Document ymk2wRmEvoXLg56ekdZRqy266

"CALIDRIA11 ASBESTOS RG-244 HEALTH AND OSHA INFORMATION October 1, 1977 Union Carbide Corporation Mining and Metals Division "Calidria" Asbestos Marketing and Technology Department Niagara Falls, New York 4o ^ yJ UCC 015928 INTRODUCTION The Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed In 1970 with the stated objective of assuring every American worker a safe and healthy workplace. The first health standard promulgated under this act covered exposures to airborne asbestos and went into effect on June 7, 1972. OSHA proposed extensive revisions of the regulations on October 9, 1975. The pro posal has been going through a variety of administrative procedures including feasibility and inflationary impact studies. The revised version is expected sometime in the first half of 1978. Asbestos has received a great deal of attention and publicity in the last several years. Unfortunately, much of the media treatment of the subject has been emotionally oriented and distorted and, in some cases, bordering on the sensational and untrue. Many users of asbestos and products containing asbestos have been mislead regarding the safety of asbestos and what is needed to comply with the OSHA requirements. . The information presented in this folder has been collected as a service to "Calidria" asbestos users. It is intended to help put both the health and OSHA compliance questions in a reasonable perspective. Included are: 1. A summary of the main provisions of the OSHA Asbestos Standard and a copy of the regulations. 2. Airborne asbestos fiber count data obtained by Union Carbide at a variety of industrial locations during the blending of RG-244 into polyester resin, the spraying of the asbestos containing resin, and the sanding and grinding of the finished parts. 3. Two pamphlets, "What You Should Know About Asbestos And Health" and "Asbestos and Health" published by the Asbestos Information Association/North America. The first is an employee oriented discussion of both health and OSHA while the second addresses the health question. Additional copies are available on request. 4. A Material Safety Data sheet and analytical data on "Calidria" asbestos. OSHA REGULATIONS Introduction After extensive public hearings, a Federal standard for Exposure to Asbestos Dust was published in the Federal Register, Volume 37, No. 110 on Wednesday, June 7, 1972. A copy of this standard (1910.1001) is included with the literature at the back of this booklet.O) 0) Some states have established their own regulations and enforcement programs and have been certified by OSHA. Generally, these regulations are identical to 1910.1001 but occasionally there are important differences. This dis cussion applies only to the Federal standard. Information on any particular state is available upon request. A23793 UCC 015929 -2- Basically, the standard can be divided into the following five major categories: 1. Standards: . Defines the allowable airborne asbestos fiber content in the workplace. 2. Monitoring: Defines the method of collecting samples and measuring the airborne fiber concentration. 3. Methods of Compliance: Defines acceptable procedures to met the allowable limits. 4. Medical: Specifies frequency and type of medical examinations required. 5. Warning Signs and Labeling: Specifies when warnings are necessary and the wording of such warnings. The essential features of these categories are discussed in the remainder of this section. Before looking at these, however, it should be made clear that in the most basic sense the regulations require that every place of employment where asbestos is used must be monitored to determine the exposure level of airborne asbestos fibers. I the levels are well within the allowable limits, the only additional requirements are those relating to medical examina tions. If the levels are not clearly within compliance, all provisions of the regulations apply. There has been a great deal of confusion on this distinction, occasionally even with OSHA field inspectors. Standards The present OSHA standards Set a maximum exposure to airborne asbestos fiber of length longer that 5y of: 1. An 8-hour, time-weighted average (TWA) of 2 fibers/cc. 2. A ceiling concentration of 10 fibers/cc. Note particularly the use of the time-weighted average over the 8hour shift. An operator performing one or two short additions of RG-244 per shift, as is typical of polyester producers, would have his exposure during the dumping time averaged with zero (or a very low background level) for the rest of the shift. This, obviously, tends to greatly reduce the 8-hour TWA. UCC 015930 A23707 -3- Monitorinq The regulations require an initial monitoring to determine whether the workplace meets the required levels. Thus: "Within six months of publication of the regulations (June 7, 1972), every employer shall cause every place of employment where asbestos fibers are released to be monitored in such a way as to determine where every employee's exposure to asbestos fibers is below the prescribed limits." Monitoring usually is done by the membrane filter/personal air sampler, which can be obtained from a number of manufacturers. The personal air sampler draws workplace air onto a filter which collects the particulates and fibrous dust in the air. This filter is then placed under a microscope and the number of fibers counted. After the count is complete, the actual fiber concentrations, expressed as fibers per cubic centimeter of air, are calculated by formula. After the initial monitoring, the regulations state: "...samples shall be of such frequency and pattern as to represent with reasonable accuracy the levels of exposure of employees. In no case shall the sampling be done at intervals greater than 6 months for employees whose exposure to asbestos may reasonably be foreseen to exceed the limits prescribed by paragraph (b) of this section?1 The section that has been underlined shows that if the initial monitoring give levels that are well below the allowable limits and no change is made in the method of operation which would increase dust levels, no further monitoring is required. It is a good and recommended practice, however, to monitor at regular intervals to make sure that the limits are being met. It should also be understood that you cannot be cited legally for exceeding the allowable limits on the basis of your own monitoring. OSHA must base any citations issued on their own tests. Methods of Compliance , If monitoring shows a^ plant or operation to be In excess of the limits, a number of ways are prescribed to bring it into compliance. These include, but are not limited to, engineering controls such as isolation, enclosure, exhaust ventilation, and dust collection. Certain work and housekeeping practices and waste disposal procedures are specified. Respirators, special clothing, and change rooms are also required under certain conditions. It is most important to understand that these compliance procedures are required only if the allowable airborne asbestos fiber limits are being exceeded or can be expected to be exceeded under reasonably foreseeable circumstances. They are not automatic requirements that apply wherever asbestos is present. &23708 UCC 015931 -4- Medical Examinations Preplacement, annual, and termination medical examinations must be provided or offered by the employer for any employee "... engaged in occupa tions exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers." These medical records must be kept for 20 years and are available to the employee's physician. This section has proved to be one of the most confusing in the regulations since it does not define any cutoff level below which examinations are not required. Finally, after five years of urging, OSHA issued a clari fication. "Exposure to asbestos" is specified as any exposure which exceeds 0.1 fiber/cc >5y in an 8-hour time-weighted average or a peak level greater than 0.5 fiber/cc >5y based on a 15-minute sample period. Caution Signs and Labeling The regulations require that: "Caution signs shall be provided and displayed at each location where airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers may be in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section." Wording for the signs is also specified. There have been some cases where the OSHA inspectors have taken this to mean signs are required at any location where asbestos is present, regardless of whether or not the exposure limits are exceeded. Although this is clearly incorrect, there has been a tendency to post the signs and not contest the citation. The regulations also require that: "Caution labels shall be affixed to all raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris, and other products containing asbestos fibers, or to their containers, except that no label is required where asbestos fibers have been modified by a bonding agent, coating, binder, or other material so that during any reasonably foreseeable use, handling, storage, disposal, processing, or transportation, no airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section will be released." Wording for these labels is also specified. UCC 015932 K23703 -5- AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS Introduction This section presents air sampling data obtained in a variety of situations, mostly for typical industrial operations. All samples were collected on Mi Hi pore filters and counted at 400X with phase contrast illumination in accordance with OSHA procedures. Particles which satisfied the L/.D >3 criteria but which, in the judgment of an experienced counter, could not possibly be asbestos were not included in the counts. Presentation of Data Table I shows "Calidria" asbestos R6-244 fiber counts obtained at 8 different polyester manufacturing plants. Typically, several hundred pounds of RG-244 are dumped into the thin