Document jNDyyjMd5L3V6qLzoB6kK84ZN

INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE ^STAS.5 DIVISION P.0. BOX 579 - 4525 ROYAL AVE., NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK 14302 To (Namj) Division Location Mr. T. F. Carmody Health, Safety & Environmental 270 Park Avenue - 11th Floor New York, NY Date Affairs Originating Dept. Answering letter date November 23, 1977 "Calidria" Asbestos Copy to Messrs. T. D. Finnegan R. F. X. Fusaro ""GT L. ftyers W. C. Thurber J. W. Whittlesey Subject H.R. 8689 CONFIDENTIAL The attached bill has been drawing both considerable support from a variety of groups and also considerable opposition. Dr. Selikoff, for example, is strongly in favor of it. Johns-Manville has also had a number of discussions with the Tobacco Lobby and has gotten their attention with the concept that tobacco plus asbestos may be a different legal issue than tobacco alone. The implication is that tobacco could be in for another round of litigation in this area and the bill may benefit them. In any case, I have been informed that there is a good chance that there will be a committee hearing early in the next session of Congress. There will also be a briefing on the bill available to the AIA/NA Directors in Washington on December 13, 1977 that I plan to attend. A much earlier version of this bill was reviewed and extensively criticized by the Union Carbide Law Department about a year ago. It would be very helpful to me in my AIA/NA activities to have a similar commentary on this version by our appropriate legal expert. It should be emphasized that unless otherwise advised, I plan to continue our very low profile position for Union Carbide in this matter. HBR/rmm Attachment 'll-ft; Harrison B. Rhodes UCC 013814 A08348 *` Union Carbide Corporation Corporate Med'cal Director's Office 2f0 Park Avenue Mew York, New York 10017 CONFIDENTIAL DATE June 2, 1976 Tot Mr* F. 3* Larrison, Jr*, Manager Paypoint 24-1 For the past two years, the Medical Department has been obtain ing a copy of the death certificate of all deceased active and former empl oyees* To study possible relationships of their illnesses to occupa tions, additional information is needed. Some of this should come from the plant physician, but most should be available from plant records or personal knowledge of managers* Pearch for information beyond this is neither expected nor desired* ` - We have a certificate fort Gordon Thomas Soazighint Any information you have as to cause of deatht - Heart Attack - Died 3-16-75, Age 56 ______________ Additional informatlont 1, Type of work performed for UCC, length of time in various assignments particularly as related to actual exposure to specific hazards such as asbestos, silica, radioactivity, or specific harmful chemicals* Of interest, also, are in dications of the severity of exposures* forked for U.C.C. 4-25-6.fi..- 6-17-71. Severe heart attack. No -further work for us, & unable to do any kind of work. Worked for us as "heavy equipment operator11, but did all kinds of laboring type jobs in & around open-pit asbestos mine. Exposure records are very sketchy - 9-66 concentration in pit were sampled at 5-7mppcf., 8-71 mine coneen- trations were from 7 to 41 particles/ml. >5 micron. Five to six months/ yr, were spent in the Coalinga mining office in sample preparation etc. no air sample resulta are available for these times. Little or no use of respirators was made at the mine during this time. UCC 013815 A 08 S3 (2) 2. Simtliar information about activities before or after UCC employnent; other exposures or observations such as "complained of shortness of breath, but utent an hunting trips*" No record of before UCC - except I know he vjss in Air Force HiT-rinq W.W.Tfr of course ran cattle on his place, as well as mined mercury (& roasted ore) at his small underground mine, near his home. _______________________ 3. Past medical history - whether from Medical Hecords or other sources believed rel iable, particularly about ill nesses which might be connected with occupations, In addition, informiatton about final illness might be useful. Annual physical on 9-1-70 showed no problems other than hemorhoids and previous history of pneumonia._____________ _______________ He seemed healthy enough, right up to 6-17-71, his first (?) heart: attack.