Document rpqDnJ3GaLb1N339peXYrzXnq

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration WASHINGTON. D.C 20210 Office of the Assistant Secretary OCT 9 1974 Mr. H..B. Vanderbilt President Chief Executive Officer E. T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc. 30 Winfield Street Norwalk., Connecticut 08855 Dear Mr. Vanderbilt: This is in reply to your letter of .September '26, concerning your .request. for .relief from .the asbestos .standard .for your talcs containing non-fibrous tremollte,.actinolite, and anthophyllite. My letter of August 6 stated that non-fIbrous or non-asbestiform minerals such. as non-asbestiform tremollte are not within-the scope of the asbestos standard and, therefore, the provisions of that standard do not apply.to talc containing non-asbestiform minerals. NIOSH is currently conducting a thorough investigation into-the exact minerals . to .which - talc workers were exposed in those studies where.asbestosis or other adverse medical .effects were.found. .Pending the receipt and evaluation by OSHA .of .the report by.NIOSH on this investigation,;if you have^scientific:evidence that the naturally occuring talcs, prior to processing by milling or crushing, do not.contain fibrous or asbestlform'tremollte, anthophyllite, actinolite or other asbestlform minerals, you may.certify to your customers that the talc does not contain asbestos. Fibrous, asbestlform minerals.such as fibrous tremollte means naturally occurring asbestlform minerals which prior to or after crushing and processing, contain fibers made up of fibrils. Sincerely, / [John H. S tender Assistant Secretary of Labor