tank in a 10-25 minute period. These samples obtained during the dumping operation thus represent ceiling concen trations. They would normally be averaged with considerably lower numbers for the remainder of the shift when asbestos is not being handled to arrive at the TWA. The highest fiber count found at these eight locations was 2.8 fibers/cc which is well below the allowable limit of 10 fibers/cc. Table II shows the fiber counts at three of the same manufacturing locations at the empty bag collection point. These values are also quite low. Table III shows airborne fiber counts for "small-scale" addition of RG-244 as occurs in a variety of compounding operations. The levels found ranged from 0.4 to 2 fibers/cc. Table IV shows the airborne asbestos fiber count data obtained during the spraying of a variety of asbestos containing resins. Much of the data are for polyester resins, but epoxies and alkyds are also included. The asbestos content of the resins ranged from 0 to 12% by weight. The highest count obtained was 0.6 fiber/cc. Polyester resin parts are often finished by sanding or grinding. Table V shows the airborne asbestos fiber counts obtained during a number of industrial finishing operations on resins with up to^OSS asbestos. The highest reading obtained here was 0.4 fiber/cc,. Table VI gives the results for a laboratory study where resin plaques containing a variety of fillers were abraided with an electric hand grinder in a small closed room. Even under these extreme conditions, the fiber counts were quite low with 1.2 fibers/cc, the highest observed. UCC 015933 &.23B0 n AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS*1 "LARGE-SCALE " DUMPING OF RG-244 ("100-450 lb./Batch) Plant A B C D E F G H I J K Data Reference -- 1929-46-2 1929-30-2 1929-56-1 1929-50-3 1929-26-3 1929-24-2 1929-16-1 2119-8-9 2119-6-23 2119-12-9 Description of Operation Dump Sample Bags Time Time Dumped (Min.) (Min.) 10 10 10 14 9 9 15 21 21 36 12 12 15 8 8 45 20 20 10 24 24 28 15 15 13 8 8 20 10 10 34 72 72 Special Ventilation'*' None None Hood over thin tank opening None None None Hood over mixing area None None None None CO CM CEILING Concentrat Fiber Count (Fibers/cc. >5u) 0.7 1.2 0.7 2.4 0.5 1.6 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.9 ^All samples collected in the breathing zone of the operator dumping the RG-244. ^Special ventilation refers to dust collection equipment at or near the dumping area that is specifically intended for dust control during the dumping operation. All plants had varying measures of overall building ventilation. Plant A 8 B 0 Data Reference 1929-40-3 1929-40-5 2119-6-23 TABLE II AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS EMPTY BAG REMOVAL A. 2.38 01 Description of Operation Sample taken 3 feet above waste disposal drum for empty bags. (During dumping.) Directly over empty bag stacking area. Taken during dump. Empty bag storage area. Taken during dump as bags were put in. Sample taken during bag disposal and clean up. UCC 015934 Sample Time (Min.) 10 23 24 24 Fiber Count (Fibers/cc. >5p) 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.1 TABLE III ( AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS^ - "SMALL-SCALE" DUMPING OF RG-244 (1-25 lbs./Batch) End Use Furniture Molding M II i n .N II Gel Coat Mfg. II II Artificial Brick Mfg. II II II Roof Coating Mfg. Gel Coat ^ yes ter EpMoxy Gel Coat Putty m Sealant Caulking Compound U II Patching Compound Pounds Dumped 1 12 1 6 9 3 5 1.5 12 10.5 25 6.3 6.3 20* 20 20 15 6 6 3.3 Dump Time (Min.) 10 2.5 11 8 25 3 4 10 13 13 11 41 39 10 35 34 19 3 11 10 Sample Time (Min.) 10 2.5 11 8 25 3 4 10 13 13 11 41 39 10 35 34 19 3 tl 10 Special /,,* Ventilation^' None Hone None Good Hood None None Good Hood None None Outdoors None None None Exhaust Fan Exhaust Fan None None None None Ceiling Concentration Fiber Count (Fibers/cc >5u) 1.5 1.1 2.0 0.9 0.7 1.2 0.9 0.4 1.1 0.3 O.'l 1.0 2.0 0.6* . 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.7 ^All samples collected in the breathing zone of the operator dumping the RG-244. (' 2)Spec.ial vent.ilation refers to dust collection equipment at or near the dumping area that is specifically intended for dust control during the dumping operation. All plants had varying measures of overall building ventilation. Sample taken during dump and bag disposal. &23B02 UCC 015935 1ABU IV AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS - (, SPRAYING OF RESIN CASED SYSTEMS CONTAINING ASBESTOS Sample Deslanatlon Comnerclal Application Date I - POLYESTER RESINS A. General Purpose Lamlnatlnq Resins 69 Boat manufacture. 12/7/72 Binder General purpose laminating resin. 1-13 10/31/74 R-28 R-30 Appro*-0) imate Mt. S Asbestos Spray Gun Type Operation Sample Time (Win.) Airborne Asbestos Fiber Concentration (Fibers/cc >5.*) 0.5 Air-supported Operator spraying chopper. molds with resin t chopped glass. 24 0.5 0.5 0.5 Operator spraying resin t chopped fiber glass. (Includes roll-out time.) Operator spraying resin 6 chopped fiber glass. Operator spraying resin S chopped flbe-' glass. 16 5 4 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.4 N-34 V M2 10/8/74 P.S 0.5 0.5 Operator spraying mold with resin. (No glass.) 55 0 53 0.03 35 0.1 B. Chemical Resistant Resins J-21 Fiber-glass pipe manufacture. 8/13/74 H-26 Chemical resistant resin. 1.4 Airless. 1.4 Operator adjacent to automatic spray machine coating 28' mandrels. Operator wiping mandrels. In area near spraying. 23 0.1 14 0.4 J-5 Ship coating. 10/3/74 Chemical 0.7 Air-supported Roll-out man. In 65 0.4 resistant wand. spraying area about resin ' chopped 1/4 of time. fiber glass. J-7 0.7 Operator spraying 41 0.4 Ship hull In dry dock. N-28 _ 0.7 m 23 0 ^ Sued on toUl formulation *s sprayed. ( UCC 015936 A23803 TABIC IV (continued) AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS SPRAYING OF RESIN BASED SYSTEMS CONTAINING ASBESTOS Sample D1anatian Commercial Application II - EPOXY RESINS A. Filled Epoxy K-8 Ship coating. K-10 K-10 * 1-27 3-1 Date 10/2/74 Binder Approx-*11 laate Vt. S Asbestos Sorav Gun Type Epoxy primer. High build epoxy. 1.5 11.5 0 0 0 Airless. Air supported* Operation Operator spraying outside A under a ship. Operator spraying side of ship from scaffold. Sample Time lainj. Airborne Asbestos Fiber Concentration {F1bers/cc >5^! 33 8 31 . 14 60 0.2 . 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.03 B. Eooxv - Coal Tar H-S Coating dry dock. 10/1/74 Cv1 ' . K-3 Coating pipe Interiors. Epoxy Coal-tar, solvent. 1 1 1 Ill - AUYD RES1H PAINT K-7 Painting 10/6/74 building exterior. H-35 Alkyd resin. 12 12 Airless. Air-supported wand. Operator spraying side of dry dock from suspended platform. Operator spraying side of dry dock from fixed scaffold. Operator spraying Interior of 3", 6" and 12" diameter pipe. 11 38 37 Airless gun. * Operator spraying building exterior wall. 9 5 0.2 0 0.1 0 0.06 0) Based on total formulation as sprayed. ( UCC 015937 ^230'r TABLE V AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBER COUNTS GRINDING AND SAND INC. OF IICSIN-CASCP SYSTEMS CONTAINING ASBESTOS Stifple Designation Comereial Application I. THERMCSET RESIN (Polyester) -- Holding furniture parts * ' Date 3/15/72 Resin Polyester 1929-40-4 12/6/72 1929-82-3 1929-82-4 1929-82-j M3 1-6 Fabrication of reinforced fiber glass pipe. 2/27/73 Polyester 8/13/74 1-26 fc-8 1-39 Fabrication of FRP tanks and pipe. 8/13/74 Polyester a 1929-84-4 1929-84-5 Production of artificial bricks. 3/8/73 Polyester M-20 R-2S Production of fiber glass boats. m 11/26/74 Polyester Asbestos Approx. Wt. X Operation Sample Time (Hin.) Airborne Astestos Fiber Concentration (Fibers/cc >i<) RG-244 0.05 0.05 m 0.3 RG-144 2-3 a RG-244 2-3 2-3 1.4 a 1.4 RG-244 a a 1.5 1.5 1.5 RG-244 a 2.0 2.0 Operator hand sanding snail parts. Operator running power Sander with Integral hood. Operator sanding and grinding molded parts. 6ood hood 6 ventilating system on grinder. 45 45 23 Operator pulls pipe along line. Saws off end with circular saw. 19 Same operation as 1929 82-3. 49 Operator removing end of 45 pipe with scarfing machine. Operator shaping end of pipe with bell & spigot aiachlne. Operator cutting off pipe end and light qrinding on exterior surface. 16 17 Operator grinding Inside of 13' 1.0. x 26* tank. Continuation of same operation as 1-26. Operator grinding edges of miscellaneous small parts. 16 5 25 Operator cutting with sabre saw. Operator trlcning with sabre saw. 44 39 RG-244 a 0.5 0.5 Operator grinding Inside Of boat hull. Operator grinding. 11 4 0.002 0.002 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.04 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 UCC 015938 2380b SOSCo'tf sooO' aLU Ioo_/Oi _ Lf> -C>XO 0X0 CO I/O ---JJ c to LU cm o CD tz--I a a: CD roc--M -<lS->occoaoi crS 4+CS=J-CD- --O(Tr7C--3)CSD- Er- L 4os-p--CD _a<>U>l O<eOJu- iOt/oiliUn-M_cOoc o o o o o o ro-- o mo o CM O O o CoO o *. ^ ai in -ra- n' Eos- >--a> <Scu- U. -loMO --tUUJo_.. Xtat/o>Ii -.4ara--i crs: r-* "rcO-- 4- ai ra*> --I tQEfoO.+iUnJ_ ioo OOE cm o o o o cm o CM r-- CM O V CM O r- O <T> O s- ai ti~z jroLQ--. CD *Ocr*' S3. O 4<io-~T>J i--<cOo soaa>. ai<sdn.