..

Inhalation Hygiene Progress Reports

1969 - 1976

Published at
The Environmental Sciences Laboratory
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
of the City University of New York
New York, New York 10029

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES LABORATORY

MOUN T SINAI SC H OO L O F M ED ICI NE O F THE C I Ty UN I V ER SITY O F N E W YORK
 Environmental Sciences·
INSULATION HYGIENE
Laboratory
O\ll'<TSI",
M'M
c;.o ~
°lOF"""Q
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of The City University
of New York
~
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Joint Health Research Effort
Starts For Insulation Men
.'
Panel of experts meets in New York to discuss Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program. Fronf"liifr to Iiglif:.Mr:"Jobe; Dr.. Selikoff; Dr~ James," Dr. Brown, :Mr. Hutchin-
son.
The Insulation Industry Hygiene
Research Program (IIHRP), already
~
~ well under way, represents the na-
:_;;'-' tion's first cooperative effort by an
~--
international labor union, industry,
and science, consulting with govern-
ment to undertake a health research
program for industrial workers. This
fact emerged at a public discussion
of the program by a panel of experts
at Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York. (See page 4 for excerpts
from the discussion.)
The program is budgeted at 3362:-
500 for the first year and is jointly
financed by the International Asso-
ciation of Heat and Frost Insulators
and Asbestos Workers. and Johns-
:'tram-ille Corporation. The Sprayed
trying J. Selikoff, M. D., Program Director
Vol. 1 No.1 Sp ..in1l1969
IIHRP Advisory Council
Sees New Masks,
Hears Other Progress
Rapid progress on important proj-
ects to reduce on-job dust exposure
was reporte~" at recent meetings of
the Adyisory Council of the Insula-
tion Industry Hygiene Research Pro-
gram.
Council members were given de-
tails of on·site inspections at 30 con-
struction sites and fabricating shops
in various parts of the country by an
industrial hygiene team (see stOry on
page 8). -
New Respirator Developed
Dr. Fred L. Pundsack reported de-
velopment of prototypes of a new
face mask respirator that is efficient,
comfortable and disposable_ He
showed Council members some of the
new masks. Tests at the U.S. Bureau
of Mines laboratory in Pittsburgh,
Pa., showed the masks to be efficient
in fr!teri n 3" dusts of the type encoun-
tered in some ilisI11h;':~b ,:"-~"'"k.
The mask, samples of which aI'''
being field-tested in February, is in
(Continued on page 3)
Mineral Fiber Manufacturers Asso-
ciation also is supporting and coop-
erating in the venture. The program
is expected to run five years.
Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Director of
Mount Sinai's Environmental Sciences
Laboratory and Director of the
IIHRP, said the primary purpose of
"the combined industrial hvciene and
preventive engineering re;e~rch pro-
gram i3 to deyelop improved methods
that will minimize exposure of in-
sulation workers to dust and fumes
encountered in their jobs. The U.S.
Public Health Service's Bureau of
Occupational Safety and Health will
provide- consultation "and technical
assistance. "
(Continued on page 7) Dr_ Pundsack shows new mask
,"
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. Seli-
kofL M.D .. Director), Mount Sinai
Sch;ol of 11edicine of the City Uni-
versity of New York, New York,
N.Y. 10029
. ,':
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D_ Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
J. B. Jobe, Vice President, Johns-
l'l'lanville Corporation, New York,
N.Y.
Fred L. Pundsack. Ph_D. Vice Presi-
dent Research ~nd Development,
J oh~s-Manvine Corporation, New
York, N.Y_
George W. Wright, M.D. Director ~f
Ivledical Research, St. Luke's HospI-
tal, Cleveland, O.
Help Wanted!
Current work practices in the in-
sulation industry \yere adopted at a
time when it was not suspected that
dust exposures in this trade might
involve some risk. It is now known
that health hazards have been pres-
ent, under certain conditions, in asso-
ciation with such practices.
Although these problems are recog-
nized, there is also evidence that as
dust exposures are sharply decreased,
health hazards can be minimized or
eliminated. It is therefore entirely
logical that work practices now be
re-examined, and so modified or
altered as to reduce dust exposure,
and still preserve their industrial
effectiveness.
This will require hard work, dili-
gence and persistence. But above all,
it will require ideas and ingenuity!
,We want your comments, your
suggestions, your advice. A good
start has already been made; almost
14,000 workmen in the International
Association of Heat and Frost Insu-
lators and Asbestos Workers have
written about their observations con-
cerning'dusty work conditions. Their
suggestions are now being analyzed.
Contractors and manufacturers are
adding the results of their practical
experiences-these will be invaluable
to our industrial hygiene engineers.
There is vast knowledge and skill
in this industry, among its craftsmen.
its superyisory personnel and its lead-
ers. We need the help of all. IIVSU-
LATION HYGIENE PROGRESS
REPORTS invites your thoughts now, fo
at the outset of the Insulation In- .J
dust:ry Hygiene Research p'rogram.
From time to time, as the engineers ~
make suggestions for the considera-
tion of the industry, we will welcome
your analyses of the proposals, to en-
sure that they are practical and to
everyone's benefit, labor and contrac-
tor alike. At other times, those of
YOU who are able will be asked to
~erve on special advisory groups to
study particular problems and sug-
gest solutions-your participation
~'ill be valuable. .
In the next several years, all of us
-Industry, Labor, Science, Govern-
ment-must contribute the unique
resources which we each have, so
that health hazards will be removed
from this important and essential
trade-LJ.S.

PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
"

1. To -develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
'-
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of, these improved
methods of' . dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their Joseph R. Shrode (pointing) of Pasadena, Tex., international organizer for the A~bestos
universal adoption. Workers Union and Johns-Manville contract manager C. E. Foster of Houston Inspect
ashestos-sprayed' girders and insulated duct-work at Houston construction site. They
helped the IIHRP team's on·site survey. (See story on page 8)

. j
 "Recommendations of the task
Advisory Council Sees New forces will be carefully scrutinized
when made. First, they will have to
pass the test of effectiveness in sig-
Masks, Hears Other Progress nificantly reducing dust hazards from
the particular operation. Then they
will be field tested under working
conditions to ascertain whether they
(Contirwed from page 1) and manufacturers' representatives, are feasible, economical and suitable
, are being organized to seek solutions for commercial application in the in-
,,' effect a total filter, he said. Further, to a number of problems: dustry. Cost analyses will be made
"i;.,
he added. the exhalation valve on • Design of a power saw for and considered. and no recommen-
old-type ~asks probably will not be shop and field use, with self- dation will be ~pproved by the Ad-
neCessary on the new mask contained exhaust and dust visory Council unless it is both effec-
.' .. "' Dr. Pundsack said the prototype control. tive and practical."
was designed, following a survey of • Improved materials packaging_
~':'.' Dr. Selikoff said that task forces
union members who complained that • Mixing of cement under field will be utilized in these other opera-
old-type respirators 'were too heavy, conditions., tional areas: Dust control in hand
blocked vision, caused excessive • Respiratory protective equip- sawing operations; housekeeping on
;;.' sweating and made breathing difficult. ment. the job and in the shop; packaging
"
For these reasons, the survey showed, • Design of field shops with and storage of materials; removal of
respirators were infreqUently used. effective dust controls.
old insulation; special problems of
Dr. Pundsack said the new mask was • Disposal of wastes. shipyards; personal protective cloth-
designed not just for efficient filter- The concept of the task force ap-
ing; personal hygiene facilities;
ing, but to be comfortable, light in proach to hygiene problems in the health maintenance surveys.
weight, to provide good visibility, re- insulation industry was defined by
duce sweating and permit the wearer Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Advisory Coun- Additionally, he said, appropriate
to breathe no=ally. ' ',' " cil Chairman. industry-labor teams ""ill be assigned
Fi.eld tests, he said, would reveal «As sources of dust exposure are as other important problems are iden-
whether any further design adjust- 'identified and studied by our engi- tified and considered.
ments have to b~ made: before the, neers and 'scientists, task forces of
mask goes into-general production., industry-labor personnel will be
He and other Advisory Council memo' fo=ed to review the practices in IIHRP Will Work'
bers e:lc-pressed the h~pethat, li11 union'" , 'questio-n and to help propose suit·
members aSwelf'as': other workers' in, able modifications." he said. "In Closely' With PHS >:
dusty trades,,;'Yould:'us~~ th~ masks 'as ',some cases remedi~ will be readily
soon as they become: av.ail3bI~;'i;·";·'" ',' evident and immediately at hand. In As an essential part ~f the ~ula~":'
"Task forces':~, comprisi?g.s1£W~, "~others; extensive design and develop- tion Industry Hygiene Research Prtr '
union cr3ftSiiien:~:supeivisoiy person-" ':,'meritwill be required. Both 'ends of gram CIIHRP) , close cooperative
neL contractors~"':representatives;~m~~." the'spectrum. are anticipated and will working arrangei:nents-' have' been'
pany engineers,::~onsu1ting,' , 'i::,'beappropriately handled. , , initiated between scientists associated
.-;. 7.:~.; . .. . . with the program and authorities of
the U. S. Public': Health Service
(PHS). ;." .

