Document RjKYLpbpL4wQ01ee48Y1yaLen

tr * * UNION CAR5IDE CORPORATION Chemicals and Plastics To: Mr. R. E. Nicolson cc: Mr. U. F. Ark Dr. E. F. Cox Mr. R. A. DeCoudres Mr. F. W. Ducca Mr. J. L. Goodson Mr. A. R. Grover Hr. E. II. Krurrae 1 - NY Mr. L. Hadestau Mr. c. F. Martino Dr. I. Molked Mr. A. J. Pin Mr. P. B. Potter - NY Mr. R. A. Ream Mr, F. A. fchillinger Kr. J. M. Eva 1m Mr. J. P. Z ucc a re Hi Date; Bound Brook Neu Jersey November 22, 1972 Subject; Asbestos Filler U3ed In Phenolic Molding Compounds Messrs. Albright, Madestsu, Martino, Mo'-ed and Potter met on November 17, 1972 to develop strategies and programs for the future regarding the use of asbestos in phenolic molding cocp-ounds. p.c-cent activities by General Electric in the marketplace have cirecctly and Lncirecctl y affected our ability to proceed in a timely manner with our hulk handling project. Thair activities ia the field might also influence our posture as to whether or not we wont to continue using asbestos, depending on the success of their new (as yet unavailable) replacement compound s. General problems ware identified at this meeting with an understanding of the affect they might have on our short term and long term asbestos position. It appears that by the end of January of 1973 certain critical information will be developed which will allot-; us to formulate recommendations for strategy and pro grams to the Operations Team shortly thereafter. BeckgrQuad Until recently our "plan" for asbestos has consisted of the following elements: 1. ImpI Gnint in 1973 a system to bulk handle Carey asbestos in specially modified trailer trucks to compounding unit B, 2. Only use asbestos in heat resistant products 2035, 5303 and 5418 and their crossover cumbers. a. Remove asbestos from ell lot; concentration formulas. b. Discontinue the concept of a commodity heat resistant compound (6935). 3. Possibly install a closed extruder for fluxing of powders on Unit B before July 1, 1976 (date of lowered OSEA limits). The above plan implied continued use of Carey asbestos in heat resistant products. UCC 024945 x r- Ai'O O } a u Hr. R. E. Nicolson 2 November 22, 1972 Asbestos Filler Used la Phenolic Molding Compounds Recently, also. General Electric has announced that they are discontinuing the manufacture of, and the molding of, all asbestos containing products at the end of 1972. Substitute products are to be made available. This causes two general problems for UCC: Firstly, if GS is "successful" in the marketplace, this action could force us to also develop replacement products. Secondly, this action has roadblocked our ability to move quickly on our bulk handling project. Verbal understandings with Carey company were based on their assujaption that they would also continue to supply General Electric with large quantities of asbestos which would give them an acceptable return on their total new investments. Ve ware previously not aware of this. Carey will not commit to their participation in our planned bulk handling project. Keane, we have an immediate need to redefine our postera, programs and timing relative to the use of asbestos. The following problems and alternatives have been recognized. Internal Problems . 1. A plant cost reduction of $54M per year was planned starting 1974 based on the bulk handling project. lining nay have to be changed or rubstiCute coat reduction projects nay have to be developed. 2. Current CSHA regulations are being met but our third floor handling system is not 100% foolproof. Operc-tor/asbes'cos interaction allows for the possibility of exceeding limits. Continuing operating costs and small investments are in curred in meeting all of the various parts of the 0SE.4 regulation. Product 5418 which is planned for transfer from R-l to Unit B may cause us to exceed limits. This product might have to be eliminated. 3. OSHA regulations become more stringent on July 1, 1976. At that time we will definitely exceed limits on the third floor handling area and may exceed limits od the charge roll. Some think the 1976 limits could be advanced to an earlier date. ' 4. Asbestos is harmful and the public is aware of it. Even meeting the letter of the lew can result in rdaidual emotional problems on the part of the wage people. These problems can become real problems, e.g. our agreement to supply disposable coveralls (at a co3t to us) even though by law we don't have to do It. External Problems 1. To our customers come under the 053A regulations? Do compounds contain free fibres of asbestos greater than 5 microns in length? Must we apply warning . labels to containers of finished product? If so, the nature of our customers Is such that they may not want to both with the compliance program. This could force us to find substitutes. ' UCC 024946 A Hr. R. E. Nioolsoa - 3- November 22, 1972 Asbestos Filler Used In Phenolic Molding Compounds 2. The approval procedure for substitute products is a lengthy one for many applications. 3. Will competitive pressure, i.e. General Electric, create a thrust away from asbestos even if molders comply to the letter of the law? 4. We have made partial short; term committments to some customers to con tinue supplying asbestos filled products. Some Alternatives 1. Find a substitute for asbestos. 2. Discontinue manufacture of all products containing asbestos (50% of current product mix). 3. Manufacture products which contain asbestos but which do not generate free fibres at our cue tenner's shops. 4. Confine asbestos compounds to selected markets and customers. 5. Develop a uet Handling proces3 to solve Our Internal problems, 6. Develop a closed fluxing and compounding system. 7. iKplefnaut a bulb handling project with Carey 3t a substantially higher cost to US. 8. Develop more economical transportation technology relative to Carey asbestos. 9. Convert formulas and implement a bulk handling system to use UCC pelleted asbestos. In order to continue to make progress, the following actions are planned to be completed by January 31. 1. c. F. Martino will define the impact of OSHA regulations on our customers. 2. 3.Potter will define the significance of any other external activities that will relate to our positioa. 3. C. F. Martino will define magnitude and timing of a formulation program to convert to UCC asbestos. 4. D. R. Albright and I. Moked will review the development of asbestos trans portation technology and define any new alternatives. 5. D. R. Albright will define economics and timing of a project relative to bulk handling of UCC asbestos. 7 5-ISA UCC 024947 B-K-CUUmJvJ- D. R. Albright