Document zQBYBgeKGrbLMXOjRw464N3e7

PILOT (Manufacturing Chemists Association) March 1971 Control* Sugttettod ASBESTOSIS IS STILL INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM, BUT ENVIRONMENTAL `CRISIS' BREWING (Note: Dr. Chjtrlct G. Kramor, Associate lo corporftt* medical director, Dow, save thl report on modient r.speels of erbestosi*--* potential erea of eoncorn--*M recent mooting of MCA'* Air Duality Committee, of which he It member.) Early in this century, a scarring disease of the lungs was found in individuals exposed lo asbestos-laden dust. This disease, asbestosis, is still occurring in workers involved with some of the 3,000 applications of this fibrous mineral. An industrial hygiene siandard was established which, when followed, lias protected workmen from developing overt asbestosis. Recent studies indicate lung cancer occurs more often among asbestosexposed workers than the genera! population. The increase is greater if the individual exposed to asbestos also is a cigarette smoker. More recent studies show a clear correlation between asbestos exposure and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and possibly cancer of the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities. The tic became evident slowly, because of a lapse of 20 to 30 years between the beginning of exposure and cancer development. The old industrial hjgiene standaid for asbestos is no longer considered adequate, and more- stringent standards arc now recommended. Safety and health of workers exposed to asbestos dust can be proiectcj by (1) switch ing to less hazardous materials, (2) ventilating to remove dust from the work ers' breathing zone. (3) working only with wet asbestos, and (4) using per sonal protective, equipment, which often proves inadequate unless use is stringently enforced. (Asbestos, fluorides, lead and polycyclic'organic matter are under study by National Research Council for EP A's use in developing air quality criteria. Taigel date: late this year.) In addition, exposed workers should receive routine medical surveillance. For those exposed to asbestos dust in the past or who may continue to be exposed, best health protection advice is: avoid cigarettes. Although evidence of effects from community exposure has been exag gerated, environmental impact must always be considered. Increasing public concern about effects of asbestos dust requires industry to be ready to cope with another environmental "crisis." Best way to avoid the prohlcm is by carefully controlling disposal of asbestos-containing dusts and wastes. RESEARCHER STUDYING POLLUTION HAZARDS OF EMERGENCY DISCHARGES Potential hazards from chemical ef fluents discharged from stacks dur ing emergencies are under Investi gation by University of Kansas pro fessor under $3,000 research grant from Ids institution. Dr. Harold F, Rosson told PILOT his computer study of theoretical emergency situ ations coutd predict likely effects of concentrated chemical diluent down wind from plant stack. Dr. Rosson hopes to develop spe cific models for concentrations of various chemicals, including effect of coincident chemical reaction. Similar study In aquatic environ ment is under consideration. Model's usefulness, Or. Rosson pointed out, will be in dalesmining design and location of chemical plants. SOME FIGURES ON COAL National Coa! Association reports $45 million expenditure in last four years to install and operate pollu tion control facilities t elating to acid mine drainage. liCA companies have spent another $2 million on research rr.d development rc'aled to acid mine drainage. Association clso reports more then 64,000 sores of coal strip mines re claimed across country in same period. AREAWIDE POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN IN TEXAS BACKED BY EPA F.PA's Water Quality Office has awarded Texas Water Quality Beard $220,003 grant to develop compre hensive water pollution control plan for Galveston Bay. Gull Coast Waste Disposal Authority is implementing agency lor three-year project. WC50 says some 30 percent of municipal and industrial wao!e.vn:er in Texas is concentrated in Harris, Chambers and Gcivestun Counties, erea cov ered under grant. Principal cflics Involved are Houston, Gaiveston, Texas City and Baytown. Grant Is designed to seek har.inwide soluiions to water resources end pollution problems, and to en courage industry, nuuiicspaii(-'os and state erift'icteo to v/oit: tceether and explore iulvmuoge.o of /.mil mcnicipai-i:i'!r:striaf waste tiuaiment facili ties, e CAPCO KIN 0001241