Document NGvLyZzx59DGE4kQyQMpem75E

PILOT (Manufacturing Chemists Association) March 1971 t Control* OuQpo*lod ASBESTOSIS IS STILL INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM, BUT ENVIRONMENTAL 'CRISIS' BREWING (Nolo: Dr, Chnrfct G. Krtmor, *stocl*l* to corporal* medical director, Dow, gavt thia report on modieat aspect* of ect>cstosl*~4 potantial : of cpncofn--At recent mooting of MCA'* Air Quality Committee, of which ho is member.) Early in this century, a scarring disease of the lungs was found in individuals exposed to asbestos-laden dust. This disease, asbestosis, is still occurring in workcis involved with some of the 3,000 applications of this fibrous mineral. An industrial hygiene standard was established which, when followed, has protected workmen from developing overt asbestosis. Recent studies indicate lung cancer occurs more often among asbestosexposed workers than the genera! population. The increase is greater if the individual exposed to asbestos also is a cigarette smoker. More recent studies show a clear correlation between asbestos exposure and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and possibly cancer of the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. The tic became evident slowly,, hccausc of a lapse of 20 to 30 years betweeu the beginning of exposure and cancer development. The old industtial hygiene standard for asbestos is no longer considered adequate, and more, stringent standards arc now recommended. Safety and health of workers exposed to ashestos dust can he protected by (I) switch ing to less hazardous materials, (2) ventilating to remove, dust from the work ers' breathing zone, (3) working only with wet asbestos, and (4) using per sonal protective equipment, which often proves inadequate unless use is stringently enforced. (Asbestos, fluorides, lead and polycyclic'organic matter arc under study by National Research Council for EFA's use in developing air quality criteria. Target date: laic this year.) In addition, exposed workers should receive routine medical surveillance. For those exposed to asbestos dust in the past or who may continue to be exposed, best health protection advice is: avoid cigarettes. Although evidence of effects from community exposure has been exag gerated, environmental impact must always be considered. Increasing public concern about effects of asbestos dust requires industry to be ready to cope with another environmental "crisis." Best way to avoid the problem is by carefully controlling disposal of asbestos-containing dusts and wastes. RESEARCHER STUDYING POLLUTION HAZARDS OF EMERGENCY DISCHARGES Potential hazards from chemical ct- . fluents discharged from stacks dur ing emergencies ore under investi gation by University o( Kansas pro fessor under $3,000 research grant from his Institution. Dr. Harold F. . Rosson told PILOT his computer study o} theoretical emergency situ ations could predict likely effects of concentrated chemical diluent down wind from plant stack. Dr. Rosson hopes to develop spe cific models for concentrations of various chemicals, including effect of coincident chemical reaction. Similar study in aquatic environ ment is under consideration. Model's usefulness, Dr. Rosson pointed out, will bo in detetrcining design and location of chemical plants. SOME FIGURES ON COAL National Coal Association reports $45 million expenditure in last four years to instaff and operate pollu tion control (acuities telating to acid mine drainage. iiCA companies have spent another $2 miiiion on research rr.u development related to acid mine o'rain2gs. Association also reports more than 64.U00 seres of coal ship mines re claimed across country in some period. ARBAWIDE POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN IN TEXAS BACKED BY EPA F.PA's Water Quality Office has awarded Texas Water Quality Beard $220,000 crr.nt to develop compre hensive water pollution control plan tor Galveston Bay. Gult Coast Waste Disposal Authority is implementing agency for three-year project. WOO says some 30 percent of municipal and Industrial wasfetraier in Texes is concentrated in Harris, Chambers and Gsivcstun Counties, area cov ered under grant. Principal chics involved arc Houston, Galveston, Texas City end Baytown. Grant to designed to seek basin wide solutions to water resources end poliiiticn problems, and to en courage industry, mtniic'paliiies and shite ef|i':ricies to woil: together rmn ctplsrc advantage;, o! joint munici- pnt-inu'estrijl .waste treatment facili ties. t CAPCO KIN 0001877