Document b56E5owMOL2R5QOVMZbn71wp6

REDACTED. CC: J. R. Gorcyca S. C. Johnson W. P. Ledet J. E. Kennedy j. C. Warren PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT DUP-2535 May 10, 1982 TO: FROM: r. X. Seller A. H. NICKOLAUSd****. ASBESTOS WORK PRACTICES AND TSCA SECTION 8(e) REPORTING Thank you for expressing your concern about asbestos removal wotk practices. Youl specific concern was that more attention should be given to employees during the time that old asbestos insulation is being taken out -of Ops. 2--4 and- other locations because the dust poses|an "immediate health risk" to whoever breathes it. Although asbestos does pose a definite health hazard for those who are exposed ^taoi Wt in substantial concentrations over long periods of time, the risk seems to be small for very short single exposures at a relatively small concentration such as the one you experienced. However, all - exposures should be avoided since ther^ is a possibility that they may be cumulative. Asbestos i so commonly used throughout the country that it is likely most adults have had some exposure to it. The concentration you were exposed to may or may not have been over the OSHA 1$ minute exposure limit of 10 fibres greater than 5 /im in length per cubic centimeter (or 283,000 fibers/ft-5) , but we suspect th^t it was relatively small. Yout concern will definitely be considered as we do our annual review of the asbestos handling procedure (I/H #18). Although oUr procedure does conform to recommended practices for asbestos removal, some improvements may be necessary to assure that persons who are near the removal job but not involved in it are adequately protected from accidental exposure. "SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY" i tiuua*! iimmimamtiufm 011672 DUP 0821257 2- In r i;gard to your memorandum concerning the reporting of the inciden to the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Sect! On 8(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Director of Du Pont's Haskell Laboratory, the Director of Du Pont's Medi dal Division and Du Pont's Environmental Legal Section were asked i:o review your memorandum. Because the adverse effects of asbestos are already well known to th^ Environmental Protection Agency and the pattern and level of asbestos exposure does not constitute an emergency, they do not believe this is a reportable incident and therefore we do not plan to report it. %*&Po,>rting M s to us, you have satisfied your responsibility unddeerr'the law. Nevertheless, if you wish to report it d rectly to the Environmental Protection Agency, you may do so. If you choose t do so, Du Pont,will not take any adverse act on against you. This is guaranteed by law. JMK:sgd DV 011673 "SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY" DUP 0821258