Document VGp6b0daMVDkmM0Ee26zqNkYo

/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bob Witeck 202-333-7400 March 7, 1984 U.S. COURT FINDS LABOR DEPARTMENT'S ASBESTOS RJLES "UNJUSTIFIED" (March 7) -- A three judge Federal Circuit Court in New Orleans this afternoon voted unanimously to overrule the U.S. Department of Labor in issuing an emergency decision to immediately lower asbestos exposure limits in workplaces. The Court agreed with the plaintiffs that the Department's actions were unwarranted and could not be upheld. "This decision was fair, thoughtful and consistent with the facts," responded Jean Dupere, a leading spokesman for the Canadian asbestos industry. "As always, we are prepared to continue working with U.S. and Canadian authorities to regulate exposure levels to maintain healthy, safe work environments, but to do so responsibly, we nust deal in facts and not in haste or conjecture". The litigation, which did not include the Canadian asbestos industry as a party, did involve U.S. industry and labor representatives. Dupere concluded, "The Court's decision is also consistent with the consensus reached last year by the EEC, and by the International Labor Organization, who -- on the basis of expert testimony -- found that asbestos can be used safely when properly controlled and regulated. Rushing to judgment is no substitute for thorough testing and treasonable regulations" GfO, o<'0 C:-TP3p- "C " 22 VS C t'2 - ' '-et. *--t* y ;rc " .* O'lC-n* p.jO' c 0*3"* to O' C. 3 1C r Sv*>CI y- **"S CO CAPCO JEN 0003367