Document pbNrE7JB722YaOexjqaboDo7

A A/C Pipe Producers Association 1600 Wilson Boulevard Suite I00S Arlington, Virginia 22209 (703) Ml-IsSi PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT Mr. Alton Albert 4307 Tidewater Houston, TX 77045 Dear Mr. Albert: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss your questions regarding the safety of A/C pipe for conveying drinking water. Please find enclosed an information packet outlining the scientific and medical research on the safety of A/C pipe and the potential health effects of ingested asbestos. The Association would be pleased to provide any or all studies cited. The potential health effects of asbestos in drinking water and the use of A/C pipe have been researched by governmental authorities and independent scientists for over a decade. Eleven epidemiologic studies of human populations exposed to asbestos in drinking water, regardless of source, have shown no cause and effect relationship between that exposure and any disease. Animal studies involving oral administration of high dose levels of asbestos in food or drinking water have shown no increased incidence of malignant tumors or decreased life spans. Neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nor the World Health Organization nor Health and Welfare of Canada have established standards regulating in any way asbestos levels in drinking water or the use of A/C water pipe. An independent review of 200 reports and publications on asbestos in drinking water concluded in 1983: The critical review of available evidence indicates that ingested asbestos in drinking water appears to be sensibly a zero or at the most an exceedingly low health risk, and under the appropriate conditions, the use of asbestos cement pipes for conveying potable water appears to be' a satisfactory practice for both the Developed and Developing World. Asbestos Fibres in Drinking Water, B.T. Commins, May, 1983, Commins Associates, PiDpins, Altwood Close, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England SL6 4PP Dr. Joseph A. Cotruvo, Director of Criteria and Standards, EPA's Office of Drinking Water stated at the conclusion of the Agency's Summary Workshop on Ingested Asbestos: i CAPCO JEN 0032276 A/C Pipe Producers Association Mr. Alton Albert June 13,1984 Page 2 My understanding of the animal and human epidemiology data ... is that there is a substantial question as to whether there is risk at all from small amounts of asbestos fibers in drinking water ***** The results of animal feeding studies as presented, including the National Toxicology Program study, indicate essentially that no toxicity was demonstrated in whole animal lifetime exposures ***** It can be said, then, that the epidemiologic evidence of risk from ingestion of water containing asbestos fiber is not convincing, and that, in view of the lack of confirmation by animal studies, the existence of a risk has not been satisfactorily demonstrated. On May 7, 1984, the Ontario Royal Commission on Asbestos, which conducted an exhaustive, three year analysis of asbestos health effects, concluded: The Commission links the health hazards of asbestos to inhalation, not swallowing. Neither biological nor epidemiologic evidence indicates that swallowing asbestos creates a health risk. In addition, the fibres found in water, often numbering millions per liter, are very short. The Commission concludes that concern about asbestos in drinking water, beverages and food is not justified. If the Association can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call. Very truly yours, A/C PIPE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION John F. Welch Vice President JFW/ajb Enclosures (6) Backgrounder Advisories (1-21) cc: A. Kahn, Esq. >-- Executive Committee ^ Frank Duffy (CertainTeed - Houston) 0192061301 Chrono i CAPCO JEN 0032277