Document xdQ7O1kNZKd23JBakN0YrLjNQ

FILE NAME: CertainTeed (CERT) DATE: 1968 Feb 5 DOC#: CERT032 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo with Progress Report - Environmental Health Project - Asbestos-Cement Pipe, Previous Memos & Newspaper Articles ^ , The attached is a progress report on our common environ mental health problem asbestos-cement pipe a As agreed at our meeting on January 3n, ttnhiiss iinformation 0*t is to be kept stnet:ly on_a top executive eve . distributed definitel^not to be ai to"theTield. It is with this understand ing that the attachments are / I" 2/7/68 Castleman.CERT000218 General Headquarters February 5, 1968 H. M. Ball Herb: Attached is a progress report on our environmental health project in the asbestoscement area. In line with our agreement at the J^huary 3rd meeting of a/c pipe manufacturei^ryou may want to pass this report on tO/hem. If there are questions befbre so doing, please let me know. Z / F '. J. Solon, Jr. cc-Dr. George W. M. Harris J. Baker W. P. Raines Wright, Cleveland,Ohio ' Castleman.CERT000219 i PROGRESS REPORT Environmental Health Project I Asbestos-Cement Pipe At the conclusion of the January 3rd meeting of asbestos- I cement pipe manufacturers, several of us volunteered for specific assignments. This is the first report of progress on those assignments. Assignment: H- M. Ball to visit the General Counsel of the Cast Iron Pipe Research Association to discuss the desirability of eliminating reference to alleged health hazards in the promotion of various types of water pipe. PROGRESS Mr. Ball and Jay Baker carried out this assignment on January 18, meeting with both the General Counsel and the Executive Secretary of the Association at the Counsel's Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Ball has reported the ... successful results of that meeting to the other a/c pipe manufacturers. J-M Pipe Division people report no new "incidents" since that time. A ssignment: F. J. Solon, Jr. to visit Dr. Murray Brown of the uisV Public Health Service to sound him out on what PHS plans to do about questions regarding the safety of a/c pipe and whether he would be receptive to the idea of broadening any PHS study to include cast iron, plastic and other types of pipe used to carry potable water. Castleman.CERT000220 -2 - PROGRESS At a subsequent meeting with Dr. George V.7- Wright, Medical Consultant to the President of Johns-Manville, it was deemed advisable for Dr. Wright, who knows Dr. Brown well, to make the contact. He did so by phone the week of January 21. Dr. Brown told Dr. Wright he was aware of the problem, that Senator Gore of Tennessee had shown interest in it and that he (Dr. Brown) had an appointment vith Dr. Stewart, the Surgeon General, that week and that the subject of a/c pipe could very well come up. He promised to report after his visit with Dr. Stewart. He did not report that week so Dr. Wright called him January 31 to learn: 1. The subject did not come up in Dr. Brown's meeting with the Surgeon General. 2. If there is to be a test program on a/c pipe, it will probablv be given to Dr. Brown's group - and that he has already made up his mind to include cast iron, plastic and other types of pipe in the program. 3. Dr. Brown has written to Dr. I. J. Selikoff asking for a copy of Dr. Selikoff 's letter to Dr. Bistowish, Director of Health of Nashville and Davidson County. H e is aw a i t i n g r e c e i p t of that letter b e f o r e w r i t i n g to Senator Gore, as the Senator had requested. He Castleman.CERT000221 has had no pressure from Senator Gore in the meantime and believes the political pressure is off. In light of the above, it would not seem to be necessary for a delegation of a/c pipe manufacturers to visit Dr. Broun or anyone else in the PUS at this time regarding the inclusion of cast iron pipe, etc., in any test program. However, we will keep in touch with the situation through Dr. Wright so that should consideration of a test program become imminent, we will be on top of it and can then mutually decide strategy. Assignment: Johns--Manville