Document k9q4096oZ11KVv4NGjNxQ329b

FILE NAME: RT Vanderbilt (RTV) DATE: 2007 Feb 6 DOC#: RTV224 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from CT Dept of Public Health to US Consumer Product Safety Commission RE Asbestos in Art Clay FEB-23-2007 14=11 DPH State of Connecticut DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH P.02/05 February 6,2007 Ms. Maiy Toro U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 4330 East Way Highway Bethesda, MD 20814-4408 Dear Ms. Toro: As follow-up to our recent phone conversation, I am writing you to ask that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), consider taking action regarding the possible presence of asbestos in talc added in art clay. As a result of an investigation of an asbestos issue in a Connecticut school system, we have become aware that anthophyllite contamination of talc used in some art clay, may pose an exposure risk in school art rooms and other pottery locations. The school in question was extensively investigated for sources of asbestos and subsequently professionally cleaned. During regular follow-up air monitoring o f that school, elevated levels of anthophyllite asbestos were found in the art room. As the attached data sheet indicates, 0.0184 structures per cubic centimeters of anthophyllite were found in the room via transmission electron microscopy performed by EPA 40 CFR Part 763 Final Rule (AHERA). The consultant working for the school system, Dr. Mark Granville of Brooks Laboratory, determined that the likely source of the asbestos was clay used in the art room. Dr. Granville was unable to identify any other possible sources of anthophyllite during his investigation. I contacted one of the art suppliers (Sheffield Pottery) who sold clay to the school system in question and was informed that much of the art clay sold to many Connecticut schools has NYTALR 100 talc added to it as a flux. I spoke with a microscopist familiar with analysis of the NYTALR 100, (Jim Webber of the NY State Department of Health Lab 518-474-0009), who said he has looked at the talc from the mine where NYTALR 100 is mined, and he feels that there is anthophyillite contamination of the talc. I am aware that there has been controversy about the presence of asbestos in talc (NYTALR 100) mined by tire R.T. Vanderbilt Company in New York. However, a recent court case in New Jersey found that a mesothelioma case was caused by exposure to NYTALR 100. Although this court case may not provide a final answer to the question, it does raise concern over the presence of asbestos in art clay. Given the fact that there is likely to be asbestos present in some talc added to art clay, it seems prudent for CPSC to take a closer look at this question. Phone: (860) 509-7740 Telephone Device for the Deaf: (860) 509-7191 410 Capitol Avenue - MS # _J_LEQH P.O. Box 340308 Hanford, CT 06134 Affirmative Action / An Equal Opportunity Employer FEB-23-200? 14=11 DPH P.03/05 Ms. Mary Toro U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Page 2 Since there axe likely to be alternatives to talc-added art clays used in schools, any such materials that are likely to contain asbestos should be removed. If CPSC concludes that some types of talc added to art clay, do in fact contain asbestos, then schools should be advised to stop using these materials and advised to clean all art rooms where the material was used. This advice should be considered regardless of estimated exposure levels, since any exposure in this setting is preventable. Please call me after you receive this request at (860) 509-7741. You may also want to call Dr. Mark Granville who identified the asbestos in art clay probleminitially in the Connecticut school, (203) 856-3055. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Brian Toal, Supervising Epidemiologist 4 Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program BT:ck c: Dr. Stopford-Duke EPA Region 1 s.'Brian/talclerccr.com FEB-23-2007 14*-11 DPH TBROOKS V laboratories T Environesentai Sdentilies anti Engineers "Praieng Pfioph and die Ewrrtm-ent'" P .04/05 Dr. James R phStem, Superintendent o fSchools Brookfield Board of Education 100 Pocoro Road Brookfield, C T 06804 March 4, 003 Doer Dr Cftrttem: Attached are the results of background air testing from Whssconier Middle School collected on February 27. Those samples ere M-msolute ambient samples with a detection limit of 0.0004 sfracteres/erTr5. Sem ples wem collected during normal school sciivies under normal building conditions. Asbestos was not detected samples from rooms 1130, 1412, 1314, and 2112. Immediate follow up (s net indicated. Asbestos was detected in a sample mroom 1104 (art). The conoentrsilon was 0.02 str/cm3. The room should be seated and not be used until further notice. Ail supplies and other articles should remain in the room. Do not remove anything from the room, The type of asbestos found was anthoptyrifite, the same type observed in the past. It now seems clear that the source is a material, supply, or piece of equipment used in that room. Anthophyllite was found during the summer clean-up and during the Ira! round of air testing. After a second cleaning and is o la te of tha room supplies, asbestos was not found in the second round of air testing. The supplies were then relumed to the room after bulk testing failed to find asbestos. Wo wtff bo reexamining and testing everything in the morn* wclcsroQs 81# 22073 Sincerely yours, Mark E DranvIHe Lab Director, New Hev@n Norwalk QBcct 9 Isaacs So* V Nbrwajjt, Connecticut 6350 T 203.$53>792 T CfV&w: 06.843.1^31 V t e 203.S53.27S t&w tfavtai OfQow .I2Q Fabes Avdnoc V Nw>fevc^ CT 06512 V 203.4ii3.3579 T CT Watar $7X634,LABS (522?) V F*x; 203.436.33SS CT-PH-0539 E-Mail: brookslisbs<$ol.com T Web Sc: www.brooksiabs.toin NEI.AP MY-ELAF-I691 FEB-23- 200?'Vi*'1i4=12 DRH p c f 3n c. Pj V ,^ i - !" 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