Document VJy2ndMx4bKJRgGpDaL9Rnqg

' 1 49,2 . INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE METALS DIVISION To (Name) Division Location Floor Number Dr. H. B. Rhodes Metals Division Niagara Falls, N. Y. Copy to 270 PARK AVENUE, NEWYORK, NEW YORK 10017 Dote Originating Dept. December 28, 1976 Floor Number Answering tetter date Subject Asbestos Exposure Dear Harry: Would you please write me a couple of paragraphs which I can transmit to Mr. Kroft regarding the attached. Something on both our market place and our operations would be appreciated. Thanks. Very truly yours, RLF:hk Att. 1<n R. L. Folkman CXe fiL S ^ C /a^t 0-0 fa** 4 i/fpi 250 1 0 /r/; 6^ ^ Drastic Cut in Asbestos Exposure Urged By Federal Agency for 250,000 Workers By Gaii. Rro.vson However, when the British plant was re- Stall Rvimrtrful TiikWali.Street Jouknai. studied in 1972. it was found that there was a Federal researchers are urging a drastic greater incidence of asbestosis than the reduction In the occupational exposure of British standard warranted. In fact. 3G% of More than 250.000 workers to asbestos, a the workers exposed for 10 years to 19 years known carcinogen, to one-tenth of the cur had some kind of chest abnormality, and the rent federal standard. Carcinogens are can rate of abnormalities increased with the cer producing or inciting agents. rate of asbestos exposure. In an unpublished report, the National In Other studies show an increased mortal stitute for Occupational Safety and Health ity rate from cancer among workers ex- recommends that worker exposure to air I posed to asbestos, says John Dement, an in borne asbestos'be limited to 100.000 fibers stitute industrial hygienist. A British study per cubic meter of air in eight hours. In ad published this year showed that workers ex dition. the researchers want peak concentra posed to asbestos from 1933 to 1930 had 1.8 tions of exposure limited to 500.000 fibers times as much chance of contracting lung per cubic meter of fir based on 15-tninute cancer as the expected number of cancer sampling periods. cases in the general population. Mr. Dement Current federal standards limit asbestos adds that British scientists found that in to two million fibers per cubic meter of air. workers employed up to 15 years beyond This standard was promulgated by the Oc 1950. during a period when industry im cupational Safety and Health Administration proved its engineering controls and technol In 1972. at which time industry was given ogy for plant environment, the excess can four years to comply. Plants were required cer case statistics continued to show up. to set up improved ventilation systems. In "Excess of Cancer Risk*' the interim period, an "emergency" expo In a South Dakota gold-mine study pub sure standard remained in force after it was lished this year, researchers found that the set by OSHA under pressure from the AFL- 440 workers had three times as many cases CIO. of respiratory disease as expected, based on The Institute recommendations In 1972 to the state mortality rates. These workers OSHA were well below those actually car were exposed to less thqn 250.000 fibers per ried out. "Our 1972 recommendations were cubic meter In eight hours. designed to protect workers from asbestosis. "We're saying reduce exposures (to as or chronic lung disease." says Verne Rose, bestos i to a bare minimum because we institute director for criteria documentation, can't tell you how low you have to go to "but not necessarily from cancer. We are eliminate a cancer risk." says Mr. Dement. now suggesting the least' detectable expo "All studies have shown an excess of cancer sure level in the workplace. The reason is risk at all levels of exposure to asbestos." that we don't know what could possibly be a The reason for OSHA reevaluating the as safe level of exposure over the working life bestos standard stems from a 1974 suit by time without adverse health effects." the AFL-CTO's industrial union department Lethal Quality Documented against the Department of Labor complain The lethal quality of tiny asbestos fibers ing about several points In the 1972 exposure that lodge in the lungs is well documented. standard. The AFL-CIO petitioned for If the exposure to asbetos dust in the work changes to be made In the required medical place Is slashed. Industries that use the ma records that employers maintain on work terial such as construction and oil refining ers. and 11 requested that the timetable lor may come under increased pressure to sub lowering asbestos exposure limits be stitute noutoxtc materials. Asbestos is used stepped up.. in fireproof textiles, shingle Insulation, and The federal court of appeals in Washing thermal piping, among other products. ton. D.C.. directed OSHA to reconsider those "It's not possible to establish a safe expo- two provisions of the standard. At that time, sure'levct for the carcinogenic activity of as the enforcement agency decided the stan bestos." says Dr. John F. Flnklea. director dard possibly wasn't protective enough of of the institute. "Therefore, emphasis should asbestos workers' health and It decided to be placed on' prohibiting the occupational repropose the entire standard, beyond the use of asbestos in other than completely 'court directive, says an OSHA spokesman. closed operations', and on substituting other OSHA enlisted the aid of the National In products whenever possible." stitute for Occupational Safety and Health tn The 1972 Institute recommendations on the re-evaluation to study new research de asbestos to OSHA were based in part on the velopments and explore advances in protec research of the British Occupational Hy tive technology as they related to asbestos giene Society, which evaluated 290 workers exposure. The OSHA spokesman said the In an asbestos factory. Based on that work, agency will hold public hearings early next the Institute concluded that a two-million-fi year on proposed revised standards before bers limit would prevent asbestosis. promulgating the final rule.