will prepare a position "background paper on the a/c pipe environmental health question. PROGRESS The first rough draft has been completed. To the comments of Dr. Wright which form a firm base for this paper, we wanted to add those of Dr. Selikoff. Ivan Sabourin, Counsel to the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association, obtained from Dr. Selikoff a copy of the Selikoff letter to Dr. Bistowish along with his (Dr. Selikoff's) permission to give it to F. J. Solon, Jr. This gave us direct knowledge of the letter instead of the indirect knowledge we had had previously. Now, in order to get "our own" letter of comment, Dr. Fred Pundsack of Johns-Manville who, with a group including Castleman.CERT000222 Mr. .Sabourin, has been having exploratory scientific meetings with the Selikoff Mount Sinai group for several months, wrote to Dr. Selikoff on January 30th, requesting his comments on health aspects of a/c pipe. Vie understand that Dr. Selikoff will answer this request - so that in the next two weeks, we should have our own letter from which we can excerpt for our position "background" paper. If this works out as scheduled we should have a final position paper ready by March 1st. Assignment: F .J. Solon, Jr. to_talk with D r . Wright re possible research programs on the a/c pipe health question. PROGRESS Dr. Wright contacted Dr. Robert T. deTreville of the Industrial Hygiene Foundation, Pittsburgh, where much ' asbestos fiber research has been and is being carried on. Dr. deTreville1s letter to Dr. Wright with an attached report from Dr. Paul Gross, shows that in tests already underway, involving rat feeding, no abnormalities have yet been found in the gastro intestinal tracts of these animals in the 21 months since the test program began. This is encouraging and we hope this preliminary report will be borne out on the final report when all animals have been processed. We have no date as yet for this final report. Castleman.CERT000223 Since these tests involve chrysotile fiber only, Dr. Wright is now considering the advisability of a similar test program involving crocidilite fiber. This will be further discussed at a meeting on February 20. Further on the Nashville "situation": Attached are copies of two clippings from the Nashville -- Banner, January 17 and the Nashville Tennessean, January 19 showing that Dr. Bistowish is still openly opposing a/c pipe despite the point of view expressed in Dr. Selikoff's letter to him. At a meeting this past week with Moke Harris and Jay Baker of the J-M Pipe Division, we agreed on strategy aimed at getting the "full story" into the Nashville papers(i.e., Dr. Selikoff's letter to Dr. Bistowish which takes a much more temperate view of the hazard than Dr. Bistowish has thus far verbalized to the press and others.) WATER CONTAMINATION STUDIES . At the January 3rd meeting we covered briefly the water test program we were getting underway at the Manville Research Center. Attached is a confirming memo from Ed Fenner, Director of our Environmental Control Department regarding that program. Castleman.CERT000224 -6 - Generally, I would say good progress is being made. We will continue to report as that progress warrants. F. J. Solon, Jr. Castleman.CERT000225 NASHVILLE BANNER t JANUARY 17,1968 iso ssios r i p e 'LHJii l;_y'<fJR'/ LlV's`.`'n//.' H7!tt' -V W v /-'>7 1?/ c/y .it c ! -a o'7ri" ?'/') r* 7/ j l ^ g j (/y i> /; y o tv . 7r : r b z j i_/<u 7/7)f; Ky DICK BATTLE ;has ashed the Nashvi'M Acad- we can assure follow up The Metropolitan Board oRemy of Medicine, through its care . . The director said Health recommended today) Public Health Committee head-'he would probably discuss the asbestos cement pipe not be used'cd by Dr. Alvin Keller, to in-'matter viin Vanderbilt and in the .Metropolitan water sys-i'vestigate the use of asbestos General Hospital officials. tem "until more evidence c'an,'pi'pe, - . i Drvr. Bistowish said a study cf . be developed" concerning any! The board in oth-: rciioi'.s(L-aflncnza. cases invoicing cm- ) health hazard from asbestos fi- this morning voted to ^ j pieces at a local industrial bers. ` measles vaccination to th ha-plant indicates a new strain cf ,1 Dr. Joseph Bistowish, director! rr.unizations required for ad-Jh` u vi'rus, ~ Taiwan" was ; of health, said the board "hasj mission to schools, nurscryithe cause of much of the re instructed me to recommend to schools and day care ccnteis.,cer.b flu epidemic. y Mr. Lawrence (director of wa-i Delays Clinic He said clinical evidence ter and sewerage services P.o- g-bc board delayed opening of!might develop another strain,! bort L. Lawrence) against _theja public health clinic in thc^but "wc know this new (A-2` use of asbestos pipe a. this time, Edgehiu pjrban renewal proj-!Taiwan) strain has been preva-1 until wc can get more evidence | ect pending "discussion of sev-ji.-r.t hete based on the smalt Wt, V, ant r.10.e i.UOi ..1-i.lOn aOOL.^' problems iinnrcllnuUdiirnwg!'nmuimmbhe.rr noff rcsa-sness rcbhoerckkpedd ?a.tf it before ue can make a firm the level of- indigency and hovviouj.Jr.<:ust^ial plant." decision." . ' - Councilman James LaPenna has been urging that bidding be opened to allow purchase of asbestos-cement pipe, v Dejected Plea Lawrence, who is responsible for specifications on materials, has rejected LaPenna's sugges tions on the basis cast iron pipe is superior to the asbestos pipe in tensile strength and suit ability for use here. ' Several medical exports have suggested the possibility that the ingestion of asbestos fibers from the use of asbestos pipe might be a cause of intestinal oncer. Dr. Bistowish said he also Castleman.CERT000226 JNA5UV XJjJ-iIj JANUARY 19, 1968 ,-vM f `-:':/.1D5 /!/S'//iOLLV.\;iSn . , 1A) VA O c;<cxc j'_A ; A s b e s to s j By EK.-WK KITTED ' | Dr. Joseph Bistovish, Metroj "health director, recommcnde-dj ' to a council committee last: .right that asb.estos cement pip. e;. not be used in th.c water sys-| . ter here because of "possible ' h..e..a..l.t.h....h..a..z..a..r.d..s.... There is no evidence, Bistowish explained, to prove that the ingestion of asbestos fibers is not related to cancer. And until further tests arc conducted to show that no hazard exists, the health director added, "I ' would not like asbestos pipe*; carrying voter to my house.'' Pi iIrLwj/ p !V../j<_e?Oo' K. RAYMOND A n g s t , " as-|[ " We would have discussed, if; sistrmt distri.ct s.a:il'.ens> mnmanagte.. vc j.r.j ucc.n pjvcl) chance to for Jobns-.danvme -g'-e.-- Coip-,,, lv[-!y. u.s. Department of' a m. a.im. f.aC. '.u! e:. o-a, s^e,n.,;'p- .p,. .Commerce ffiirg,u,,r,e,s, wv.-hhiicchh sshhooew sc..d ajoc-iros p,pe has b a used. ti,c ,!5C of MbratM pipe for -a to ,,0 j e a u m s ,i([-ior!g;hot.it the countrv has iu- v' li-'ut `"'averse consequence^.^ . j frotn 21.7% of'the busi n n c r o noJ,:|;s to prove. , " fa to 3Kp in ,s.r ,. he adoudue'JdU.,. tmhaatt. tuui-e..iot ur.iiet ui.^jv.,,1_ . ,, . , .. agerr.ts in c a s t iron pipe wle!,!: ^ 2 the same l*r,cd. tnc use won Id cause cancer." cat A `A ', ^ A `S d 11 A.,,t;:igst then raised the question-1*rcm ' U*J,C toCt.^>c. - _f whether tire " tar which is'j "This indicates that the use used for the inside lining of cast of asbestos pipe in water sys- ron pjpS 3 carcinogenic (can-, tents throughout the nation is ccr-prcducmg)?" jjaccepted.1 T" ayl'or cal.l.e..d.......l..a..s...t......n..g..h..t.1sh gUte public works committee meeting of the public worxsmndo no recommendation last tivc manuf, which cidence of cancer than cities. P1^0- | waterworks dep: jbestos pine representatives are, ; that don't use the pipe. EISTOV, i..IS1I .M.A.DE h i s rec ommeadation to the councils .pubhc works comma,ec headed LENNART A. Kahlencler,. g_en#e.r*.a->lT ^salIe/-,(s* rmti a^nra^g/teAfr* for the cor- poration, s p o k e for an hour bou- v:haA e tcr[r,cd the ad. vantagS of using cast iron not permitted to bid on cnn-` tracts for supplying pipe to the _ local government. - -------------. . by Councilman Kicnard 1 ay or. pjpei sin2 co!ore(f slid?3 to J . The puolie worf.s commit ec, ustra[ ^is talk. He spent an- . along w i t h tne counct. s pur- otbcr jjaif hour answering ques- chasing