Document BvXzvXvzwwajQRdjRjNJYoy8j

*>HL M. MAZGAJ ( 'I PHYSICAL.CHEMISTRY DIVISION ' ^'- ^LLGOA TECHNICAL CENTER - C . ii ' ' Ti TO MR. ` M. J. CAPRIO PITTSBURGH OFFICE - 19 vk-. RE: GARLOCK GASKET August 24, 1976 PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT, t' AL-718 In reference to your letter of August 20, 1976, I would like to thank you for researching the Garlock gasket problem. I believe your comments as stated will satisfy everyone concerned in the Physical Chemistry Division. Since Garlock still does contain asbestos fiber, we will still try to find an acceptable substitute. Should we find one, I will notify you so other users can be informed. R. M. MAZGAJ RMM:amm ^ cc: TID - ATC C. N. Cochran - ATC ALCOA SF-4S6& <RtV #) ALCOAO 000009561 PITTSBURGH PURCHASDfQ IMDUSTRIAL A PACXAQIWG MATERIALS - 19 20AU076 Kh OARLOCK GASKET > EL la reference to your Xottor of 13KAT76, we do not hero an acceptable substitute for compressed asbestos shoot for your application. Ia discussing this Batter with various manufacturer* Including Oarlock, there is no concern on their part that coaprossed asbestos sheet will be a source of airborne asbestos fiber. Coaprossed asbestos sheet is essentially a rubber or elestoaer encapsulated asbestos. It is produced in a Banner similar to that used in aaaufacturlng brake linings, fbdate, OSHA has not issued citations every tine we apply tike brakes to the thousands of fork lift trunks in our plants. Substitutes which have been considered but have not performed satisfactorily are fiberglass and eexanic fiber formulations such as Carborundum's Flberfrax paper, felt sad blanket. The substitute naterials lack strength end are nore peraeable than compressed asbestos. Wo realise that ths above comments will not satisfy everyone concerned, but you be sure that we are continuing our search for an acceptable substitute. M. J. CAPRIO MJCtgih ocs C. M. V. V. - Alooa Technical - Alcoa Technical 5-"7 ESALCOA ALCOA0000009562 R. M. MAZGAJ PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER - C fc MR. M. J. CAPRIO PITTSBURGH OFFICE - 19 May 13, 1976 RE: GARLOCK GASKET I have enclosed the data on the Garlock gasket which you requested in our recent conversation. It is #31038-0471 white compressed asbestos sheet, 40" x 42" x (1/16" & 1/32") , ordered from Industrial Sealing Devices, Vermont Avenue Extension, Rochester, Pa. 15074. Our primary use is on the coker of Dr. M. B. Dell. Two gaskets are used (top and bottom). The temperature of the bottom gasket is between 500-700C and the temperature of the top gasket is approximately 400-500C. The top gasket is replaced approximately three times a year and the bottom about twice a year; however, both gaskets are removed and handled twice a week in setting up the reactor. Also enclosed is a copy of the gas analysis of the fumes in contact with the gasket. Should you find a replacement for this Garlock gasket, please contact me. R. M. MAZGAJ RMM:amm Enclosures cc: TID - ATC R. P. Carter - Pgh. Office C. N. Cochran - ATC W. W. Hill - ATC (7) ALCOA ALCOAOOOOOQ9563 ALCOA RESEARCH LABORATORIES ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION Ai Gar, *f'NCD TO SC`.*Cf run *u*ittio Phyn. Chem. *{,*.* rr* ; run juot(0 M*_ Lr.ryy cc: JL 'Tell, C. !!. och ran Guthrle(33 11/17/75 75-1117C1 *o , G2W0}602 >0 *i( 2 t .lUb'citte i . -am: Ton m;; : '/ i - {-^gaent (1/2 hr. 1 L; *-j 'A.' - 2nd j!Sont (15 aln.) 7- .u Doterrain*: la.~ Annly: 5 :' 17 i t~ L j 2-?*>,n. 'TcTtit Qe/Tf if C S ' , 2- ' 73 Jt f ^ 2/"fao Ki> n t _ / c. t: <7 >' fc. >, />_. i / y >/j / '/:<? /L 1 i V''Z- ; - <v i V*. ! v, o i > /t, i . *v i T y.V . / f'Cl /r y o.r ^ wr" -.V V ; -> i -7 ^1 ^ /V .'. ! i ' <' 2.1 -r 2- o-7 /. 1 r. l -7-7 /.*/ r-, * / V. f C /* /, r" 5 *V y. t >a &r. z- k. ALCOA0000009564 ri.Ljfc ROBERT P. CARTER HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT PITTSBURGH OFFICE, 7AB MR. C. N. COCHRAN ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER ALCOA CENTER, PA. pi?C 13May76 RE: USE OF ASBESTOS GASKETS IN R&D WORK > EL This letter will serve to confirm the discussion which I had with Mr. Robert Mazgaj of your group concerning the present use of fairly large asbestos gaskets in several R&D projects. He indicated that you are presently cutting and punching from asbestos sheeting gaskets in the 4-8 inch diameter range. He indicated, that while these may be replaced only 2-4 times per year, the equipment is disassembled about 2 times per week, with the gaskets being handled at each disassembly. While the operations of cutting, punching and handling these gaskets probably do not give rise to asbestos fiber counts above the present OSHA levels, there undoubtedly can be exposure of the employees doing this work to very low levels of airborne fiber, which would make them subject to the air sampling and medical surveillance requirements of the OSHA asbestos standard. Mr. Mazgaj expressed his judgment that probably non-asbestos alternates which would be functionally suitable could probably be located for this application. Even if such replacements should have somewhat shorter service life than asbestos, it would still be quite desirable to make this change if a suitable material can be located. Mr. Mazgaj is contacting Mr. M. J. Caprio of the Pittsburgh Purchasing Department for his assistance in locating a suitable substitute for the asbestos sheeting. We concur strongly with the desirability of making such a change if a functionally suitable alternate can be established. ROBERT P. CARTER RPC:lmn cc: Mr. Robert Mazgaj, ATC, Alcoa Center,Pa. Mr. M. J. Caprio, Pittsburgh 19AB 0 ALCOA ALCOAO 000009565 *T3 Jyo- , sAAA-z4f-'uAiA.? 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