Document nkYKp1gbxk07ovQEO7YRwwapm

PITTSBURGH CORNING CORPORATION Mr. J* H. Blerer E. tf. Holain UKI3ESTOS &imt Collection August 26, 1969 Although It has been known for many years that long exposure to air borne asbestos fibers eould cause the disease, Aabestosla, it-is only during the past several years that extensive work has been done to establish the threshold or dangerous level. This work Indicated that to adequately protect people working continuously with asbestos produets, the dust count (the number of air borne fibers per cubic foot of air) aust be considerably lower than previously thought. This, along with the eaphasls being placed by the State and Federal Governments on elimination of hazardous working conditions, necessitated a thorough re-examination of the UN1BEST0S plants operated by Pittsburgh Coming Corporation. As a result. Dr. Morton Cora, a Consulting Engineer and an authority in the field of industrial hygiene and air pollution, was contacted to assist Central Engineering in this survey. Both the Port Allegany, Pennsylvania and Tyler, Texas plants have been surveyed and in both plants many areas had a duet count well above the threshold limits. On February-13, 1969, Mr. M. Padilla, Industrial Hygienist for the U. S. Department of Labor, visited the Tyler plant. The measurements made by him also indicated that the dust collection system was Inadequate and that the dust count in many areas throughout the plant exceeded the threshold limit. This Inspection resulted in a letter dated April 8, 1969 to Mr. J. H. Bierer, President of Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, from Mr. L. Blair, Regional Director of the Office of Occupational Safety in the U. S. Department of Labor. The letter stated that the Tyler plant did not meet the health and safety requirements of the Walah-Healy Public Contract Acts. , It Is obvious from both a moral and legal standpoint that If Pittsburgh Corning continues to operate the UN1BEST0S plants st Fort Allegany, Pennsylvania and Tyler, Texas, adequate steps to protect the employees must be taken. Dr. Corn was again retained as a Consultant to assist in the design of dust collection systems for both UN1BEST0S plants that would reduce the air borne dust below the danger level. At this time the Port Allegany system has been designed and an Appropria tion Request for $129,522 has been submitted. The engineering for the Tyler plant Is in progress end an Appropriation Request for this plant will be submitted in the near future. Although a firm cost has not been established for the Tyler plant, preliminary calculations indicate that it will not be less than $130,000. THIS DOCUMENT WAS NOT A RECORD OF PPGJNDUSTRIES, INC. DID NOT COME FROM IT'S FILES AND CANNOT BE AUTHENTICATED BY PPG INDUSTRIES, INC. Ij---------- 5273 Q Mr. J. k. Bierrr - ?- August 26, 1969 Therefore, s minimus of $269,000 Is needed to install adequate dust collection la both VFISESTCS plants. It la reeorecended that before an expenditure of this was1*1*^* be sdt a thorough study of the profitability of UN13EST0S be made to determine ^bother or not the exnendirure car. br Jutti*led. Vours truly, Em***.t/ X-> u*. v T-'t r.ts i < j J 1 THIS DOCUMENT WAS NOT A RECORD OF PPG INDUSTRIES, INC. DID NOT COME FROM IT'S FILES AND CANNOT BE AUTHENTICATED BY PPG INDUSTRIES, INC. *[~T 00 22380--^ 5274