Document MGVYZpa95mm5VdZKV11GpXqDx

PITTSBURGH CORMNG CORPORATION Mr. J. H. Bierer E. V, Kolnian UHIEESTOS Dust Collection August 26, 1969 Although It has been known for many years that long exposure to air borne asbestos fibers could cause the disease, Asbestosls, it Is only during the past several years that extensive work has been done to establish the threshold or dangerous level. This work Indicated that to adequately protect people working continuously with asbestos products, the dust count (the number of air borne fibers per cubic foot of air) must be considerably lover than previously thought, this, along with the emphasis being placed by the State and Fedaral Governments on elimination of hazardous working conditions, necessitated a thorough re-examination of the UN1BEST0S plants operated by Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. As a result, Dr. Morton Com, a Consulting Engineer and an authority in the field of industrial hygiene and air pollution, was contacted to assist Central Engineering In this survey. Both the Port Allegany, Pennsylvania and Tyler, Texas plants have been surveyed and In both plants many areas had a dust count well above the threshold limits. On February 13, 1969, Mr, M. Padilla, Industrial Hygienist for the U. S, Department of Labor, visited the Tyler plant. The measurements made by him also indicated that the dust collection system was Inadequate and that the dust count In many areas throughout the plant exceeded the threshold limit, Ihls Inspection resulted in a letter dated April 8, 1969 to Mr. J, H. Blerer, President of Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, from Mr. L, Blair, Regional Director of the Office of Occupational Safety In the U. S. Department of Labor. The letter stated that the Tyler plant did not meet the health and safety requirements of the Walsh-Healy Public Contract Acta. It la obvious from both a moral and legal standpoint that if Pittsburgh Corning continues to operate the UNIBESTOS plants at Fort Allegany, Pennsylvania and Tyler, Texas, adequate steps to protect the employees must be taken. Dr, Com was again retained as a Consultant to assist in the design of dust collection systems for both UHIBESTOS plants that would reduce the air borne dust below the danger level. At this time the Port Allegany system has been designed and an Appropria tion Request for $129,522 has been submitted. Ifce engineering for the Tyler plant it in progress and an Appropriation Request for this plant will be submitted in the near future. Although a firm cost has not been established for the Tyler plant, preliminary calculations indicate that It will not b leas than $130,000. Hr. J. H. Bierer - 2- August 26, 1969 Therefore, * minimum of $260,000 is needed to install adequate dust collection in both UNIBESTOS plants. It is recommended that before an expenditure of this magnitude be made, 4 thorough study of the profitability of UNIBESTOS be made to determine whether or not the expenditure can be Justified. Yours truly, EWH/rb E. W, Rolman