Document RJwEya22zXnKr3jn1vvJ8jdRV

ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION NT*1M AM|kK 4 16601 '.ihc'i. ' V pi. (.1. . -I .av. ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOC. <* A meeting Of the A.I.A./N.A. Fxecutiv* Commit*-en or n,c. 10th was followed by a meeting of all Board Members on Dec. lien, rhe following report represents a summery of the discussions, decisions and directions arising from both meetings. A.I.A./N.A. plans to present an industry rcr~''*' to OSHA on or before Feb. 8th, 1976 which will cover a 1) Medical report 2) Economic fi Feasibility report 3) Industry conclusions & recommendations 1) Medical Report This report will be prepared by Dr. Hans Weill, medical consultant for A.I.A./N.A. The medical information will be factual and forthright. It will include existing information plus that obtained over the next several weeks from Dr. Weill's visit to the U.K. and his consultations with various medical experts including, Drs. McDonald, Gilson, Enterline, etc. and his continuing consultations with Drs. Kotin and Wright. Dr. Weill is guardedly optimistic regarding the potential results of his medical report as he believes he can neutralize the impact of the two basic studies on which OSHA has made its proposal to change the fiber exposure level; these studies include the Turner ( Newall and Hooestake Mining cases. Dr. Weill will accompany Dr. Chase on a trip to the U.K. in early January to develop detailed information on the T&N case and the A.I.A./N.A. has oftferred to pay the expenses of Dr. Chase, as well as those of Dr. Weill. Also, both Drs. Kotin and Wright are encouraged to accompany Drs. Weill and Chase but at their expense. The basic approach to be made by Dr. Weill is that whereas there is insufficient medical evidence to prove that 2 fibers/c.c. is a safe level of exposure, there is no medical evidence to support the claim that 2 fibers/c.c. is not a safe level. * 2 2) Economic Feasibility Report Members of the A.I.A./N.A. executive committee support the concept that A.Z.A. must conduct an industry survey independent of the OSHA contractor, consad Research Corp., as a check on the reported findings of the latter, as a broader coverage of tho asbestos using industry and as a representative study by industry. With this in mind, the original approach envisaged the use of member company retirees plus active personnel to be loaned for the period of the survey. However, of the six retiree personnel contacted, none was interested in working on the prujcct. Since the time frame in which to complete the survey and prepare the final report is so short, it was decided to employ an environmental consulting firm to conduct the survey and Roy Weston, Inc. of West Chester, Pa. has been selected. This method resolves a potential anti-trust problem relating to the gathering and use of confidential information from like manufacturers. Initially, Roy Weston Inc. will be requested to conduct a 60 company survey which they believe to be the maximum possible in the time available. Their estimate of cost to cover this job is $47,000 plus $8,800 expenses or a total of $55,800. During the week of Dec. 15th, members of the technical committee will meet with 7 representatives of Roy Weston, Inc. to develop a questionnaire which will be mailed to all users of asbestos fiber . based on a list prepared and provided to AIA by J.M. Also, lists of companies processing asbestos containing products are being developed since they face many of the same problems as those of the users of raw asbestos fiber. Mr. Guy Gabrielson, Chairman of Nicolet Industries is in charge of the AIA task force responsible for the industry survey. A meeting will be held in early February to present tho completed report to the representatives of all companies which contributed information for the purpose of obtaining the endorsement from each company. However, any company can choose to present its own report if it does not wish to endorse the AIA report. AIA has appropriated the sum of $75,000 to cover the estimated cost of the environmental consultant, plus added travel expense by the medical consultant, plus other associated costs relating to the report. It is anticipated at this time thac this sum can be covered in the 1975-76 budget without increasing member assessments, although a major portion of this total is anticipated from new memberships, financial contributions from non-members and etc. & 3) Consrd Research Corp. Consad has received a contract from OSHA (Contract IJ-9-F-6-0037) to conduct an inflationary impact study and this must be completed on or before Feb. 9th, 1976. The Consad contract falls under the "umbrella" contract of Arthur D. Little. In the time available, Consad will be contacting what they consider are representative asbe*t-os using industries and their initial contacts will be the A.I.A. member companies. They expect to conduct 20 to 30 case studies based cn the impact and cost of going from 2 fibers to 0.5 and from 2 Mbo*-n to 1 and to 0.5| it is very important to note that thc^r -tudy will assume that all plants are now at 2 fibers and their cost data will be based on going from 2 fibers down. t The Consad approach will be based on an extrapolation of specific case studies to include all manufacturers and plants. They have been advised that specific plants are below 0.5 and they expect to apply the technology used at these latter to other plants not included in their case studies on the assumption that the same technology will result in reaching levels of 0.5; obviously this premise is based on false concepts. They will analyze the costs of achieving the 0.5 fiber level by plant and by product and the impact on the cost of the product, and on the profitability of the company. However, they have not yet received all the guidelines for the study from OSHA. Finally, they will assemble the data obtained and prepare an estimate of the benefits to be gained, the number of employees exposed and to what levels and etc. It is obvious that the Consad study will cover some or many of the major users of asbestos fiber but it will not include the smaller users. Also, they have little or no knowledge of the use and processing of asbestos containing products such as friction materials, A/C products, asbestos filled plastics and etc., nor is it anticipated that they will, in the time available, be able to consider or study these areas. Finally, they will depend on the A.I.A./H.A. to a major degree to provide information on the asbestos industry. It is extremely important that asbestos product manufacturers whose products by handling, processing, cutting, and etc., release asbestos fibers, write to Consad to point out the special problesw involved, otherwise the latter will have no knowledge of the problesui. Consad Research Corp. 121 North Highland Avo. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 Phone: 412-363-5500  r- tS-jSSS? 4) Labor Companies such aa Certain-Teed and Nicolct have discussed the OSHA proposal with each local union at each plant, including its potential impact on products in the market place and eventually its impact on jobs. They have urged their local union personnel to write on the proposal to their International union heads and to consider joining with industry in endorsing the report being prepared under the auspicos of A.I.A./N.A. In our opinion, this is an important point as we doubt that the personnel of the local unions understand fully the implications of the proposed standards on their jobs. 5) Contact with the Asbestos Information Committee (U.K.) Member* of the A.I.C. in the U.K. have volunteered information and assistance to the AIA relative to medical, the British standard and its application to industry, engineering technology for controlling plant dust, and etc. It has been mentioned that Dr. Weill will be visiting the U.K. in early January to gather specific medical infor mation and, in addition, a representative of Roy Weston, Inc. will plan to visit various plants in the U.K. to determine the engineering technology being used to control dust in that country. 6) Financial The present members of the AZA are bearing the financial burden of the developments outlined above, yet the problem relates to the entire asbestos industry in the U.S. and possibly beyond. It is essential, therefore, that all asbestos users and processors of asbestos products seek membership in the A.I.A./N.A. such that additional membership dues will be available to assist in financing the essential programs. If, however, the decision is made by an asbestos user not to join the A.I.A. it is essential that some financial contribution be made to the Association in lieu of membership. m It is recognized that many companies are spending substantial sums of money to develop the essential information for presentation to the AIA consultant or for purposes of preparing their individual report to OSHA. However, the monies required by AIA are additional, as we firmly believe that industry should speak with one voice in the report to OSHA and in the hearings which will follow. ....nil