- rao-->. mtEo o o o o o o r^. o cm 10 oo V o o CO o ai) (cU 4o-> +-> to 3: (_ as CO +-> m3 1 1 O o o O LO CO oin o O o o o CM r" $- tn c o .aQr--; U. CO ra--s CD 4-> 3 o OCM o o o ooo CM r-- +-> to o CO 00 o o O o o O a (U +j o o CM oO +r*> 3 m ro-- Cr--O O 0) 3O' 03 a. CO >s-, CD CL _c >) o (- 'd* CM 1 CD cm CM US C CvMi1 CD cm *d" CM1 US ai US Od or-- r-- US q: O r-- 1 CaD: O o CM 1 CD 1/0 CM 4- CT 3 C-* c aC0O:) CD CL ,>> -- i<u M CO <U ao. CM o o o o o o cn cn 0cn0 to cn vo in CO in CO o CO i- s- t. <u <1) <u +j </> tMo tMo <u t0-) $0) +J to +toj -t*-o> <u (U CL) >> (U a> (U >> oo. > ao. > o o. X > O Q. o LU CL. > ao. r>-* ao. UCC 015939 LITERATURE AND REGULATIONS UCC 015940 |X230 ASBESTOS AND HEALTH Asbestos, used since antiquity, has widespread and important applications in our modern technological society. Approximately 3,000 different products containing asbestos are in daily use throughout the world. Its increased use in the 20th century has lent urgency to the need to cope with occupational health problems related to the excessive inhalation of asbestos dust. Such problems are not unique to the asbestos industry. Many substances and materials in common use today can be detrimental to the health and safety of industrial workers under uncontrolled conditions. A vital and widely used raw material, asbestos is but one of a number of potentially harmful substances used by industry. Basically, the known facts about asbestos-related disease can be summed up as follows: First, asbestos-related health risks today are almost exclusively confined to the occupational setting. Second, the effects of excessive inhalation of asbestos are both time and dose related. This means that asbestos-related diseases may develop, generally, only after the inhalation of substantial amounts of asbestos dust over a substantial period of time. Thus, there are levels of exposure that will not result in any increased risk of disease. Third, there is presently no evidence of risk to the general public from exposure to the minute amounts of asbestos that have been found in community air. Fourth, because of the long latent period of asbestos-related disease, the disease being found today among some long-term industry employees is not an indication of present day condi tions, but is a result of conditions existing decades ago, at a time when neither the industry, government, or the medical profession knew very much about the health effects of asbestos and even less about the proper means for their control. These facts are well recognized by the asbestos manufacturing industry, which has made substantial progress over the years in protecting those who work with asbestos and in eliminating emissions of free asbestos fiber into the community air. Known and Suspected Occupational Risks ' There are three primary diseases known to be caused or exacerbated by prolonged and heavy inhalation of asbestos fibers. They are asbestosis, bronchogenic (lung) cancer, and mesothelioma. Prolonged heavy exposure does not necessarily result in disease and death-- but there is little question that risks are significantly increased. Asbestosis This is an occupational disease characterized by lung scarring, and is one of the lung diseases called pneumoconioses. It is the most common of the three asbestos related illnesses and is found only among those who have worked regularly and continuously with asbestos under inadequately controlled conditions. The average time span from first exposure to the first clinical signs of asbestosis is 17 years, although some cases have been reported in as few as ten years. Asbestosis is neither malignant nor necessarily fatal. Many asbestos workers with minor cases can and do continue to work and lead normal lives without difficulties. The asbestos 1 &23803 UCC 015941 industry has long recognized the risk of this disease and has implemented safeguards to protect workers' health. As far as can be determined, asbestosis never has been found in the general public, even among'people living in close proximity to asbestos mines and processing plants. Bronchogenic (Lung) Cancer A number of medical studies have linked heavy asbestos exposure with an increased risk of lung cancer. While lung cancer occurs far less frequently among asbestos industry workers than asbestosis does, under some circumstances,it occurs more frequently than in the general population. As with asbestosis, the amount of fiber to which an employee is exposed is an important factor in lung cancer development. A continuing study of workers in a British asbestos textile plant has shown that dust control measures, which had substantially reduced the incidence of asbestosis, also reduced the incidence of lung cancer among the workers to that existing in the general public. In addition, it is the considered opinion of many scientists that lung cancer will not develop in an employee if he did not first have asbestosis. Unquestionably, factors other than heavy asbestos exposure are important in the causa tion of lung cancer among asbestos industry workmen. The most documented example is cigarette smoking. Studies conducted of as many as 17,500 asbestos insulation workers show that those who smoke have a much greater risk of contracting lung cancer than non-smokers in the general public, but that those asbestos industry workmen who do not now smoke cigarettes and who have never smoked regularly, have no greater risk of lung cancer than the average man-in-the-street who does not smoke. Mesothelioma This disease is an extremely rare cancer of the lining of the chest (pleura) or the abdomi nal cavity (peritoneum). It is found more frequently among those with occupational asbes tos exposure than among the general population. It also has been found among people who, in the past, lived in close proximity to uncontrolled crocidolite asbestos plants or mines, and even, on rare occasions, in the households of employees who worked in crocidolite asbestos factories or mines and who presumably brought substantial quantities of this particular type of asbestos fiber into their homes on their work clothes. This has not been found to be the case with individuals exposed only to chrysotile asbestos, which accounts for 97% of the asbestos fiber used in the U.S. today. Since the latent period for mesothelioma ranges from 30 to 45 years, it is impossible at this late date to determine precisely the exposure levels experienced by these "neighbor hood" and "household" cases. However, they were probably quite high by today's stan dards. In any case, as technology was developed for the control of asbestos dust levels, both in the plant and out, these potentially heza'dous conditions were eliminated. A relatively small number of cases have also been reported among employees in shipyards and on construction projects who, while not working directly with asbestos, were exposed to heavy concentrations of airborne fiber by working in close proximity to those who did. Exposures of this type have been reduced by strictly enforced industrial safety devices and procedures. The search for answers to the mesothelioma problem is complicated by a number of factors. In the first place, the number of cases being found, even today, is still relatively small. In all of Canada, for example, only 165 cases were reported in the ten-year period ending in 1968. Secondly, it appears highly likely that certain varieties of asbestos (crocido lite and amosite) are more likely to cause mesothelioma than others. Thirdly, its diagnosis and recognition are still considered problems among medical experts. It is also certain that 2 /s,23803 UCC 015942 there are other causes of mesothelioma besides asbestos. Unfortunately, what those other causes might be is still unknown. Until these and other equally important factors are thoroughly investigated, the mesothelioma question will remain unresolved.. Other Tumors Some researchers have reported higher-than-normal rates of gastrointestinal cancer among some heavily exposed industry groups. Other researchers have reported no increase of this type of cancer. The consensus of medical opinion is that the evidence is too scanty for a definitive conclusion. Asbestos and the General Public Medical reports of excess asbestos-related disease among occupationally exposed popula tions have been frequently cited by some writers, environmentalists, politicians and others as "proof" that the health of the general public is endangered by the minute amounts of asbestos dust being found in community air. "Neighborhood" and "household" cases of mesothelioma are cited extensively in this regard, as are the frequent reports of the findings of free asbestos fibers and so-called ferruginous bodies (which sometimes contain asbestos) in the lungs of some city dwellers at autopsy. The truth is, however, that there is no evidence--either from experience or from scientific research--that anyone in the general public has ever contracted any asbestos-related disease from exposure to these minute amounts of airborne asbestos, which are many times lower than levels which have been demonstrated to result in no excess of disease in occupationally exposed populations. ' This conclusion is supported by both the Asbestos Panel of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Biologic Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants, and the 33 member Advisory Committee on Asbestos Cancers of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization. In Its 1971 booklet, entitled "Asbestos: The Need For And Feasibility of Air Pollution Controls," the NAS Asbestos Panel, which consisted of seven of the nation's top experts on asbestos and health, stated that "there is no evidence that persons in the general popula tion--without occupational, household or neighborhood exposures--have any increased risk of neoplasm, even though there may be ferruginous bodies or fibers in their lungs." Warning against conclusions of the type frequently reached by the uninformed with regard to asbestos, the report further stated: "One cannot extrapolate from the mortality experi ence of, on the one hand, those who are directly and indirectly exposed to asbestos in their employment to, on the other hand, the general public, who have had moderate or slight exposures from ambient air." The report concluded with the statement that "there is no evidence that the small numbers of fibers found in most members of the general population affect health or longev ity." The report of the IARC Advisory Committee represents the consensus of present world medical opinion on all aspects of the asbestos-health problem. Meeting immediately