Document XR4y9qmrBpDj5avKVggY4dvpB

MIME AT SLACK LAKE October 26, 1966 / SENT THE FOLLOWING TO ALL LAKE AGENTS INCLUDING SOUTH AMERICA RE: ASBESTOS HYGIENE PROBLEMS Gentlemen: The magazine "Chemical Week", September 10, 1966, page 32, ran. an article in regard to asbestos health hazards. Copy of this article is enclosed. If you should be questioned about this subject, I think the subsequent two letters to the editor.of that magazine adequately cover the problem for the moment. Copy of these letters are also enclosed. Very truly yours. EAFtlab Encs. bcc: RD Bradford v/encs MJ Messel " RP Gagnon/ " WP Roe " E. A. FARRELL I ASARCO ALV 0001018 H * 4 l f K. < ( / PiSSestos: aitsiiii Trial' The asbestos Industry--whose end PHS officials think it may take products are valued at more than $500 them up to five years to establish raiUion/ycar--may be in for a shake- asbestos* true role as an air pollutant. up. It could come in the form of federal legislation limiting the' use of However, Congress may-act before the research is finished. Says Repre asbestos, because asbestos has been ac sentative Robert Watkins (R., Pa.): cused--though not yet "convicted"-- as a significant health hazard. Prob "We've seen enough evidence al ready. Asbestos will never get a clean able contender for asbestos markets: bill of health. With just a little more plastics. data we'il move for controls and Recent studies have convinced U.S. strict ones." Public Health Service specialists and Some form of asbestos control is other medical authorities that about in the offing, public health officials 40% of all Anericans have mild, chronic cases of asbestosis, even are certain, if only part of a larger clean-ambient-air program. However, though most of them never worked there is the danger that Congress may directly with asbestos. enact rigorous controls on the quanti Unlike other airborne dust particles, ty of asbestos that could be used. asbestos fibers have the ability--al *In that case both Canada and U.S. most as much as activated carbon-- asbestos products manufacturers to absorb polycyclic hydrocarbons and arsenicals. Furthermore, says would be hard hit. Of the five forms of asbestos mined today, chrysotile / USPHS, in the past 30 years the as asbestos holds the predominant mar bestos-related cancer rate has in ket position because of its insulat creased sixfold. ing and processing qualities. Canada The Inferences: While the average produces more than 80% of the chry asbestos worker is well protected, the sotile asbestos used in the U.S. In man on the street is not. The 3x1- both countries, a number of serious micron asbestos fibers in his lungs can dislocations would occur. come from a variety of sources (table, At present, there is no known ma above). terial that could fill all of asbestos* And medical experts say there's no strategic roles. On the other hand, way to assess hydrocarbon content should federal controls merely call in those lung deposits. for higher standards for binders and American Cancer Society research shieldings, that would spark a rise of ers feel certain there is a synergistic new products, with plastics taking relationship among airborne asbestos, the lead. smoking and lung cancer. They reason . Reason, say industry spokesmen, that the nondegradable, hydrocarbon- present polymer technology could soaked fibers may well be a constant easily turn up products to replace as- ; source of lung irritation. ' bestos in most end-uses. . I ASARCO ALV 0001019  'C LETTERS f ,/ * K' .. .- /, ' t \ A "\Wer^f^'^VcWr-'-'-Wc': VGUi-^w.cfc/ iP?S (-- **r p4^/> / *I'T Ui: LilOu To the Editor: The enisle u'tled `'Asbestos: Averting 'Trial'" (CIV, Sep:. JO, p. 32) contains many inac curacies, which have led to erroneous asr-mprions and false conclusions. Erief.y. the facts are these: :1> Asbestos is a uniquely useful preens: serving the needs of modem mar. and society, and it is not likely ro te replaced by economically feasible synthetic polymers, or anything else, ir. the foreseeable future. Cl) No published reports, even the most speculative, support the generalhad statements in your article regard ing health effects o: possible exposure to asbestos. (3) There is r.o basis for the sugges tion that Congress "may act" regard ing asbestos we, for no such proposals are being considered by Congress. We are informed that the congressman quoted as predicting action disclaims any knowledge of health evidence relating to asbestos or of proposals o control its use. (4) No evidence exists to show that asbestos poses health risks for the gen eral public or to show that even We of Americans have "mild chronic asbestosis," much less die 40% figure you give :r. your article. (5) Regarding your list of "sources o: airborne asbestos," there are no data to support the contention in your