Document npwJZjD2J3wwwy20Z5m0zNvpm

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: 1973 Nov DOC#: USG 125 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Report of Special Task Force on Joint Treatment Compound /U tU MrbrfaL/l-- r~ <C< tC- /2 REPORT OF SPECIAL TASK FORCE ON JOINT TREATMENT COMPOUND This is the f i r s t report on the proceedings end status of the work being done by the Special Committee on Asbestos in Joint Compound, As you w i l l r e c a ll, a recommendation was made to the Gypsum A s s o c ia tio n that i t involve i t s e l f in the assessment of release of asbestos fib e rs during the use of the j o in t tr e a t ment products by the customer. This recommendation was based on the st rin g e n t regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. At the annual meeting, a l l committees and the Board supported a b asic program and funds were appropriated to conduct a f i e l d test program to determine what level of asbestos f ib e r s are re leased in mixing and sanding operations when using j o i n t compound products. I t wes further stipulated that an independent laboratory would serve to monitor th is type of program in order to minimize cost due to duplicate individual e f fo r t s by the membership. In Hay of this year, representatives from the Gypsum Association met with OSHA representatives in Washington to. discuss regulations pertaining to asbestos. The two purposes for this meeting were (1) a hope to obtain an interpretation of the law which would preclude the need for placing labels on containers of joint compound i f the asbestos fiber environment generated during its normal use would not exceed the OSHA lim its, and (2) a variance from the regulations which would eliminate the need for the con tractor to provide monitoring at each job site. Although OSHA was impressed with our interest in our consumers use of the pro duct, they verbally denied any general r e lie f from either the labeling or the monitoring requirement. Subsequent to the meeting with OSHA, a special Association committee was formed from member designates who were s k ille d in air sampling techniques and evaluations. This committee formulated a test pro gram and selected George 0. Clayton and Associates as the independent laboratory to do the monitoring for the test. The actual test work was conducted by Gardineer Crywall Company, Aurora, Colorado, and they provided excellent cooperation in order that the monitoring of dust and asbestos fibers could be evaluated. Ten dry powder and ready mix topping grade jo in t compounds from five manufacturers were delivered to the site by the Association members. Containers were unmerited except for a code number assigned by the A sso ciatio n's confidential depository. Ten test houses, in close proximity to each other and of rela tiv e ly comparable size were designated for the test program. One product was assigned for each -- house for the mixing and sanding procedures. The mixing tests required about 15 minutes per product and the sanding required an average-of one hour per house; sanding was accomplished in a manner typical of f la t work. or*. tv. r: Although a final report has not been submitted by Clayton, there was a special committee meeting held October 3 and a discussion of preliminary results indicated that there might be some area of inconsistency or incompletion of data obtained from this test program. The Committee recommends that certain portions of this program be redone to assure the Association that results w hi ch are to be published in the final report are accurate, complete and consistent. The Phase 11 program has already been established and the Committee is ready to proceed. It is estimated that this phase will cost no more than $2,000 and it is requested that the Board of Directors approve such expenditures. If funds are appropriated, Phase II can complete their work and submit a comprehensive report of findings and recommendations by the end of January 137k. It is not possible as of now to predict i f additional testing will be required after Phase U . Respectfully submitted, November 1973 Joint Compounds