after the October 1972 Lyon Conference on the Biological Effects of Asbestos, the Committee, with representation from ten different countries, drafted the following opinions on asbes tos-related disease and the general public: Asbestosis: "There is at present no evidence of lung damage by asbestos to the general public. The amount of asbestos in the lungs of members of the general public is very small, compared to those occupationally exposed." Lung Cancer: "The evidence ... suggests that an excess lung carcinoma risk is not de tectable when the occupational exposure has been low. These low occupa- 3 A2381C UCC 015943 tional exposures have almost certainly been much greater than that to the public from general air pollution." Mesothelioma: "There is no evidence of a risk to the general public at present." Because of some recent controversy in the United States and Canada on this subject, the question was also examined whether there is any "evidence of an increased risk of cancer resulting from asbestos fibers present in water, beverages, food or in the fluids used for the administration of drugs." The answer of the Committee was: "Such evidence as there is does not indicate any risk." While the conclusions of these two eminent scientific bodies should be reassuring to those concerned with the presence of minute amounts of asbestos in the ambient air, the asbestos manufacturing industry in the United States will continue in its efforts to reduce asbestos emissions so that potentially hazardous levels will never be permitted to develop in the future. Asbestos and Health Research Extensive medical and technical research into the health effects of asbestos and the proper means for their control is being conducted in laboratories throughout the world. A significant percentage of this research is being sponsored, co-sponsored or cooperated in by the world asbestos industry. In fact, two of the largest non-governmental sources of funds for asbestos-health research are the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health (IOEH) in Montreal, which is sponsored by the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association, and the Asbestosis Research Council, sponsored by the British asbestos manufacturing industry. The results of research sponsored by these two agencies and also by individual companies acting independently have contributed significantly to our knowledge of the biological effects of asbestos. In addition, industry environmental control experts are constantly working to develop new or improved methods of handling asbestos and asbestos-containing products safely. Much has been learned about asbestos and health in a very short time--especially when you consider that the greater part of all medical information about asbestos-related disease is less than a decade old. According to Dr. Premysl Pelnar of the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, approximately 90 per cent of all information and data now available is the result of medical studies undertaken during the past ten years. Much more is still needed: In late 1972, The International Agency for Research on Cancer made recommendations for further research and indicated priorities for work of immediate and long-term value. Emphasis was placed on epidemiological and pathological studies, and high priorities were urged for certain projects. These included: 1. Usefulness of early detection in the prevention of progressive fibrosis and asbestos cancers and in the identification of hazardous conditions; 2. Assessment of excess cancer risks following exposure to only one variety of asbestos; 3. Amount and type of asbestos in the lungS of mesothelioma cases; 4. Secular changes in incidence of pleura! and peritoneal mesotheliomas nationally and internationally; 5. Possible association between past exposure to asbestos and cancer of sites other than lung, pleura and peritoneum; 6. Relationship between asbestosis and risk of carcinoma. The asbestos manufacturing industry will continue to support and cooperate in research projects of this nature. The Asbestos Information Association, for example, is presently 4 1V2381. 1 UCC 015944 sponsoring a study at the Harvard School of Public Health on chest ausculation (breathing sounds) as an early detection device in the diagnosis of asbestos-related disease. While this needed additional information and data is being developed, the industry will take all steps necessary to assure a safe working environment for its employees and for applicators and fabricators of asbestos-containing products. Asbestos information Association North America 1660 L Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20036 6 UCC 015945 A23 \i ^t- RULES AND REGULATIONS Title 29--LABOR Chapter XVII--Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Depart* ment of Labor PART 1910--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS Standard for Exposure to Asbestos Dust On December 7, 1971, an emergency temporary standard concerning exposure to asbestos fibers was published in the Federal Register (36 F.R. 23207). In ac cordance with section 6(c) (3) of the Williams-Steiger Occuptaional Safety and Health Act of 1970, a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding a permanent standard for exposure to asbestos fibers was published in the Federal Register on January 12, 1972 (37 F.R. 466). The no tice invited interested persons to submit both orally and in writing, data, views, and arguments concerning the proposal. On or about January 24, 1972, the Ad visory Committee on Asbestos Dust was established and requested to make writ ten recommendations with regard to the proposed standard on asbestos. On or about February 1. 1972, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare trans mitted to the Secretary of Labor a cri teria document containing Recommenda tions for an Occupational Exposure Standard for Asbestos by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Healtli (NIOSH). Public notice was given of the receipt of the recommendations and their availability for inspection and copying. On or about February 25, 1972, the Advisory Committee on Asbestos Dust submitted its written recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Pursuant to the notice of rule making, a hearing was held on March 14 through 17,1972, for the purpose of receiving oral data, views, and arguments concerning the proposed standard. On or about March 31, 1972, the presiding hearing ex aminer certified to the Assistant Secre tary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health the record of the proceeding. The record includes prehearing written comments, a transcript of the oral pres entations made at the hearing, and nu merous exhibits received during the course of the hearing or within the pe riod allowed after the close of the hearing. The proposed standard dealt with (1) permissible concentrations of asbestos fibers; (2) methods of compliance; (3) warning signs; (4) monitoring; (5) med ical examinations; and (6) recordkeep ing. Each of these major proposals elic ited comments, arguments, objections, and counterproposals. They all have been examined and considered. 1. Acceptable concentrations of asbes tos dust. The proposed standard would limit occupational exposure to 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) airborne concentrations of asbestos dust not ex ceeding five fibers longer than five micrometers per milliliter. Concentra tions above five fibers but not to exceed 10 fibers (ceiling concentration) would be permitted up to 15 minutes in an hour, but for not more than 5 hours in any one 8-hour day. NIOSH in effect has recommended that the five-fiber TWA and 10-fiber peak concentrations be permitted only for 2 years; thereafter, TWA concentra tions should be not more than 2 fibers per cubic centimeter (cm.3) of air, and peak concentrations should not exceed 10 fibers/cm.3, with no time restriction. Numerous objections and counterpro posals have been made, with regard to both the limits of asbestos fiber concen trations and the time periods to comply with them. Some, for example, have rec ommended return to a 12-fiber standard of an earlier day; i.e., a level adopted under the Walsh-Healey Public Con tracts Act in 1969. Others have recom mended a two-fiber standard to become effective in 6 months, then a one-fiber standard for 2 years, and finally a zerofiber standard after 3 years. These rec ommendations give a fair indication of the wide spread of the counterproposals. No one has disputed that exposure to asbestos of high enough intensity and long enough duration is causally related to asbestosis and cancers. The dispute is as to the determination of a specific level below which exposure is safe. Various studies attempting to establish quantita tive relations between specific levels of exposure to asbestos fibers and the ap pearance of adverse biological manifes tations, such as asbestosis, lung cancers, and mesothelioma, have given rise to controversy as to the validity of the measuring techniques used and the relia bility of the relations attempted to be established. Because of the long lapse of time between onset of exposure and biological manifestations, we have now evidence of the consequences of exposure, but we do not have, in general, accurate measures of the levels of exposure oc curring 20 or 30 years ago, which have given rise to these consequences. There are also controversies concerning the relative toxicity of the various kinds of asbestos, and varying hazards in dif ferent workplaces. It is fair to say that the controversy has centered in the area between a twofiber TWA concentration and five-fiber TWA concentration, with variations on the time needed for compliance. Many employers support a five-fiber TWA. Most medical opinion is divided between a two-fiber standard and a five-fiber standard. In view of the