______________________ __________________ _________ 4, Smoking history - especially if work hazards were in volved, such as coal or carbon dust, ozone, asbestos, silica, or heavy nonspecific dust loads Was heavy cigarette smoker - right up to his death. My guess is a pack a day. All information is to be considered confidential to the Medical Department* Very truly yours. JJVtAG ' John J. Welsh, M*D. Corporate Medical Director UCC 013816 INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION t > fc 93973 UCC-CALrr>PFA 270 pMGA^^f!,cHW/ YORK, NEW YORK 10017 TofKW) M1* F- H. Larrison DfyfjiM Mining & Metals Division Location King City, CA 93930 Mr. J. W. Rawlings Mr. E. A. Piersall Dr. J. J. Welsh/Dr. X. S. Lane Data April 2, 1973 Originating Dipt. Medical Department Aniwaring totter dot* Subject Dear Mr. Larrison: 0 Attached are the tabulated findings of my survey of airborne fiber (5.0 microns or longer in length) in the work environment at King City, March 20, 21, 1973* Ho air samples were obtained at locations outside the buildings during this visit owing to nearly continuous rain during the period. During the first day (3/20), there was considerable variation in the pro ducts being bagged in the main bagger area and also variation in the use or non-use of the palletizer. Consequently, the air samples reflect broad changes in operations. During the second day (3/21), the operations stayed constant. The notation palletizer-bagger operator or vice versa is used to des cribe the periodic trade-off in jobs between the two individuals during the day. The notation, bagger-handler or vice versa, reflects a similar job trade but in this case bags were manually palletized at the end of the conveyor in the wet circuit area. While the sample periods do not cover a complete day, I believe it rea sonable to make estimates of the weighted exposures as follows: 3/20 Bagger-palletizer operator-handler. 3/21 Bagger-handler. 3/20 Resin-grade bagger operator. 3/21 Resin-grade bagger operator. Wet circuit operators (including press area) 4.5 4.0 8.0 1.6 L.8 3*6 UCC 013817 2- - As you will note, and in line with our discussions, it is questionable if we can reasonably predict, except with a broad range, the levels of fiber that might be encountered in the main bagger area. Consequently, at present, the weighted exposure of bagger operators is similarly diffi cult to predict. For the present, at least, respirators must be worn in this area. For the wet circuit areas, it seems reasonable to predict that fiber concentration as a weighted average will be less than 5.0/ml, and probably less than 2.0/ml. Of course, losses of dust from a dry ore pile or losses of dust through open doors to the bagger areas on windy days could change the picture. These losses will require close control. In line with our discussion during the visit, I recommend that plans be started to provide a clothing change area that will allow separation of the work clothes storage and change point from the street clothes storage and change. Provision should be retained, of course, for vacuum cleaning of dusty clothing and shoes to reduce spread of fiber as much as possible. I also recommend that at the same time, provision be made for a lunch area that is separated from the work area. Both of these areas (change and lunch) will probably be required by regulation, shortly. Yours very truly FWM :mc Enclosure Paul W. McDaniel Industrial hygiene Engineer UCC 013818 -t ft TJ 1 Q CO O d O bO bD ft TJ Clj ft ft C p ft ft m d w0 OJ tSJ & *H a -P CO a o i>i a) > c -P 0 ftg* <u H *d -p H rH <u r--1 a; on ft ft Q ft fftt