Document daR0V6QkKo2NGKjZ9avv9YJxB

*. > , UC 149* INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE KHKIKG AMD KSZTALS DIVJS3CN To (Haris) D.Vision locoiiort Mr. J. W- Rawlings 38th Floor Copy fa Mr. F. H. Larrison Mr. J. L. Myers Mr. L. P. Twichell 270 PARK AVENUE. NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 Dafa Originatie.n Oapt. Answering teller dale Sobjt December 15, 1972 1` ' - i V ^ i_j JtC ,21 :3?,2 UC~ - CALiDRiA -JTY At the December 14 meeting of AIA, progress and news were reported, some concern expressed and specific action on the part of member companies was requested. The meeting is summarized by these captions for ease of reference: Progress 1. While not yet in print, some moves have been made toward positive publicity. Cunningham and Walsh (PR firm) are preparing an information file to be ready early January 1973. This file will be sent to appropriate editors and others. Articles primarily concerned with "Asbestos Can Be Used . Safely" will be written for publication. They -------- also hope to place and help speakers at meetings and other forums, e.g., John Myers at Plastics Meeting, Ed Fenner, Ike Weaver at a Technical Symposium of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. The suggestion was made and accepted -- that slide presentations be set up and speeches prepared for possible use by local managers at Rotary, etc. 2. An article reviewing the happenings on Asbestos standards in 1972 including industry and AIA response will be in Asbestos Magazine, February, 1973. Major aid - recruiting support and members for AIA. 3. A Compliance Manual (Ed Fenner subcommittee) is about 2/3 done - probably draft available end of January. The goal is a detailed guide for Asbestos . users as to what needs doing, sources of information A 1009 1 UCC 024914 2 Mr. J. W. Rawlings December 15, 1972 and equipment testing methods, etc. The current main orientation parallels the OSHA standards but separate supplements by industry (textile, tile, etc.) may be added, 4 George Wright will publish a report regarding Non Hazard of ingested Asbestos. The FDA approach is to completely ban anything not proved safe, i.e., Asbestos in anything touching food, e.g., freezer . wrap and filter. 5. A preliminary report from LFE Environmental Laboratories on the precision of fiber count analysis vs. various observers (analysts) was presented. Apparent conclusion is that a given count will be within 15-20%, of true value with 68%-confidence and 30-40% of true value with 95% confidence. A copy is available for anyone wishing to pursue the * subject. A final report will be ready about January 1st. 6. The AIA will file a position paper on Coal Mine asbestos standard which will protest (a) a uniform standard throughout industry is more proper; (b) the two fiber limit is unnecessary. 7. JM announced that they will be setting up their own customer advisory seminars. (Swetonic advised after the meeting that he is still planning for AIA regional seminars -- perhaps starting March or April next year. 8. JM and AIA representatives will be meeting (probably January) with GE management with the hope of easing GE views expressed in recent publications. 9. Nicolet has a paper mill (approximately 150 employees with average service of 30 years) which has processed only chrysotile. They have good and complete medical records 1934-72. Plant has operated for 90 years. They can make all data available for epidemiological study. AIA will pursue to find good man to conduct the study. Also, Raybestos has larger plant which has processed only chrysotile and anthophyllite. They will check out what data is available. A 1 *2 UCC 024915 Mr. J. W. Rawlings 3 December 15, 1972 News 1. OSHA action has been non-consistent. At one plant r "non-serious violation" citations without fine were issued for fiber counts 15-30 fibers/ml. At another, same inspector -- different company, citations with fines were issued including one for protective clothing considered inadequate by the inspector. 2. Publication of EPA standards is now expected end of January at the earliest. 