Document rYV19a69oe96v54EDrOmp6Mq

r^ *y*^/&*%/.+U TV ySss"*'-'/ j/ou S~ 44? 23 Jwe Ji f /?& 2-- r?; . rj fcv .. - . >-' tv.'", fevtult .. V^>' ^ Li WorJd Symposium on Asbestos, Part II Science must maintain nsutral roi The question of rights and responsibilities pertaining to asbestos production, and use was addressed by represen tatives of the scientific, industrial, labor and government sectors in England, Belgium and the U.K. Oxford University epidemiologist Julian Peto was emphatic in stating that scientists should, not adopt a position in the discussion of rights and responsibilities; . their role, he said, should be to insist on the use of proper . scientific data as a basis for any decisions made, and to ' prevent misinterpretation or data. At various times, he explained, scientific facts and figures have been misused by governments, labor and management alike. Until agreement has been reached on the degree of risk assotiated with asbestos exposure, claims made by any of these sectors regarding the safety (or lack of safety) of asbestos are not justifiable, he said. Peto added that if governments - who have primary responsibility for (worker) protection -- want truly valid - answers concerning asbestos issues, they should seek from V- scientists detailed explanation?.. f their work, rather than simply calling them in for brief presentations. This form of scientific debate was supported by Anthony Mazzochi. international representative foT the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union. However, he stated, until scientists have resolved their differences on these issues, a moratorium on asbestos use should be declared. In labor's view, governments have developed regula tions aimed at controlling asbestos hazards, but have not followed up this development with implementation. Thus, stated Mazzochi, thejromise of protection has been an illusion, since the meins of its delivery has not been present. Litigation instigated by workers in the face of the ineffectiveness of legislation has done more to bring about removal of asbestos from the workplace and its replace ment by substitute materials, and has also served to draw attention to the magnitude of the problem, he stated. Speaking on behalf of the government side. John F Martonik Jr of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration pointed out that the agency's asbestos standard was the first standard promulgated bv OSHA i in 1972>. Since then, a massive amount of furtrer informa tion has been macs available to OSHA concerning the health effects of asbestos. This, combined with technolog ical advances and,the agency's 10 years of enforcement experience, has prompted OSH.A to begin a re-examina tion of previous regulatory decisions concerning asbestos, with the objective of promulgating a revised asbestos standard, said Martonik. Controlled use supported The industry viewpoint was presented by Etienne van der Rest, chairman of the governing council of the Asbestos International Association and of the Belgian Federation of Asbestos-Cement Industries. He strongly advocated the controlled use of asbestos, an option which would, he said, permit society to benefit from the positive features of the mineral (e.z. fire resistance) while seeking -to eliminate as far as possible its problematic aspects. Van der Rest went on to list both righ-.. and' responsibilities of the industry, beginning with the latter. First and foremost, he said, the industry is responsible for taking all necessary precautions to ensure that no socially unacceptable risk is created during the course of asbestos mining, milting and product manufacturing. Part of this responsibility includes maintaining fiber levels of 2 fibers/cm3 or lower, he noted. It is also the industry's policy to urge adoption of this standard in countries where regulations in this area do not yet exist, he added. The banning of asbestos use in applications where controlled use is not practically possible is supported by the industry as well, he noted. Seen as additional responsibilities axe: the maintenance of an open dialogue with government.;, unions and the medical and sci-.*.tific sectors; the provision of information to workers concer ning expijsure risks and precautions; the implementation of plant monitoring and medical surveillance programs; and support, in terms of both time md mocey, of further research. Van der Rest listed three basic rights sought by the industry; the righ; to be viewed as a legitimate industry rather than as an exploitive body operating soieiy in its own interest.- without regard for its workers. customers or octety at large: the righ: :o a reas-maWe degree cf legislation which does not .-.eek to impose wchnicoily and economically unachievable recuirerr.er.ts w.ihout <uiT:- DUP 0906845 COH5N. June- U. 19*2....... '