Document dYGJQYXpX81bMgeVND2x14Zaq

FILE NAME: Montello (MNT) DATE: 1976 June 4 DOC#: MNT010 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from Montello to Dresser Minerals lncv RE Defending Asbestos Usage June 4, 1976 0X3532 Mr. Jerry E. Haston Dresser Minerals International P.O. Box 27/JKT. Jakarta . Indonesia Inc. Dear Mr. Haston: ' Thank you for your letter of May 25th, with the enclosed article about asbestos. That article is an almost classic example of in accurate, irresponsible, "scare tactic" journalism.. Such sensat ionalism is a reprehensible and scandalous disservice to a trusting public, by an unprincipled newspaper whose only possible motive is financial gain through expanding circulation. It would take a book to fully clarify the concoction of half-truths on which Mr. Toulson bases his ridiculous but attention-getting headline. We will attempt to offer certain facts which we hope will provide you with a more balanced view of asbestos usage than the highly inflammatory and slanted one which Mr. Toulson has promoted. First, it has been recognized for many years that a group of respiratory diseases are related to asbestos. It is also known that these gen erally result from inhaling excessive amounts of asbestos dust over a long period of time. (20 to 40 years). Typical industries where a measurable increase of such disease is noted, are ones wkers were regularly exposed to high dust levels on a daily basis for many years. As you know, workers exposed to asbestos in the drilling industry are only handling the material for a few minutes of each day, and they rarely if ever would have the job of "dumping" for half or more of their working life. Put another way, the exposure of workers in our industry is minute, compared with that of industries (i.e. mining, fabricating, insulating, etc.) where a measurable incidence of asbesto related disease has been found. In 1972, stringent regulations were passed in the U.S., which called for a maximum ceiling limit and a time-weighted average for exposure of workers to airborne asbestos dust. These limits were based upon the concept of dust levels at which it was felt there would be no demonstrable risk to health. The regulations are still in effect. P.O. B O X 190, SA N D SPR IN G S, O KLAH O M A py74063 /(918}-245-6661/TWX 910-840-8007 I i idH Mr. Jerry B. Haston June 4, 1976 Page 2 013533 At that time, we co-sponsored a series of field tests to monitor the dust levels associated with drilling applications. * * those results is enclosed for your consideration. On the last two naces you will note that in every instance, the levels found were far below the Federal standards. Subsequent monitoring tests have borne out these findings. To further minimize the possibility of health hazard, our Product runner Visbestos) is in the form of crushed pellets. This is a substantial improvement over the dry ground, i.Luffy materials some times Used in addition, all of our production is in. individually shrink filmed bags. This nearly eliminates ed Siththl of shipping, handling and warehousing. All JJ1?* sporadic and short term exposure of workers in the drilling inaust y, should fairly lead one to conclude that the data on health risks associated with heavy, long-term exposure cannot be properly applie . Mr. Toulson is quite right on one point. With ^ s thousands of eojjmer- rial annlications, asbestos does indeed surround all of us. ,, . . ately, his likening it to spray of machine gun bullets is pure rubbis - Proof of his fallaciousness is not bard to f i n d -- -- our boro offices aud plants and streets are filled with p e o p l e ---- not bullet riddled bodies. In conclusion, we ill mention that e " ^ ^ 0^ = ^ yDresserUr own safetv people in Houston. At present the appropriate Dresser off ice is headed by Mr. H. Robert Moseley, Jr. of the Petroleum and S" e?al! CrSSp Yon may isb to contact him for additional m t r a - company information. We houe we have been of service to you, and are indeed sensitive the^problem yon iaise. It is most unfortunate that Toulson's ill are typically rewarded for such unwarranted and cavalier disservice to the public. Sincerely, MONTELLO,INC. Kenneth N. Campbell KNC/wj Ene. (1)