article that the "man on the street" is exposed to asbestos from these sources, or indeed that these sources contribute asbestos to the ambient air. (6) Wc know of no data to support your claim of a sixfold increase in socalled "asbestos-related cancer." As you doubtless realize, the proper conduct of our business requires us to keep abreast of scientific developments regarding asbestos, both medical and technical. Is is our opinion that syn thetic polymers are not likely in the | CV/ welcomes expressions of j opinion from readers. The only requirements: that they be per tinent, as brief as possible. .Address all correspondence to. ---- s. .a.. nnsan, v-acmtcal Week, 33C West 42nd Su, New York, N.Y. 10036. foreseeable future to completely re place asbestos in the many applications for which it is now used. Any syn thetics would have to prove superior to natural asbestos and be economical ly competitive. As to health aspects, in June of this year the US. Surgeon General ap peared before the Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Air end Water Pol lution, with Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine as chairman, to discuss var ious problems relating to air-pollution abatement. Surgeon General William S:ewart enumerated a number of sub stances in common use, including plastics and asbestos, about which he said: "The public health hazards that may arise from these aspects of en vironmental contamination have not been adequately documented. In each instance further investigation is needed to determine whether health is indeed threatened and what control measures may be necessary'." In these days when all substances in our air and water and even the food we eat are constantly under scrutiny, as to their effects on the pub lic, the fact that asbestos is among the subjects of investigation is not surpris ing. In fact, we have always supported and will continue to support investiga tions by the U.S. Public Health Service and other research scientists. Roger Hackney Vice-President Johns-Manville Corp. ----------- '"NewYork To the Editor: In reference to your article, "Asbestos: Awaiting Trial'" (Sept. JO. p. 32), we know of no scientific evidence supporting the statement that "40% of all Amer icans have mild, chronic cases of asbestosis." Even in the asbestos industry, where more is known about exposure levels than among the general population, there is- imprecise knowledge about the health effects of exposure to as bestos. With the cooprration of labor end industry, the Elv.-tcr, of Occupational Health has under way a long-range, in-depth study to answer this question, as well as to develop better criteria for the safe handling and manufacture of asbestos. In the meantime, however, -the division will continue to promote the application of known control methods so that the workplace can be kept as healthy as possible. Murray C. Brown, M.D. -Chiof Division of Occupational Health Department of Health, Education & Welfare Public Health Service " Washington, D.C. CW is pleased to set the record straight. Some of those interviewed apparently drew unwarranted conclu sions from insufficient and dubious data.--Ed. MEETINGS Assn, of Official Analytical Chemists, annual meeting. Twin Bridges Marriott Motor Hotel, Washington, D.C, Ocl 10-13. Tecbntcon international symposium.on automation in analytical chemistry, S:atler-Hilton Hotel, New York, Oct. 17-19. Drug, Chemical & Allied Trades Assn., annual meeting, Hollywood Beach Hotei, Hollywood, Fla., Oct. 20-22. Commercial Chemical .Development Assn, discussion of packaging, Drake Hotel, Chicago, Oct. 26-28. National Assn., of Purchasing Agents, Chemical Group, annual fall conference. Continental Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Oct. 27. Society of Engineering Science, fourth technical meeting. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Americas Society for Metals, national -metal congress and exposition. McCor mick Place, Chicago, Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Parental Drug Assn., annual conven tion, Sutler-Hilton Hotel, New York. Nov. 1-4. Fertilizer industry round-table con ference, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C, Nov. 2-4. The Society of the Plasties Industry, 11th plastics film, sheeting and .coated fabrics conference, Waldorf-Astoria Ho tel, New York. Nov. 9-19; conference on cellular plasties in transportation. Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, Nov. 15-17. The Franklin Institute Research Lab, oratories, fourth annual symposium on the organic-solid state, Philadelphia, Nov. 14. Genefal Atomic Division of General Dynamics Corp, and Air Force Office of Scientific Research, fundamentals of gassurface interactions, San Diego, Calif, Dec. 14-16. October 8. 196& CHEMICAL WEEK 7 ASARCO ALV 0001020