R.P. #288.2-1969. 4. Enforcing work habits as per requirements outlined in the standard. The Safety Department would appear to be the most likely source for monitoring the asbestos concentrations in our operation. Through our Purchasing Department, we have received information from the Owens-Corning sales representative (manufacturer of KayLo) that by the end of 1972 they will have an insulation on the market that will exceed KayLo in every respect. It will be asbestos free. B. R. Bradshaw is working with our Texas City plant on securing a sample of this material. Based upon corporate and Federal Government guidelines to date, I feel the approach would be as outlined. To rush into a program that would cost great sums of money to revise our facilities and methods of fabrication at this time, is not considered necessary in order to comply with the intent or spirit of the new law. t Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. JMH:lm J. M. Harris C 000152 LAM022062 Monsanto Robert E. Belden - Chocolate Bayou Plant date subject August 8, 1972 Contractor Responsibilities REFERENCE TO : B. R. Bradshaw cc H. C. Clark G. E. Davenport P. D. Griffin J. M. Harris C H. McComb J. E. Buckner '^e_ The O.S.H.A. standards require many specific actions not being done at this time. Although our contracts with all contractors specify a clear distinction between the respon sibilities of each party, I believe it will be worthwhile to restate points relative to the safety and health of their employees. A major point to be restated is that all medical records, medical examinations, and any other testing to determine physical condition of employees will be the responsibility of the contractor. The letter should request a written reply. to include are: Suggested contractors '1) O.M.C. 2) Crescent Electric 3) Natkin 4) T.M.I. 5) Bayou Enterprises 6) Cameron Company 7) Norvell-Wilder REB:lm IN IO REV U C 000153 LAM022063 Monsanto FROM' (NAME ft LOCATION! j. M. Harris - Chocolate Bayou Plant DATE TO June 26, 1972 Use of Asbestos at Chocolate Bayou Clint Britt cc A. W. Adams R. E. Belden H. C. Clark F. H. Dupre C. H. McComb R. L. Miller - O.M.C. Please find attached a copy of the article highlighting the hazards of exposure to asbestos. I would like to request an Engineering study to determine the feasibility of eliminating the use of asbestos at Chocolate Bayou. The most frequent use of this material in our plant is: 1. Ethylene Furnaces - Weber #48 - contains asbestos used between brick and roof of Ethylene furnaces. Mixed up like mortar and sets up hard. Installed by J. W. Leavesley. 2. Insulation used in the plant 1. Thermo-Bestos .... Contains asbestos 2. Kaylo ................................. Contains asbestos 3. Mono-block .................. Does not contain asbestos 4. Carey-temp .................. Does not contain asbestos The Thermo and Kaylo are used for hot service (high temperatures) and all fittings no matter if temperature is hot or ambient, due to the crumbling characteristics of the Mono and Carey. It is also used on straight runs sometimes due to the same problem. If there is any assistance our group can furnish, please let me know. JMH:lm attachment J. M. Harris C 000154 LAM022064 . >< Perilous Particles: Tiny Fibers Of Asbestos Pose a Health Threat OH refineries are by no means the only] Afraid of a Checkup places where asbestos turns up. The versatllci Among construction workers outside the subattince is a fireproof binder and Insulator ln| bestoa trades--virtually all of whom are ex- Ihousands of products. Including such things as! posed to asbestos whether they work with It dl- plastlci. shingles, paper and pipes. In most of] rectly or not--concern remains relatively low. these, the asbestos'Is harmless to users. But. Jacob Novak, business manager of the Asbes- deper.ding on how It's added to the products, tos Workers Union local in New York, says he aebeatos can pose a threat to workers In the has tried without success, for Instance, to in factories where the products are made. duce a group of plasterers to have checkups. Until six months ago. for instance, asbestos "Some of these people don't want to face a free urns being used as an onllleak ingredient In X ray because they're afraid of what they Prestone antifreeze, made by Union Carbide might hear." says Mr. Novak, a 43-year vet Corp. At a Carteret. N.J.. plant, run for Union eran ofthe asbestos trades, who had a nonma- Carbide by General American Transportation, llgr.ant tumor removed from a lung last winter. the asbestos would arrive in paper sacks. Anxiety In the demolition Industry also Workers would cut the bags open with knives scents minimal. "We don't have a dust prob and feed the powdery white asbestos into tanks lem In demolition," says Leonard Kapy. vice ot antifreeze, says James Irving, a fire end president of Wrecking Corp. of America, one ot safety engineer who has worked In the plant the iargest demolition companies in the coun- for 22 years. *ry. "Some people think you can take down a "They'd wear face masks, but no protective building without dust." he says with a laugh. clothing," Mr. Irving says, "and the blowers In As for asbestos. Mr. Kapy isn't worried: "I the room where they worked would send the know fellas who have laid asbestos pipe for dust out to where others v.