Document JJ2w8BNgpm9Ra2YoYJJkN8xoX

C tti ICtC'yNC5 ? 0 > _ '13 HEDMAN MINES LIMITED P.O. SOX 590 TIWMINS. ONTARIO. CANAOA P4N 7E7 Mr. D.J. Marino, Commercial Development Manager Foseco Inc. P.O. Box 8728 CLEVELAND, Ohio 4413S, U.S.A. January 6, 197S Dear Mr. Marino: Further to our meeting on October 25th, 1974 and our subsequent telephone conversation, we are pleased to submit to you the following: (A) A copy of Dr. Paul Gross' paper ("Is Short-Fibred Asbestos Dust a Biological Hazard?"). (B) A copy of the final report of the Ontario Research Foundation ("Electron-Microscopic Determination of Chrysotile Content of Hodman Cationic Fibre"). (C) Copies of computer print-outs-of asbestos fibre distribution in air samples taken at a steel mill using hot-topping with HCF. (A) Dr. Paul Gross, who with Dr. Selikoff served on several U.S. panels on environmental safety, is internationally regarded as one of the most respected authorities on asbestos-induced health hazards. With regard to Hedman Cationic Fibre, the following paragraph in Dr. Gross' paper is of special significance: 'These reports from different laboratories are unanimous in finding asbestos that has an average length of less than S microns is devoid of pathogenic potential. This included not only the fibrogenic potential, but also the cancerogenic potential." (B) The Ontario Research Foundation is a non-profit organization, sponsored by the Ontario Government. It has developed the most sophisticated techniques in determining asbestos concentrations in air, water and solids, and is under contract by various government agencies, including EPA. ORF have testified in court cases as witness fer the government against industry, and were recommended to us by the Canada Department of Health. Tbeir series of tests on 2 lots of Hedman Cationic Fibre show the following: (1) That HCF consists predominantly of non-asbestos particles, with the total chrysotile mass, as determined through electron-diffraction studies and computerized calculations at 4000X magnification, being 14 percent of total HCF mass. (2) That the average fibre length on every test at 4000X was well within the inert zone of less than S microns, with a total average (weighted mean) of 2!< microns. 2186 Mr. D.J. Marino January 6, 1975 (C) The copies of a computer print-out shows that in a steel mill usir.g hot-topping ingot insulation board and gaskets containing HCF not one single asbestos fibre over S microns was detected in the air, inspite <rf dusty conditions in the hat-topping preparation and blow-off area. The longest fibre was-(a mierons, with a mean of 074 microns. K'e should also mention that, apart from being, according to the latest evidence from the most reliable sources, devoid of pathogenic potential associated with commercial asbesto products, HCF also contains no free silica (the cause of silicosis). You are free to submit the enclosed documented evidence in your negotiations with occupational health authorities, as well as with your customers who are concerned with the relative safety of materials. We would recommend that air-sampling be taken at the work place, and should, as we believe, HCF-containing materials release no hazardous fibres in the air, we see no reason why HCF will not find general acceptance for your applications. ' Please call us anytime should you have any questions. Yours very truly, HEDMAN MINES LIMITED Stuart Charbula Executive Vice President SC/jpm Enel. c.c. Seegott 6 Associates, Inc., Cleveland Fs-oa-oaaB0aj 9S, 2187