undisputed grave con sequences from exposure to asbestos fibers, it is essential that the exposure be regulated now, on the basis of the best evidence available now, even though it may not be as good as scientifically de sirable. An asbestos standard can be re evaluated in the light of the results of ongoing studies, and future studies, but cannot wait for them. Lives of employees are at stake. It is concluded that there should be one minimum standard of exposure to asbestos applicable to all workplaces ex posed to any kind, or mixture of kinds, of asbestos. Reasons of practical ad-' ministration preclude a variety of stand ards for different kinds of asbestos and of workplaces. Also, while the evidence tends to show that crocidolite, for in stance, is more harmful than chrysotile, the evidence is not sufficient to establish separate standards for varieties of asbestos. Because there must be one standard governing exposure to all varieties of asbestos, and in workplaces apparently more hazardous than others; because some present employees with regular ex posure to asbestos have probably al ready accumulated great doses of asbes tos fibers, due to higher levels of ex posure in the past; because it appears that levels of exposure which may be safe with regard to asbestosis are not safe with regard to mesothelioma; be cause the statute requires the protection of every employee, even of one who may have regular exposure to asbestos during a working life which may reach, or even exceed. 40 years; and because of several other considerations which have been urged and are reflected in the record of the proceeding, the conflict in the medi cal evidence is resolved in favor of the health of employees. As of July 1, 1976, TWA concentrations of asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers will not be allowed to exceed two flbers/cc.. with a ceiling value of 10 flbers/cc. The current TWA concentrations of five fibers, and FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 37, NO. 110--WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1972 aO UCC 015946 RULES AND REGULATIONS 11319 celling concentrations of 10 flbers/cc, fibers, so that these would not be released 6. Records. The standard, as proposed will be permitted until July 1, 1976, dur in the normal use of the products, should and as adopted, requires maintenance of ing what will be a transitional period not be required to be labeled; and (2) records of monitoring and of medical deemed necessary to allow employers to words such as "danger" and "cancer" are examinations. Most of the controversy in make the needed changes for coming unwarrantedly alarming. this area has revolved around the ques Into compliance with the more stringent Both contentions have merit, and the tion whether an employer should be al standard. -standard has been changed accordingly. lowed to have access to the results of The record shows that the many work 4. Monitoring. The proposed standard the required medical examinations. The operations subject to the single asbestos would have required personal monitor apprehension of those who have argued standard (textile, manufacturing, indus ing and environmental monitoring. against employer access is based on the trial, and marine installation, etc.) will Many issues have been raised concerning expectation that some employers will use meet varying degrees of difficulty in the availability and reliability of meas the medical examinations as a means of complying with the standard. In some uring instruments, frequency of moni screening employment applicants, and plants, extensive redesign and reloca toring, and conditions in which monitor u-orsc, ns grounds for discharging current tion of equipment may be needed. It ap ing should be required. The adopted employees, who show signs of being af pears, however, the delay in the effective standard takes the objections into con fected by exposure to asbestos. Since the date of the two-fiber standard will pro sideration. It requires periodic monitor purpose of the medical examinations is vide all employers a reasonable time to ing at intervals no longer than 6 months, to monitor the health of employees ex comply. At the same time, so long as the thus allowing considerable time and dis posed to the hazards of abestos. em ceiling limit is complied with, no harm cretion, and prescribes the use of the ployees cannot in reason be granted the is reasonably expected to result from ex membrane filter method, which is an ac privilege of refusing to disclose to their posures during the transitional period. ceptable method for determination of employers results of occupational expo 2. Methods of compliance. It has been asbestos fibers. sure. It docs not make sense to require pointed out by many persons, that pro It has also been recommended that employers to provide medical examina tection against asbestos fibers is best employees or their representatives should tions if they cannot know and use the obtained by controlling the generation of have an opportunity to observe the results of the examinations. For these fibers first, and secondly, by controlling monitoring. The recommendation has reasons the standard provides that em the dispersion of released fibers into the been accepted. ployers may have a restricted access to ambient air of the workplaces. Therefore, 5. Medical examinations. The pro some medical information. the standard requires feasible techno posed standard would only require an On the other hand, there is no Inten logical controls and appropriate work practices as the primary means of com pliance. Rotation of employees as a way of meeting the TWA concentration re quirement is allowed only in stated ex appropriate medical examination on a periodic basis. The generality of the pro posal has attracted many objections and also many helpful comments. The recom mendations of NIOSH and of the Advi tion to allow employers to abuse medical information obtained pursuant to the Act, to the detriment of employees. Therefore, the administration of the medical records requirement will be ceptional circumstances, because, as a general rule, it would be difficult to im plement. Personal protective equipment, such as respirators, cannot be relied upon because, among other reasons, they may be so uncomfortable as to be bur densome, except for short periods of sory Committee on Asbestos Dust were much more specific with respect to both frequency and type of medical examina tions to be required. The comments vary as to the class of employees to be ex amined and as to the frequency of the examinations. closely watched, and. in cases of abuse, appropriate action -will be considered. The issues discussed above are believed to be the major ones. Numerous other is sues have been raised in the rulemaking proceedings. Some have been referred to incidentally. Many recommendations, for time. Therefore, it is expected that res The adopted standard requires medical instance, about work practices, are so pirators and shift rotation will be used during the period necessary to install en gineering controls and to train employ ees in sound work practices, but, after technological compliance has been achieved, their use must be limited to special work situations and emergencies. Where both are practicable, shift rota tion is required. 3. Labeling. The proposed standard stopped short of requiring labeling as bestos and asbestos-containing products. The proposed standard would have re examinations both at the beginning and the termination of employments exposed to concentrations of asbestos fibers, and also requires annual medical examina tions of every employee exposed to air borne concentrations of asbestos. It has been pointed out that in certain indus tries, such as construction, an employee may work for several employers during the same year. Accordingly, the standard does not require either preemployment, or termination, or periodic examinaton of any employee who has been examined obviously meritorious that their adop tion needs no exposition here. Other recommendations and many objections have not been adopted for a variety of reasons which should be manifest. Sev eral, for instance, have recommended the use of respirators only pursuant to a variance, or In cases of emergency and occasional short-term exposures. The recommendation with respect to vari ances undoubtedly has many merits, but is considered administratively im quired only warning signs at locations in accordance with the standard within practical. where asbestos hazards are present. the past year. Accordingly, after consideration of the However, labeling, rather than warning signs, has proved to be a point of con troversy. Both NIOSH and the Advisory Committee on Asbestos Dust recom mended labels for asbestos products and One question which has been raised goes to whether the'employer or the em ployee should be allowed to choose the examining physician. The standard gives the option to the employer. Since whole record of the proceeding, and pursuant to sections 6 (b) and (c) and 8(c) of the Williams-Steiger Occupa tional Safety and Health Act of 1970 (84 containers, and these recommendations some employers already have a medical Stat. 1593, 1596, 1599; 29 U.S.C. 655, became very controversial in the course examination program in operation, and, 657), 29 CFR 1910.4, and to Secretary of of the proceeding. Many counterpro proposals have been made as to the lan guage of the warning as well as to the products to be subject to the labeling requirements. Employers, in general, also, have medical departments with some expertise in the diagnosis of abesto6-rclated diseases, it seems more reasonable to permit them to utilize the present programs and expertise, than to Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 F.R. 8754), Part 1910 of Title 29 of the Code of Fed eral Regulations is amended as set