3. Talc can be the source of "asbestos" fiber. There is some talc without tremolite but most talc contains 5 - 507, tremolite. Although the talc industry would wish it otherwise, the definition of "asbestos" in the OSHA standards includes tremolite. The Chillicothe plant of Flintkote was well under 5 fibers without talc but when talc was being handled, the count was 2-1/2 times higher. 4. IUD - OSHA Suit -- IUD and other protesting briefs have been filed. The AIA brief will be filed December 26th. There is some worry over an apparent move by the Justice Department to preempt the Labor. Department attorneys on the OSHA defense. 5. GM -- some playback from GM top people is that they have not banned asbestos but have suggested substitu tion and required precautions. (It sounds similar to North American Rockwell with responsibility for justification passed to lower managers.) UGC Action Desired 1. A letter to Bureau of Mines regarding the inconsistency and lack of necessity of the two fiber/ml standard set for coal mines is suggested. 2. Industry response by comment and most probably at public hearings will be needed when the safety and health standards for Metal and Non Metal Mines are published (anticipated January, 1973). Representations 009.3 UCC 024916 Mr. J. W. Rawlings 4 December 15, 1972 as to medical affect can be as at OSHA but ' feasibility data will also be needed. 3. A proposal has been received and recommended by T r Dr. Wright for AIA financial support of a study of chest auscultation (basal rales) by Dr. R.L.H. Murphy Member companies are asked to review and respond to Matt Swetonic by January 1st. (Copy sent to Dr. Demehl for comment.) 4. Mike Isser of Cunningham & Walsh indicated they had received only two written responses to a request for comment on customer problems (H.K. Porter and Flintkote). Separately, Mike said he had talked with John Myers. (John -- you might want to send him a written review at least for the record.) PU 5. Each company is asked to review a proposed "Employee Safety and Health Guide" for possible publication by AIA to member companies. GAF Industrial Relations counsel suggests very careful review, especially by those concerned with compensation insurance. Response requested to Matt Swetonic by mid-January. (Copy sent to Bill Kovack for comment.) Expressed Concern 1. The steelworkers and other unions would like to place all Health and Safety matters under Department of Labor control rather than, for example, the Bureau of Mines. Since maintenance of wage and price controls is expected to be a major White House goal and since the new Secretary of Labor -- Mr. Brennan -- may need something to give the unions, there is some fear that that "something" may be Labor Department control of Health and Safety. 2. The resignation of George Guenther has been accepted as has that of Under Secretary Silberman. No word has even be rumored as to the successors. UCC 024917 Mr. J. W. Rawlings 2 - June 23, 1972 we knew, more for questions on mercury and berylium than on asbestos but also by a jurisdictional dispute between EPA and the Bureau of Mines. Mention was made that the Dick Cavett show, facing a possible contract termination at the end of July, was looking for contro versial subjects and asked for industry participation along with Selikoff, et.al. At the moment, industry won't play and Secretary Guenther has advised that he would not participate without equal participation by industry and opposition. It is hoped that the subject will be dropped. A copy of the Arthur D. Little study on economic impact- nf the regulations will be sent to members soon. The conclusions were basically that textiles are in trouble and that attainment of 2 fibers is excessively expensive. Along with the enclosed letter from AIA to the Wall Street Journal concerning the article of June 8th, Johns Manville has wired the Journal and asked for a review. The response from the Wall Street Journal management is that they are waiting for a letter from Johns Manville and will probably meet with JM and AIA. Newsweek proposed an article on asbestos and particularly JM plants. However, after top level contact with Newsweek, JM was assured that there will either be balanced coverage or no article will be forthcoming. - With regard to OSHA standards, AFL/CIO has been exceedingly vocal in their objections. Their criticisms are: 1. Alleged collusion of OSHA and industry. 