Document ZnrLrBqjv2myG3K7mLZk4nQNV

17. R. Janes, J-M London Paul Kotin, M.D., Denver 4N2 D. Poutiatine WHQ 2-04 E. M. Fenner, 4N2 U. K. ASBESTOS INQUIRY August 30, 1976 Just a note to thank you for all the material you have been forwarding concerning the Advisory Committee on Asbestos. In your memo of August 2, you ask for comments. Both R. Carter and E. M. Fenner of my staff have reviewed all the information you have sent and we are agreed that at the present time we do not plan to submit anything to the Committee. We feel that our position is thoroughly documented in our response to OSHA and we have nothing to add at the moment. I trust you will continue to keep us informed about the committee and to monitor closely the discussions of the four working groups. If there are any particular questions or problems that arise where we may be able to supply specific data or assistance, please let me know. I/Si Johns-Manviiie Internal Correspondence / To: P. Kotin, M.D. Denver 4N Ffom: W.R. Janes, London Date: n August 1976 (885) Copies: d. Poutiatine, Denver 2-04 Subject: Environmental - Asbestos Enquiry Committee Further to my memo (883) 2 August 76, attached please find the A.I.C. recommendations in respect of presentations to the above. TIM- ASl'Li. 1 OS INI OUMAI ION IOMMl 1'111L Memo to: From AIC Main Committee Associate Members Mr W P Howard* I Tuesday 3rd August 1976 Following the meeting with Associate Members last week I now enclose a copy of the heads under which Turner & Newall companies have been asked to provide evidence for the Government's Asbestos Advisory Committee. The Terms of Reference of the Asbestos Advisory Committee are as follows: "To review the risks to health arising from exposure to asbestos or products containing asbestos including persons exposed at work; members of the public exposed to asbestos generated from work activities; and members of the public exposed to asbestos from consumer products and from asbestos waste. To make recommendations as to whether any further protection is required." I enclose a statement of the Terms of Reference of the four working groups appointed by that committee. The committee's address is: The Secretary Asbestos Advisory Committee c/o Health &. Safety Executive Baynards House 1 Chepstow Place Vestboume Grove London V2 4TF. VPH/JG Enc V P HOWARD DEPUTY CHAIRMAN ASIIKS IQS A1)V I SOU V CriMVITlKK Company evidence would comprise, for each product group: (a) Numbers of employees engaged in manufacture of each (b) Number of work stations at which dust concentrations are measured for each, sampling method and frequency (c) Average counts at each'station, product by product (d) The record of asbestos-related disease for each product department . (e) Company industrial hygiene practices (respirator servicing, clothing, changing rooms, housekeeping, vacuum cleaners and cleaning systems) (f) Factory emissions (e) Medical surveillance system (h) Safety training (j) The markets for each product: (i) To what use do what extent do to create dust Regulations ? customers put them. To they process them further as defined by the (ii) Dust measurements of customers' processes (iii) Measures taken to reduce dustiness of products (iv) Measures taken to educate customers to ensure compliance witli standard, including distribution of ARC Guides,posters and leaflets (k) Vaste disposal methods and monitoring of tips (i) Recommendations for further protection required, if any (m) Economic aspects: (i) Value of Home sales (ii) Value of exports (iii)Practicality of sxibstitutes, on price technical performance convenience safety energy- input audit grounds of: (iv) Current value of dust control equipment (v) Annual cost of operating dust control equipment (vi) Additional capital cost of reducing standard to 1 f/mli i ) `fM ' 1 A.,^1 r\ > r. *-- I > ** -- L- / ' f ' I '* I P ady-so^y comvttttzi: o:-; asbestos (Simpson Committee; The- first meeting of the Committee was held on 23rd June. In addition to the members, some 40 Government officials were preser.' ns assessors'. The Committee took three decisions: 1. Its proceedings and papers submitted to it would be confidential, until its reports were submitted to Govern ment. This did not rule out the possibility of holding "open forums" on particular topics. 