committee, has been tjon3_ . j. studying the restive merits of Taylor sharply limited dis asbestos and cast iron pipe. cussion of questions raised by ' Nashville has used cast iron August, competitor of Clow pipe exclusively, although it is Corp., and would not allow the more expensive than asbestos asbestos pipe representative to, pipe, for at least 40 years in _ _ - ................._,r " t h e water system here. Robert'give a full presentation of hist . - L. Lawrence Jr., Metro water- views. -I w orks director, has defended \y. J. Hayes Jr., direct sales! the practice on grounds cast representative fur Johns - Man-j iron pipe is better. ville, said he thinks most of LheJ Eistowish, in raising the ques- adverse comments about ashes-1 tion relating to a possible health tos pipe comd have been remted^ hazard inherent in asbestos if Taylor had permitted others [ pipe, said it is a proven fact, the freedom he gave Clow repthat inhalation of asbestos fibers-resentatives in speaking out. can cause car.cer. | " \Vc were not given an eppor- " We do know that you camtuuity at t'uis meeting," Hayes get cancer by inhaling asbestos jadded, " to make a presania- fibers," he added, "b u t_ we ;;cu or offer a rebuttal to the aren't certain about the mS^-.qii-^ti&ro raised, tion of fibers -- there have bee:; ' . no studies to prove it deesn t " I V v .v . n . \ n b e e n p e r m i t t e d cause career. . . I t o S ? ', o n ! W C V. a u l d b a s e " it is my understanding that b i l O A I l 3 6 ^ : 9 `0 j P A * - ' h a s b e e n such studies are now underway,''ui:-s;ec dd !f u r r.\?. V'f f!cc?.:h e ; in a l l and perhaps they will shod some tpnt a*irrto; o f l!:o n.p.tion. a n d u s e d light on the question. But to my-with great success............ mind, there are too many un- ' ' answered questions at this timej about asbestos pipe." [ Castleman.CERT000227 January 3, 1968 George W. Wright, M. D. Head, Medical Research Department St." Luke's Hospital 11311 Shaker Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44104 Dear George: As requested, I am sending, herewith, a copy of Paul's preliminary report on the feeding of chryso^ile to rats. Best regards. Sincerely, deT:sld Enclosure cc-Dr. P. Gross Robert T. P. deTreville, M-D. Castleman.CERT000228 I DATE : January 3, 1968 TO: Dr. Robert T. P. deTreville FROM : Dr. Paul Gross SUBJECT : Asbestos Feeding Study-- Preliminary Report As part of our investigation of the bio-effects asbestos, we prepared an intimate mixture of finely divided ball milled chrysotile asbestos so that the chrysotile constituted 5 percent of the food by weight. This was fed to ten young growing rats for 21 months. A comparable control group of rats of the same age and weight was fed the same diet but without chrysotile. .The weight curves of the two groups of animals were not significantly different from one another. At autopsy, 21 months after the beginning of the feeding experiment, no significant abnormality was found. Sections were prepared from various portions of the gastro-intestinal tract as well as from the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Although all animals have not yet been processed, no abnormality has been found in the sections so far examined. P .G.-ejd P .G. Castleman.CERT000229 Environmental Control Department Research < Engineering Centei January 2, 1968 CONFIDENTIAL W. P. Raines - GHQ Water C o n t a m i n a t i o n Studies The water contamination studies planned by the Research Center are in three groups. In the first two the samples collected will be checked.as follows: (1) Filtration tests, and microscopic examination of the particulate matter to detect asbestos, if present. (2) Water hardness. (3) Viater pH. (4) Iron content of the water. %T h e Group I program involves all ca5t-iro,, pipe town- tests of water from Bound Brook, N. J., end Hanville, N. J., " . J - - a - cement pipe town". The sampling and testing program will be m immediately after the first of the year Samples w i b e tii t> weekly from each town. The program will continue until d ^ m i t i results are obtained. The