2. Not enough inspectors. 3. The 4 year delay in the 2 fiber standard. . While the second criticism is valid, as we know, more stringent regulations will obviously not remedy it. Note was made that Al Hutchinson, President of the union most vocal, died recently of cancer with ashestosis. Needless to say, this will be made the subject of as much publicity as possible by the union. With regard to federal action, there is a possibility that employers with 25 or fewer employees may be exempt from OSHA UCC 024919 Mr. J. W. Rawlings 3- - June 23, 1972 regulations for one year. A bill to this effect has been passed by the House hut has not yet been passed by the Senate. Dr. Wright made note of the fact that the workmen's compensation rules in black lung do not require X-Ray confirmation but only 12 years employment.. It is quite possible that asbestosis rules may be written the same way. It was noted that Canada can be expected to follow U.S. regulation guidelines sooner or later. A technical subcommittee for AIA will be set up to aid communication on such things as dust collection. Ed Fenner of JM will chairman this subcommittee. For example, he noted that in `their experience, cotton sateen-silicon treated bags have given the best performance. The possibility of an industry request for a court review of the regulations has been discarded. The attornies feel there is little likelihood of any relief since there are 4 years before the 2 fiber level is applicable. While there is a possibility that the unions might ask for a court review, it is not regarded as likelye- Citations by OSHA for excess airborne concentrations have been confusing. serious violations to citations of minor violations on concentrations of between 5 and 6 fibers and at JM, 5 separate violations of not wearing respirators when needed were lumped into one sinsle serious violation. Dr. Wright discussed the needs for research with particular regard to: (a) mesothelioma occurrence in the public and in the industry and whether or not it is related to asbestos dosage or to the individual metabolism; (b)/ occurrence of cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma in I manufacturing vs. mining and vs. insulation workers, / particularly with respect to: 1. materials concerned, type of fiber, size of fibers, other substances present; and 2. dosage -- average concentration, intermittent peaks, and electron microscope size fibers. . UCC 024920 ? Mr. J. W, Rawlings -4- June 23, 1972 (c) some consideration is given to examination of lung texture to reflect the history of exposure but too little is known; (d) treatment as an alternative to abandonment. Dr. Wright will be asked to advise the AIA members more specifically on research program needs. For example, they would like to find a manufacturing plant which has handled crysotile fibers only for a long period of time. A legal subcommittee to be chairmaned by Paul Weiner of GAF will be formed to aid communication on law suits, insurance settlements, etc. Specific recommendations were made by legal counsel that: 1. OSHA regulations should not be mentioned in industrial labor contracts. 2. Inspection records are subject to subpoena. 3. If statements are taken by a compliance officer of OSHA with regard to a fatality, it is felt that an attorney should be present to assist the employee making the statements. 4. A problem is foreseen in that credentials of a compliance officer appearing at the plant can be checked. However, the officer is entitled to bring with him a third party and there is no way to verify the reliability or back ground of that third party. AIA will assist in obtaining answers to any questions of interpretation on the regulations. They will have contact with both Gerard Scannell, Department of Standards and Fred Bischoff, Depart ment of Compliance. A study has been commissioned for about $6,000 to $8,000 to study the accuracy of the membrane filter method with particular reference to the experience of the microscopist making the count and the level of fiber concentrations. The AIA would like to receive