Document vBZB3orXg9LEDEwpJVJ9x5wXq

Fk0" THOMAS B. BONNEY PITTSBURGH OFFICE 1 TO 1978 July 28 RE: ELIMINATION OF UNNECESSARY USE OF ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS Over the past six years, primarily by means of Industrial Hygiene Newsletters* we have attempted to discourage the use of asbestos at all of our operating locations. We have taken this position for two reasons. First, excessive , exposure to asbestos represents a real hazard. Second, compliance with the applicable QSHA standard costs us money which we would not have to spend if substitute materials were used (e.g., for air sampling, medical surveillance, disposal procedures, etc.). Although our plants have made Impressive headway, it appears that our goal of eliminating unnecessary asbestos usage is not yet at hand. As we visit our plants, we still see asbestos products being used. We suspect that for many of them there are asbestos-free, functionally acceptable alternates Because continued use of asbestos products may result in unnecessary health hazards and concerns to our employees as well as additional costs to Alcoa to comply with specific provisions of the OSHA standard, we believe that it is in Alcoa's best interest to eliminate the use of asbestos products wherever possible. To accomplish this objective requires that first we know for what specific applications It is presently being used. Therefore, we request that you survey your location to provide us with information about your plant's use of asbestos. The attached form indicates the data that is required and can be used for submitting your survey results. We ask that you submit the results, of your survey by 1978 September 01. Upon receipt we will compile a listing of current usage throughout Alcoa. With the assistance of appropriate plant and Pittsburgh personnel, we will place each usage Into one of four categories: (1) No foreseeable employee exposures; substitutes available. (2) No foreseeable employee exposures; no viable substitutes available. (3) Potential employee exposures; substitutes available. (4) Potential employee exposures; no viable substitutes available. Following classification, with the aid of appropriate Pittsburgh and plant personnel, we will work toward a prompt and orderly replacement of all Items In category "3". Jointly, we will further consider If there Is merit to taking the same action for any or all of those materials In category "1". 0ALCOA APC 003145 1978 July 28 Page 2 This, of course, will require a determination of whether the economic consequences would justify such action. Our ultimate aim is to provide the plants with the information necessary to attain effective control over their use of asbestos. To help accomplish this, we will provide you with information about substitute materials. Eventually, we will publish a list of "approved0 asbestos product^ and applications (i.e., those for which there are no currently viable substitutes) to offer guidance for purchasing, production, industrial hygiene, and other interested plant personnel. We ask your cooperation in collecting the information needed to make this possible. THOMAS B. BONNEY TBB:lmn Attachment Letter sent to Industrial Hygienists Copies sent to: M. J. Caprio, Pittsburgh 19AB J. Z. Nelson, Pittsburgh 3WPH N. Kloap, Arkansas Works R. C. Hinkle, Badin Works J. D. Breazeal, Davenport Works H. E. Chandler, Tlfton R. K. Morrow, Massena Works E. B. Parker, Rockdale Works W. S. Stroud, Tennessee Works J, A. Blessinger, Vancouver Works G. H. Farrah, EHL, Alcoa Technical Center W. W. Williams, Fort Meade, Fla. J. B. Dolan, Lafayette Works G. R. Hartnett/Albert Lee, HC Products Co., Princeville, 111. J. R. Archibald, Pittsburgh 7AB P. R. Atkins, Pittsburgh 7AB B. D. Dinman, Pittsburgh 7AB W. B. Garyotls, Pittsburgh 2AB R. V. Newsome, Mobile Works APC 003146 2 Dust Generated? -> -3 cc o a *c c c VI O>l 01 44 0 Q 4J G 0. a ___________ 1-1---------------------Scec.lf.lL. AbpJI c a t l o n ASBESTOS SURVEY Product D escription^ tA - CM n in wo rs. 00 Ok o - CM n o *3 JoZ VI VI 4o4 V VI 0 > VI -o i o> c VI o 3c *O.C Cu 90 r- -C X> * 0) VI ft90 o 4. u L 4-> 33 0.^3 Ol 01 cu 0 0 jQ a. >c 4-> C 01 ft. ft. 44 a VI u 4V4I ft. 0 U a 44 0 O kV Q. VI V) Om t/l u 01 XI *0-> VI 0 0B VI O 90 4-> u 0 01 *o ox>at VI VI 3 VI c*o Ol o 01 c 44 ^ -<U fO to -Q (J 44 VI >> *- Cr 4-* 0c 0) >10 Q. r- U VI VI L aa 0) o o XI v. a >0) 01 W aL0 c O. VI 0 44 O "O C a g> a f. s o u <D JZ VI c ^ u 0 44 44 a. 