Document jX1YmmJBY45qEXdoOQe96q3N

FRICTION MATERIALS STANDARDS INSTITUTE, Ii.C., LAST 210 ROUTE A, PARAMUS, NJ 07652 BULLETIN NO. 776 October 25, 1983 EijVlROifliENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ASBESTOS POLICY At the September meeting of the Asbestos Information Association (AIA) and in an article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL earlier this month, Enviroraental Protection Agency (SPA) plans on asbestos were discussed. A copy of the WALL STREET JOURNAL article is enclosed. The WSJ article reports the EPA approach as follows: (1) EPA plans to propose a rule to ban certain asbestos product categories: Roofing felt, flooring felt, asbestos-backed vinyl flooring, vinyl asbestos floor tile and asbestos cement pipe and fittings. (2) In addition, it was reported that EPA intends to propose regulations that will cap the amount of asbestos used in all other asbestos products, with a subsequent time table for phasing out usage over a period of years. The first part of the EPA plans was unveiled earlier in testimony by Mr. Donald Clay of the Office of Toxic Substances (OTS) in July of this year. The second part of the control technique (capping with subse quent phase out) would of course have a major impact on the friction materials business. I have attempted for two days to contact the Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Office for clarification. Their line is either busy or not answered. I have in the meanwhile discussed this with others who state that the WSJ article is Inaccurate. They state that Hr. Ruckelshaus had not agreed to this policy. ilhile EPA plans to proceed with the proposed ban on the five asbestos product categories noted, the second part described above is at this stage a staff recommendation and not EFA policy. It is in essence a staff proposal which is being considered. EPA has not decided at this time that the second part is to become policy. This does not mean that it will not become policy at some later date. The foregoing is sent as a matter of information. Distribution: Delegates and Alternates H.E.A. Committee Active Members - List E E. IJ. Drislane Executive Director FMSI--0394 FMSI 02625 WALT- STREET JOURNAL, October 4, 1983 F"'"~r.-maesssa ' , -- - aaM-* ..... EPA, in Major Policy Change, to Propose yBan, Phase-Out of Most Asbestos Uses By Andy Pabztor ' * Siejf Reporter of Tux Wall Stuckt Jouwul 5 WASHINGTON-The Environment] Pro- action Agency, in * major policy change. pjletuE l(UirSp9Se Is the next Jejtmonths a Iimc or nh<iemu of aDfiotst an remataytg asbestos "fc-A Administrator William RuckelAaus Hus agreed in principle with a package of fcvopoMd regulations against the carcinogen 9bat goes far beyond any action the Reagan ^administration was considering only a few taaonths ago. agency officials said. The EPA intends to ban all uses of cer tain construction products such as cement (gapes, roofing materials and floor coverings (that contain asbestos, a fibrous mineral need in fireproof materials. In addition, the agency is writing propp&J regulations that, .fpp the amount 01 asoesus useo tor all' ijtaer prciuucts anu s*i uc a timelaoie tor 'tffiif out ail butjt ff*' twaor use?, over r next jew 'vifaw ' > Thedecision indicates Mr. Ruckelshaus's 'willingness to reverse policies that he be lieves pose an excessive public health risk. According to career BPA officials who have -keen advocating such a ban for years. Mr. jMckelshaus also apparently hopes to con- #* agency critics in Congress and else where that the EPA is willing to change pol ices even when the result is likely to be neatly for industry. A senior agency policy weaker said asbestos is likely to be among PA s top-priority regulatory Issues^next wear. r In the past, senior Reagan administration appointees at the EPA have argued that here wasn't adequate scientific evidence to warrant tough action against asbestos. They -also asserted that banning or phasing out `the material would be too costly in most in stances. and they wanted voluntary action Ay industry to reduce public exposure to as- Aatos - i Edward Klein, director of the office that m drafting the proposals, confirmed in an tnhrrriew that Mr. Ruckelshaus and his top aides approved the concept some time ago. Mr. Klein said the RPA now considers as bestos to be "a proven carcinogen" that should be phased out quickly. He noted that industry has developed a variety of substi tutes for most uses. Mr. Klein said the agency decided that oonttnued me of asbestos constitutes "an un reasonable'' public health hazard. In reachfog that dearie, the agency considered the cumulative health risks psied by asbestos mining, milling, manufacturing, use and dis posal. In the past. Mr. Klein suggested, top agency officials tended to focus primarily on the direct hazards posed by asbestos use in construction and other materials. In a related development, the Labor De partment said Its OccupatxnaJ Safety an-; Health Administration will expand work place inspections seeking possible violation ! of Its asbestos exposure rules. Tbr job-safety- agency estimated it will triple! such inspections to about TOO over the next: year in the construction and manufacturing Industries, focusing on demoBtion sites an? manufacturers with a high record of as ' bestas riofations. ! OSHA said it will inspect demolition sites that have notified the BPA that asbestos de molitkJD or removal will occur. Previously. OSHA inspectors often didn't know about possible asbestos rule violations at sue! sites because the work was completeo quickly. The cooperative effort with the EPA is to last six months. In the 2970s. the government hauned*cer tain sprays containing asbestos oaed lor in suiation and decoration of new buildings And the BPA ordered schools to perform safety checks to determine if fibers from as bestos tosulatkw posed a health threat to students. Recently, the EPA has been under increasing pressure from lawmakers, envi ronmental groups and cancer acperls at other federal agencies to crack down on fu ture use of the material. Despite years of federal efforts to reduce Its use. the EPA estimates that about SO million pounds of asbestos are still used In the U.S. each year, Mr. Klein said. ,