Document XRNn40mGK70vJQbGN6BYOXMEg

FILE NAME: Raybestos-Manhattan (RBM) DATE: 1973 Mar 7 DOC#: RBM060 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo RE Testing Cloth for Release of Airborne Fibres J Kr Manheim od LOCATION TO; Hr. J. H. Marsh - Bridgeport *7>j ,, *Z>evv't*. date. March 7, 1973 subject: Testing Asbestos Cloth for Release of Airborne Fibres Recently we talked on the telephone concerning the testing of asbestos cloth to determine the amount of airborne dust that may be released during handling and installation or fabrication of cloth used to wrap thermal installation on piping. I believe I suggested having such tests performed by the same outfit that did the tests on the asbestos containing coats at the time this was being investigated by FDA. This probably was not a very good suggestion, inasmuch as my file indicates this test was performed by NIOSH, and I doubt tliat we would want to get them involved in investigation of our pipe covering materials. At a recent ATI meeting there wa3 considerable discussion by the Asbestos Advisory Committee concerning similar tests to determine the amount of fibre released during normal use of asbestos safety clothing. It was recommended that McGill University might be a suitable place to have such tests conducted. It was also suggested that the Abrado-Flex machine developed by the late Dr. Shaw while he was Involved with research for ATI might be used for this purpose. [^However, Chairman E chcrd of the ATI Technical Committee felt that his company (H. K. Porter)'hatTocveloped a superior device for flexing fabrics that he thought would be better suited for testing for airborne fibre release^ J Since I was not at this meeting, I don't know what conclusions were made regarding further action, but I know it was agreed that & third party, such as McGill, should certify the tests rather than ATI or any of the manu facturers involved. Perhaps Kilt Scowcroft can fill you in on the latest ATI thinking or activities on this. W \ -'! --