Document jmMkxe6bLMX47gmbOw4G04Ov9

Page 2 Major Regulatory Initiatives Are Underway Within EPA And CPSC Both the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission staffs are developing advance notices of.proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) which will have major impact on the asbestos industry. A draft copy of the ANPRM prepared by CPSC has been obtained. EPA (Office of Toxic Substances) has been conducting an investigation of asbestos for past several months as re ported in prior newsletter articles. June issue N&N re viewed presentation given by EPA's Deputy Assistant Admin istrator for Chemical Control, John P. DeKany, to AIA/NA directors at second quarter board meeting. . Using authority of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) EPA plans'to evaluate exposure problems associated with all types of asbestos activities from mining, milling, and primary manufacturing to end product use and disposal, i.e. a life cycle or "cradle to grave" approach according to DeKany. Among actions that could be taken under TSCA, DeKany identi fied "bans on primary and secondary manufacturing of pro ducts containing asbestos; bans on uses of asbestos-contain ing products; requirements for disposal of asbestos-contain ing products; and labeling requirements for asbestos contain ing products." Xt.-Should be noted that concept of permissible .-levels of exposure is not iricludea among alternatives under consideration by EPA. In July, EPA contracted with GCA Corporation and Research Triangle Institute to prepare technical and economic analyses of asbestos respectively. These studies are essentials to a regulatory analysis for any future rulemaking proceed ings. Details of studies are described below; Technical Study (GCA) - Information obtained will be used as input for performing a risk assessment on asbestos ex posures; in addition to examining substitutes for asbestos, will provide estimates of asbestos emissions associated with mining, milling, manufacturing, processing, use, and dis posal of asbestos and asbestos-containing products; Phase I includes evaluation of human exposure associated.$#ith asbestos paper products^ and brake linings (estimates will concentrate on release during installation and maintenance rather than highway use) - draft report due .in 43j months and final report, due in 6^, months.;. Phase II includes remaining asbestos-con'^IlWI'n^g' product's with schedule for reports yet to be determined. Economic study (RTI) - Purpose is to investigate the probable economic effects which would result from implementation of con trols on certain use and exposure categories of asbestos pro ducts; Phase I includes asbestos paper products and labelling of friction products - draft report due in '4^ montha. and final report due in 6h months; Phase II includes remainjLngVasbestos- containing products with draft report due in 14 months and final report in 16 months. Q.r.<)2 ; HFM - 004131