Under the guidance and direction

of the PHS Bureau of Occupational
Safety and Health, the experience
and facilities of the Bureau's National
:.:.. Center for Urban and Industrial
Health in Cincinnati have been made
available to the llHRP. Scientists
from the IIHRP and the PHS met at
the research laboratories of Mount
Sinai in New York 'on October 3 and
October 28 and at the PHS facilities
in Cincinnati on November 4. They
reviewed and discussed the latest dust
sampling equipment, methods and
laboratory procedures for analyzing

\! samples.
The IIHRP group visiting the Cin-
ci=ati center included Dr. W. J.
Nicholson, Dr. James Leineweber,
Carl Berkley, Alfred Spenney, Ralph
Herbert Levine (of the Asbestos' Spray Corporation, Newark, N. J.), representing the D. Hindmarch and Donald Bailey.
Sprayed 1fineral Fiber Manufacturers Association, InC., presents check for support of the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program to Dean James of Mount Sinai School of They met with Jeremiah Lynch, How·
Medicine. Dr. Selikoff is at left. ard Ayer and other PHS personneL

3
 ",

!
.. c.

.t

;:.
.,~ '.
Experts Discuss Insulation
Industry Research Program
The reasons for, and objectives of,
the new Insulation Industry Hygiene
Research Program were discussed by
principals in the program at a meet-
ing at Mount Sinai Scho'ol of Medi-
.•... cine during October (see story on
. ":..:"'~ page 1). Dr. George James, Dean,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
chaired the discussion, and other par-
ticipants incIudedDr_ Selikoff, Pro-
gram Director; Dr•. Murray .Brown,
then Director: '·.Bureau of, Occupa-
tional Safety ana Health, U.s. Public ,the insulation trade in which other
:. Health Service; Mr. Hutchinson of
the Union,. and Mr. Jobe of Johns-
Manville Corporatiori·.
Following .are-relevant comments
by participants at. the panel discus-
sion: ' ,'-' .. '
Dr. fames: Rep~esenting the Mount
Sinai School, of, Medicine, I. would
like to say thaCin this era, medical
in~titutions and universities must be
relevant to their times. They not only
have to do~ducational programs,
::ervice progi-ams~' research programs,
but they have to do them in fields
which are significant to the life and
health of Anierica.:'·
In this particular mstance, we have
the problem. We' feel that we in this
institution have the ability to develop
solutions. And;!.under Dr. Selikoff's
leadership; I..f~Tptetty sure we'wilL
With the; exeellent' cooperation. , of
" !
·i·
\
these gentlemen:?;who:', are. rip here;,,:I . we are looking very carefully at every
, 'Ii think he·will:have"every. opportUnity·, siiigle thing that an asbestos worker
to achieve~si;iccess~.in· the: Dear ':future. ... does in the construction industry in
'~f "'f
We might ;£SK~nr. SeIikoff to tell.
about some of;the~s'teps wbichhe
hopes to take' iii the very near future
'1 to implement;:thiS.J>rogram.
,. -.-.:. ~ .:'~-'-
::.
~.
.-~
····h~
- We are looking at the entire insula-
.,'
Dr. James
Dr. SelikoJJ: For the last six months
we have already been working dlli-
gently in initiating the appropriate
steps that have to be taken. For ex-
ample, Dr. Fred Pundsack, who is
in charge of Research and Develop-
ment at J ohns-Manville's research
laboratory, together with some of our
scientists, Dr. A. M. Langer, Mr. C.
Berkley, has been concerned with the
development of a new type of respira-
tory device for those circumstances in .t-
_,....... t
methods will be inadequate and
where personal protection will be re-
DR. SEUKOFF
quired. Dr. Selikoff
Mr. Ralph Hindmarch has joined
our laboratory staff as an industrial
hygiene engineer and is now regularly with a program that will allow pro-
tection and safe work not only for
visiting various construction sites in
Mr. Hutchinson's union men, but for
New York and other parts' of the
all people in the construction indus-
