Document YM18aqmB3DN3QNMykX5y7YmV

FILE NAME: Reichhold (REI) DATE: 1966 Sept 10 DOC#: REI016 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Trade Journal Article - Asbestos: Awaiting 'Trial' M A G N E T M A K E R S TURN UP THE HEAT.. ^ .1 0 1 Corfam goes to work in the manufacturing plant...43 Second chance for syndets-from-sugar process?...53 . MPXM UUUUV. MAi' ' ..T I S I fJ T S,VSAS1S Taking Giant Steps Two chemical process companies took giant steps toward diversifying into the oceanography held last week, and two paper companies with com bined sales of nearly $1 billion/year reached a tentative agreement to merge. (1) Bendix Corp. (Detroit) ex panded its oceanic activities by ac quiring for an undisclosed amount of stock Marine Advisers (La Jolla, Calif.), producer of oceanographic in struments for petroleum and utility . companies, state and federal agencies, and firms engaged in scientific pro grams. (2) Fluor Corp. (Los Angeles) and B. I.. McFarland and Associates (Fort Worth and Midland. Tex.), a group of five companies involved in offshore and onshore drilling opera tions, have agreed to merge, subject to stockholders1 approval. The Mc Farland group operates five offshore drilling rigs in the G ulf o f Mexico. (3) A tentative, agreement to merge has been reached by U.S. Plywood Corp. (New York) and Champion Papers, Inc. (Hamilton. O.). It is sub ject to both directors1 and stockhold ers1 approval. The corporate identities of both companies will be preserved. Reducing Gas Rates The Federal Power Commission has ordered HI Paso Natural Gas Co. and Transwestern Pipeline Co. to reduce by S!7 million/yenr the price of na tural gas in the southern California market. The rate cut stems from the July 26 decision in which FPC turned down the application o f Gulf Pacific Pipeline Co. (a Tcnncco subsidiary) to supply gas to the Los Angeles area iC W , A tig. 6, p. 2 0 ). G ulf Pacific last week filed for a rehearing. FJ Paso and Transwestern were told they would have to lower their rates to refiect the lower costs result ing from the higger deliveries pos sible in the expanded system. At the same time, FPC said it would conduct further proceedings to decide if cus tomers should get additional benefits resulting from more liberal deprecia tion allowances. FPC has given the companies 4S days to show cause why the reduction should not take place. Sources of airborne asbestos Asbestos-lined ducts used in centrally air-conditioned buildings. Asbestos ducts and insulation in home central-heating plants. Motor vehicle brake linings and clutch plates. Auto undercoatings. Asbestos ceiling and floor tiles. Asbestos shingles and sidings. Construction and demolition Fitting, cutting, and removing asbestos-filled wallboards and floorings, piping and insulation. Incineration of asbestos-filled scrap. Improperly filtered effluent from asbestos processing plants. Asbestos: Awaiting `Trial' The asbestos industry-- whose end products are valued at more than $500 milihm/year---may be In fo r a shakeup. If could come in the form of federal legislation limiting the use of asbestos, because asbestos has been ac cused--though not yet "convicted"-- as a significant health hazard. Prob able contender for asbestos markets: plastics. Recent studies have convinced U.S. Public Health Service specialists and other medical authorities that about 40% of all Americans have mild, chronic cases of asbestosis. even though most of them never worked directly with asbestos. Unlike other airborne dust particles, asbestos fibers have the ability-- al most as much as activated carbon-- to absorb polycyclic hydrocarbons and arsenical*. Furthermore, says USPHS. in the past 30 years the as bestos-related cancer rate has in creased sixfold. The Inferences: While the average asbestos worker is well protected, the man on the street is not. The 3x1micron asbestos fibers in his lungs can come from a variety of sources (table, above). And medical experts say there's no way to assess hydrocarbon content in those lung deposits. American Cancer Society research ers feel certain there is a synergistic relationship among airborne asbestos*, smoking and lung cancer. They reason that the nondegradahle. hydrocarbonsoaked fibers may well he a constant source of lung irritation. PHS officials think it may take them up to five years to establish asbestos* true role, as an air pollutant However, Congress may act before the research is finished. Says Repre sentative Robert Watkins (R.t Pa.): "Wc'vc seen enough evidence al ready. Asbestos will never get a clean bill of health. Witji just a little more data we'll move - for controls and strict ones.11 * Some form o f asbestos control is in the oiling, public health officials are certain. If only part o f a larger cJcan-ambiont-air program. However, there is the danger that Congress may enact rigorous controls on the quanti ty of asbestos that-could be used. In that case both Canada and U.S. asbestos p ro d u ct manufacturers would he hard hit.- Of the five forms of asbestos mined: today, chrysolite asbestos holds the predominant mar ket position because of its insulat ing and processing qualities. Canada produces more than 80% of the chrv- sotile asbestos used in the U.S. In both countries, a number of serious dislocations w ould`occur. At present, there-is no known ma teria! that could fill all of ashestos1 strategic roles. On; the other hand, should federal controls merely cal! for higher standards for binders and shielding, that would spark a rise of new products, with plastics taking the lead. Reason, say industry spokesmen, present polymer technology could easily turn up products to replace as bestos in most end-uses. 22 CHEMICAL WEEK September 10. 1966 The Reichhold eye for the future. Our eye for the future makes sure you get the basic chemicals you need in the form you need precisely when you need them.Whether you're formulating pilot batches of new products or production runs of present products made better, remember Reichhold for basic chemicals. REICHHOLD Reichhold Chemicals, inc., RCi Building, white Plains. N Y. 10602 Methanol Organic Peroxides Melamine frotaerythfiioi * Phenol Qrtho-Phenylpftenol * pentachlorouhcnot ` Sodium Pcfltacfclorophenale Maleic and Phthalic Anhydrides Mydii'r.hlniit: and Sulfuric Acids foimaldehydc * Synthetic Resins Chemical C olors Industrial Adhesives Ortho-Gca/yi P.m -Chloictihunol