2. To establish working groups as under: A. Medical (Chairman: Dr. Duncan) Phase 1 to review all available medical and scientific evidence on the effects on work people and the general public of exposure to asbestos; to consider whether the current hygiene standard is at an appropriate level; to make recommendations for appropriate exposure levels for persons occupationally exposed and for the general public. Phase 2 to review currently available statistics on asbestos-related diseases; to consider whether these statistics arc adequate for the purpose; to make recommendations on future action. Phase 3 to review the available medical and scientific evidence on the potential risk from substitutes lor asbestos; to make recommendations on further action. r.. Phase 1 Phase 2 m* tornd (Chairman: Dr. Plum field) to review current methods of sampling and evaluating asbestos dust in the work place and the general environment, and any alternatives that may be available; to consider what methods of sampling and evaluating ought to be adopted. to review present action in the field of monitoring for asbestos dust; to consider whether it would be practicable to legislate for monitoring to be carried out. C. Legal L Administrative Controls (Chairman: Mr. Dunster) To review existing legislation at home and abroad; to consider whether UK legislation is adequate for the protection of persons occupationally exposed and the public; to consider whether any special recommendations are needed to govern transport and conveyance of asbestos. D. Production and Use of Asbestos (Chairman: Prof. Stairmond) To prepare a comprehensive review of the production of, asbestos and the uses to which it has been put over the last two decades; to review similarly methods of handling and transporting asbestos; to identify changes which may have occurred particularly in relation to substitution; to identify other uses of asbestos for which alternatives might be practicable. In those terms of reference, "asbestos" means asbestos fibre, products containing asbesies and waste. I am a member of Working Groups C and D. f r / r next nicotine of the full Committee would be on 22:id Scotc-ir,bov Working Groups C and D met on 12th and 3 3th July, and received a paper from The Health and Saieiy Executive on the use of asbestos in the construction industry. Each Group considered a provisional work programme, and in particular Group D asked me to arrange a series of plant visits from mid-August onwards. .Within the restrictions of confidentiality, I shall endeavour to keep the main Committee of the AIC fully informed of the Advisory Committee1 work. IT.D.S. HARDIE 2/31 Johns-Manville To: P. Kotin, M.D. Denver 4N W.R. Janes, London From: Copies: D. Poutiatine, Denver S2/3 Subject: U.K. Asbestos Enquiry A i !i Internal Correspondence X ) )h. TiV, )>; ; Date: 2 August 1976 (883) ^/f-1 T7 Your memo 3 June and mine, 7 July have reference. From a recent discussion with Harry Hardie of the Turner Newall Group I understand that the Advisory Committee on Asbestos recently had its first meeting. Result of this meeting is that four working groups have been set up asi- Medical - To review all medical and scientific evidence relative to the effects in the work place and the general public to exposure. Consideration of the current hygiene standard. Environmental Monitoring - To review the current methods of monitoring and evaluating asbestos dust in the work place and general environment. Legal and Administrative Controls - To review existing legislation on asbestos and to determine if it is adequate for the protection in the work place and for the general public. Legislation in other countries will also be reviewed. Production and Use of Asbestos - To review production, usages, handling and transportation and possible alternative materials. No firm date has been set for the completion of the report by this enquiry, though I understand it is expected to be a pretty long winded affair. The Committee is calling for written submissions or representations by interested parties to be made by 31 August 1976, though Hardie indicated that he felt this deadline was not hard and fast. Submissions and representations to be addressed to:- The Secretary, The Advisory Committee on Asbestos, The Health and