Document RVxZK8dgVXq3LMn6OJQ5LELk

^ .U U 'rtV / * UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IV 343 COURTLANO STRCET ATLANTA- GEORGIA 30308 September 14, 1978 Mr. K. C. Kochhar Senior Facilities Engineer Babcock & Wilcox Wilmington, North Carolina 28401 Dear Mr. Kochhar: We can fully appreciate your concern over the use of asbestos in your facility. This week the Department of Health, Education and Welfare reported a study that indicates that twenty percent of all cancers within the United States are work-related. Asbestos is one of the chemicals of major concern with respect to this trend. In the study it is estimated that since the beginning of World War II, at least fnur* mi 11 i r>r workers dri-ths- n. -P_ h?a"ily exposed to as bestos. According to the study, twenty to twenty-five percent of the persons heavily exposed to asbestos die of lung cancer and another fifteen to twenty percent die of cancer in other parts of the body. Unfortunately, the consequences of occupational expo sure to asbestos have only recently been recognized. Currently, the Office of Toxic Substances, the Con sumer Product Safety Commission, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are involved in risk assessment studies of asbestos. Any regulatory actions will be based on the results of these studies. Since the results are not yet available, we cannot give you any indication of what type regulatory action will be taken. We have referred your letter to Mr. Larry Dorsey of the Office of Toxic Substances in Washington, D. C. He is currently involved in the inquiry into asbestos and is better equipped to answer your questions concerning the # 2- - impact of asbestos products on man and the environ ment . We have checked EPA reports and have found no studies made specifically for your type of facility regarding the use of asbestos and suggested substitute products. We are sorry that we cannot give you more complete response. However, as I have stated, this problem has only been recognized and asbestos regulations as well as substitutes for asbestos have not been de termined. Your response from Mr. Dorsey should be of greater assistance. If this agency can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Ralph W. Jennings Chief . Toxic Substances Section