Document gbvrwqj28ROvX75NbdqE2Y989

August 4, 1988 FROM: Brad Oelman TO: Fiberglass Health Issue Task Force Jon Ainsel - T/14 C. W, Axten - T/ll J. R. Bender - T/ll o.F, Beumel - Granville J. E. Collins - T/2 C, H. Dana - T/9 R. C. Doban - T/28 K. D. Gould - T/26 J* L. Konzen - T/14 L. G. Miller - SG/15 B. c. Oelman - T/12 L. T, Solari - T/25 W. A. Sowinski - T/26 L. W. Saxby - T/28 02 400 1316 August A, 1988 TO: Members, Health Task Force FROM: Brad Oelman SUBJECT: Preparation of Dr. Rauscher for TV Interview TIMA Statement on OSHA mlemaklng Attached la the material provided by CertalnTeed to Dr. Rauscher in preparation for his interview by WCAU-TV on August 5. Owens-Coming also provided a shortened version of its Key Health Messages (eliminated the two dealing with indemnification and Newark). Dr. Rauscher recleved media training from Rob Flaherty and Vicki Jordan via telephone August 4, and Rob/Vicki report he did very well and effectively used his extensive research background* including a stint as a Dlrctor of WHO. Also enclosed is the approved TIMA statement about the OSHA rulemaking and the NIOSH position. BCO/lps 02 400 1317 AUG 4 '00 10123 CERTAINTYED HDGRTS VALLEY FORGE P.1^5 August 4, 1986 FAX TO: B. Oelnan ~ Owens-Corning (419/248-5337) R. Flaherty - Burson Harstellar (212/614-4263 FROM: O. Wacfcerman - CertainTeed Attached is- material for use in preparing for the WCAU-TV interview tomorrow. 02 400 1318 PUG 84 '88 18*23 CERTAINTEED HDQRTS VflUXr FCKGC KEY STATEMENTS rOR^MCAV-TV. lHTBRy.lgH_19/89) A group of world-renowned scientists mot in London last ' September and concluded that for glass fiber* the possible risk of lung cancer among the general public Is vary low. if there It any at all, and should not be cause for concern If the current low levels of exposure continue. Last year, scientists from the International Agency for Research on cancer, known as IARC, evaluated data from a substantial number of human scientific studies and concluded that evidence was inadequate to link fiber glass with cancer in man. Data from more than 400 scientific reports amd studies produced over the past SO years supports the fiber glass industry's position that fiber glass is safe to manufacture and use. The Thermal Insulation Manufacturers Association, commonly known as TIMA, has taken a proactive approach to ensuring that fiber glass is safe by sponsoring health studies, which are conducted by leading scientists at Independent U.S. national laboratories and universities. Prankly, I don't know of any other industry that has studied Its products as extensively es the fiber glass Industry. The fiber glass industry's commitment to health research is demonstrated by the fact that TIMA has an active Health Safety Group, which is responsible for initiating, evaluating, directing and administering all TIMA research activities relating to health, safety and work environment. 02 400 1319 Questions and Answers In Pfpratlon for tfCAU-TV Interview Ate homes wlthflber <lm. lnsulatlQn_stft2 Yes. This belief Is backed by data from over <00 reports and studies over the past SO years that show no cause and effect relationship between fiber glass and disease In man. 3- If fiber ..glass is safe, why do YOU recommend that workers wear respirators when Installing fiber glass! It is wise to avoid Inhaling any foreign dusts or vapors, and so we suggest that those who work with fiber glass follow recommended work practices. Vhy have manufacturers chanced their product labels to Indicate that fiber glass is possibly carcinogenic? Manufacturers modified the labels on their Insulation products to reflect a June 1987 classification by the international Agency for Research on Cancer, known as IARC, that Is based largely on experiments In which tumors were produced by injecting or surgically implanting large doses of glass fibers Into the lungs of laboratory animals -- studies that In no way resemble conditions In which humans would be exposed to fiber glass. (Add, if time allows) There is a lot of debate In the scientific community about that classification because when XARC scientists looked at data from a substantial number of human 02 400 1320 PUG 04 ''88 Ct-n: i Hi.t i m.a*'..,, . __________ . studies they concluded that there vm "inadequate evidence* to llnlc fiber glass with cancer in animals* even If there is no such link In humans. 4, IS _flber class, another asbestos? Uo. There are Important differences between the two materials, most Important of which is the fact that fiber glass has not been shown to cause cancer in man -- asbestos has. Fiber glass and asbestos can be compered to sugar and cocaine. They look similar* but they have radically different effects on the body. (Add, If time allows) The materials are different In terms of chemical composition, physical structure and, most Importantly, in the way they react in the body. Animal studies show that glass fibers, unlike asbestos, tend to dissolve in bodily fluids and can be naturally cleared from the body, 5. Vhat does the industry have to sav about the former Owens-Coralne employee who is alieqlng_health problem*. I'a not familiar with the case, but It's very possible that that particular worker may have been exposed to materials in other environment's that could have caused health problems. Tens of thousands of fiber glass workers have been studied during the past fifty years, and the data has shown no cause and effect relationship between fiber glass and disease in man. 02 400 1321 6. The_U trend In the fiber _glags_Industry toward aatclna finer ela diameter fibers. apparently because It ..has better insulating properties. Iffl't that type of f^ber glass _mQif_adtly Inhaled Into the lung irvj, therefor*, org_dangerous? First of all, fibers must b* airborne in order to be inhaled; and studies show that airborne exposure levels during production end installation generally are below recommended federal government .levels. Even if some fibers did get into the lung, studies who that very fine glass fibers are the ones that dissolve most readily in bodily fluids. (Add, if time allows) In a study completed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1986, rats and hamsters Inhaled fine fibers -- up to 1,000 times the amount currently allowed In the workplace -- with no adverse health effects. 8. Richard Kunson had launched a campaign against the fiber glass Industry, forming a group called Victims of Fiber Glass,_and claiming that the material Is a "death dust.* Hew do you respond to Ms claims?. It's important to point out that Kr, Kunson is involved In the cellulose insulation business, a competitor of fiber glass. His statements have to be conslderedln this context. It would be like evaluating Lee Iacocca's statements about Honda or another competing car manufacturer. 02 400 1322 August $ 1988 TO: Board of Directors Health/Safety Group FROM: Public Information Committee SUBJ: OSHA RULEMAKING HEARING AND NIOSH TESTIMONY In updating lea proposed rule on air contaminants, covering more than 400 substances, the 0. 8. Occupational Safety and Health Administration <OSHA) is conducting hearings in Washington, DC. OSHA proposes a standard of Smg/a3 for fibrous glass dust and 10 ng/m3 for mineral wool fiber (gravimetric method). On August l, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NI03H), research arm of the V. S. Department of Health and Human Services, commented on OSKA'S proposed rule. Richard A. Lemen, Director of the Division of Standards Development and Technology Transfer, presented NIOSH*8 testimony. NIOSH*s current Recommended Exposure Level (REL) for fibrous glass is 3f/cc (fiber count method). NIOSH does not now have a RBL for mineral wool. TIMA supports the efforts of OSHA and NIOSH aimed at protecting worker health as evidenced by its long-standing and extensive research program and by its continuation of that research. Further, TIMA believes all rulemaking should be based on sound scientific research and the association will continue to fully cooperate with governmental agencies to assist in the collection of all current medical-scientific information. Attached is a copy of NIOSH*s written testimony and a transcript of TIMA'S cross examination on August 1. 02 400 1323