Document J3GwB5gxDNo9jDvpwNJDrvKNZ

/ INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM T* J* P* Verhalen fotK John O'Rourke Dt* January 6t 1967 Sublet: Suggested Draft of SMFMA Reply Letter on Asbestos Health Hazards I think. It would be in the interest of the Sprayed Mineral Fiber Manufacturers'Association if a standard form letter was prepared and available to promptly reply to inquiries we may receive regarding the potential health hazards of sprayed mineral fiber* It is the writer's opinion that a prompt reply to a routine in* quiry is generally much more satisfactory and positive than an extended delay* Prompt response.to an inquiry or question should do much to allay the fears or concern of the inquirer and therefore resolve a problem before some unwarranted action has taken place* I am attaching hereto a suggested, draft of a routine reply that we may consider to answer any future inquiries* If you agree; would you kindly forward to Jack Boyer for his review and approval* % Obviously, as in the case of the Deoartment of Industrial Relations in Los Angeles, action was taken and t : letters of reply must be developed to suit the specific ma SBUOB> KZKSIUI* VTKBk HAHI& -CTUKERfl AsaOCIATIOH, U?C. [Tons Letter Reply to Sotloe of Walk-Out on the that grayed Tiber le e Health Haxard] Deer s This le In reply to your advice that worker* in other trades present on the Job in progress at the , claim that a possible health haxard may result from exposure to sprayed mineral fiber dust* tfe are, of course, familiar with the publicity appearing recently in certain media concerning the posalble effects of long exposure to high concentrations of asbestos dust. While a number of medical investigations of this question have ben conducted over a period of years, the cos elusions drawn from the medical evidence adduced to date vary considerably. At this Juncture, it 1# fair to say that medical au - orltles are not in agreement, even as to the effects of long term exposure to high ct oentrations of such dust, for example where ventilation la lacking. Definitive data Is lacking on the effects of occassional exposure to present-day sprayed asbestos fiber dust. Thus the more exhaustive studies and those of longest duration do not relate specifically to the type of sprayed mineral fiber products now being produced by members of the Association, and accordingly not to the type of product being used on this job. y Moraoverj the studies which here been cited in the adverse publicity ere ^ed essentially on medical records of workers who performed their Jobs under conditions substantially different from the average conditions new maintained at Job sites* Association products ere specially treated during processing with dust control agents* bust concentration is further minimised by the introduction of atootiaed water sprays as the fiber leaves the hose* The likelihood of any serious concentration _f dust parti cles would be only in the immediate vicinity of the spray gun* Tor that reason, we caution applicators to wear suitable dust masks, since they nay be working under these conditions over extended periods of tins* Our Association members seriously doubt that any sig nificant hasard exists for other workmen on the same Job site not actually spraying fiber. There Is no medical evidence to our knowledge Indicating that anyone spraying, using Association products or exposed to dust in areas adjacent to the spraying have ever been afflicted with respiratory or other ailments caused by Association fibers or processes. The sprayed fiber industry, together with other industries dealing In asbestos products, are cooperating with and supporting responsible research projects now under way in the laboratories of the environmental health division of the Public Health Service end -2- A such reputable resea.reh organizations as the Industrial Hygiene foundation or America In Pittsburgh* Pennsylvania* Since these research efforts have not been concluded* any statement indicating conclusive knowledge of the health aspects of today's sprayed fiber products, applied under today's conditions, would be pre mature and seriously misleading* The Association is taking every effort to assure that workmen* applying the products of the Association are adequately protected with respiratory masks. If a particular workman operat ing In areas adjacent to the spraying of mineral fibers Is unduly sensitive to dust, he should also wear a protective .mask. Such allergic tendencies would be exhibited in the presence of most any dust, for exas$>le, resulting from fiber spraying, concrete hammer ing, plaster mixing, floor sweeping, and the like. There is to our knowledge, however, no medical research that has established the occasional exposure to some fiber spray dust as either more or less serious health hazard than other types of dust commonly associated with construction site operations. He believe this answers the questions raised. The Association would be pleased to furnish such other information as may be requested. Sincerely yours, SPRAYED MINERAL FIBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, INC. sy____________________ 3- -