Document KR8ka5JKV3yq1apD5Ya1L5Jp2

*% * > . tf k r <c ; ASBESTOS AIR POLLUTION TN NEW YORK CITY ^Department of Air Resources Environmental Protection Administration : New Yoric City Austin N. Holier Commissioner June 9, 1969 >- ASBESTOS AIR POLLUTION IN NEW YORK CITY ; At a meeting of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr# Irving i Selikoff of Mt Sinai Environmental Scioncea Laboratory ! p'rosentod strong evidence ahowing that occupational exposure [ .to asbestos had resulted in Asbestosis and cancer. This t . correlation between asbestos workers and asbestos-caused di?* j'teases has been realized for some time. * The material presented by Dr. Selikoff evoked serious con cern about the relevance of asbestos in the ambient air as a health hazard. Therefore, we are embarking on an in tensive study to determine whether concentrations of asbestos - particulates in the general atmosphere carry a concomitant ri k of widespread community asbestos disease. It is vital that current sources of aobeotoo air pollution and the levels created in the atmosphere bo gathered in New York City. We have already begun an emissions inventory of asbestos related activities in New York. Table I ccntair.3 data on the use of fireproofing sprays containing asbestos on buildings currently under construction fr recently finished. The Department of Air Resources plans to work jointly with the Environmental Sciences Laboratory in this project. Mt. Sinai has recently completed an investigation of sampling techniques and equipment,- and correlation of field and r -;-t laboratory procedures which can ha used for monitoring as- * I . bestos in tho ambient air. Wo wish to determine specific * .. information as to the form in which asbestos is used -- ` ... **'*. 'raw material, finished product, end-product use -- and the # - conditions under which it is used. This will all be done ' . with spocial rcforenco to its potential for community air * pollution during-and as a result of such use. We shall attempt to gain knowledge in all areas of asbestos usage in New York. We will ascertain details relating to the transportation, receiving, importation, warehousing, and shipping of raw asbeatoo fiber in tho City. Wo must know which docks usually receive this material. Similar studios in London, for example, brought about tho result of closing the port of London to asbestos. Only three British ports .are now handling this material. Furthermore, over 3,000 products aro now known to be made with asbestos. We need to # identify tho specific industries and companies employing these products. t It will also be determined where in New.York manufacturing * of finished and partially finished asbestos products takes place. The conditions under which these products are manu factured will bo of concern. Studies will also bo made as regards the installation and manipulation of asbestos t 3- The construction industry is one such' major area . ' end-product use, and will, thorefore, bo a main area of " - ^ investigation. .^ **" -- | ** * :* We shall alao look into solid waste disposal of products - 'associated with tha aforementioned activities. In addition, **. the disintegration of asbestos materials is tangentially associated; demolition problems being a special example. Explorations into this area will also be made. The ambient air will*be samplod and analyzed in areas which are specifically believed to emit asbostos and in areas without suspected or known asbestos sources. For the latter category, five sites will be chosen based on meteorological factors. In the former category -- areas in which asbestos omission ia suspect -- throe field sites will bo selected. They will be chosen on the baola of the nature of the source .of the emission, such as construction or demolition sites, . neighborhoods surrounding factories using asbestos, or . garages and brake shops. On-oito concentrations will bo monitored.. Samploo of concen trations will also bo made at selected distances from the locations. Upon completion of this extensive program in sampling and emissions inventory, the data will be analyzed. We expect this project to -extend for a fifteen month period. Your comments on this proposed study will he most welcome 'to us* Wo are eager to asaimil&to all suggestions so as to insure our goal that this project will provide uo with the nbcossary information with which to form am overall evaluation of the asbestos situation in New York City# However, there remains a very important question which we would like to put before you today. On the basis of your, medical knowledge and experience, ia there sufficient..evidence from the existing information to^tako peremptory action . to regulate use of asbestos in certain areas? In this regard, our attention is especially focused on asbestos fireproofing sprays used in construction and demolition dust. These are, as I have pointed out previously, two uses of asbestos which we suspect as most diroctly affecting the community-at-large. Can you guide U3 in our responsibility to determine how quick ly we should move and in what direction? Furthermore, is there any medical criteria for determining -- or even .approximating-* how much asbestos in the atmosphere is acceptable? Your counoel in those matters will ho of inestimable help to us in formulating our courso of action in controlling asbestos pollution in the City of New York. : TAUU: I '* ` SPSAYTNC Of NEW YORK CITY BUILDING STRUCTURCS . ~W1TH flREPROOflNG ASBESTOS COMPOUND ( % . Address *345 Park Avenue 7 East 42r.d Street 1700 Broadway 141 West -54th Street IS Columbus Circio US Broad Street ^ 1 N^w York Plaza 100 Wall Street Total As bos tun n-.r Compound Area (lbs.) (Sq. Ct.) No. Height of Asbestos* (ft.) Stc.nc: Ubs.) 175,000 1,634,670 681 44 52,500 268,370 312,030 388 27 80,511 55,000 557,640 503 41 MS, SCO 75.000 1,873,946 f45 40 22,500 535.853 563,705 583 46 160,756 500,000 887,436 282 22 2,250.00C 2,525,841 664 50 600,00C 472,741 365 23 150,000 675,000 180.000 4,459 ,273 n, n:w,n*M 1,337,757 * Asbestos compound contains 30% asbostos fibers, 60% mineral wool And 10% binder* v