Document gbMmVMwBXmq0w5r1xp68d3E2G

i ' \ * c HLriGH CORNING CORPORATION E. X. S/'.rdy Asbestos Ka*.lth Hazard Walter P. Sinclal: #aa. 6, 1969 Dear Ernie: Attached la a copy of the article which ve discussed during our recent telephone conversation, entitled *U.S. Warned of Asbestos Peril*, published in Dec. X, 1968 edition of The Washington Post, Paragraph 2 and 3 of the article blast the Havy, the Labor Department and the Public Health Serrice for not asking public acknowledgement of the warning they were giren in September by Hew Tork Mount Sinai Hospital, where autopsies hare shown that most men who worked in shipyards, had excessive asbestos fibers in their lungs, a condition that often leads to serious lung disease. In view of the abcre and other statenents in the Article, RADK. J. J. Stilvell, Deputy Commander Shipyard Management, SSSC Code 07, on Dec. 4, telephonically requested information and comment from Capt. V. fiiblett, Head Ship Systems and Engineering Department KAVS5C Code 6100. The job of preparing a memo., complying with RADM. 3tilwellfs reouest was assigned to A. Munkres, Karine Engineer, Piping Components ana Instrument Section, Auxiliary Equipment Branch, KAYSbC Code 6153.- for collaboration with E. Cherowbrier, Chemical Engineer Biological Warfare Defense and Basard Material Section, Material ^ Development and Application Office, JtAYSEC Code 6101. The memo. has been completed, approved by Capt. Riblett and forwarded to RADM.Stilwe During a conference with A. Munkres, he stated that although precaution is being exercised by the Wary, he proposes information be obtained fro* the Kary Yards, private shipyards performing Havy work. Public Health Service and manufacturers on the precaution measured employed in the handling, use and manufacture of asbestos products. H< also referred to a statement by Dr. Irving Selikoff, Hew York Mount Sinai Hospital in Oct. - Kov. 1968 J.K. Hews Pic that, "Asbestos bealti hazard is a problem but it can be removed*. Reference is also made in the same edition of the Hews Pic, that $362,500 has been budgeted joint by J.K., and International Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workt for financing research of the problem at Kew York Mount Sinai Hospital. During a conference with E. Cherowbrier, hs referred to a survey of the uses of asbestos in shipbuilding, disclosed that the material is used primarily in two areas. The first for packing gaskets and the second for piping lagging and boiler insulation. For a health view point, the second area ie considered to be mors important. According to Cherowbrier. probably the greatest asbestos health hazard occurs by air borne particles of the material during "rip-out" operatio 000702 {f'SrtURGH CORNING CORPORATION E. 1. Spajrdj Walter P. Sinclair Asbestos Health Hazard #aa. -6, 1969 especially on ships built during and ahortly after World War II, when asbestos was widely used. Although respirators are specified for personnel engaged in these operations, overall control of the dust problem is a.xtremely difficult, other personnel in the immediate vicinity r.ay be exposed. Cherovbrier contacted and discussed the problem with the Industrial Hygienist at Rare Island and Puget Sound Waval Shipyards. The Yards were aware of the ha sard 5 of asbestos and as in the case of t if not all vy shipyards, appropriate safety precautions are exercisec * -To further minimize the health hazard, associated with asbeat Cherowbrier proposed that precaution measures be observed in the handli and the use of the material with emphasis on rip-out" operations, be included in Chapter 9390 Thermal Insulation of KAYSHIPS Technical Manua Also, insure that proper documentation is made available and is utilize by the shipyards. In addition to conferences with Kunkres and Cherowbrier, I al contacted Capt. Riblett, Capt. C. Tedholm, Director Machinery Systesa Division, KAYSEC Code 6140 and called Capt. A. Bodnaruk, Commanding Off SaTal Ships Research and Development Center, Annapolis, Md. is the definite opinion of each of these gentlemen that appropriate safety precaution is being exercised by the Kavy lards, in the handling and us of asbestos products and the articles published in The Washington Post during Dec. 19*67 and Dec. 1968 exaggerate, the problem. Capt. Riblett, however was somewhat apprehensive about the health hazardous conditions caused by air-borne asbestos particles during "rip-out" operations of asbestos materials from old ships. Sincerely, WPS/is ee: R. E. Tubs Walter P. Sinclair JAN 101869