Document DGez4zXvpgkX1zowZQMX7OXGO

UC 149-7 > - INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE METALS division * \/ / ~ 2i * -- - Plaintiffs Exhibit S-UC-292 P.O. BOX 579 - 4625 ROYAL AVE.. NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK 1430: To Division Ljoctlon Copy to Mr. W. C. Thurber UCC - Metals Division 38th Floor 270 Park Avenue New York, NY 10017 Messrs. File R. E. Byrne, Jr. J. F. Collins R. F. X. Fusaro H. B. Rhodes o*t Originating OtpL June 23, 1977 Answering letter date Sub|ttct "Speech" Approval As discussed with you, we have been invited to participate more fully in California's education program: "Preventing On-The-Job Cancer". - I made the "plant safety" slide presentation at workshops in LA and San Jose the week of 6/13, and also participated in some discussions during the general session. I have now agreed, at the State's request, to be on a panel to discuss jobrelated cancer and its prevention.. They realize that our "expertise" is limited to asbestos but it turns out that 95% of the interest is asbestosrelated (unfortunately). The final two.programs of their current schedule are in Sacramento on 6/27 and San Diego on 7/19. I have been "warned" that the Sacramento meeting will be loaded with legislators and well-covered by the news media, so that we should avoid controversy, etc. The other panel members will be two from labor unions, a doctor from the California Medical Assn.,one State official, and a State moderator. Each member is asked to make a statement and then the moderator provokes other comments If there Is not any involvement from the floor. 1 would appreciate your comments and/or approval of my attached opening statement. JLMrdal S-FORD-542 . SCF-ALLF-06570 I SC-UCC-020 2- We have labelled our product bags as an asbestos hazard since 1969, three years before the first Federal OSHA standards were promulgated to require this, air monitoring, medical surveillance and other safety precautions. We have provided free air monitoring for customers for several years and counsel them on the asbestos hazard, compliance requirements and related information. Asbestos is an important raw material in many products and applica tions which give us a safer and healthier living and working environment. It cannot and should not be regulated out of existence based on unfounded or miscontrued medical and scientific evidence. A hazard does exist, but It has been blown out of proportion by some individuals and groups. This has resulted in some regulatory action across the country that is unnecessary and an unfair burden to industry. We, and the asbestos industry in general, support the California Asbestos Standard, Section 5208 of the General Industry Safety Orders; and, except for a few minor problems, we feel that compliance can be readily effected Its enforcement should prevent asbestos-related disease. We hope that the Federal government and other states will follow California's lead in adopting effective legislation which is also practical and enforceable. JLM:dal Ja OO fGi'4t oz. Jo