Document RjajbDKyo3O89g0RGjvzXwaO7

UC 149* . <r " !* ' t }' sl/l t`.J * hj: INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE MINING AND METALS DIVISION To (Nomo) Omiioo Location Mr. J. L. Myers Niagara Falls, NY Copt to Mr. R. E. Byrne, Jr. File P. 0. BOX 579. NIAGARA FALLS. NEW YORK U3C2 Ooto Originating Dopt. Antworing lattor date April 11, 1973 "Calidria" Asbestos Sub[oct Asbestos-Containing Garments for General Use; Classification as Banned Hazardous Substances. As you are aware, we have had from time to time an interest in the use of asbestos in textile and paper coatings. Most recently, this has come from Harwick Chemical in Atlanta who have considerable dealings with the textile and textile machinery industry. As you are also aware,-.the following ban appeared in the Federal Register, Volume 37, No. 144 - Wednesday, July 26, 1972: "(7) general use garments containing asbestos (other than garments having a bona fide application for personal protection, against thermal injury and so constructed that the asbestos fibers will not become airborne under reasonably foreseeable conditions of yse)." The FDA refused to go along with the AIA suggested wording which contained the exception, "...or other purpose in which the special properties of asbestos make its use appropriate." They also ignored the UCC suggestion to define "containing asbestos" as unbound fibers. Hysteria has won again. As I read the regulation, general use garments are prohibited unless they satisfy both criteria of bona,fide tire protection,and bound-in fiber. It is suggested that we get a verification and/or an interpretatiorTof this from our law department so we can steer clear of problem areas. The remainder of the group should also be informed of the situation. HBR:cjb H. B. Rhodes A yj O