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E. Thompson, Addy, Washington 0. E. Wilkinson, Anderson County Works J. M. Plunkett, ATC J. F. Oey, Arkansas Works Earl M. Morgan, Badln Works V. Locke, Jr., Wear-Ever, Chllllcothe L. L. Grubb, Cleveland J. V. Muncle, Corona K. W. Williams, Davenport S. Huey, Rea Magnet, Fort Wayne W. D. Coker, Lafayette L. M. Crlvaro, Lancaster R. Andrew, Lebanon W. D. Helmlck, Logans Ferry T. V. Byerley, Marshall G. D. Hicks, Massena W. J. Boutreis, Mobile R. E. Podhora, Point Comfort J. D. Gibbs, Richmond A. G. Clayton, Rockdale J. C. Vergho, Tennessee L. L. Halsch, Vancouver D. P. Hooghkirk, Vernon R. L. Parsons, Warrick APC 003148 ROBERT P. CARTER HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT PITTSBURGH OFFICE, 7AB & M. J. CAPRIO PURCHASING DEPARTMENT PITTSBURGH, 19AB 30Mar76 RE: ALTERNATES FOR ASBESTOS AND ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS In October, 1975, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a proposed revision to its standard for worker exposure to asbestos which will drastically reduce the permissible time-weighted average (TWA) permissible fiber count and also reduce the permissible ceiling or short term exposure for 15-minute periods. In the Industrial Hygiene Newsletter dated 19Nov75, which went to all works Industrial Hygienists, the possible impact of the proposed changes was reviewed on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis. As stated near the end of that Newsletter, this proposed revision, which may not become final until late 1976, makes it highly desirable for us to replace the use of asbestos and asbestoscontaining materials with non-asbestos material in every situation where the use of asbestos can result in worker exposure to airborne fiber. This, of course, has to be based upon functional suitability of the non-asbestos containing replacement material. This replacement, however, should not be based on strict cost equivalence since the costs of medical surveillance, air sampling and analysis, and training as required by the proposed standard are very considerable. In order to facilitate this conversion, Mr. A. E. Kean of the Pittsburgh Purchasing Department has agreed that Mr. M. J. Caprio of his group will serve as a clearing house, or contact person, for plant locations seeking alternate non-asbestos materials with satisfactory functional performance. In order for this to be as effective as possible, Mr. Caprio will need to know what physical and chemical properties are required for the application, defined as fully as practicable. As necessary, be will consult with Dr. R. G. LaBar of Alcoa Technical Center for assistance. According to Mr. J. A. Dunbar of the Ingot, Pigment, Powder and Paste Division, satisfactory non-asbestos alternates have been established for all significant melting and casting applications, except for some applications of Molten Metal Marinite (MMM). Extensive plant evaluation of the alternate material developed for MMM is actively underway. If significant problems are encountered with any of these established alternates, Mr. Dunbar or Dr. LaBar should be made aware of these promptly. - / APC 003149 30Mar76 Page 2 If you have already discovered a satisfactory replacement for asbestos in an application which may be involved at another works location, it would be very helpful if you could make Mr. Caprio aware of enough of the particulars so that he could recommend evaluation of such a material where appropriate in similar situations. Please contact Mr. Robert P. Carter if he can be of any help with respect to whether the proposed asbestos standard would apply to a particular use situation and thereby make seeking an alternate material desirable. ROBERT P. CARTER M. J. CAPRIO MJC:RPC:lmn Letter to: Industrial Hygienists and District Purchasing Agents Note: Information relative to health standards proposed or promulgated under authority of the D. S. Occupational Safety and Health Act is sent to overseas locations for informational purposes only. cc: Works Physicians Works Engineering Managers and Works Chief Engineers Environmental Health Steering Committee Chairmen & Environmental Managers G. H. Farrah, ATC, Alcoa Center, Pa. Dr. R. G. LaBar, ATC, Alcoa Center, Pa. L. W. Ortlip, EHL, Alcoa Center, Pa. J. M. Plunkett, ATC, Alcoa Center, Pa. Duckworth Daley, Jamaica G. R. Hartnett/Albert Lee -HC Products Co. W. W. Williams, Fort Meade, Florida J. M. Cohen, Pittsburgh 7AB M. 0. Colwell, Pittsburgh 29AB H. W. Cooley/J. Z. Nelson, Pittsburgh 3WPH B. D. Dinman, M.D., Pittsburgh 7AB J. A. Dunbar, Pittsburgh 23AB W. B. Garyotis, Pittsburgh 2AB F.J. McGrath/P.A. Haas, Pittsburgh 20AB A. E. Kean, Pittsburgh 19AB S. I. Roth, Pittsburgh 9AB V. W. Rieke, Pittsburgh 2AB R. H. Watson, Pittsburgh 7AB Copy routed to PRA, GCH, RS ARC 003150