forth below. strongly contend that (1) finished prod permit an employee to choose a private (1) Section 1910.93 is amended by re ucts which effectively entrap asbestos general practitioner. vising Table G-3 to read as follows: fEDERAL REGISTER, VOL 37, NO. 110--WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1*71 UCC 015947 11320 RULES AND REGULATIONS S 1910.93 Air contaminants. to which any employee may be exposed (d) Personal protective equipment-- * * shall not exceed two fibers, longer than (1) Compliance with the exposure limits Tabu (H-Mihiui Dusts 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of prescribed by paragraph (b) of this sec air, as determined by the method pre tion may not be achieved by the use of Substance Mppcf ICg/M* scribed In paragraph (e) of this section. respirators or shift rotation of em (3) Ceiling concentration. No em ployees, except: Silica: % ployee shall be exposed at any time to (1) During the time period necessary Crystalline: guarU (respirable)............. ,, 260 * lOzng/M1 airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers In excess of 10 fibers, longer than to Install the engineering controls and to institute the work practices required %BlOi+5 Quartz (total dust)...................... ............. CrlsfobalKe: Use H the value calculated from the count or moss formulae for quartz. TrMymtte; Use H the value calculated from the for mulae for quArtz. Amorphous, Including natural diatomaceous earth................ 20 %8lOt+2 *0mg/M* %8IO,+2 OOrag/M* %sio. 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air, as determined by the method pre scribed in paragraph (e) of this section. (c) Methods of compliance--(1) En gineering methods. (1) Engineering con trols. Engineering controls, such as. but not limited to, Isolation, enclosure, ex haust ventilation, and dust collection, shall be used to meet the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph Cb) of this section. by paragraph (c) of this section; (ii) In work situations In which the methods prescribed In paragraph (c) of this section are either technically not feasible or feasible to an extent insuffi cient to reduce the airborne concentra tions of asbestos fibers below the limits prescribed by paragraph <b) of this section: or (tii) In emergencies. Silicate fleas thau 1% crys* taliinc silica): Mica........................................ Soapstone............. . Talc......................................... Portland cement........... Graphite (natural)................... Coat dust (respirable fraction X X X 60 15 <ii) Local exhaust ventilation, (a) Local exhaust ventilation and dust col lection systems shall be designed, con structed, Installed, and maintained in accordance with the American National Standard Fundamentals Governing the (Iv) Where both respirators and per sonnel rotation are allowed by subdivi sions (1), (li), or (111) of this subpara graph, and both are practicable, person nel rotation shall be preferred and used. (2) Where a respirator is permitted by ]<*s than 6% SiOi)...................................... For more than SlOi...................... 2.4mg/M or lOmg/M* Design and Operation of Local Exhaust subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, it Systems, ANSI Z9.2-1971, which is in shall be selected from among those ap corporated by reference herein. proved by the Bureau of Mines, Depart Inert or Nuisance Dust: %SIOi+2 <b) See 5 1910.6 concerning the avail Jtesplrable fraction............. . Total dust.............................. 15 X 6mg/M* 16mg/M* ability of ANSI Z9.2-1971, and the maintenance of a historic file In connec Note: Conversion factors-- tnppcfX35.3=mililon particles per cubic meter particles per c.c. (Millions of particles per cubic foot of air, based on implngeT samples counted by llght-fteld technics. i The percentage of crystalline silica in the formula Is the amount determined from air-borne samples, except In those instances in which other methods have been shown to be applicable. tion therewith. The address of the Amer ican National Standards Institute Is given in S 1910.100. (ill) Particular tools. All hand-op erated and power-operated tools which may produce or release asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits pre j As determined by the membrane filter method at 430 X phase contrast magnification. scribed in paragraph (b) of this section, Both concentration and percent quartz for the such as, but not limited to, saws, scorers, application of this limit are to be determined from ' abrasive wheels, and drills, shall be pro the fraction passing a size-selector with the following characteristics: vided with local exhaust ventilation sys tems in accordance with subdivision (ii) Aerodynamic diameter <unil density sphere) Percent passing selector of this subparagraph. (2) Work practices--(i) Wet methods. Insofar as practicable, asbestos shall be ment of the Interior, or the National In stitute for Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Health, Educa tion. and Welfare, undr the provisions of 30 CFR Part 11 (37 F.R. 6244, Mar. 25, 1972), and shall be used in accordance with subdivisions (P. (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subparagraph. (i) Air purifying respirators. A reusa ble or single use air purifying respirator, or a respirator described in subdivision (ii)or (iii) of this subparagraph, shall be used to reduce the concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers in the respirator below the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section, when the ceiling or the 8-hour time-weighted aver age airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers are reasonablv exnected to exceed 2 2.5 3.6 5.0 10 00 75 50 26 0 The measurements under this note refer to the use of au A EC instrument. If the respirable fraction of coal dust is determined with a M R E the figure corresponding to that of 2.4 Mg, M* in the table for coal dust Is 4.6 Mg/M*. 2. A new { 1910.93a Is added to Part 1910, reading as follows: 1910.93a Asbestos. (a) Definitions. For the purpose of handled, mixed, applied, removed, cut, scored, or otherwise worked in a wet state sufficient to prevent the emission of airborne fibers in excess of the ex posure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section, unless the usefulness of the product would be diminished thereby. (Ii) Particular products and opera tions. No asbestos cement, mortar, coat ing, grout, plaster, or similar material . no more than 10 times those limits. (il) Powered air purifying respirators. A full facepiece powered air purifying respirator, or a powered air purifying respirator, or a respirator described in subdivision (iii) of this subparagraph, shall be used to reduce the concentra tions of airborne asbestos fibers in the respirator below the exposure limits pre scribed in paragraph <b) of this section, when the ceiling or the 8-hour time- containing asbestos shall be removed from bags, cartons, or other containers weighted average concentrations of asbestos fibers are reasonably expected this section. (1) "Asbestos" includes In which they are shipped, without being to exceed 10 times, but not 100 times, chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremo- either wetted, or enclosed, or ventilated those limits. lite, anthophyllite, and actinollte. (2) "Asbestos fibers" means asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers. (b) Permissible exposure to airborne so as to prevent effectively the release of airborne asbestos fibers in excess of the limits prescribed In paragraph (b) of this section. (iii) Type "C" supplied-air respirators, continuous flow or pressure-demand class. A type "C" continuous flow or pres sure-demand, supplied-air respirator concentrations of asbestos fibers--(1) (ill) Spraying, demolition, or removal. shall be used to reduce the concentra Standard effective July 7, 1972. The Employees engaged in the spraying of tions of airborne asbestos fibers In the 8-hour time-weighted average airborne asbestos, the removal, or demolition of respirator below the exposure limits pre concentrations of asbestos fibers to pipes, structures, or equipment covered scribed in paragraph (b) of this section, which any employee may be exposed or insulated with asbestos, and In the when the ceiling or the 8-hour time- shall not exceed five fibers, longer than removal or demolition of asbestos In w'eighted average airborne concentra & micrometers, per cubic centimeter of sulation or coverings shall be provided tions of asbestos fibers are reasonably air, as determined by the method pre scribed in paragraph (e) of this section. (2) Standard effective July 1, 1976. with respiratory equipment in accord ance with paragraph (d)(2) (ill) of this section and with special clothing in ac expected to exceed 100 times those limits. (iv) Establishment of a respirator pro The 8-hour time-weighted average air cordance with paragraph (d) (3) of this gram. (a) The employer shall establish borne concentrations of asbestos fibers section. a respirator program in accordance with KDMAl REGISTER, VOL. 37, NO. 110--WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1971 ^b UCC 015948 RULES AND REGULATIONS 11321 the requirements of the American Na where asbestos fibers are released to be subparagraph shall conform to the re tional Standards Practices for Respira monitored in such a way as to determine quirements of 20" x 14" vertical format tory Protection, ANSI Z88.2-1D69, which whether every employee's exposure to signs specified in {1910.145(d)(4), and is incorporated by reference- herein. asbestos fibers is below the limits pre to this subdivision. The signs shall dis b. See S 1910.6 concerning the avail scribed in paragraph (b) of this sec play the following legend in the lower ability of ANSI Z88.2-1969 and the main tion. If the limits are exceeded, the em panel, with letter sizes and styles of a tenance of an historic file in connection ployer shall immediately undertake a visibility at least equal to that specified therewith. The address of the American compliance program in accordance with in this subdivision. National Standards Institute is given in S 1910.100. (c) No employee shall be assigned to tasks requiring the use of respirators if. based upon his most recent examination, paragraph (c) of this section. (2) Personal monitoring--(i) Sam ples shall be collected from within the breathing zone of the employees, on membrane filters of 0.8 micrometer po- Legend Asbestos________ Dust Hazard Notation 1" Sana Serif, Gothic or Block. " Sans Serif, an examining physician determines that rossity mounted in an open-face filter Oothlc or the employee will be unable to function holder. Samples shall be taken for the Block. normally wearing a respirator, or that the safety or health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by hisuse of a respirator. Such employee shall be rotated to another job or given the opportunity to transfer to a different po determination of the 8-hour timeweighted average airborne concentra tions and of the ceiling concentrations of asbestos fibers. (ii) Sampling frequency and patterns. After the initial determinations required Avoid Breathing Dust___ Wear Assigned Protective Equipment. Do Not Remain In Area Unless Your Work Re quires It. Breathing Asbestos Dust * V Gothic. >" Gothic. V Gothic. 