Group II test program involves water samples from the following cities: Globe, Arizona San Diego, California Long Beacn, California Providence, Rhode Island , Wichita, Kansas _ Memphis (Capleville District), Tennessee. first sample will be Two samples will be taken from each city, asbestos-cement pipe the source water before it has passed throug and the second will be water after it has pass ed through the pipe, have been received and Samples from Globe, San Diego, and Long Beach the others are due soon. Castleman.CERT000230 CONFIDENTIAL . r W. P. Raines - GHQ ' ... . -2- . . January 2, 196S The Group III tests will be made on a new pipe test loop stand under construction at the Research and Engineering Center. This test stand will permit controlled studies cf the erosion or disintegration of asbestos-cement pipe by water of different pH and hardness values. The system utilizes a 30-ft test run of ashestos-cement pipe' and is equipped with fairly sophisticated control equipment. The water run through the test will be filtered sna examinee for asbestos fiber content. The water, which will not be recirculated, will be continuously and automatically adjusted to the proper pH and hardness values. This system is scheduled to be in operation in April 196S. The first long-term test is planned with very severe water conditions insofar as asbestos-cement pipe is concerned - low pH and low hardness. EMF/ems cc: F. L. Pundsack J. H. Swensen File C E. M. Fenner Castleman.CERT000231 CERTAIN-TEED PRODUCTS CORPORATION TAINTED Ambler kS ATTENTI0N0F: J L JolV Mr. J. R. ANSWERING YOURS:. Ardmore Lega, ' DATE: ^ - ' January 19, 1968 DICTATED BY: C. E. DeLong / kh SUBJECT: HEALTH HAZARDS OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE cc: Hr. Malcolm Meyer - Ardmore Mr. Herbert Ball of Johns-Manviile called on Friday, January 19. 1968. to report certain developments in the controversy about the health hazards of asbestos cement pipe. Following Mr. Ball's meeting with the G eneral^O^unsei for the Cast Iron Research Institute, tke Ca^ij ^rn , people had a meeting and they have now decided not to use publicity about suspected health hazards of asbestos as a sales medium for promoting theip^products. Doctor Wright through Murray Brown of the U. S. Public Health Service has submitted the asbestos problem to the Surgeon General, and his views about the need fo studying the problem will be received shortly. It has been learned that Senator Gore has entered into the controversy at Nashville concerning the use of asbestos cement pipe and has been promoting the inte of the Public Health Service m this matter. There is still a great deal of controversy in Nashville as to whether specifications should be open to asbestos cement pipe. There have been certain meetings or hearings held, in the course of one of which the possible health hazards of cold tar products used by the Cast Iron people were mentioned. gke.n e-^*-l s VLES hto PI^E JAN 23 8 3 6/87 Castleman.CERT000232 :V, --z* ":.' ,:.,;A',"C<*t;-.:-Vv>-'-- ,'f-^ir :,*'V'--i.'/-'.-:"i ' `- V ^ . - r;^Cl' /;"<" ^'r1^ -"' V< V,**A-. *<*.*.6*4' -'r ^'.T'v -"i ';< *. ' r~ " T-'. - : '' ' 7'- - ..* ' V ' . '' -.. ' -' . ."". :- 4>^-' . irt. FORM 117 ACTION- Subject MEMO Q See attached For Your APPROVAL For Your COMMENT Advise COMPLETION Date CO N TACT Me About This PerQ Our D Y o u r CONVERSATION For DISCUSSION Prepare ESTIMATE For Your FILE For FOLLOW-UP Record Please HANDLE For Your INFORMATION INVESTIGATE And Report READ Q Destroy Q Return Per Your REQUEST Advise STATU S____________ _________ *pttY r'ssnci TO J. L . FROM Cc. DATE RETURN BY FORWARD TO fK ~ lit D ^ v r U( T0 *'*`V*i-&**r^ '.C-YY> --f-' Castleman.CERT000233 im s t- J_ 'oi-v^O 7n'l e L %.V/./N_> By DICK BATTLE ,has asked the Nashville A-' The Metropolitan Board of ePmubvncofHeMaletdhicCinoem, mthitrtoeueghho vw c2n assure tono * up cave . . The director acid he would probably discuss tb'.