-ere working. Then they'd pile up the bags outside the building and a crew would pick them up and throw them onto the truck, raising a big cloud of dust." Asbestos was removed from the Prestone formula late last year. Mr. Irving says the years, and there's nothing wrong with them." When working in closed quarters, he says, his men use drop cioths and fans, but they don't wear respirators because "they're too hot and they don't work." change took place otter the Oil, Chemical and Nevertheless, the federal Environmental Atomic workers made an issue of It. Union Protection Agency is preparing regulations ex Carbide denies that. The decision, says Herbert pected to be announced this summer that J. Hannlgan, the company's technical manager would attempt to Impose controls on air pollu of auto products, was based on marketing con tion from demolition operations. These could siderations and "had nothing to do with include requirements for wetting down the health." work areas or the removal of all asbestos be Asbestos also can pose hazards to the ulti fore a building is toppled. The technics! prob mate consumers of certain products. Bits of as lem of measuring dust levels, however, "could bestos used In filters for beverage making have toss out the demolition regulation entirely," been found in wine and beer, for instance, and 6ays James Krowder. an engineer with the could be dangerous if swallowed. The use of EPA's hazardous pollutants branch. such filters In beverage making seems to have Setting a standard for asbestos concentra been curtailed, but knowledge of the hazard ap- tions at work sites has been similarly difficult pears to have had little effect elsewhere, even;for the fledgling Occupation Safety and Health in medical circles. Asbestos, says a soon-to-be-: Administration, a year-old Department of published study, is being used in some hospi- 'Labor unit. The reason: nobody knows how tala as a filter for intravenousiy-fed liquids, much asbestos is dangerous. The asbestos ingiving the particles an entry Into the blood dustry, led by Johns-Manville Corp.. the larg- stream. eat In the field, has fought for a standard ailow- The 'use of asbestos In fireproof textiles is mg five asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of common. Once in a while, asbestos fiber even alr ln the factorlea. Bul the doct0r, at Mount finds its way into ordinary fabrics. Dr. William 31r,ai and elaewhere that thf only ^ Nicholson, an associate of Dr. Sellkoff at Mount Mfe |eve, of Mbeat#I pollutlon wouId tj UTa, Sinai, has a girl $ charcoal-colored winter coat A F y^at Delay with red trim hanging in one o! his labors^ The decIiIon ye8terday waj u rte. It a one of more than 200 000 Imported , ,, . five-fiber average, with a maximum coats made with 87o asbestos fiber sold two__* , ..... years ago. Some of them are presumably .tilllcentrtlon in the work area of 10 fiber, per being worn. "Give that coat a shake." says Dr. cublc c'^cmer at any time. In 1970. the new Nicholson, "and you get dust levels as high aa regulations call for a more stringent two^ber in an asbestos factory." Ilm"- wlth lhe four-year delay intended to give -Asbestos workers ln the construction Indus- the Industry a chance to control the problem, try are perhaps the most sensitive of all work- Industry says even a two-fiber limit era to the asbestos hazard. It was the construe- could hurt It economically. J. B. Jobe. Jomvs- tlon Industry, which uses two-thirds of all as- Manvilie's executive vice president, said at bealos products, that was the target of the first hearing's in March that it would be "socioJIy tr- wave of ar.ilasb.Mtos publicity rr.jre than four responsible" to adopt such stringent reg*ula- years ago t\< i'.-f i ton, Chicn V"" ^ tlons- _ f*mr,1,n --u11,Twn- The company operates the largeai asbestos factory In the country-at ManvJIle. N.J*,"where. Si 0 1 la: I ill ri*i,s lre ue: according to a recent Mount Sinai study, 40% vf!op5Th though there's some question being of Lhe workers die of asbestos-related cancer, raised about their safety, too. Corrective steps being taken already. Johns- C 000155 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, Thursday. June 6, 1072 VOL LI I NO. 168 Perilous Particles Tiny Asbestos Fibers Pose a Health Threat To Workers and Public Htrry RoJIcy It on* WJin vrha'tSfi'vlHMJyto find much sol&ct In the new standards. Mr. Bailey Isn't an cxbeslo* worker. He's a bnrVlayer in a Mobil Oil Corp. refinery alonjplde the Delaware River in PaulBboro, N.J. He has been working at the plant for 33 years, ind every year he h^s gone to the company medi cal department for a chest X ray. "They never said there was anything wrong with me," says St-year-old Mr. Bailey, and In deed he has thus far developed no outward symptoms. But a few months ago he and IS other workers from the refinery went to Mount Sinai for an examination, and every one of them proved to have scarred lungs--a sign of asbestosls. a nonmallgnant lung - disease. Long Exposure Can Result In Lung Disease, Cancer; "'""iw Iinndrltuics+trryv (Sol/c O^CKS ^onolinuttmionnsc First Scat ring. Then Complications Asbestcsls begins with X-ray evidence of _______ scarring like that found in Mr. Bailey's lunjs. As the disease progresses, the lungs stiffen and The Bodies Are in the Street' breathinK becomes difficult. The heart has to work harder and can become enlarged. Ulti* ----------- mately. death may be caused by heart stuck By Barry Newman Staff Reporter o^Thl Wall S?ijcct Jolp.nal NEW YORK --At Jcr-eph Marino's gaa sta tion on the fringe on Manhattan's Spanish Har lem, the proven method of cleaning an old brake assembly goes like this: Bull off the wheel, aim an air hose at the exposed parts and blow the dust out. A cloud of brown dust invariably files right Into* the mechanics' faces, says Mr. Marino. But it doesn't