Safety Commission, Baynards House, 1 Chepstow Place, London W.2. The submissions by AIANA and J-M recently put forward to OSHAare being stripped and the skeleton used as a recommended basis for the preparation of the reports being submitted to the Committee by the Turner Group. While these two presentations were considered as excellent the point of issue at that time being tlie threshold limit value which is not quite the same as applicable to the present Government investigation. However it was felt that these suitably modified would be a good vehicle for a presentation. I questioned Hardie as to whether presentations from outside of the U.K. would be considered or would be acceptable and he felt that any parties having an interest in this market could justifiably put forward their ideas.I I look forward to your comments. Johns-Manville To: Paul Kotin, M.D. Denver 4N From: W.R. Janes, London Copies: D. Poutiatine, Denver S2/3 Subject: U.K. Asbestos Enquiry Internal Correspondence 0ai: 7 July 1976 (869) Following your memo 3 June in connection with the above, I endeavoured to contact Harry Hardie of Turner & Newall Ltd., who is a member of the Advisory Committee resulting in my letter 10 June attached, together with copy of his reply. Your further advice would be appreaciated. TURNER & NEVVALL LIMITED Registsred Office 77 Fountain Street Manchester M2 2EA Telephone 061-236 9381 Telex 667664 Telegrams Tumerall Manchester Mr. W. R. Janes, Johns-Manville (Great Britain) Ltd., Parkbridge House, The Little Green,1 l Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1QU. J 30th June 1976 Dear Mr. Janes, Thank you for your letter of 10th June,which arrived while I was in North America, regarding the Advisory Committee on Asbestos. The Committee has invited written representa tions from any interested organisation, including companies. The AIC will not be making a submission, although the ARC may do so. T&.N will certainly put forward something - probably as comprehensive as the J-M submission to OSHA. All written evidence is to be received by the Advisory Committee by 31st August 1976. Yours sincerely. H.D.S. Hardie HDS1I/AW H.D.3. Hardy, Esq., Turner & Newall Ltd., P.O. Box 15 (Salford PDO), Ashburton Road West, MANCHESTER Ml7 1TA. 10 June 1976 Dear Mr. Hardy, I would refer to the Advisory Committee on Asbestos headed by Mr. 3ill Simpson of which I understand you will be a member. Obviously the investigations of this Committee and its findings will be of extreme interest to our company and it would be ap preciated if we could be kept advised of types of evidence and forms of presentation that mey be required, together with deadlines, to enable us to take such action as may be necessary. Yours sincerely. W.R. Janes. W. R. Janes, J-M London Paul Kotin, M.D., Denver GHO 4N2 D. Poutiatine, Englewood Cliffs U.K. ASBESTOS EJOUIRY YOUR ME*D F 19 MAY 1976 June 3, 1976 Fran the press clipping you forwarded I would say that yes, J-M will want to be involved. that position vre will take and who from J-M shexild speak to the Ccrmittee will be dependent upon the direction in which the Ccrmittoe moves after its first meeting on June 23. I will depend upon ycu to keep me informed of the details of the Ccrmittee's activities. Once I have more information as to the nature of the Ccrmittee's inquiries, vre can determine what our position will be. m Johns-Manville Internal Correspondence P. Kotin, M.D. Denver 4N From: W.R. Janes J-M London Copies: D. Poutiatine Englewood Cliffs Date: 19 May 1976 (855) Subject: u.K. ASBESTOS INQUIRY Attached press cuttings relative to above. I do not as yet know what procedure will be taken by this Committee, neither am I fully aware as to the extent of the liaison between the (U.K.) A.I.C. and the (U.S.A.) A.I.C. as regards any evidence that may be required for submission, hut. in any_case_I should like to be forearmed as to your reactions, a_nd_shou_ld__j-M~(CTBI)^bi~'asked to attend/grve evidence be_ore this Committee...what line ynuLwill wisJhus~~~to take.