- Health recommended today; asbestos cement pipe not be used ed by Dr. -Alvin Keller, to matter with Van:',orb: It ?.r.a in the Metropolitan water sys pvieCs-3ti.gale the use o: asfccs General H-spita! o - u c r !s. ' Dr. Bismwis'i mid a Svud; o' tem "until more evidence be developed" concerning can any The board in other this nmming voted toactioacnisd; plo.inyneesr,?.aat eaaseslocinatlol.wiw.gitfsienmel health bers. hazard from asbestos fi measles vaccinabcu to muti/Citions reon:red Leo for im- ant indicates a ad tie. virus, ` A-d aw' strait " a ......' ` n, "" ofDLr.ja.llioiis.crshaiBdistthoev.isbho.arddire"chtoasr mission to =c.ioo's, nursery, Lie cause of much cr the te instructed me to recommend to schools and day care centers. cum flu cpwewfe. `M.. Lawrence (director of wa Delays Clime I He said eiir.ka! evadruce ller and sewerage services Re Tine board delayed opening of, ntiaht dcvcL-u a n o s t r a . i . t iberl L. Lawrence) against the ,a ier: 1hi clinic _ir, the but ''we know- this new (A-L me of ashes*os pipe at unul we cm get more this time ilivhcliii Urua.) veuev.vi p-'Ojeviarr.cc. ,ect pending "bisenssion of >ev- Taiwr-tt s'r'.-iit 1 it h:.e b, lms been on I'ne prev smr-l ;\Vo want mote ir.fornuuion about ,end orobiems . - . including m tr.eci' of cases chss.-ca at lit before we can male a tirr.i ;the level of mdrency ar.c bow lone hidu.-'.nal p h ..'.." ______ decismn." j Councilman dames LaFenna; Ihits been urging that bidding be' | opened 10 allow purenase of j !asbestos-cement, pipe. , 1 Rejected Plea j Lawrence, who is responsible, for specifications on materials., has rejected LaPcnr.a's sugges-' tions on the basis cast iron pipe is superior to tnc- asbestos pipe in tensile strength and suit ability for use here. Several medical experts have suggested the possibility that 'the'ingestion of asbestos fibers Ifrom "the use of asbestos pipe :might be a cause of intestinal earner. ----------- Dr. Bistov.ish said he also Castleman.CERT000234 - R o w : '7 J-- -s <. / -r ;'/ o / Ii l -J ^ t ' Ak --/ i-' \ G gainst O' -: '>'V T:j ^v. Oy JL By DICK BATTLE ,hemasy asokfedMetdhiecinNea,shtvhirloleugAhcaidts wcaeve c.an. asTsuilree dirfeoclltoowr sauipd he would probably discuss the HeTahleth MreetcroopmomliteanndedBoartdodaoyf Pedubblivc DHre.altAhlvCinomKmeiiiteier.? thoeaidn--'imatter with Vanderbilt and asbestos cement pipe not be used in the Metropolitan water sys vestigate The use of ashes',os General Hospital officials. tem "until more evidence can Pi!- . Dr. Bistowish said a study ot be developed'' concerning any The board in otner actions' ir.'hki.za cases involving c:n- health hazard from asbestos fi tills morning voted to add pioves at a local industrial bers. ' measles vaccination to the im- plant indicates a new strain of numizations required for ad f!u virus. "A-2 Taiwan" was Dr. Joseph Bistowish. director]mission to schools, nursery the cause of much of the re of health, said the board "has; ,instructed me to recommend to]schools and day care centers. cent tin epidemic. Mr. Lawrence (director of wa-] Delays Clinic ! He said clinical evidence | ter and sewerage services Iio-| The board delayed opening of might develop another strain ibert L. Lawrence) against the| a public health clinic in the but "\vc know this new (A-2 use of asbestos pip? at this time, Edgehill Urban renewal projTaiwan) strain has been preva until we can get more evidence.; ect pending "discussion of sevilin'. here based on the small We want more information about eral problems . . . including number of cases checked at it before we can make a firm the level of indigency and howlone industrial plant."