14 point Gothic. sition whose duties he is able to perform by subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, May Be Hazardous To with the same employer, in the same geo samples shall be of such frequency and Your Health. graphical area and with the same senior ity, status, and rate of pay he had just prior to such transfer, if such a different position is available. (3> Special clothing: The employer shall provide, and require the use of, spe cial clothing, such as coveralls or similar whole body clothing, head coverings, gloves, and foot coverings for any em ployee exposed to airborne concentra tions of asbestos fibers, which exceed the ceiling level prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section. (4) Change rooms: (i) At any fixed place of employment exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in ex cess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section, the em ployer shall provide change rooms for employees working regularly at the place. lii) Clothes lockers: The employer shall provide two separate lockers or con tainers for each employee, so separated or isolated as to prevent contamination of the employee's street clothes from his work clothes. (iii) Laundering: (a) Laundering of pattern as to represent with reasonable accuracy the levels of exposure of em ployees. In no case shall the sampling be done at intervals greater than 6 months for employees whose exposure to asbestos may reasonably be foreseen to exceed the limits prescribed by paragraph (b) of this section. (3) Environmental monitoring--(i) samples shall be collected from areas of a work environment which are represent ative of the airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers which may reach the breathing zone of employees. Samples shall be collected on a membrane filter of 0.8 micrometer porosity mounted in an open-face filter holder. Samples shall be taken for the determination of the 8hour time-weighted average airborne concentrations and of the ceiling con centrations of asbestos fibers. (ii) Sampling frequency and patterns. After the initial determinations required by subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, samples shall be of such frequency and pattern as to represent with reasonable accuracy the levels of exposure of the Spacing between lines shall be at least equal to the height of the upper of any two lines. (2) Caution labels--(i) Labeling. Cau tion labels shall be affixed to all raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris, and other products containing asbestos fibers, or to their containers, except that no label is required where asbestos fibers have been modified by a bonding agent, coating, binder, or other material so that during any reasonably foreseeable use, handling, storage, disposal, processing, or transportation, no airborne concentra tions of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section will be released. (ii) Label specifications. The caution labels required by subdivision (i> of this subparagraph shall be printed in letters of sufficient size and contrast as to be readily visible and legible. The label shall state: Caution Contains Asbestos Fibers Avoid Creating Dust asbestos contaminated clothing shall be employees. In no case shall sampling be done so as to prevent the release of air at intervals greater than 6 months for Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause Serious Bodily Harm borne asbestos fibers in excess of the ex posure limits prescribed in paragraph cb) of this section. (b> Any employer who gives asbestoscontaminated clothing to another person for laundering shall inform such person of the requirement in (a) of this subdi vision to effectively prevent the release of airborne asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in para graph (b) of this section. (c) Contaminated clothing shall be transported in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed, impermeable containers, and labeled in accordance with para graph (g) of this section. (e) Method of measurement. All de employees whose exposures to asbestos may reasonably be foreseen to exceed the exposure limits prescribed in para graph (b) of this section. (4) Employee observation of monitor ing. Affected employees, or their rep resentatives, shall be given a reasonable opportunity to observe any monitoring required by this paragraph and shall have access to the records thereof. (g) Caution signs and labels. (1) Cau tion signs, (i) Posting. Caution signs shall be provided and displayed at each location where airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers-may be in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section. Signs shall be posted (h) Housekeeping--(1) Cleaning. All external surfaces in any place of employ ment shall be maintained free of accu mulations of asbestos fibers if. with their dispersion, there would be an excessive concentration. (2) Waste disposal. Asbestos waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers, equip ment, and asbestos-contaminated cloth ing, consigned for disposal, which may produce in any reasonably foreseeable use, handling, storage, processing, dis posal, or transportation airborne concen trations of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in'- paragraph (b) of this section shall be collected and disposed of in sealed impermeable bags, terminations of airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers shall be made by the membrane filter method at-400-450 X (magnification) (4 millimeter objective) with phase contrast illumination. (f) Monitoring--(1) Initial determi nations. Within 6 months of the publi at such a distance from such a location so that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps be fore entering the area marked by the signs. Signs shall be posted at all ap proaches to areas containing excessive concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers. or other closed, impermeable containers. (i) Recordkeeping--11> Exposure rec ords. Every employer shall maintain rec ords of any personal or environmental monitoring required by this section. Rec ords shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years and shall be made avail able upon request to the Assistant Secre cation of this section, every employer (ii) Sign specifications. The warning tary of Labor for Occupational Safety shall cause every place of employment signs required by subdivision (i) of this and Health, the Director of the National A V-\ FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 37, NO. 110--WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1972 IU UCC 015949 11322 RULES AND REGULATIONS Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and to authorized representa tives.of cither. . (2) Employee access. Every employee and former employee shall have reason able access to any record required to be maintained by subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, which indicates the em ployee's own exposure to asbestos fibers. (3) Employee notification. Any em ployee found to have been exposed at any time to airborne concentrations of asbes tos fibers in excess of the limits pre scribed In paragraph (b) of this section shall be notified in writing of the expo sure as soon as practicable but not later than 5 days of the finding. The employee shall also be timely notified of the cor rective action being taken. <J) Medical examinations--(1) Gen eral. The employer shall provide or make available at his cost, medical examina tions relative to exposure to asbestos re quired by this paragraph. (2) Preplaccmcnt. The employer shall protide or make available to each of his employees, within 30 calendar days fol lowing his first employment in an occupation exposed to rtrborne con centrations of asbestos fibers, a compre hensive medical examination, which shall include, as a minimum, a chest roent genogram (posterior-anterior 14 x 17 Inches), a history to elicit symptom atology of respiratory disease, and pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEVio). (3) Annual examinations. On or be fore January 31, 1973, and at least an nually thereafter, every employer shall provide, or make available, comprehen sive medical examinations to each of his employees engaged in occupations ex posed to airborne concentrations of as bestos fibers. Such annual examination shall include, as a minimum, a chest