Document a47yGwNz4DQr01k9nQdMM8XJe

PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT 'BEA--20 No. 10 Commercial Roofing Announcemen ASBESTOS IN ROOFING In recent years there has been controversy and concern about the use of asbestos in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as OSHA, has sec standards on the exposure to inhalation of ".free" asbestos fibers. However, concerning roofing products, EPA in 1978 issued an amendment to their Asbestos Standard exempting asbestos fibers that are encapsulated in bituminous or resinous binders which are not friable (easily crumbled) after drying. This EPA exemption is still applicable as of this writing. Irrespective of this ruling, issurance carriers became quite concerned in light of the legal entanglements being brought againsc various firms, including many roofing material manufacturers. As a result, insurance carriers developed dramatically increased insurance races for companies who incorporate asbestos fibers in their product formulations. In many instances, these firms began reformulating their products to eliminate asbestos. This was not necessarily done because asbestos was an improper or unsuitable material for the use intended-, but rather to reduce these excessively high insurance races. For this reason, Koppers too decided to eliminate all asbestos from their product lines and specifications. . One of the first phases was in our No. 108 Flashing Specification. We changed from a No. 15 Asbestos Felt and reinforced asbestos base flashing to a glass fiber roofing felt and reinforced glass fiber base flashing. In 1984 our Product Development Department embarked upon an intensive program to find substitute material for our various roofing products with qualities similar to the unique properties of asbestos fibers. They have done an excellent job. As these formulated roofing products were developed, field cested and approved, they have been introduced into our product lines. As of January 1986, all cements, mastics, roof coatings and resaturants manufactured by and labeled for Koppers for use in BUR and roof maintenance systems are asbestos free. These are quality products which will SERVE our customers' needs. The above is offered to assist in a better understanding of the status of asbestos in Koppers roofing products. 1/10/86 James P. Weideman Koppers Company, Inc. SC-BE-25000