fctd o * tfl .ft o TJ ft ft T? X ft u o ft 0 ft * Pi o o p ft ft a> a f JZ ft -ft rd ft -op ft T? BP.2 -p Ch H ft ft d TJ cd ft ft bD ft CS ft d: ft P P jd bO ^ ft ft ft 0 0 * cd d o3 d cd g* 0f)t a S O 0) B? ffftti CJ ft -P >s ft ft P o >1 ft 0 Q* bn o CO -p H (--1 0 cd OJ ft o 0 bD O bD o o bO ft ft ft > bO 0 ft d c ft o Pi O hft ft cq p ft ft CQ ft (S3 O cd S o y f0t r*3 lf--t cd P 0 d 0 bD w cd ft d O H P OJ H > "d o 3 & O cd u e m& eo <3 t to a ft d o H p r; r. H 03 d o u p fOt z r 0 > ffOtt i r 0 0 r :: CO c a H -p cd p <fut 0 B? ft bD bO fCt8 ft cd ft M ining & M etals D iv is io n er w pd 0 rffQtt s0 ft ft ro co C*'. 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OJ cn cn cn' cn oo OJ OJ cn ff-ffCfopocd0pttttt32d 0 0fBt3dt U foP0ctd fot fffff0pbbcP0I0cSHtttittddDJ3 -Pop foP0cdt ff,--0uCH0ttJ: fcdt P0bO fctd 0Pccdd iif----f0cP0bbcrp0KHttdd\DDt!i! t--cP0i--d **3h p0 0p HTCcJ1d p0to Ptcodi &iTK--tt3pmcca1JodD! d0Pcd r. rPbb0*C-OOd :: fp0ctd : f0t oo0>dOP>5 fOt ft POh *fbHto fGctd f3dt rH 0 fQ0bPCOcHtadD ds *fbP3fHtDt rrMbc"*>dD* -ffaH0Ott* -fffCwp0Htt/t3 f0Pftt r *fH3OP0Ht r - fJt0 i r ft <fP0t c0Pfdt O fHf P0S w p -ocP<pdu ft o fpOttctopdJ f0Pftt --fP0<--t$ b0D 0.8 3 ? UCC 013819 RG. Some bags b ro k e n . P a l l e t i B agging and h a n d lin g S ylodex 3 /2 1 PA 9 :^ 2 - 1 0 :3 9 A 5 .2 8 :2 0 - 9 :W A 11.5 f zer down. 0 <L> >> 0O & Sj 02 w o3 as <D a> g CD CD CO CO -=r CVI T(3D (3 CQ <D Ph g5 H ilO to <d PI O t- m* C- H J- LTN CO CO OJ C-P* < < <c P? OJ IT\ O i-H r--1 OHOJ H H rl CO LTV CO OJ O rH CO O r-i rH 1--1 <<< CO LA O 1AO rl CO r-H OJ 1 H]5 T1 CO G\vO OJ LA O CO ONH (--1 LO* 0 CO 1--i rH 00 cc c 0 o\ OJ 0 C\J rH 0 1--[ 01 rH 1--1 rH 0 1--{ 0 -d" 0 CO CO 0 rH jH rH *=$ <g < < < 000 <J <J ass 16:39-12:02 A 6.8 PA 3 /2 1 H rl rJ OJ CM CM co m ro HHH Od-OJ OJ co co co OJ "fn1 3 /2 1 PA bag c o n v e y o rfi t area) B adger-H andler r--1 aj a d 03 0 CJ 0 U O fr < EJ iH c3 <U O d O 'd 0 !h OJ -P d Ph d bO 4) PH d u> JH d Ph Q XC d0 bO to d PQ U W v-.--H `(H=1 H KJ ttoo 0 Ed fcfdi UCC 013820 UCC BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL Not to be released without approval of R.F. Kelley ISSUE SUMMARY UCC FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DEPARTMENT 194A Draft Report December 3r 1980 REGULATION OF ASBESTOS Description and Background Asbestos is a known human carcinogen. Asbestos was the first material regulated by OSHA and has been subject to a standard since December, 1971. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have worked out an inter agency agreement which divides up the regulatory responsibility for the massive asbestos efforts now underway. The EPA will regulate asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act or TSCA, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the Clean Air Act. Financial Impact Union Carbide's asbestos business is especially susceptible to the mandatory substitution approach being considered by EPA and CPSC. Without regard for higher cost and lower performance, non-asbestos substitutes are available for many of our current applications. Although total asbestos sales are relatively low, the quality of the business is excellent, with a net income of between S500M to SIMM per year. UCC Position We do not oppose regulations which are necessary to enhance worker safety and protect the environment, and we believe that current regula tions are adequate to accomplish this. We will continue an active role in the Asbestos information Association of North America (AIA/NA) because our interests are often not the same as other asbestos suppliers and users. The Other Side In analyzing the exposure to asbestos, the EPA has used an innovative "cradle-to-grave" approach similar to that used to ban polychlorinated biphenyls. As described in the October '79 ANPR the approach is to measure the risk at each step in the life cycle of the substances (mining, milling, transportation, product manufacture, product use, and final