Document byLN6KxvV0VveOMRKLJN93rrk

ST0175225 v/>/y f' U.S. Considers 2-Level Limit On Asbestos By Joann S. Lchlin Staff Reporter nf Tiu: W*m, Sthkkt Joi>nkal WASHINGTON - The Labor Department Is considering proposing two levels o( tougher limits on occupational exposure to asbestos, which has been linked to cancer and respiratory disease. The department is weighing proposing two levels because o( the varying degrees of danger from different forms of asbestos and doubts about the ability of all employers to meet a strict standard. One-level would set the maximum workplace exposure for as bestos at 300,000 fibers per cubic meter of air and another at 200.000 fibers per cubic I meter of air. The current level Is two million : fibers per cubic meter. Asbestos comes in different fiber types, and some scientists suspect some types may be more likely than others to cause mesothe lioma. a cancer of the lining of the lungs. Scientists at the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration also are unsure whether all employers could mea sure minLte air concentrations of asbestos. which would be necessary if only the stricter 200,000-fiber level Is set. Establishing differed exposure limits "is certainly something that's under consider ation." said Gary Stroebel, a lop OSHA offi cial. He emphasized that a proposal for a new standard, likely In a week at the earli est, will "say, 'We're still undecided In the area. " Whether there should be more lhan one exposure level Is a question that will "be raised In the proposal." he said. Mr. Stroebel noted that England already sets different exposure limits for asbestos, depending nn the fiber form. OSHA s effort to propose a new perma nent standard for asbestos comes on the heels of a court defeat earlier this month for Its temporary tougher limit on occupational exposure. The suit was brought by the as bestos industry. The emergency standard, issued Nov. 4, had lowered the limit lo 500.- 000 fibers per cubic meter of air. Unions wanted the limit reduced to 100.000 fibers per cubic meter. I The coming asbestos action Is one of four stricter health standards expected to be Is sued in final form by the end of the year, said Thorne Auchter. the job-safety agency's departing chief. The other substances In volved are benzene, used In making chemi cal products: ethylene oxide, a sterilizing agent used In hospitals: and ethylene dlbro- mlde. a widely used grain and fruit fumi gant already restricted by the Environmen tal Protection Agency. * Mr. Auchter. who leaves tomorrow to re turn to private Industry, said he expects La bor Secretary Raymond Donovan to "take a look at" a benzene proposal next week. If he approves it. OSHA also must win White > House Budget Office approval before pro- \ posing the new rule. Last June. Mr. Auchter promised the Public Citizen Health Re search Group a toughened benzene standard by this June. OSHA is expected to propose one part benzene per million parts of air. down from the current 10 parts per mil lion. The agency already has proposals pend- j Ing for tougher limits for ethylene oxide and ethylene dibromlde. RECEIVED r.'AR 5 0 1984 HOWARD MoNAIR