any data available on the cost of installations and the effect on airborne concentrations in order to convince OSHA of the validity of the economics p^e UCC 024921 Mr. J. W. Rawlings 5 - June 23, 1972 With regard to publicity, the AID will proceed to prepare booklets similar to those published in England and suggests regional seminars for customers. As mentioned earlier, there is no optimism and, in fact, no effort will be made to obtain articles in the public press. WNJ:mc Attachments UCC 024922 ATTENDEES . - - ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION/NORTH AMERICA MEETING JUNE 22, 1972 ' NATIONAL GYPSUM COMPANY A. H. Fay Frank Zimmerman Paul Dumas AMERICAN ASBESTOSr TEXTILE CORP. Michael Scanlan ATLAS ASBESTOS COMPANY George Barge CEMENT ASBESTOS PRODUCTS COMPANY S. D, Weaver I CERTAIN-TEED PRODUCTS CORP. Al Leff GAF CORPORATION Tom Dent Bill Fassuliotis Paul Weiner JOHNS-MANVILLS CORP. F. J. Solon, Jr. W. F. Goodwin E. M. Fenner RAYBESTOS-MANHATTAN J. H. Marsh I. H. Weaver ~ SUPRADUR MANUFACTURING CORP Kurt Schwarz AIA/NA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY M. M. Swetonic ' AIA/NA LEGAL COUNSEL . Bradley Walls . ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL G. W. Wright, M.D. CONGOLEUM INDUSTRIES John R. Stetson FLINTKOTE COMPANY A. R. Hooker KENTILE FLOORS INC. C. A. Neumann NORTH AMERICAN ASBESTOS CORP. C. G. Morgan NICOLET INDUSTRIES INC. J. K. Whittaker JIM WALTER CORP. (PANACON) Dayton Todd H. K. PORTER COMPANY E. C. Bratt UNION CARBIDE CORP. William Johnson A 10] UCC 024923 AGENDA ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION/NORTH AMERICA SPECIAL MEETING THE BIDDLE ROOM -- THE HARVARD CLUB , .. NEW YORK CITY JUNE 22, 1972 I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS A. H. FAY II. AIA/NA ACTIVITIES REPORT A. H. FAY III. STATUS REPORTS 1. EPA Standards 2. Dick Cavett Show 3. Arthur D. Little Study 4. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 5. NEWSWEEK 6, New AIA/NA Office M -. M. SWETONIC M. M. SWETQNIC M-. M. SWETONIC F. J. SOLON, M. M. SWETONIC F. J. SOLON, j: M. M. SWETONIC IV. 'AIA/NA LEGAL SUB-COMMITTEE . V. REACTION TO OSHA STANDARDS 1. AFL-CIO Reaction a. Publicity b. Research " c. Political Action d. Workmen's Compensation 2. Canadian Government Reaction UCC 024924 BRADLEY WALLS PAUL WEINER A. H. FAY M. M. SWETONIC J. H. MARSH M. M. SWETONIC M. M. SWETONIC GEORGE BARGE A `0 ?o AGENDA-AIA/NA -2- * 3. Industry Reaction & Remaining Major Problem Areas a. Two Fiber Standard . b. Membrane Filter Method c. Other VI. FUTURE INDUSTRY ACTION 1. Legal Action 2. Clarification, Interpretation & Implementation of Standards 3. Research a. Medical b. Technical c. Economic 4. Compliance Assistance Programs 5. Public Relations & Publicity JUNE 22, 1972 A. H. FAY A. H. FAY BRADLEY WALLS M. M. SWETONIC M. M. SWETONIC . + A. H. FAY & M. M. SWETONIC M. M. SWETONIC UCC 024925 A 10io? 3' fl: Ev Byrne, Jr. 3H. B. Rhodes R. L. Schult W. C. Thurber File UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION METALS DIVISION P.O.BOX 579 - NIAGARA FALLS. N.Y. 14302 . TEL: 716-278-3376 March 31, 1977 Mr. John Swan Columbia Journalism Review 116th and Broadway New York, NY 10026 Dear Mr. Swan: v Thank you for calling regarding my quotes for your forthcoming article. After hundreds of press and journal articles written to damn asbestos without adequate source checking, it is a pleasure to contribute something that apparently will be used in a constructive manner. I look forward to receiving the CJR issue containing your article. 1 have enclosed a fairly recent article concerning Dr. Selikoff's position on asbestos and two booklets published by the Asbestos Information Association of North America ("The AIA/NA" and "What You Should Know About Asbestos"). I realize that your current work is not on asbestos; but, if you ever choose to cover the asbestos/health situation, we or the AIA welcome the opportunity to contribute. Very truly yours. narMSUiiHj nauayei JLMrdal Enelosures CC: Mr. R. H. Mereness, AIA/NA UCC 024926 BG: R. Byrne* Jr. t : H. B. Rhodes R. L. Schult . W. C. Thurber File jfSBSssnos UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION METALS OfVISIQN - P. 0. BOX 