Document v6O6QNDwDkOxV3N3ROLn2BEX9

31 It way be pern from Table 31*4 that the usage of asbestos fibres in asbestos-cement products is easily the largest. The U.K. has a comparatively large production of fire-resistant insulation boards, insulation products used a relatively small tonnage in 1973 and this was probably due to the availability of acceptable substitutes. Croup 1C jn Tablc^.11-4 is mode up of many products of which felts, millboard and paper con be regarded as the most important. Although this chapter is primarily concerned with the usage of asbestos and asbestos-containing products in the EF.C, a few remarks may be added on activities which are non-specific for these products, but nevertheless, in volve them and could cause the emission of asbestos dust. These concern the transportation of asbestos fibres and finished asbestos goods, demolition of asbestos-containing structures and the removal and storage of asbestos waste. Asbestos fibres are generally packed in impermeable bags and chipped loose, On pallets or in containers; containers can be filled with loose bags or with units containing ?0 or more bags. It is feirly certain that the move ment of the loose bigs constitutes a greater hazard through the- possibility of bag damage and the cor:.*.ogucnt release of fibres. This hazard is conside rably reduced by palletisation end is completely eliminated when containers ere used. It i r. difficult to provide precise information as to the proportions of the three methods,as they vary from country to country. In the U.K. the largest part is containerised while the remainder is shipped on pallets. For the- other countries in the TF.C, it is likely that about half of the total tonnage is containerised and the remaining tonnage is in loose bags. The bags are in the majority made of an impermeable plastic. 3utc and paper bags are still used, mainly in shipments from the USSR end Jt-ji> but these are now gradually bring replaced by the plastic bags. It appears likt^v that by 1979 most of the fibre tonnage for FFC countries will be shippertn cN taiTiers with the asbestos fibre packed in impermeable plastic bags. Shipments of esbostos-containing products rarely provide any risk as the asbestos fibres are bonded and cannot easily escape'jnto the atmosphere. Fi brous mixtures are normally packed in imperr.'.able bags and shipped as in the case of fibres. 3001 072:4 PRODUCED BY FORD