roentgenogram (posterior-anterior 14 x 17 inches), a history to elicit symptom atology of respiratory disease, and pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEVi ). (4) Termination of employment. The employer shall provide, or make avail able, within 30 calendar days before or after the termination of employment of any employee engaged in an occupation exposed-to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers, a comprehensive medical examination which shall include, as a minimum, a chest roentgenogram (pos terior-anterior 14 x 17 inches), a history to elicit symptomatology of respiratory disease, and pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV, ,,). (5) Recent examinations. No medical examination - is required of any em ployee, if adequate records show that the employee has been examined in ac cordance with this paragraph within the past 1-ycar period. (6) Medical records--(i) Mainte nance. Employers of empjoyees examined pursuant to this paragraph shall cause to be maintained complete and accurate records of all such medical examina tions. Records shall be retained by employers for at least 20 years. (il) Access. The contents of the rec ords of the medical examinations required by this paragraph shall be made available, for inspection and copying, to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, the Director of NIOSH, to authorized physi cians and medical consultants of either of them, and, upon the request of an em ployee or former employee, to his physi cian. Any physician who conducts a medical examination required by this paragraph shall furnish to the employer of the examined employee all the infor mation specifically required by this paragraph, and any other medical in formation related to occupational ex posure to asbestos fibers. a 3. A new 1910.19 is added to Subpart B of Part 1910, reading as follows: 1910.19 Asbestos dust. Section 1910.93a shall apply to the ex posure of every employee to asbestos dust in every employment and place of employment covered by 1910.12, 1910.13, S 1910.14, $ 1910.15, or 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on ex posure to asbestos dust which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of any of those sections. Effective date. Paragraph (b) (2) of { 1910.93a shall become effective July 1, 1976. All other provisions of 1919.93a, 1910.93, and 1910.19 shall become effec tive July 7, 1972. The current emergency temporary standard remains in effect until July 7, 1972. (Secs. 6, 8. 84 Stat. 1593, 1598; 29 V.S.C. 655, 657; 29 CFR 1910.4; Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71, 36 F.R. 8764) Signed at Washington, D.C., this 2d day of June 1972. G. C. Guenthvr, Assistant Secretary of Labor. [FR Doc.72-8574 Filed 6-6-72:8:48 am] UCC 015950 Material Safety Data September 1,1976 UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION 4625 ROYAL AVENUE NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK 14302 TELEPHONE: (716) 278-3376 PRODUCT: Chrysotile Asbestos TRADE NAMES: "Calidria" Asbestos CHEMICAL FORMULA: Mg6(0H)8Si401o 1.*PHYSICAUDATA BOILING POINT AND MELTING POINT: Not Pertinent SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H20*1): 2.45 VOLATILE CONTENT: Absorbed Water 1 -- 4% By Weight. Structural Water Approximately 13% by Weight. APPEARANCE: Pellets or Fine White Powder. No odor. Very Slight Solubility in Water. I.IHAZARDOUS1NGREDIENTS Asbestos contains no hazardous ingredients. However, the material itself can be hazardous under certain conditions. (See V below.) NON-COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL: No Fire or Explosion Hazard. INERT MATERIAL: No Decomposition or Polymerization Conditions. PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE CONCENTRATION: The current Occupational Safety and Health Standard (CFR 29,1910.1001) contains the following exposure limits: "The 8-hour time-weighted average airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers to which any employee may be exposed shall not exceed 2 fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air, as determined by the membrane filter method at 400-450 X magnification (4 millimeter objective) phase contrast illumination. No employee shall be exposed at any time to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of 10 fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air, as determined by the method just noted." EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE: CAUTION: Breathing asbestos may cause serious bodily harm. EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES: No acute toxicity. Use respirator if airborne asbestos fiber concentration exceeds OSHA limits. EBBaaap STEPS TO BE TAKEN IF MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED: Avoid inhalation of dust. Remove spilled material by vacuum cleaner or by water wash. WASTE DISPOSAL: Bags and waste and scrap materials should be disposed of in a manner which will avoid airborne concentrations of asbestos, such as the use of dust-tight trash bags or containers. Ensure that disposal complies with all applicable federal, state or local regulations. |\ 2 3 B B Union Carbide Corporation assumes no responsibility and makes no warranty, expressed or implied, repre sentation, promise, or statement as to completeness, accuracy, or currency of any data provided. UCC 015951 WII.^RECIAL^ROTECTION1NFORMATION VENTILATION: . Local exhaust for each operation is preferable. (See American National Standards Institute booklet, Z9.2 -- 1971.) General area exhaust is acceptable. No special considerations. PROTECTIVE GLOVES: None EYE PROTECTION: None RESPIRATORY PROTECTION *' > The current Occupational Safety and Health Standard CFR 29, 1910.1001 contains the following require ments for respiratory protection. AIRBORNE CONCENTRATION*2* 8-HOUR EXPOSURE*3* CEILING CONCENTRATION 2 maximum 10 maximum 20 maximum 100 maximum 200 maximum 1000 maximum MINIMUM REQUIRED MASK TYPE*4* Not required when allowable limits are not exceeded. Reusable or single use air purifying respirator. Powered filter positive pressure. Over 200 -- Type C positive pressure, air supplied. (1) Allowed only during the time required for installation of engineering controls, when engineering controls are not technically feasible or adequate, and in emergencies. Current OSHA standards require that no em ployee shall be assigned to tasks requiring the use of respirators if, based upon his most recent examina tion an examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to function normally wearing a respirator, or that the safety or health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by the use of a respirator. (2) Fibers per milliliter greater than 5 microns in length, as determined by the membrane filter method at 400-450X magnification (4 millimeter objective) phase contrast illumination. (3) 8-Hour time-weighted average. (4) Only masks certified by NIOSH as acceptable for the exposures encountered may be used. OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: If the ceiling concentration limit is exceeded, clothing providing whole body covering shall be supplied and its use required. \UTIONS Every place of employment where asbestos fibers are released must be monitored to determine exposure levels. If the permissible time-weighted average and ceiling concentration limits are not exceeded, no special pre cautions are required except: a) Bag damage and dusting should be minimized and dust inhalation avoided. b) A comprehensive medical examination is required for any employee exposed to airborne fibers within 30 days of first such employment, annually thereafter and on termination of employment. c) Personal work clothing can become contaminated with asbestos and may constitute an exposure hazard. Such clothing should be handled and laundered in a manner to avoid airborne concentrations of asbestos. d) Substantial medical evidence indicates that smoking will increase the risk from asbestos exposure. Those working with asbestos should not smoke. Where exposure limits may be exceeded, reference should be made to the regulation CFR 29,1910.1001 for details on caution signs, monitoring, change rooms, protective clothing laundering and record keeping. UCC 015952 &238 1 3 CALIDRIA ASBESTOS RG-244 TYPICAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Component MgO Si 02 AI2O3 Fe Ca Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Se Loss on Ignition (CO2 & H2O) Weight % 38.2 46.1 0.2 1.4 0.025 0.004 0.13 0.005 0.05 0.16 <0.001 12.7 TYPICAL SPECTROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS Detection Limit, Component Wt. % Ag A1 As Au (B Ba Be Bi Ca Cb Cd Co Cr Cs Cu Fe Ga Ge Hf Hg In Ir K La Li Mg Mn Mo Na 0.001 0.003 0.01 0.002 0.006 0.003 0.001 0.005 0.002 0.006 0.01 0.01 0.003 N.A.(l) 0.001 0.006 0.01 0.005 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.03 N.A. 0.01 0.1 0.001 0.003 0.003 0.03 C ^ N.A. - Not analyzed. ^ N.D. - Not detected. Analysis, Wt. % n.d/2) 0.08-0.8 1 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. 0.008-0.08, N.D. N.D. 0.004-0.04 0.02-0.2 -- N.D. 0.4-4.0 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. ----- --- N.D. N.D. Major 0.008-0.08 N.D. 0.08-0.8 Component Ni Os P Pb Pd Pt Rb Re Rh . Ra Sb Sc Se Si Sn Sr Ta Te Th Ti T1 U V W Y Yb Zn Zr Detection Limit, Analysis, Wt. % Wt. % 0.003 0.03 0.08 0.003 0.005 0.005 N.A. 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.01 -- ---------- 0.001 0.002 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.2 0.1 0.003 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.006 0.08-0.8 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. -- N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N* D. / <o.oorJ' Major N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. 0.0008-0.008 N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. N.D. A 2 38 2 0 By chemical analysis. UCC 015953