Document QMvRjymEqr9BymKyDrm0x9aYR

FILE NAME: Mannington Mills (MM) DATE: 1976 Mar 18 DOC#: MM003 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Translation from German of Tarkett's Letter to Ministry for Youth-Family-Health RE Cancer Danger in Asbestos Dust Translation of Tarkctts letter of 18.3.1976 to: Ministry for Youth-Family-Health DOWN Re: CANCER DANGER IN THE ASBESTOS DUST CAUSED DURING THE LAYING OF FLOOR COVERINGS Gentlemen, As of 1.1,1977, the use of floor coverings backed with asbestos latex felt, so-cnllod Cushion Vinyls, has been banned in Sweden by the Royal Authority for the Protection of Workers. When this covering is lifted, large Darts of the asbestos backing remain stuck to the floor and can only be removed by means of a grinding machine. 'The dust caused bv this process presents an extreme health danger to the workers, as it is a known fact that the acute danger of asbostosis, lung- and stomach cancer exists when ^asbestos dust is inhaled. There are a number of protection reaulations in Germany which have to be observed when working with asbestos. These regula tions, however, do not apply to the above mentioned work. As approximately 14 million square metres of this flooring is presently being sold annually in Germany, we would like to enquire whether a prohibition of this product must be reckoned with in Germany too or what other measures can be expected to prevent the above mentioned danger. Under sopnr-fc.e cover, we have also, informed the Press of this. MT 010043