Document npXEBpgR4Ln8gVzxx6d9OM5LR

iiJC 149-2 I INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE MINING AND METALS DIVISION To (Name) Division Location Messrs. R. E. Byrne, < G. L. Dickson J. L. Myers W. C. Thurber Copy to File 4625 ROYAL AVE., P. 0. BOX 579, NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK 14302 Date July 18, 1975 Originating Dept. - TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT "Calidria" Asbestos Answering letter date Subject Amchem Products, Inc. Attached is a draft of a response to an asbestos-health inquiry from Amchem Products, Inc. I talked to Mr. Ellis by phone along the lines described in the draft and he seemed quite satisfied. He pushed very hard, however, to get it in writing. Your comments and suggestions are requested. 7^'/3 H. B. Rhodes HBR:pcr Enel. BC: JLM WCT Is it necessary to clear this with our Law Department? If so, it would be appreciated if WCT would send it in to RFXF. Thanks. HBR:pcr UCC 016362 7/-/$./?, H. B. Rhodes A 1 9434 .A. IMI CHE !M! PRODUCTS, Ino. AMBLER, PENNA. 19002 PLKASC RCPLY TO P. O. BOX BBSS PHILADELPHIA. PA. IBIS! June 30, 1975 Union Carbide Corp. Metals Division P. 0. Box 579 . 4625 Royal Avenue Niagara Falls, New York 14302 Gentlemen: - We would appreciate having comments on the potential health hazard of "Calidria" asbestos when incorporated as a thickener in adhesives and coatings. We believe the presence of minor quantities of Calidria in a compounded product would not present a hazard to the user of that product, but we would appreciate having your reasoning and opinion on this question. Yours very truly, AMCHEM PRODUCTS INC. Foster Division WPE:nf1 W. P. Ellis, Director of Research UCC-CAUDRtA A i 949b Chemicals for Industry and Agriculture UCC 016363 ******* DRAFT ******* Mr. W. P. Ellis Director of Research Amchem Products, Inc. Foster Division . _ P. 0. Box 9695 Philadelphia, PA 19131 ' .- "_ ....... .......... . Dear Mr. Ellis: This is in response to your letter of June 30 and confirms our telephone conversation of July 16, 1975. As we discussed, asbestos has received a great deal of adverse publicity in the last few years and has been the subject of a number of government regulations. A balanced picture of the current situation published by the Asbestos Information Association is attach- / ed for your general information. ir One important reason for much of the asbestos-health controversy is the long time periods, typically 20-50 years, for asbestos related diseases to develop. This, combined with the fact that low levels of asbestos fibers occur naturally in the environment, makes it difficult to define accurately a dose-response curve and say with absolute certainty what exposure levels are safe. About four years ago, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health reviewed the available asbestos data in great detail and recommend ed a maximum occupational time-weighed average exposure level of 2 fibers/cc. longer than 5y. This recommendation was incorporated into the OSHA regulations and, after a delay to allow asbestos users to achieve compliance, goes into % effect on July 1, 1976. UCC 016364 ' A 1 9496 DRAFT cont. -2 At about the same time, the National Academy of Sciences reviewed the problem more broadly in terms of potential environmental hazard and concluded that the general public is at present in no danger from the small amounts of asbestos fibers now in the air and water. Due to the uncertainties in the dose-response curve, however, they did recommend that regulations be promulgated to keep the levels from increasing. . Your particular inquiry was directed to possible hazards to the user from small quantities of "Calidria" asbestos incorporated as a thickener in /' adhesives and coatings. For this end use, the asbestos would be wetted with a substantial excess of long-lasting binder. Under these circumstances, itt- is reasonable to expect that any fiber release would be so slow that fiber concentration changes would be indistinguishable from the natural background. There are two possible exceptions to this that should be noted, spraying and sanding. If your products are applied by spraying, it is possible to generate fiber levels above background but still within the 2 fibers limit during the actual spraying operation. The same is true when asbestos contain ed in a resin binder is sanded or abraded. We hope that this will provide the information that you need. If there are any further questions, please let us know. > Very truly yours, H. B. Rhodes Technology Manager HBRtpcr typed 7/18/75 UCC 016365 A 1 94Q7