Document bBEBRbaJB9XgpRqx3BOdDBd8y

< * PILOT (Manufacturing .Chemists Association) March 1971 RESEARCHER STUDYING ' POLLUTION HAZARDS OF EMERGENCY DISCHARGES Control* St/opotied ASBESTOSIS IS STILL INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM, BUT ENVIRONMENTAL 'CRISIS' BREWING Polenllal hazards Irom chemical ef fluents discharged from slacks dur ing emergencies are under Investi gation by University ol Kansas pro fessor under $3,000 research grant from his Institution. Dr. Harold F, Rosson told PILOT his computer study ot theoretical emergency situ ations could predict likely eilects ol concentrated chemical ciiluenl down wind from plant stack. (Noto: Dr, Chnrics G. Kramer, associate to corporate medical director, Dow, gave fh/ report on Modi'cnI etpeets ot etbc-Uoth--a polenltal e:t of concorn--M recent mooting of MCA'a * Air Quality CoinmiUea, of which he It member.) Early in this century, a scarring disease of the lungs was found in individuals exposed to asbestos-laden dust. This disease, asbestosis, is still occurring in workers involved with some of the 3,000 applications of this fibrous mineral. An industrial hygiene standard was established which, when followed, lias protected workmen from developing overt asbestosis. Dr. Rosson hopes to develop spe cific models lor concentrations of various chemicals, including effect of coincident chemical reaction. Similar study In aquatic environ ment is under consideration. Model's usefulness, Dr. Rosson pointed out, will be in determining design and location of chemical plants. Recent studies indicate lung cancer occurs more often among asbestosexposed workers than the general population. The increase is greater if the individual exposed to asbestos also is a cigarette smoker. More recent studies show a clear correlation between asbestos exposure and cancer of the gastroinleslinal tract and possibly cancer of (he linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. The tic became evident slowly,- because of a lapse of 20 to 30 years between the beginning of exposure and cancer development. The old industiial hjgienc slandaid for asbestos is no longer considered adequate, and more- stringent standards arc now recommended. Safety and health of workers exposed to ashestos dust can be protected by (1) switch ing to less hazardous materials, (2) ventilating to remove dust from die work ers* breathing zone, (3) working only with wet asbestos, and (4) using per sonal protective equipment, which often proves inadequate unless use is stringently enforced. (Asbestos, fluorides, lead and po'ycyclic'organx matter arc under study by National Research Council for EFA's use in developing air quality criteria. Target dale: late this year.) In addition, exposed workers should receive routine medical surveillance. For those exposed to asbestos dust in the past or who may continue to be exposed, best health proicetion advice is: avoid cigarettes. Although evidence of ofTccts from community exposure lias been exag gerated, cnvironmcnlalTnipact must always be considered. Increasing public concern about effects of asbestos dust requires industry to be ready to cope with another environmental "crisis." Best way to avoid the problem is by carefully controlling disposal of asbestos-containing dusts and wastes. SOME FIGURES ON COAL National Coal Association reports $45 million expenditure in las! tour years to install and operate pollu tion control facilities- relating to acid mine drainage. liC-A companies have spont another $2 million on research rr.d development rotated to acid mine drainage. Association also reports rr.ore than 64.U30 acres of coal strip mines re claimed across country In same period. AREAWIDE POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN IN TEXAS BACKED BY EPA F.PA's Water Cuality Otiice has awarded Texas Water Gunlily Ecard $220,000 grant to develop compre hensive water pollution control plan lor Galveston Bay. Gull Coast Waste Disposal Authority is implementing agency lor three-year project. WOO says some 30 percent of municipal and industrial wastewater In Texes is concenlrelcci in Harris, Chambers and Galveston Ccunlirs, area cov ered under grant. Principal c'tios Involved arc Houston, GaivestGn, Texes City i.fid Baytown. , Grant Is designed to seek basinwide soiulions to water resources end pollution problems, and to en courage Industry, muiiisqialiiies and stale cfioncics to woil: together rmn 'cfplsre .irivEntsics of joirrt ineiiieipnl-lnt.'calrial .vreslu tu-mme-nt facili ties. CAPCO JEN 0004.368