Document MM4wweVGnxoOV8Ez3eaEKny1a

FILENAME: Flintkote (FLK) DATE: 1978 June 30 DOC#: FLK119 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo RE Asbestos inter-office correspondence id. J. c. HASKxESS OATT JUNE 30, 1978 HR. j . c . m u r p h y from A. R. HOOKER, JR I tutuCT ASBESTOS Several pleat* within your respective divisions have in the recent peat or ere currently using asbestos fibre. This letter is to alert you (in turn you nay vent to alert your works manegers concerned) of forthcoming action to be taken by the Health Education and Welfare Department of the Doited States Government. /* Recently', HIV Secretary Califaao issued an extraordinary statement announcing steps he would tahe to inform doctors, workers and others "about the increased health risks of asbestos ej^osure." He said, "asbestos is one of the most dangerous and Insidious substances in the workplace." EEV has sent advisory letters -to U00,D00 physicians and a major public information campaign aimed at workers and others ex posed to asbestos will coaenee in the n?ar future. It is important to note that the Secretary emphasized high worker exposure "in the past" and particularly in shipyards. He also stressed the greatly increased risk of lung cancer among smokers'. His action resulted from Defense Department (Navy) failure to identify World War II shipyard workers who might have been subject to excessive asbestos exposure as a result of pressures exerted b y the Health Research Group, a Nader public interest *organization. Of relevance wes the federal government's financial involvement in . the settlement of the much publicized Tyler, Texas suit. The Califeno announcement may have serious effect on public attitudes toverd asbestos usage. Certeinly^it will encourage further action by regulatory agencies for controls on asbestos*. ETV has now announced that newspapers, radio and TV will be used to warn tbe public, end particular workers who have been exposed to asbestos, of the possible affect on their health. We believe the first effort will be in the form of " S o n Opera" spot radio programs. One dialogue which I have heard`is between three men, one who is disabled and two others who are being warned by the disabled to "check out" their coughs with a doctor. I understand this will spread to TV end newspapers. In conjunction therewith, or at least coincidental thereto, ABC Television has scheduled on July 1U a documentary on asbestos. I submit the following thoughts for whatever help they may be in any needed response to coaents or concern raised by this forthcoming media action: That excessive exposure to asbestos dust presents a risk to health is an established feet, threguleted exposure to asbestos during World War H coupled with long latency periods for the development of disease provided a timeliness to certain asbestos-health studies which vere to receive extensive and frequently exaggerated treatment1 b y special interest groups end the news media. Zb^osure levels of asbestos dust is the past and particularly during the World War H era are simply not related to present regulated conditions. ARStdk ec: Hr. X. C. Carpenter Mr. V. S. Mortonson - Stanford - Rutherford Mr. W. Harvey Xr. S. Weiss - Los Angeles - Rochelle Park h ej ux wHtisortrs^ 4l Ho -eJ2- 11704