Document Dbj36j7zKbq4329pBYEoMxDB

H I I i DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. MICHIGAN DIVISION September 11, 1984 MIDlANO. MICHIGAN 48640 MAJOR MANAGERS SECTION MANAGERS SUPERINTENDENTS ASBESTOS INFORMATION UPDATE Although the Michigan Division has not purchased or used insulation containing asbestos since the early 1970s, certain older insulations including Careytemp 1500 may contain up to 6% asbestos. More recent forms of insulation (including Careytemp), do not contain asbestos; however, these are often times indistinguishable from asbestos-types without aid of qualified analytical techniques. In addition, other materials (for example: insulations, transite sidings, some roofing materials, piping) may contain varying quantities of asbestos in their compositions. To re-emphasize potential hazards and to ensure that employees, both at work and at home, are not exposed unknowingly to asbestos, pllase communicate the information in the attachment to all of your employees. Some of our employees are involved in removal of minor quantities of insulation, demolition activities, maintenance and -trouble shooting activities which may involve handling of materials which contain asbestos. For this purpose, you should communicate the attached information to al 1 employees on your personnel roster as soon as practical (for instance, at your next safety meeting). If you have any questions concerning this information, or concerning safety standards and environmental standards pertaining to asbestos, please call your Industrial Hygienist. Thanks for your help In ensuring the continuing health and safety of all of us in .the Michigan Division. G. 1. Wassqrman Manager Industrial Hygiene Services 474 Building Phone: 6-0609 Enc, srm AN OPERATING UNIT OP THE OOW CHEMICAL COMPANY DOW 03830 6ZSSbIu lS HANDLING OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS i. WHAT IS ASBESTOS? A CRYSTALINE FORM OF IMPURE MAGNESIUM SILICATE MINERALS IN THE FORM OF FIBERS. IT CAN BE M COLOR. MATERIALS MAY CONTAIN A WOLE RANGE OF ASBESTOS COfCENTRATIONS -- UP TO 100Z. 2. U-fERF CAN ASBESTOS BE FOUND? ASBESTOS HAS BEN USED IN INSULATING MATERIALS, AS A BINDER MATERIAL, GASKETS, ROOFING, FLOOR TILES, WALL BOARD (TRANSITE), PIPING, CEILING TILES, BRAKE LININGS. AM) MANY OTHER .APPLICATIONS. THE MOST C0W3N DIVISION APPLICATIONS INCLLBDE INSULATIONS AND TRANSITE SIDINGS, AMONG OTHERS. 3. IS ASBESTOS IDENTIFIED? SINOE AXUFWTE VISUAL IDENTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS IN MATERIALS IS NOT DONE EASILY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT IDENTIFICATION BE DONE PRIOR TO HANDLING POTENTIAL ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS. COMICAL OR PHYSICAL TESTS THROUGH MICHIGAN DIVISION INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SERVICES OR MASSTL ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES (1602 BUILDING) ARE REQUIRED FOR ASSURAICE OF ACCURATE DETERMINATION. M. HCM IS ASBESTOS TO BE HANDLED? THE PROCEDURES FOR THE SAFE REMOVAL AND/OR DISPOSAL OF AS3EST0S' CONTAINING MATERIALS ARE FOUND IN SAFETY STANDARD S-1M0 AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD E-500. PRXEDURES INCLUDE THOROUGHY WETTING THE MATERIAL TO MINIMIZE DUST, THE USE OF APPROPRIATE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION, POSTING OF APPROPRIATE SIGNS AND BARREADING OF WORK AREA, AND DISPOSAL OF MATERIAL TO LANDFILL IN AN IMPERMEABLE CONTAINER (I.E., TIED. LABELLED PLASTIC BAGS). oo --i -- -n ^ DOW 03831