Document jyzrY16V7pDXvLDr2Oxbqk5e2

Federal Register / Vol. 51, No. 119 / Friday, June 20, 1988 / Rules and Regulations 22665 the building than inside where the demolition was occurring. Although no personal samples were taken, areas samples in work activity zones revealed average exposure levels below 0.1 f/cc |Exhibit 268). Conclusion number of workers exposed to asbestos are presented in Tables 22 through 23. Based on the Agency's economic and feasibility analyses, OSHA estimated the new exposure and employment levels that would resut from the promulgation of the revised 0.2 f/cc PEL. These are also presented in Tables 22 and 23. The lifetime risk of three, kinds of cancer (lung cancer, mesothelioma, and gastrointestinal cancer) was estimated by OSHA for 1 year of exposure and is presented in Section VI of this preamble. OSHA has determined that compliance with the 0.2 f/cc PEL is feasible in most industries most of the time through the use of wet methods, engineering controls, and good housekeeping practices. There are some operations, however, for which compliance through the'use of . engineering controls and work practices alone does not appear achievable at this time. These situations are usually due to the inability of the operation to use wet methods (e.g.. some textile operations, nuclear rip-out. some building repair etc.), or due to space limitations, (e g., maintenance and major rip-outs on ships) and the volume of dust generated (e.g., cutting coupling operations for A/C pipe and sanding A/C sheet). During these operations, therefore, respiratory protection must also be used to comply with the 0.2 f/cc PEL. Finally, engineering controls are needed even when immediate exposures exceed 0.2 f/ cc, however, because they protect workers in neighboring areas from being exposed over the PEL. Benefits The inhalation of asbestos fiber has been clearly associated with three clinical conditions: asbestosis, mesothelioma (a cancer of the. lining of the chest or abdomen), and lung cancer. Many studies have also-observed increased gastrointestinal cancer risk. Risk from cancer at other sites, such as the larynx, pharynx, and kidneys, is also suspected. Initial exposure limits for asbestos were based on efforts to reduce asbestosis which was known to be associated with asbestos exposure. The reduction in the number of cases of asbestosis,, however, resulted in workers living long enough to develop cancers . that are how recognized as associated with asbestos exposure.The following discussion of the benefits associated with a reduction in exposures, therefore, focuses on the number of cancer cases avoided within the exposed work force.. The results are expressed in terms of deaths avoided because these cancers almost always result in death. The benefits of a reduction in the PEL depend upon current exposure levels, the number of workers exposed, and the risk associated with each exposure level. The current ambient air levels estimated by OSHA and the estimated Table 22.--Estimates of Occupational Exposure to Asbestos in General Industry for .1984 Industry segment Current 2.0 l/cc No. of exposed workers Level of exposuro (*ec) Proposed 0.2 f/cc No. of exposed workers Level of exposure (f/ce) Primary manufacturing: Asbestos/oemenl pipe....... -...... Asbostos/cement shoe!.............. ................................. ......................... Friction.malenats......................... ......................... ....... ......................... Textiles............. .......................... ................................. ........................ . Floor tile...... ................................. ..... .................. .. Gaskets and packings................. ........ ......................... Paper.......................................... ................... ........ Coating and sealants........... . __ ............ ......... .... Plastics....... Secondary manufacturing. ...... ........................... ............Asbcstos/eemom siwqt............. Friction products................... --.. ...... . Gaskets and packings............... ........................ ........ Teilitos...--... ........... ............ .....Plastics........................... -......... ..................... .......... Automotive remamifacturing...... ...................... Services: Automotive repair........................ Shipbuilding and repair .............. 512 203 S.104 ' 419 276 315 357 1,327 324 345 1.504 9.972 172 2.450 4.750 526,990 15,000 0.12 .69 .66 .37 .06 .37 .13 .31 .26 .45 .27 .06 .59 .10 .19 .06 .27 512 159 4.601 405 276 306 380 1,327 322 345 1.456 0,741 170 2,420 4.669 526.996 15.000 .13 .11 .03 .06 .07 .03 .06 .05 .10 -.02 .05 .04 .03 .Of .02 Source: U.S. Department ol Labor. OSHA, Office ol Regulator/ Analysis. Based on die analysts presented in Appendix 6 of the RIA. Table 23.--Estimates of Exposure to Asbestos in the Construction Industry: 1984 1 Industry segment Current 2.0 f/cc No. of' full-time equiva lent workers Level of exposure (f/cc) Proposed 02 f/cc No. Of . full-time equiva lent workers. Level of exposuro (f/cc) New construction; Asboslos/cement pipe:......................... ......................................................... Asbesios'cement shoot _ - Buflt-up roofing installation...................~.......... -..... ........ ..............-............ Asbestos abatement: Asbestos removal.................................... ,.................. -...... -..........-...... -.... General bu'Ming renovation: Drywall demolition................ ................................................ ................ ........ Built-up tooling.............. ..............-............. ........ ...............................-......-- Routine maintenance in commercial and residential buildings: Repair/replaco coiling Wes............. -............... :................-...........--........... Repair/adiusl ventilation/lighting........... ................................... -.................. Other work above drop ceiling....... ....... .......:--...........-...... -.... --v.......... Repair plumbing/boiler...................---........ .............-............................... Repair roofing Repair drywall..................................... -...........-............................. ............... Repair 1tooring..-..TM~......... ............. .... ....................... -.......................--.... Routine maintenance in general industry: . Gaskel removal anid installation................... --.......................... ........-....... Removal of pipe and boiler insulation;..:.................................................. .-... Miscellaneous actMttos.............. .---....... ................................. ................ 1.415 1.225 1,375 9.620 453 3.169 51.900 10.990 695 2,666 385 2,654 3.079 4,616 16.430 . . 766 659 612 0.035 .130 .220 .140 .220 .061 .340 .120 .450 .310 .310 .160 .120 750 .020 .090 .129 794 1.415 1225 1,375 0.035 .10 .022 9,620 453 3:163 .021 .022 .001 51,300 .003 10.990 - .012 695 2,686 965 2.854 3.079 .4,618 18.430 .045 .006 .006 .016 .012 .075 .020 768 .080 659 .025 612 .029 . 1 Based on the determination that Iftere la a targe group of construction workers wno are exposed to asbestos infrequently throughout (he year. This analysis converts the number of'workers to the full-time equivalents (i.e.. the number' of workers that would be exposed for Oto MM-year poriod). * These exposure levels were estimated based on the assumption that the least costly respirator wlB be used, ft suppteo-atr respirators are used, as is assumed in the cost enatysis. then tho exposuros will be tower. Source: U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA, Otfico ol Regulatory Analysis. Based on the analysis presented in Appendix G of tho RIA. . Based on these risk assessments, OSHA estimated the deaths resulting from these three types of cancer, given current exposures.2 These estimates are * Civcn (he nature of the construction industry, many workers are exposed intermittently . throughout year. In order to estimate the cancer deaths, full-time equivalents were used--that is. two workers exposed for one-half year each would total one full-time equivalent. GLEASON-000913