country to carefully review all the
trv.
trade practices which will have to be
'Dr. fames: Thank you very much.'
corrected. :Mr. Duncan A. Holaday,
Dr. Brown, since you have played
one 'of the country's leading indus-
a major role in getting this program "" . ":;:~:'
trial hygiene experts, will be joining
underway, and since the United StateS, ", <::.
us shortly. Dr. W. J. Nicholson is
Public Health Service as part of the "
coming to us from the Watson Labe-
Department of Health, Education and ~ -
ratoI)' of Columbia University, and Welfare has a responsibility for the .".....~- ...
other scientists and engineers are be-
investigation of health problems in .... ---
ing recruited. We have organized an
the nation, would YOU tell us about
advisory committee to our laboratory,
the events leading up to this program
and have laid out the outline of this
and what you hope might come from .,
program.
All. of this adds up to the fact that it?
Dr. Brown: We should all be proud
of this day. In 1965 we prepared a.
report for the Surgeon General,
the United States. The exposures to
which these men are subjected are
being defined and the trade condi-
which was done partially by stafI and
partially by outside consultants. It
has been labeled the Frye Report,
tions which make for dust in this because Bill Frye, the Chancellor of
occupation are being reviewed.. And LSU's medical campus in l'\ew Or-
leans, was the leader of the group. In
we are undertaking the necessary en-
~~~~¥~~~~~~"ll
gineering program to eliminate the
dust hazard and make the trade safe.
There are about 18,000 union insula-
tion workers in the country. There
are probably the same number of
non-union insulation workers. But
there probably are around 75,000
:£i~\~i:£~!~~:::;~~~~·.~·.t,-.~
other workmen in the construction
trades who also apply insulation as
part of their work, such as brick- health or his life for the privilege __
layers, roofers, and others. of earning a living. . .;·41}~
tion problem so that we will end up (Continued on page 5)
_ 6.;
",

,
.0'·

r
 Excerpts From Panel Discu'ssion by Experts
.'~ . On' Insulation Industry Research Program
(Continued from page 4)
This didn't pack any wallop at the
time, People doubted it. They said
to me. "\\'eIL labor's J;I1ore interested
..~ in hazard pay than they are in pro-
tecting their workers. Industry is
more'interested in profits than 'they
are in helping their workers and pro-
tecting them.~ They didn't see any
basis for the statement.
,
,',
,
ll:
\\Te we're sitting here today, a
short three years later, and here you
see the partnership in effect as we
laid down in our report. We said that
every level of government could find
:." common cause with industry, labor,
the a.cadernic community, and with
the professions. , bers' contributions which amount to
Here we see these groups put to-
gether. This is not talk anymore. We
aren't just saying what we're going
to do. Labor has put its money on
the line. Industry has put its money
on the line. Mount Sinai has put its
facilities on the line: And we, to the
extent the expertise" of our shop can
be ueed, are putting 'ourselves on the
line. We're doing everything we can
to encourage this, action program.
And, please remember it is action-
oriented. This is a' program designeil
'.. \. to protect workers by reducing the
amount of dust, by immediate appli- '
cation of what we know, and by de-
veloping knowledge'.as rapidly as
" "
possible 'which will lei:td to this_
Now there's been, a great -reduction
in asbestos dust expol!ure throughout
industry over the last tiventy-five or '
:.,.
,C thirty years_ But, what ill being said
here is that this isn't fast enough or
good enough, and that the evidence
is beginning to pile up that we must
go to lower levels ,than we have
, ,~
'~
....... ~ =: =.
::
Dr. Brown
achieved so far. And to do so in this
particular trade is going to be hard,