disposal) and add them together. If the cumulative risk is judged to be unreasonable, the EPA takes the position that all except absolutely Auq3 UCC 013821 UCC BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL 194A essential uses should be banned. They have already made a tentative conclusion that an unreasonable risk situation exists for asbestos, and this is reflected in the proposed regulatory alternatives. Allies and Opponents Our allies on this issue include the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Mining Congress, and the Asbestos Information Association/North America, all of whom have been involved with the regulatory aspects of asbestos. UCC Actions Taken . Union Carbide has been active in participating in the meetings with the National Association of Manufacturers and the Asbestos Information Association. Union Carbide has been supportive of comments submitted by the Asbestos Information Association in response to an advance notice for proposed rulemaking issued by EPA in October of 1979. UCC Personnel Involved Harrison B. Rhodes, Metals, Niagara Falls John L. Mayers, Metals, Niagara Falls Situation Update and Outlook The regulatory timetables that are now appearing give belief that there are several more years of regulatory investigations ahead with the result being substantiative legal challenges. It is likely that the courts may be the only possible source of relief. Bans or mandatory substitutions are not expected as a result of the large scale regulatory actions in progress. Final regulations reducing the asbestos exposure may take one to three years to be promulgated with several more years after that open for industry to come into compliance. Adverse publicity related to proposed rulemaking and litigation proceedings is doing more harm to the asbestos industry than promulgated regulations. It seems apparent that some agencies are using the media in a calculated manner to achieve their end. Federal Government Relations Contact: R.F. Kelley Supporting Contact: George J. Hanks, Jr. Address: 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 1250 Washington, D.C. 20006 Telephone: (202) 872-8555 SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRIBUTION LIST R.A. Allenbach R.G. Beverly J.B. Browning T.A. Carmody J.L. Mayers H.B. Rhodes T> ^ . `r /jr/194A f-js UCC 013822 36C BCC: R. E. Byrne, Jr, R. F. X. Fusaro J. L. flyers T. P. Norris W. C. Thurber UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION METALS DIVISION P. 0. BOX 579 . NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. 14302 TEL: 716-27B-337 January 24, 1978 Mr. Craig McNey Vice-President Norwal, Inc. 7314 Deering Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91303 , Dear Craig: ( The additional dust count information that we discussed relative to drywall applications is enclosed together with an authoritative medical review article on asbestos-related diseases. Also enclosed is a description of the type of information and services that can be made available through the Asbestos Information Association/ North America to defense attorneys in asbestos suits. There are relatively nominal charges for this information to help cover the very substantial costs entailed in its collection. As we discussed, the main thrust in asbestos litigation so far has been in relation to asbestosis cases in insulation workers. The main basis for liability has been that the manufacturer knew the material was hazardous and did not warn the user. If you have any questions, please let me know. I expect to be in California in the near future and would be glad to talk with your insurance carrier if it is of interest. Very truly yours, iJ- /). fiU'rzUa Harrison B. Rhodes Technology Manager -+tBR7rmm Encs. i. 2. 3., Testimony Regarding 16 CFR Parts 1304 and 1305 H. B. Rhodes, Federal Register, Vol. 42, No. 146, Friday, July 29, 1977. State of the Art, Margaret R. Becklake List of Information and Services - AIA/NA UCC 013823