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S. D'Armond 5/20/75 1 Your query re BR Plant & Asbestos. Up to this point in time, in the sense of preventing the spread of asbestos disease (see attachment) I have not been requested' to. evaluate the asbestos - handling system at BR Plant. I believe practices for the most part are in conformance, however there may be some unintentional loose ends which may deserve attention. Let us know if this service is desired.' cc: T.R. Robinson H.M. Taylor Industrial Hygienist PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT ETH00002866 4/4/75 To B.J. Lentz Re: Asbestos to off-plant streams Some time ago Quality Control was interested.in asbestos fiber de terminations. The attached information may lead to the best information yet. cc: S.A. D'Armond T.R. Robinson, M.D.V' H.M. Taylor Industrial Hygienist ETH00002867 4 New Analytical Method Measures Fiber Level Of .Waste Stream from Asbestos Diaphragm Cell A new analytical method is being used by. The Dow Chemical Company to identify and measure asbestos levels in waste streams from its dia phragm cell, chlor-alkali process. Traces of fibers are found in the cell liquor because the diaphragm is made of asbestos. The diaphragm separates the anode side of an elec trolytic cell from its cathode side dur ing the breakdown of brine to produce chlorine and caustic soda. Dr. R. J. Moolenaar, a Dow environ mental research scientist, said the technique uses a transmission electron microscope equipped with selected area electron diffraction and an energy dispersive spectrometer. The method provides positive fiber identification, count and size, Dr. Moolenaar said. The asbestos level found in Dow's chlor-alkali effluent was .001 parts per million. Asbestos is widely distributed in U.S. .'waterways. Although some is from industry. Dr. Moolenaar said, much occurs from natural erosion. Although the only proven health hazards associated with asbestos oc cur with prolonged inhalation, the Dow scientist recommended that in dustry develop methods for control ling the release of waterborne asbes tos in products, process streams and effluents., He reported that filtration treatment Dow scientist David File works with an electron microscope. The screen at rear shows electrons in a sample. : of cell liquor can remove 99.9 percent of asbestos on a weight basis. "Work is in progress at Dow to optimize the conditions for fiber removal by this technique," Dr. Moolenaar said. He also recommended that each chlor-alkali producer using asbestos diaphragm cells carry out a survey to determine the distribution of asbestos in liquid effluent streams and prod ucts, and that medical and toxicologi cal experts in government, universities and industry cooperate in continuing research into the effects of ingested asbestos. Library ENVIRONMENT U.S.A. This directory of environmental organizati? and activities* concentrates federal and st agencies, private groups, a calendar of c ferences, lists of environmental executives industry and press contacts. There are a essay chapters on lav/, employment and fu raising. A copy is $15.95 from R. R. BowlOrder Dept., P.O. Box 1307. Ann Arbor. Mi. 48106. INTER-NOISE 74 Included in the- proceedings and papers fre the 1974 conference on noise are articles enforcing noise standards, noise measureme the effects of noise on man and new metho of reduction. To receive a copy, send $25 Editor. Noise/News, P.O. Box 1758, Pou^ keepsie. N.Y. 12601. INDUSTRIAL WATER PURIFICATION A review of recent U.S. patents on was.` water purification, the book summarizes pro esses for eolkMIquid separation (fiocculatio filtration, electrostatic field, continuous sp; loop ion exchange), oil water separation, remov of trace metals (mercury, lead, rare earl' vanadium, chromium) and others suitable f< specific chemical and refinery operations, copy is S36 from Noyes Data Cocporatio; Noyes Bldg., Park Ridge, N J. 07655. AQUEOUS-ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY OF METALS ^ Trace metals in water environments (spe cifically copper, mercury, cadmium, aluminum Iron and lead) arc discussed regarding sourcer distribution and control. Analysis method! kinetics, precipitation reactions and solubilit are described in detail. For the book, send S2 to Ann Arbor Science Publishers lac., P.O. Bo 1425, Ann Arbor, Mich. 43105. AIR POLLUTION ABSTRACTS. VOL. 3, #7 These abstracts represent international am U.S. literature on air pollution monitoring measurement and control, effects on life an: materials, legal and economic aspects listen by a numbered index system. To receive P2-23C 23S/2WP, send $7.50 to APTIC, Research Tri angle Park, N.C. 22151. REGISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE PROGRAMS The University cf Texas offers a free annuo! edition of graduate programs in U.S. collages. Write Dr. Joe Matlna. Director of Environmental Health Engineering, 3C5 Engineering Labs Bicg.. University of Texas, Austin, Tex. 73712- ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Three hundred illustrated articles on human impact on the environment present information from such diverse areas as climatology, meteor ology, plant ecology, geochemistry and ocean ography. The book is 524.50 fretn McGravz-Hill. 1221 Ave. cf the Americas. New York, N.Y. 10020. Light at Tunnel's End is Clean Air The Environmental Protection Agency has a new tool to help solve some of the problems it's bound to run into in implementing the Clean Air Act. The device is a wind tunnel for studying how air pollutants spread and dissipate under varying conditions of weather, terrain, tall buildings and city streets. It could play a major role in helping the agency predict the likelihood of pollutant sources exceeding air quality standards at ground level. Located at EPA's research center in North Carolina, the 125-foot-long facility is one of the few atmospheric testing wind tunnels in the world. Air pollution problems will be studied in the tunnel using simulated emissions of smoke or gaseous pollutants, scale models of hills, valleys and buildings and a controllable, artificial wind. The tunnel is designed to provide fast response to problems of air pollutant dispersal in complex flows. It will allow scientists to complete studies in a few weeks that would take years in the field. REPORT TO THE CONGRESS ON OCEAN DUMPING This report by the National Oceansc and Atmospheric Administration discusses ocean dumping and the long-term view of-men's effects on the world's oceans. Information is given on the impact of off-shore terminals, power plants and oil and ss development. COM-74-50632/OVVP is $1.45 from the Super intendent of Documents, Government Printing Office. Washington. O.C. 20402. TECHNICAL BULLETIN TC-21 This pamphlet recommends methods for load ing and bracing packaged chemicals in box coirs to minimize in-transit damage and spill ing. TC-21 is 50 cents from Publication Services, MCA. 1825 Conn. Ave., N.V/., Washington, D.C. 2G009. 1974-75 DIRECTORIES ON LAND POLLUTION CONTROL The Natrona! directory describes p-ograms of nearly 400 companies, associations. labor un ions and federal agencies. The State ri.rectory lists agencies dealing with solid wastes, sod erosion. s*rip mines, titter control oni land use planning. Notfomf is SIC: State is S5 from Freed Publishing Company. P.O. Bax 1144, FDR Station. New York, N.Y. 10022. ETH00002868