bother them. "We got masks and or suffocation. The mineral can also cause lung cancer--in fact asbestos can cause cancer just about any place ir. the body if particles are somehow in gested. The ability of the sharp, tiny particle* to penetrate the lung once breathed in has pro duced a high incidence of cancer in the mem brane surrounding the lung, a disease calied mesothelioma. In the general populace, it causes one in 10,000 deaths. _Of 63? '-oa T^ern being studied bv Dr. everything." Mr. Marino shrugs. "The guys don't use them. What the hell." What the mechanics don't seem to knowlike thousands of other mechanics --la that the brown dust is dangerous. Brake lining* are made of asbestos. And if a mechanic breathes refinery, where Mr. Bailey works, like all high-heat factories in the oil and chemical industries, uses asbestos for insula tion. Mr. Bailey works with Insulation workers inside the furnaces, ripping out soft brick. "There's asbestos and trick dust and a lot of In enough dust from the worn-out linings it sulphur, too." he s&ys. "We complained about could eventually kill him. the dust and dirt. Nothing is done to keep it The lethal quality of tiny, indestructible as down. The.fans make it worse, and you can*t bestos fibers that lodge in the lung Is well wet it because of the heat In the bricks. The known. Widely publicized studies by Dr. Irving company bought new respirators, but under the SelikofI of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine conditions they clog in 16 minutes." lead him to predict that of the roughly 250,000: In *--**: o~tp asbestos industry workers today, about 95.000i will die unnecessarily of occupational cancer.' iuon workers "In the next 10 to 15 years we will enter the as-1 sheets outside the room, or mix bestos cancer era." says Dr. Sellkoff. "Thls| cement in a wheelbarrow, "anybody can get is one of the great disasters of our time." * Hazards for Others, Too The asbestos Industry is well aware of the problem and is taking action to combat it. though critics say the steps aren't as drastic as the dust." ' Company Disagrees Mobil disagrees with the description of working conditions. In response to a query, the company issued this statement: "We have no problems at the Paulsboro refinery concerning the situation demands. But asbestos Industry the use of materials containing asbestos We workers aren't the only ones who might fail use very little of such material, and what we prey , to the lung cancer* and other diseases do use is used under strictly controlled condi caused by the mineral's irritating fibers. It's tions . Recently the Occupational Safety and likely that millions of workers in other indus Health Administration carried out an extensive tries using asbestos fibers could be affected, as and thorough inspection of the entire Paulsboro well as ordinary people who have come Into refinery.. No violations were found in the contact with asbestos tn the atmosphere. plant s handling of asbestos materials." Perhaps the most tragic fact is that for . Mr. Bailey's union, the OIL Chemical and those who have alread> been rufficieniiy ex Atomic Workers, is protesting that inspection. posed. changes in procedures arid standards uf asbestos use--including a new act announced esterday by the Department of Labur -- arc dcaninglcss. It after the firs' tj rir Steven Wocka. a union health and safety spe cialist, little attention was pdd to resith vioiaLcris. And he complains that after a wee* of accompanying the Inspectors, the company Inexplicably "had me kicked out of the plant." I7dc rffl.ect. but not toe decides. Mobil declines comment on Mr. Wodkas charge. C 000156 LAM022066 Manvllle maintains. are adequate to deal with the problem without causing a cutback In the plant's production, the lifeblood ol the New Jersey town of 15.000. At least one asbestos fac tory, run by a PPG Industries ana Corning Glass Works joint venture in Tyler, Texas, closed last February because of "profitability and concern over safety," a spokesman says. psVviq,* _____ ^. ,7Tuie the cost of pp-...a1'poTi\RidA'"a'r^#.vcr plant or smelter might run into the hundreds of milliono. the coat of cleaning up an asbestos operation would be closer to a 10th of that magnitude, accord ing to doctors, engineers and union officials. Some of the staples of such an operation, al ready in use in many plants, are compara tively Inexpensive closed plastic bags for mix. Ing cement, vacuum attachments on power saws, drop cloths, dusl-euppressant chemicals and battery-powered respirators that blow fil tered air into the user's face to ease discom fort. The new Labor Department standards do. indeed, call for many of these work-practice rules. But while they are unquestionably a needed step toward strict controls. Dr. Selikoff , says, he also Bays he remains pessimistic. "The potential for surveillance is remote," he ; says, because of the small, underfinanced; staffs of federal and state inspectors. A survey ; recently completed at Mount Sinai of 9.<00 as-' bestos workers around the country, for In-, stance, showed that in 1970 and 1971 there was enly one dust count taken in asbestos plants for ; every 20.000 man-days worked. ' And while he says he appreciates the asbes tos Industry's expressed interest in solving the problem. Dr. Selikoff is hard-pressed to ex plain the continuing apathy among many work- ! era and managers. "This isn't just another j scare," he says. "Some people want to see the I bodies in the street before they become con- j ceraed. Unfortunately. In this case, the bodies ! are In the street."