Document RJVKR3MzmMDZm398dwqmwKVJv

( ( t / C/r-~ "r - ... /z-zr-mor~k--' *vy __________ UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION MINING i METALS DIVISION sSa^ V. I THE DISCOVERY COMPANY P.0. BOX 579 NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y. 14302 TEL: 716-278-3376 April 2, 1974 PLAINTIFFS | EXHIBIT I UC-1355 Mr. F. H. Zimmerman National Gypsum Company 325 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 Dear Frank: The report of our meeting with Dr. Selikoff which we discussed this morning is attached. I don't see any reason you can't discuss it with Ed Fenner and I also agree that any sort of general distribution via the AIA/NA is probably not wise. Best regards. H.B. Rhodes HBR/cam Attachment Mining and Metals Division Niagara Falls, NY 14302 April 2, 1974 MEMORANDUM VISIT AT MT. SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS EXPOSURES OF TAPE JOINT WORKERS MARCH 29, 1974 Those Present: For Mt. Sinai: Dr. Irving J. Selikoff Dr. Arthur N. Rohl For AIA/NA: Mr. Frank Zimmerman (National Gypsum) Mr. Joe Volk (National Gypsum, Ind. Hygiene) Dr. H.B. Rhodes (Union Carbide) The meeting lasted about l^hours followed by a short tour of their facilitites. It was a pleasant low-key discussion. We mainly listened and asked leading questions. Mt. Sinai Facilitites Their facilitites, although quite crowed and cluttered due to an impending move to new quarters, contain an impressive array of new sophisticated equipment. They are set up to obtain the following information on any chosen particle in a field: 1. Electron micrograph photo. 2. X-ray diffraction pattern-(crystal structure) 3. Chemical analysis (electron probe)? 4. Scanning E.M.photograph. The procedure is rapid and routine so it can be applied to large numbers of particles. Studies of Tape Joint Workers Dr. Rohl has visited about 30 work sites and plans to cover about 20 more. They are collecting mainly 20 minute samples in the breathing zone of men sanding. Some background samples in the areas be being sanded are also being obtained. Dust counts (breathing zone) ranged fro- 1-20 fibers. About 40% were in the 1-5 range, 40% in the 5+-10 range, and 20% were over 10 but less thanv20. One count obtained during wet-out of a dry mix gave the very high figure of 59 fibers/cc. The counts were made by the regular 0SHA procedure. Dr. Rohl insisted that they could tell the difference between a mica flake and as bestos and that only true fibers were counted. There does not seem to be any reason to doubt the validity of their counts. About 50 X-rays of tape joint workers have been examined so far. Dr. Selikoff reserves the right to change his opinion when a larger sample has been studied but feels he has enough to arrive at the following assessment of the problem: 1. About the same percentage of positive findings (fibrosis) occurs as was found previously with insulation workers. 2. Generally the lung involvement is less severe than with insulation workers. The point was made that the counts represented ceiling values for a sanding operation that generally lasted less than two hours per working day. This meant that a good majority of the exposures measured met the present 0SHA standards and roughly half met the 1976 standards. They felt that it would be too confusing to attempt to esti mate TWA values. It was also not appropriate for them to get involved with statements regarding administrative work practices in the in dustry. As will be duscussed later, they also do not feel that the current 0SHA Standards have sufficient validity to be worth considering so there was really no reason to look at TWA's. The point was also made that the tape joint workers with a long history in the business have been subjected to a number of years of regular high exposures while wetting out dry-mix compound. The x-ray data thus represents a combination of this exposure with consi derably lower exposures during sanding. Dr. Selikoff agreed that this was a problem but did not see any way to sort out the exposures. They are .apparently not going to worry about it in their presentation of the data. Vfork Practices Dr. Selikoff made a strong push for work practices on the basis that there is no practical way to monitor the thousands of construction sites throughout the country. Work practices in his mind should control the dust levels to zero or very close it, not merely meet the allowable TWA. Dr. Rohl was asked what recommendations he would make for work practices on the basis of his field testing experience. Dr. Selikoff immediately stated that they did not have the background to make any recommendations beyond that of controlling the dust at its Source, i.e. remove the asbestos from the mud. He stated that one manufacturer had cold them they were going to do this and seemed to be under the impression that it did not present any serious technical problems. The function of asbestos in the mud was explained together with the very real technical problems in finding a replacement that would give a mud with competitive performance. If it were easy it would have already ben done. We mentioned the use of respirators to control exposure during sanding. Dr. Selikoff felt that respirators did a reasonable job and did not seem opposed to this approach. He also indicated that if it should be adopted and education program through the unions might be practical. Silica Dust During Sanding Dr. Rohl has analyzed the dust samples collected for silica and in at least some cases has found quite high levels. They do not seem to be particualrly alarmed over this finding but do plan to look into it further. Some definite statement may be expected in about 6 months. Acceptable TWA Limits Dr. Selikoff was most emphatic that "The chance that the two fiber limit will survive in the new regulations is remote". He states that there is lots of evidence to show it is too high and nothing to show that it is adequate even to protect against asbestosis. This position merely reiterates other public statements he has made. The need for AIA/NA to be prepared with their own documented positi is obvious and well-known. Prohibition of Smoking Frank Zimmerman asked whether the evidence still supported a regulation of "no smoking" in areas where workers are exposed to air borne asbestos fibers. Dr. Selifoff is strongly in favor of this posi tion and will supply backup evidence if requested. H.B.Rhodes March 29, 1974 Blind Notes to Mr. Thurber and Mr. Myers 1, Frank Zimmerman mentioned that one the biggest problems with the removal of asbestos has to do with can stability in cold weather. Without asbestos there is a pronounced tendency for an inch or so of water to collect at the top of the can. This is very difficult to stir back in. 2. Much of Dr. Rohl's test work appeared to be with United States Gypsum muds (ready mix) in the New York area. I was unable to get any confirmation but it is either they or National Gypsums' Matteson IL. plant that told Dr. Selikoff about the asbestos-free mud. I have asked Mr. Byrne to have Mr. Norris talk about the subject again with United States Gypsum at an appropriate time.