579 NIAGARA FALLS, NX M302 TEL: 716-278-3376 March 31, 1977 Mr. R. H. Mereness Executive Director Asbestos Information Association/NA Suite 402 1835 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 2Q006 * Dear Bob: Please reference the attached copy of my letter to Mr. Swan. He called me on March 22 regarding an article he was preparing on the "flap" between the American Newspaper Publishers Association (ANPA) and Mt. Sinai/NIOSH. He requested information about the use of asbestos in paper and newsprint. I responded on March 30. - Mr. Swan has talked to Bill Rinehart of ANPA R & D in Easton, PA, and I advised Rinehart of Swan's contact with me. Rinehart thinks Swan's article will be an assault on the NYC newspapers, especially the NY Times. He has kept Mt. Sinai out of the press rooms on the grounds that they would not get an impartial investigation. ANPA has advised NIOSH that they would welcome and finance a parallel inspection by someone of their choosing, to "counteract" Mt. Sinai's efforts. \ If Swan quotes me it will relate to the period when we supplied asbestos to t-hp nappr industry. 1969-1974. and that asbestos has been replaced by talc and other materials. He may also note that our asbestos was pelletized to reduce employee exposure at the paper mills. I attempted to provide a quote that, to irty knowledge, asbestos has never been used in newsprint. He said he didn't need this because the ANPA had already proven that. The CJR is published quarterly and I am supposed to receive the issue which contains Swan's article. Best persdnal regards and give me a call if you want to discuss this any further. " ` ily yours. ^ohn L. Myers Marketing Manager JLMidal Attachment UCC 024927 A `0104 DULUTH HERALD -- MARCH 31, 1976 It asbestos libers and other environ- - ^mental sources of caneer are properly.; ^controlled, they do not have to be banned to protect society. " c ; ; So says Dr. IrvingSelikoff, director of cancer research at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital and part of a team study- ing the cancerous effects of dust from taconite tailings produced by Reserve "Mining Co.;Silver Bay. . . V -..V,.- Speaking on the NBC Today Show this morning. Selikoff said. "It was our ignoranceof the past that could have done U3 in." .. ; ; v::y ;< If cancer-causing agents are discov ered and controlled immediately, cancer should not be the threat in the - year 2M0 that it now is. ha said- _ Selikoff said the high rate of cancer found in mine Vtorken exposed toasbes tos fibers are ``due to exposures that were very, very heavy and to which we didn't pay much attention. The people becoming sick now were implanted with the disease 20 years ago." Families of mine workers and resi dents living close to the plants also were in danger from exposure to the dust par ticles and some developed terminal cancer, he said. DSt. IRVINS SELIXOFF "But that won't happen any more,*'he added. Recent awareness or hazardous condi`lions have prompted strict controls, such as confining all contaminated clothing and objects to the plant and pro hibiting the emission of asbestos-filled -Smoke. - Selikoff did no! comment on the risks of cancer caused by ingesting water and food that may be contaminated by as bestos fibers. : A team of cancer specialists currently . is studying the dangenievei of asbestos in Duluth tap water. : - j ; - / Selikoff said he was "very optimistic for the future" of cancer prevention and . treatment. He catted seemingly gloomy discoveries of new cancer-causing' agents "a reason for optimism.". i;- : "How can it be bad to find the reasons. for cancer? ff we had not discovered the cause of leukemia, people would go on quietly dying of leukemia. But once we know, we can do something about it." he - said. . As researchers discover the causes of . cancer, they also can pinpoint high riskgroups exposed to those causes, making early detection and treatment possible, he said. .. "There are many valuable things in our society that we can't really do with out." Selikoff said. "Once we know what can cause cancer, we can do a great deal to control them without banning them outright." 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