_______ _ decision." Councilman James LaPenna has been urging that bidding be opened to allow purchase of' asbestos-cement pipe. j Dejected Plea j Lawrence, who is responsible] for specifications on materials,i has rejected LaPer.na's sugges tions on the basis cast iron pipe is superior to the asbestos pip? in tensile strength and suit ability for use here. Several medical experts have suggested the possibility that the ingestion of asbestos fibers from the use of asbestos pipe might be a cause of intestinal cancer. -----------] Dr. Bistowish said he also Castleman.CERT000235 1 J i ^ VU/ tv L' U i-t is/ JL By DICK BATTLE has asked the Nashville Acnd-i can assure follow up The Metropolitan Board of'emv of Medicine, through i'ts care . " Tno director said !he would probably discuss tho Health recommended today! Public ecTbv Health Committee Dr. Alvin Keller, ho. to in-miatier with Vanderbilt and asbestos cement pipe not be used1vestigate the use of asbestos General Hospi-.a: off.cia s. in the Metropolitan water sys-j pipe ! Dr. Bistovisb said a study of tem "until more evidence can; be developed'1 concerning any The board in other actions: influenza case.' involving cm* health hazard from asbestos fi this morning voted to ad.d pioycs at a local indusliicd bers. | mmeuansizleastiovnasccirneaqtuioinredto ftohre iamd--;jpfiinanLviirnudsi,cat"eA/,-?a Tnaeiwwasntrainwacsf ofDhre. aJloths,epshaiBdistthoewisbho,arddire"chtoasr;| mission to schools, nursery the cause of much of the re instructed me to recommend to. schools and day care centers, cent flu epidemic. Mr. Lawrence (director of wa-j Delays Clinic | He said clinical evidence Her and sewerage services Ro The board delayed opening oil might develop- amothcr strain bert L. Lawrence) against the a public health clinic in the tut "we knov thu new C* - use of asbestos pipe at this time1EdgehiU Urban renewal proj-'.Taiwan) strain has been p:c\ until we can get more evidence. eel pending "discussion of sev-jbnt here bas-cd on the, sm< Wc want more information about eral problems . . . includinginumoer of cc.scs checked at it before we can make a firm the level of indigency and howlone industrial plant.________. decision.'' Councilman James LaPenna has been urging that bidding be opened to allow purchase of asbestos-cement pipe. Rejected Plea i Lawrence, who is responsible! for specifications on materials,| has rejected LaPenr.a's sugges tions on the basis cast iron pipe is superior to the asbestos pipe in tensile strength and suit ability for use here. Several medical experts have suggested the possibility that the ingestion of asbestos fibers from the use of asbestos pipe might be a cause of intestinal cancer. -----------Dr. Bistowish said he also Castleman.CERT000236 ]Asfc'estos-Cemenf -THF. N VSH\ ii.LF RA.XNER. Tnurr. Sox. ins: Warning Sounded I(. 0111j!11!('i! ! 'Oil' ; By DICK BATTLE tmay create a "medical hAzardi n durability to cas: nv. i'i: .. j Health and medical authorities of significant degree." j have warned Metro Director of{ "Asbestos has been fairly well' Water and Sewerage Services established in medical circles! IRo. be. rt. L. Law, rence Jr. th a t,'c"anc"eSr *m the lungs or gastro[substitution of asbestos-cement,n[esj|na} tract, one letter w ipipe for cast iron water m ains`Lawrence stated. A copy of the ___________________ -- -------- letter was also sent to Council- ' - man James J. LaPenna. chair . ,, ; _ man of the council's purchasing . `committee who has urged broad- ening water pipe specifications to include bidding bv asbestos- `cement pipe manufacturers. " U a ruing , , --. - -. - The warning expressed by Dr. James D. Snell Jr., assistant professor of medicine, Vander- . .bilt University, and by Dr. J. i.M. Bistowish, Metro director of . .health, follows efforts by Coun- `ciiman LaPenna on Nov. 21 - to promote an all expense paid trip for couneilmen to visit the "research center" of an as bestos-cement p i p e manufac turer "30 minutes outside New York City." - For many years Lawrence has insisted on the use of cast iron pipe for the local water system. He has informed La Penna he does not consider as bestos-cement pipe comparable (Please Turn to Page 13, Col. 1) LaPenna has not : isbestos-cemen'. ripe m tailed m the Metro watc: - .cm. lie has urged tha s;v.: ;ations be rewritten to .t1 j i d d i n g by as-i'c.s,.o---a',wen: manufacturer- or supnlier- a- i means of forcing mwer bum from castiron pine ir.anuiac;-., rs. Lawrence has said he wih not approve use of the pipe aiui changing specifications nnuer t h e s e circumstances ;s no; "honest." Work Trip' .. The trip for councilman l<; ;"c eastern research center 1,1 asbestos-cement nine v.vjmu fac turing firm i> a ''won. LaPenna stains. 