Document b5j5oVeB3ryVzpn7Q41jooQrD

Pi lU [NORTH AMERICA ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal Square 4, Suite 509 Arlington, Virginia 22202 (703) 979-1150 September 20, 1978 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Robert H. Mereness (The following statement was issued today by the Asbestos Information Association/North America, an incorporated, non profit organization of firms engaged in the manufacture or processing of asbestos-containing products and in the mining and milling of asbestos fiber in North America.) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MMRE00012272 Washington, D.C. (Sept. 20, 1978) -- The Asbestos Information Association/North America has been requested by its membership and by others to comment upon the statement made before the AFL-CIO National Conference on Occupational Safety and Health on September 11 by HEW Secretary Califano concerning the incidence of cancer which may be expected in the future as a result of past exposures to asbestos fibers. The paper upon which the remarks of the Secretary were based was made available to us only yesterday, and we have not yet had an opportunity to review it in detail. It may be said, however, based upon a first reading, that the paper is simply another extrapolation, stated in statistical terms, from the same data which has been available to the international scientific community for some period of time . Scientific advisors to the AIA/NA now are engaged in a R 00001689 study of the report referenced by Secretary Califano and comments will be forthcoming from the Association.upon completion of the study. _^n-