Document oeRXBYmjbkxQVrwB5YRRma4gw

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT A/C Pipe Producers Association \V* Public Affairs Committee TO International Affairs Committee -----------------------FRO: J. F. Welch, Director, Public Affairs subject IField Problem -;Ocean County, New Jersey REF: JFW correspondence, same title, ACTION REQUIRED: Review for information Internal Correspondence DATE April 29, 1981 Enclosed are responses from state and federal officials to inquiries by New Jersey State Senator John F. Russo regarding the potential health hazards of A/C water pipe. These documents were obtained by special counsel. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. JFW/ajb Enclosure cc: A. Kahn, Esq. N. Rahn, Esq. M. Greenberg, Esq. (w/o enclosures) B. Hickey, Esq. T. Joyce, Jr., Esq. A. Goolsby, III, Esq. N. Battle B. Pigg N. Stack copies to: Public Affai?s Committee H. Olson I. Adams B. Cook W. Perrell J. Woods J. Baker T. Dougherty D. Stinson W. McCallie FP/1 Chrono International Affairs Committee R. Dorner E. Van Der Rest B. Giboin R. Hobbs C. Walters A. Saoulis R. J&lan V. Pattabhi H. Hudson C. Barton S. Al-Tarkait E-Costa . ' V\ s^REcmfO'% M! MAY 4 1231 /:'SALES GFr.CE >>snT><.'x `^ l i' CAPCO JEN 0033070 xif `X'riu 3/rriirij *|P,CiD SCHIfFMAN t'tntCTon DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES r. O IIOX CN-02P TRENTON. NI.W JERSfc'V 06629 FEB 1,8 1981 Honorable John F. Russo Senate - District 9 Routes 166 and 37 Dover Mall Toms River, New Jersey 08753 . . ' ' Dear Senator Russo: ... Thank you for your .telegram of January 12, 1981 inquiring about the use of asbestos in cement pipes. Commissioner Jerry Fitzgerald English has referred it to me for response. ' Your suggestions are well taken and. we are evaluating changes to , existing state regulations governing use of asbestos-cement pipe. No have also been testing water which flows through the cement pipes to determine corrosive characteristics which could result in the release of asbestos into the waterIn those cases where this possibility seems likely, the pH has been adjusted to prevent such an occurrence. In addition, the Department has begun to review the most recent health related studies. We have just received a study by the Epidemiology Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entitled. The Need to Control Asbestos Fibers in Potable Water Supply Systems. In addition, we will be reviewing a recent large scale study of asbestos feeding in' rats and hamsters. (W.E. Smith, Environmental Health Perspectives, 1980.)' Mr. Ray Barg will be able to answer questions atout cement pijx^s con taining astostos when we have fully assessed the problem. You nay contact him at the above address, or at (609) 292-6296. Arnold Schiffmar Director < Jrt>c\ l\ .In lu/unl Ojijinrliinily I-'nipliiyrr I" CAPCO JEN 0033071 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AOL'.'l r.A&HIIwlCill. L'.C. 20401 orricc o>" w'.ATtr.. " AND WASTE MANAGEMENT- Honorable Bill Bradley United States SenaLc Washington, D.C. 20510 . ' Dear Senator Bradley: ' Thank you tor your inquiry of January 27, 1981, on behalf of Senator John F." Russo and Assemblyman John Paul Doyle of New Jersey, in regard to asbestos- cement water pipes. . The Environmental Protection Agency (E1`A) is actively investigating the" . '. potential health hazards associated with the use of asbestos-cement water pipes specifically under the authority of the Safe Drinking Pater.Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1300? jet^ -veq^)- In addition, all aspects of asbestos* risks to health are heinc investigated under the authority of section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Tiic latter investigation includes . an assessment of the possible risks posed by inhalation and ingestion -of asbestos fibers associated with asbestos-cement pipe manufacturing, instal- ` Inlinn and use, as well as assessments of the risks from other asbestos exposure. The newspaper articles cited by Senator Russo and Assemblyman Doyle may not have made the asbestos pipe situation quite clear. While the health, hazard from inhaled asbestos in industrial exposures is confirmed, possible risks from ingested asbestos are still being examined. In 1977 the Safe Drinking Water Committee, National Academy of Sciences said the "availabledata with respect Lo orally ingested asbestos, through drinking water, does nor suggest an immediate hazard to public health." Another.point which may need clarification is the reporter's statement in regard to aggressive water. Our studies show that significant numbers of asbestos fibers are released from pipe only when the water is aggressive (corrosive).' The EPA has not yet readied a definite position on t.he 'Ingestion risk and hazards of asbestos-cement pipe, but research is continuing both w'ith animal feeding studies and epidemiologic studies of human populations exposed to asbestos through drinking water. The initial results from animal studies being conducted at the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences did not detect any adverse effects on the lest animals from asbestos in t.he diet. - `t CAPCO JEN 0033072 7 Ponding `results from these anti related studios, .we agree that it is prudent to minimize exposure to asbestos in waLcr, whether from natural sources or nsbestos-coincnt water pipe. Since, as noted above, asbesto.*fibers are released from asbestos-cement pipe only, when the water .is aggressive, we believe the practical approach is to correct the aggressive tendencies of drinking water where-, such exist. Aggressive water not only attacks asbestos-cement pipe, but also nay dissolve lead, cadmium or otherharmful substances from other pipe materials. The Office of Drinking Water EPA, recently promulgated regulations requiring public water systems to monitor for corrosivity (45 FR 57332). It is. expected that the States, whose responsibility it is to administer and enforce drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, will direct appropriate corrosion-control measures, with our guidance, on a case .by case basis. 1 hope this information will assist you in replying'to Senator Kusso and. Assemblyman Doyle.. c : - .. .-------- - - I~ CAPCO JEN 0033073