Document ExmMpqYXd4wVy1kpBKd5r3M5x

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT A/C Pipe Producers Association Public Affairs Committee TO International Affairs Committee /r -------------- -Welch, Director, Public Affairs subject Field Problem - Ocean County, New Jersey REF: JFW correspondence, same title, ACTION REQUIRED: Review for information Internal Correspondence DATE April 29, 1981 Enclosed are responses from state and federal officials to inquiries by New Jersey State Senator John F. Russo regarding the potential health hazards of A/C water pipe. These documents were obtained by special counsel. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. JFW/ajb Enclosure cc: A. Kahn, Esq. N. Rahn, Esq. M. Greenberg, Esq. (w/o enclosures) B. Hickey, Esq. T. Joyce, Jr., Esq. A. Goolsby, III, Esq. N. Battle B. Pigg N. Stack copies to: Public Affairs Committee H. Olson I. Adams B. Cook W. Perrell J. Woods J. Baker T. Dougherty D. Stinson W. McCallie FP/l Chrono International Affairs Committee R. Dorner E. Van Der Rest B. Gibom R. Hobbs C. Walters A. Saoulis R. Jalan V. Pattabhi H. Hudson C. Barton S. Al-Tarkait E. Costa ' ARl rtrfl in*V. r s;.:.rs r c k:U .Ox. / CAP CO JEN 0011501 &tatr uf iXrtu 3/rrnrij **010 scHirrMAN nxicion DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ' DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES f. O OX CM 02t> tcnion. mi.w icnsb'y obiss FEB V 8 1981 Honorable John F. Russo Senate - District 9 Routes 166 and 37 Dover Mall Tats River, New Jersey 08753 * - Dear Senator Russo: Thank you for your telegram of January 12, 1981 inquiring about the use of asbestos in cement pipes. Commissioner Jerry Fitzgerald English has referred it to me for response. Your suggestions are well taken and. we are evaluating changes to existing state regulations governing use of asbestos-cement pipe. We have also been testing water which flows through the cement pipes to determine corrosive characteristics which could result in the release of asbestos into the water.-.In those cases whore this possibility seems likely, the pll has been adjusted to prevent such an occurrence. In addition, the Department has begun to review the most recent health related studies. We have just received a study by the Epidemiology Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entitled. The Need to Control Asbestos Fibers in Potable Water Supply Systems. In addition, we will be reviewing a recent large scale study of astestos feeding in' rats and hamsters. (W.E. Smith, Environmental Health Perspectives, 1980.) Mr. Ray Barg will be able to answer questions about cement pijxos con taining asbestos when we have fully assessed the problem. You nay contact him at the above address, or at (609) 292-6296. Arnold Schiffiiur Director A */( Jn.'cx /\ ./,, t'./fuul Ojiimrtanil) Eiiti>luyr CAP CO JEN 0011502 UNITED STATES ENVIHONI/.SNTAL f'oOTCCTICN AMIN! v, asmiu<:>i on. i*.c. 20ct orrict o>- aatc /-NO WASTE UANi.CC Honorable Bill Bradley United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 " . .. Dear Senator Bradley: Thank von tor your "inquiry of January 27, 1981, on behalf of Senator John l Russo and Assemblyman John Paul Doyle of New Jersey, in regard to asbestoscement valor pipes. The Environmental Protection Agency (El'Al is actively investigating the . potential health hazards associated with the use of asbestos-cement water pipes specifically tinder the authority of the Safe Drinking Hater Act, as .mended (42 U.S.C. 300r ytj_ noqj. "In addition, all .aspects of ashes tv-s' risks to health arc being investigated under the .authority of section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The latter investigation includes . an assessment of the possible risks posed by inhalation and ingestion of asbestos fibers associated with asbcslos-cemcnt pipe manufacturing, instal lation .and use, as well as assessments of the risks from other asbestos exposure. The newspaper articles cited by Senator Russo and Assemblyman Doyle may not have made the asbestos pipe situation quite clear. While the health hazard from inhaled asbestos in industrial exposures is confirmed, possible risks from ingested asbestos are still being examined. In 1977 the Safe Drinking Water Committee, Rational Academy of Sciences said the "available data with respect to orally ingested asbestos, through drinking water, does not suggest an immediate hazard to public health." Another point which may need clarification is the reporter's statement in regard to aggressive water. Our studies show that significant numbers of asbestos fibers arc released from pipe only when tlie water is aggressive (corrosive)* The EPA has not yet reached a definite position on the ingestion risk and hazards of asbestos-cement pipe, but research is continuing both with animal feeding studies and epidemiologic studies of human populations exposed to asbestos through drinking water. The initial results from animal studies being conducted at the Rational institute for Environmental Health Sciences did not detect any adverse effects on the test animals from asbestos in tin* diet. * CAP CO JEN 0011503 t V Pending'results from thf.se and related studies, .we agree that it is prudent to minimize exposure to asbestos in water, whether from natural sources or asbestos-cement water pipe. Since, as noted above, asbesr.o.- fibers are released from asbestos-cement pipe only when the water .is `' aggressive, we believe the practical approach is to correct the aggressive tendencies of drinking water where- such exist. Aggressive water not only attacks asbcstos-cenent pipe, but 'also nay dissolve lead, radnium or other- harmful substances from other pipe materials. The Office of Drinking Water, EPA, recently promulgated regulations requiring public water systems to monitor for corrosivity (45 KR 57332). It is expected that the States, whose responsibility it is to administer and enforce drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, will direct appropriate corrosion-control measures, with our guidance, on a case .by case basis. J hope this information will assist you in replying'to Senator Russo and. Assemblyman Doyle. c : .. L CAP CO JEN 0011504