Document peNGDQdQyMqVNd4NyQwgrYnD7

JN CARBIDE CORPORATION MINING & METALS DIVISION R. E. Byrne File/ 17 EXECUTIVE PARK DRIVE THE DISCOVERY COMPANY ATLANTA, GEORGIA TEL- 404-633-6161 f Mr. Bob Favero, Plant Manager Georgia Pacific Gypsum Division 1466 White Circle, N.W. Marietta, Georgia Dear Bob: During my recent call at your plant you mentioned instances where your sales people had run into a problem of selling asbestos-containing joint cement to con tractors who advised them that they had been told that the use of asbestos had been banned in joint cements. To combat this incorrect information and hopefully assist both Georgia Pacific and your sales people in the sale of asbestos-contain' ing joint cements, I would like to offer the following information on the current status of the Federal OSHA asbestos regulations, particularly as they effect the continued use of asbestos in tape joint compounds. The Asbestos Standard promulgated on June 7, 1972, states: (b) Permissible exposure to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers -- (1) Standard effective July 7, 1972. The 8-hour time-weighted average airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers to which any employee may be exposed shall not exceed five fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of airT as determined by the method prescribed in paragraph (e) of this section. (Emphasis added.) (2) Standard effective July 1, 1976. The 8-hour timeweighted average airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers to which any employee may be exposed shall not exceed two fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air, as determined by the method prescribed in paragraph (e) of this section. (Emphasis added.) The reduction in the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average exposure from 5 fibers/cc to 2 fibers/cc that took place on July 1, 1976, is the only change in the asbestos regulations that has been promulgated. It is obviously not a prohibition on the use of asbestos in tape joint compounds. On October 9, 1975, OSHA proposed a new asbestos rulemaking that has received considerable publicity. The construction industry where tape-joint compounds are used is specifically excluded from the new proposal and will be considered later. Until such time as an asbestos standard for the construction industry is promul gated the existing June 7, 1972, standard with the 5 fiber/cc and 2 fiber/cc (July 1976) allowable limits noted above will continue to apply. It is important to point out that even the considerably more restrictive proposed rulemaking has no suggestion whatsoever that the use of asbestos in tape joint compounds will be prohibited by OSHA. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call. Very truly yours. JEW:ct 'J. E. Walsh Sales Manager - Southern Region