__ Alternatively should the occasion arise do you wish to make any form of presentation to~~EhTs~ Committee. ----------- ----------------------- ---r--.. ifin. luit between have the TEAM FOR'iany top orcnl to dubs by ASBESTOS inny Rov oraabout tbe erfoimers ENQUIRYver juke* nbs, fronr lushest, is tan most gives- th over cer- By CLASS DOVER Scienen Correspondent AN 3 Ai by th4 ompanies. ]JR- BILL SIMPSON, Hi movie chairman cf the Health affair Poetr^ that Tony ora workyears be- follow lightened and. Safety Commission, is to head the Advisory- Coin* mittee on Asbestos - which, .will look into the need for tighter regulation* govern rcuit laid ing-asbestoa.-. ig things ' Asbestos;- particularly in its is career; blue form, can be a killer matec- hat Mrs- - iaL and asbestosis.- a, form of been verbal the In The the brtt been n the rnec the. soc, rent fin; the gxai tr story - Ovid investdcarople- tr four lung- cancer can-appear as long as 15 years sites first- exposere. Bloe asbestos has. been banned in tba constrortion of. buildings, since- 1969,. but recent events- where-vandals on Bepys Estate; PendSi couocjI .with ca-. basis. T year-old DeptfortL. exposed the material by.-banging the-- cedtngs with -sticks'- bare- prompted public concern.-*-; -Ld - - Announcing tfiernew coramit*tee ia the Commons yesterday,. M.-- Booth}.. Employment Secret.-wy-said it veooid consist of members coronated by the C B I, the IUC, doctors; a consultant chemical engineer and physicist, art environmental health officer and a National Consumer Coun cil representative. - * ' Sul>;raxps planned oab-cmnnritttes will be set up to iovestijate -fear* about as bestos as they arise, both in the : ^ home and at* work; Me Booth : JK ,'Cn- salcL The committee would have powers to "set up a considerable number- of- cSb&tJooeV;ir. j1 - Evidence ctrifected by tis can- ! mittee would be made- pubbdy available. ^ .->v' | i Members of : the committee-1 which wtU meet for the first time ! oa-Juoe- 23 are: . Prat.- E. D. A<XMo, Dean- o< tfc% F acuity of- S^utWaMm Uoiraraityr Mr A. G. BhrcbtDa. Sc* rctarr; LetM Dev+rtwcnt, TOW U; Mr Paul Bradbury daraua of tt* CB1 Safety. xnl Wetfera CEmvniBee; Or J. C. Gdjea. Dvra^ to*. Rmiwda rwwoeft- coniob Unit. Mr H. Z> JS. Km**, DWttor, Turrtar rod N-sw*H; Mr W. Lewi*, Uniuo of Cormsruoicm Albrd Trad**. o.A Techodam; Mr A. Lomw, N atonal Union cf Btractiera and Txu! WorVtn; ?rof. A. Mair, Pro(*+*oe of Corairaucity ojod Ocn> patiortal Brdtcine, Duade* Urorer* siry* Dr M. Moirry^wxx, occupatioo ai hv^irowC. ImDQgg or Naval Mdf ciovT Dr C. J. SrAjrtcjrk. cryn*uitont Ch*.TT^cal en*ii>-rr aod phyjidjt; DoJ. Str*?t, WHO cerauittpt. - Mr F. G. Sugrdrtr. Chi<f En^ranmrntai Healtfi Onactrr tor Mtddfe^ hrouab: Prat'. M. Turr-ra*Wjrvrcfco Frafra*or of Md-cn. Lor.don-Unlv-rct: Mr U. W. Ur-, membrr- d tMhen. CRB. I WSaafetotyrtoamnd*. Kem*leom bePramoifr Natzo/vai Conmmrr CouncL. LASER ADAPTED f T-nn IncenOve-is- there- for- men; and women - when sec ..tbe ir hard-earned'differentials- drastieaUy- Yesterbst of Sk. erodedpit.-^-..,p say*.. st any. - c ;*w- -r *3..*-^--r- ' proeedui ^Independentj:;^ - It rec -"'rfi* :ihat era kua teafSo- probed vr -- ^asbestos risk;^4^rUil -- 8jrOur^Labour Staff'- MEMBERSHIP. OF a comaittee l01 to-investigite health. rislcs..irocn----^-------- asbestos-i -* following - - -t-recenc.* reportst wasi: announced yestereA LAM day-by Mrr-Albert Booth,' Em* Health' f ptoymeftt-Secretary.. ----- -*tains th< .' He-told-th^Commoo that the^ Phasing team . bad.-' many ;i independent Private 1 members-'and its- report.".and. Service evidence.Avould~be published-be yesterda; the-HealUx_and. Sifety- Commis* Scientific sion. .which, was. itself, iode- Ifanager pendent..;; ,>-/ . -. '* ASTM3 ' The-1 cpnimittee-- bas>--three-.members! representatives nominated.--b-that wou the.- TUC and CBI- each;, fount practice from tbe medical professions two-'preseo; - occupational hygienists, a -coo- growth o sultanr .chemical:: engineerr.and give "ab Tmv Ktr* pbysieisC--tt. an-- environmental, on tbe id advised- heaith offieer-and a represent*- would be| ernment' - tivej of therNational r Consumes'ont payb^ Couccil-i *'-. r. .:,A unio Mr: Bill, Simpaon-'chainni of} campaign hin^. of a begun by the Health_.and Safety Commie? members sion, willyberits: chairman; }'"'^powerful ;sday visit --- ---- - -tr/n.jr.X.r : - ASBESTOS AND CANCER - A NEW EVALUATION j WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL ACENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER 150, courj Albert-Thnmaj 6S00S LYON (France) TEL. R3) <>-<] TELECR. : UNI CANCER-LYON All commercial forms of asbestos have been shown to be carcinogenic in mice, rats, hamsters and rabbits. Human occupational exposure to all commercial forms of asbestos lias resulted in a high incidence of lung cancer and mesotheliomas. These were the main conclusions of the working group1 convened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, which met here for five days, 13-17 December 1976. During the first part of the meeting the group vetted all available data already published in scientific journals deal ing with asbestos and cancer. They compared and collated the reports dealing with animal experimentation on the one hand and tliose relating to human exposure to asbestos fibres on the other. The experimental data showed a wide measure of agreement between laboratories in different countries with a variety of tumours in lung and pleura being found after asbestos fibres had been injected or inhaled. One laboratory reported tumours in Tats whose feed contained asbestos filter material. Men employed in the asbestos industry have been shown to have a high incidence of lung cancers, mesotheliomas (cancer of the pleura and peritoneum) and, to a lesser extent., gastro intestinal tract tumours. These include asbestos miners, men employed in various parts of the processing industries and those working on building sites and shipyards where asbestos is used in many forms. Garage medianics carrying out repairs on brake linings are also at risk. The group noted reports of mesotheliomas occurring in individuals living in the vicinity of asbestos factories. Exposed workers were liable to increased lung cancer inci dence whether or not they smoked; if they smoked, the two fac tors acted in a multiplicative way producing an extremely high lung cancer risk. Concern was also shown by the group about the reports that the general population may also be exposed to asbestos fibres in beverages, drinking water, food, pharmaceutical and dental products and through consumer use of asbestos-containing products. Although abundant evidence exists of the carcinogen! city to man of inhaled asbestos fibres, there is no evidence at present that ingested asbestos fibres are carcinogenic to man. V However, the group concluded that "at present it is not possibl to assess whether there is a level of exposure to asbestos in huinans below which an increased risk of cancer would not occur" 1 sec annexed list of names I 1_ V ID 13/ / TURNER & NEWALL LIMITED Registered Office 77 Fountain Street Manchester M2 2EA i Telephone 061-236 9381 Telex 667664 Telegrams Turnerall Manchester Mr. J. it.M. Hutcheson, Quebec Asbestos Mining Association, 530 Est Grand-Allee, Suite 320, Quebec, Canada. M. &&&** 1st February 1977 Dear Bob, Asbestos and Health Ij^mf***- The Advisory Committee on Asbestos appointed by the UK Government last year released an Interim Statement on 25th January. This v/as designed to put the risks from asbestos into perspective in the light of present knowledge. I attach a copy of the Statement which I hope will come as no surprise to you. Very few of the daily papers reacted to this at all last week and for a few days I thought that we might escape any excitement. However, some of the more radical vreeklies attacked the Advisory Committee Statement and the Sunday Times has delivered itself of a major attack utilising the unpublished paper which Julian Peto of Oxford University delivered at Utah at the SIMS meeting on 5th-9th July 1976. It is our opinion that Peto misuses the TEA epidemiological data but it is difficult to know how to rebut the Sunday Times most effectively. 1 also attach a copy of the Sunday Times article and a ccpy of an article by McGintj' in last week's New Scientist.. You will probably remember that the medical representatives on the Advisory Committee include . Dr. Gilson, Professor Turner Warwick, Professor Alchieson and Professor Mair, in addition to the Head of the Government Employment Medical Advisory Service, Dr. Duncan. They are all parties to the decision to confirm for the time being the 2 fibre standard. For once, therefore, it is not the industry that has the main burden for responding to media prejudice! Yours sincerely. H. D. S. IJardie II PS! j/AW c: Mr. Marcel Dorais