Document 99DxVpqDkb391O317Xxx6k1k3

A/C Pipe Producers Association 1600 Wilson Boulevard. Suite 1308 Arlington. Virginia 22209 <703) Ml-1556 - ATTACHMENT 3 February 27, 1981 Honorable Carol C. Amick State House Boston, MA 02133 Dear Senator Amick: The A/C Pipe Producers Association is pleased to enclose testimony submitted in opposition to House Bill 2349. The Association firmly believes that establishment of a task force to study the health hazards of asbestos-cement (A/C) water pipes and vinyl-lined water pipes containing tetrachloroethylene would needlessly duplicate similar studies which the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies have had underway for many years. Moreover, the imposition of a ban on conventional (non-vinyl-lined) A/C water pipe flies in the face of substantial scientific evidence that the use of this product does not create a public health hazard. The banning of A/C water pipe in light of this evidence and without a rational basis or preconsideration would be arbitrary, unjustifiably discriminatory and unreasonably excessive. The question of the health effects of the ingestion of asbestos has been studied for at least 10 years, using data bases extending for up to 35-40 years -- well beyond the latency period for cancer -- in Connecticut, Duluth, Minnesota, Canada and the Pacific Northwest where huge amounts of asbestos are present in the drinking waters. All studies appear to be negative. Animal studies do not support the proposition that the ingestion of asbestos is harmful. The EPA and all state health departments known to have considered the question have rejected a conclusion that the use of asbestos-cement water pipe .constitutes a public health hazard. Enclosed are the scientific studies which form the basis for the Association's position. These documents cover the full spectrum of epidemiologic and animal feeding studies as well as the positions of state health departments on the safety of A/C pipe. -1 CAPCO JEN 0033020 A/C Pipe Producers Association Senator Carol C. Amick February 27, 1931 Page 2 Your attention is invited to the recently released results of animal feeding studies being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Also enclosed are letters from Environmental Protection Agency Regions 4 and 6 stating their respective views on the safety of A/C pipe. If you. Representative Nagle or any of the Committee members have questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Very truly yours, A/C PIPE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION JFW/ajb Enclosures cc: A. Kahn, Esq. N. Rahn, Esq. N. Battle (L&G) HEGA/1 Chrono John F. Welch Director Public Affairs CAPCO.JEN 0033021