Document O12M1B7GYObmyoN3qOpOwoO2v

17-S Jet#rson Cav,s Manway Cu;.y-y>Ut;ai Square *. Suite 509 Arrington. Virginia 222C2 \7Q31 9i7799*-t 11 50 Fax 1703) 979-1 '.52 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.- July 6, 1989 3. J. Pigg, President (The following statement was issued today by the Asbestos Information Association/North America (AIA/NA). AIA/NA is sn incorporated, non-profit organization representing firms in the United State* and Canada invoLved in the mining and milling of asbestos ore, the sale of asbestos fiber, and the manufacture or processing of asbestos-containing products.) The Asbestos Information Asociation/North America believes that the Environmental Protection Agency miscon strued the record evidence in announcing today its final rule banning manufacture of most asbestos-containing prod ucts over the next seven years. Contrary to EPA's conclu sions AIA/NA believes the extensive record before the Agency demonstrates that currently marketed asbestos-containing products are manufactured, installed and used safely. Current asbestos products bind the asbestos fibers iniocked-in or encapsulated matrices that significantly diminish fiber release, These products are manufactured and installed under the most stringent occupational standards in the world. Current products -- including asbestos cement pipe and shingles, roof coatings, gaskets and other asbestos paper products, and brake pads and linings -- as demonstrat ed in the EPA proceedings, when properly handled, cause minimal exposures and can be replaced only through use of v tD CTD002004 2 more expensive substitutes, vhich themselves may pose health and safety risks. AIA/NA believes the Agency record does not support the three-etage ban of these products over the next seven years, ;s announced by the Agency. Such a ban of almost all asbestos use Is contrary to the international scheme for controlled use of asbestos, as adopted by the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization, and as followed by most nations. EPA's rule contains prohibitions on manufacture of many asbestos-containing products. Manufacture of felt products, a/c sheet and v/a floor tile are banned in one year; origi nal equipment brakes and non-industrial beater add and sheet gaskets in four years; and a/c pipe, a/c shingles, roof and non-roof coatings, certain paper products, and aftermarket brakes in seven years. Industrial usee cf sheet and beater add gaskets, several other specialized products, and mining and milling are exempt from the rule. AIA/NA welcomes the comments by Administrator Reilly that EPA'e judgments as to U.S. manufacture should not be viewed by other .nations, especially third world nations, as s signal that they should disccntir.ue manufacture and uae. CTD002005 3 We believe, however, -.hat tha same conclusions should have been reached with respect to Jomeatic activities. AIA/NA will be reviewing the lengthy rule over the next several weeks to determine whether it will file petition seeking judicial review of SPA's decision. -30- CTD002006 ADVISORY JULY 6, 1989 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: B. J. Pigg, President EPA ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL RULE AFFECTING ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE At a press conference on July 6, 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its final rule or. future manufacture of asbestos-containing products. The rule prohibits manufacture or import into the United States of a/c pipe after August 26, 1996. No sales of a/c pipe by manufacturers may be made after August 25, 1997. The rule contains no prohibitions on use of pipe purchased by users before those dates and thus would allow water utilities to purchase the pipe for later installation. In announcing the final rule, EPA Administrator William Reilly emphasized that the'Agency has found no basis for terminating the use of, or removing, in-place a/c pipe, noting that the risks perceived by EPA are from inhalation during manufacture and installation and not from ingestion CTD002007 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway Suite 509 Arlington, VA 22202 (703)979-1026 Page 2 ot water carried t . i. : p;p 'udcment or. a/c pipe i- the seer, as a signal to cthe: countries, that use of :-she be discontinued." He also snphasited that SFA's ted States "should act be ns, ^specially developing -containing products should In discussion of the rule m the preamble, to be published in the Federal Fecister next week, EPA commits itself to a "technical review" of the risks and casts associated with a/c pipe and its substitutes PVC and iron ductile pipe trior to the '.996 effective date of the ban. The rule also provides chat companies wr,c wish to continue manufacture of a/c pice after 1996 nay file exemption petitions with EFA after February 26, 1996. PA will at that time review whether the companies have made good faith attempts to develop substitutes and whether continued manufacture would net pose unreasonable risk, thus qualifying a/c pipe for an exemption from the ban. Finally, the rule requires that a/c pipe manufactured after August 2, 1995, contain a label indicating that marketing of this pipe after August 26, 1997 is banned. The Association remains committed to the defense and promotion of the use of asbestos cement pipe. VJe will be reviewing the lengthy final rule in detail over the next several weeks and considering whether we will file a petition seeking judicial review; under EPA rules, no such petitions can be filed until July 26, 1989. - 30 - CTD002008