10 cam imoi 'naation about the rroriuc: ' IHe told the council or1 -`nv. 21,* however, it was "ver'V i1"'siblc no tangible result ? v w inn' ' bin urged they make the oxernight junket in a company piano at no cost to themselves and also invited newsmen and Me- tro officials to sign up tor the free trip. Conies 0! the two let ters from Doctors Snell and Bistowish dated Nov. 14 and 17 respectively were mailed to Penna. Dr. Snell's letter to Lawrence w m- o' 1' m.: o :n: ; - v . "no. ' t. 111rade S iC'.' )' -re m 0. tmrdc!' of e.m:;.< a ~ Aiarm suggem tn;.: w iw 11 to won: on lee r.: :u m it v. itkotu rmon-um :ie> of asbesto- ini1 mo ... panicles were rmc;: urvnt meciicn! knew lot:_ timi a nse m certain : i.f eaneer could ho (wnee'*' : w Jiw:: 2!)-no among tiw . nave r. rrcinomtton ' - reu 'ring.' a- , w.m na- mo in 1 n e r' to he e en.rt';: \> 1 h. I '1.1 riu Ho aganc'v o\eop; tuo.-o- m mar soiv bacteria cairn. n'rae.r;.:. 1)](. mpo. li >(>, imere hr< ime-. a terrible im.'lake made ri i: lowing us jpg p,po sbos cmi'am <IC!. IS mv ommon inn: a `- though it i> common piactie; j;1 nianv cities, we would ho mi- v. me to change our spenta ; tiww m aHow a mo'lO'-re: w pin" to compete unti! the mi! fee: Mim'd. 1 micud rentier with oil 0. : ho.-' >mi !.. ' ';1.11 !1: of t; O-M nr: 1: -O'-crj|;m1 ei dp cm ,,,. 'c. ; . ' wmce; mio n. 0 . '(ivaw . ... n.. ;a 1'cr in-O lor r- reco:::': a.- any doub* ' competent memmedical and one: "crur pro: ossions. a maim : in:.- numi-!' .should alwavs 1. 'e->nd ed m 'uch a manner as states: "I read with great concern 'w council's recommendation tom Metronolitan G o v e r n m e n t re-wnte their sooclfications on water Dice to allow asbestos-ce ment to competitively bid. 1 was no: aware, nor apparontiv are m a n y medical peoole aware, that asbestos containing nipt* tias been used in water svstems. " Asbestos has neon fair!'-' well e-mwisood in medira' ere"'' a- causing a hien n c id e w . ' w cancer, in the lungs if b-eaHwo 0- in gastrointestinal trar n sv allowed even in a m n 11 1; { - i'll" -ale'' ..Mu <pire; in1, v hie:! rwi-w hazardous." Dr. Bisiowish 1' Dislowish wrote lowing leuc" 00 \o snon-o to cornu : ion remo\ e am. doubt vhatsoc' e l.a rence . m response to on :tori': .'aal Lal'enna hac: b-. "ann'iied wun copies of all e ''esnnmFne. tram Drs. Sue!: . f.'-lih'W1-0 .(m: ms Lawrenc' repn. and .'demon to erg":- wiMimm;- r e p o r i - Dr. Snell: tmdi w : re.a'tve to compan "Following your trleniione e relative to me w-- asbem pm* i'w r.U -' -uom.v 1 c -t non pipi- and asn-w pmc. The direr.' : M'uw.aeo services m.d noncif LaPenna ve nd m! m S:a- h \ ; : w m 1iwilili U J ` to m- council, hi.- c wi Ui or umm- uimo hthe' . milil,, e and me nublic m. prrier no: t 1 haw ashco*- :*-i: c"i 1 espanucnce :.w: ieic\ to tu uw\i. tnere wa> no nroiwumm small enough to be visible only under a microscope. "Regardless of who is using it now, and regardless of any reassurances bv salesmen from ..asbestos-cement pipe manufac* avamst n and >ucii pipe- n r ` :lo used in some nan.' of the coon- ,1.,u. try. 1 can fmei no one at liu- r ilt. stale level who has knowledge . of any auequate studies to run |I)V , out iicalth hazards from the , o;n of asbestos piping. 1 have writ rn 1:1c Metr.w.ibmn Cd 1 .'p'wtcu I.nFenna .md r'iiiurdmon jUn \ .. tan New York trio mo OIM 1 nn making toe f ; ten for information from moieimi c. ' rani: C.1111 tn. 0 G.S. Public Heallii Service ;uui ,Jm1\ 1 - Karl Shacklelt. J to the National Center for id-nan h r .. Hubert MeBndc. M.m and occunalional Health m de Doue as. Haul hankem-hm. termine if thev hi;\ e Knox.imlge tin 01 iitudics being m.icie on m.- j it l. i and Tluuna.x So ina'.enal. It may interest yon to know ' that in one area near Mempm.-.., ph tparts hydrogen) of the water was about 10 or 11 and com-- .plaints irom residents were ro-|r ceivcd that the water was milky.1 .Investigation revealed that tnc1 lime had been dissolved irom a 1 cement component of the pipe and constant flushing had to be continued 10 keep the pipes clear. Castleman.CERT000237