but nevertheless there are pra,ctical
things already in sight which I hope
Dr. Selikoff is going to mention be-
fore he's through here today.
Dr. fames: It's appropriate to hear
frulll ~,1r. Albert Hutchinson, the
President of the International Asso-
ciation of Heat and Frost Insulators
and Asbestos Workers.
Mr. Hutchinson: Thank you, Dr.
J ames. Our Union once again is
pioneering to achieve better health
protection for our members. The im-
portance to Union' members of this
new Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program is shown by mem-
some $150,000. This, with similar
industry funds, provides monies for
the engineering and scientific research
necessary to understand and prevent
Mr. Hutchinson
on-the-job exposures that can create
health risks.
One of our problems is that we
only represent about 25 percent of
the people who actually apply insula-
tions. And this is one of the reasons
why I think that this program will be
of great benefit; what we find here
can be shared not only with the other
trades, basic trades and the sub-
trades that work with us on these
jobs every day, but can also be taken
into the non-union element.
It is our hope that, as this program
progresses at Mount S~nai's Environ-
mental Sciences Laboratory, other
unions in related trades will join with
us in supporting such important prac-
tical re:earch.
Dr. lames: Now we'll hear from
J. Burt Jobe, who is the Vice Presi-
dent of Johns-Manville Corporation,
5
Mr. Jobe
without question the largest producer
of insulating material in the United
States.
Mr. lobe: We in the asbestos in-
dustry have long been carrying out
our responsibilities in our mines and
plants for reduction of worker ex-
posure to excessive dusts and other
hazards that are inevitable conse-
quences of an industrial society. In
this new and unique =dertaking with
an international union and with med-
ical science, we are extending our
concern to those who work with as-
bestos and other products under con-
ditions that may generate unneces-
sary and undesir"abk exposures.
We know from a great deal of
study carried on in our own plants
and mines that efIective controls can
be devised, and that when these en-
vironmental controls are accepted by
both management and labor that the
hazard can be greatly reduced. EfIec-
tive health and safety practices can-
not be imposed by management on
workers who are not interested in
observing them. Neither can they be
imposed by organized labor on a
management unwilling to adopt them
and make them part of standard
working procedures. For maximum
effectiveness the controls have to be
usable and accepted by' all concerned.
We think that this is a real opportu-
nity for the workers and the indus-
try to join hands and we're very glad
to be a part of it.
Weare impressed by Dr. In'ing
Selikoff's proposals that will combine
the science of medicine with the
skills of the engineers to identify and
define health hazards associated with
insulation work and to develop tech-
nical and working procedures that
(Continued on page 6j
 Discussion Excerpts
(Continued from page 5)
".'.
will reduce and eliminate these haz-
ards. We are confident that knowl-
edge acquired through this program
\\ ill be applicable to other industries
and other occupations. We hope the
trail.blazing program being inaugu-
rated here today will encourage other
segments of industry to provide
needed support for such research.
..
:.
Question: Dr. Selikoff", are you go-
ing to be mainly concerned with
asbestos dust, or will you be looking
at other kinds of dust? And I see
the word fumes used here.
Dr. Selikojj: We are going to in-
sure that the insulation workers,
whether of this" ~union or of others,
will be free of e:q>osure to all dust
:.". and fumes, so far as it is possible,
beCause some of the other insulation
materials used contain materials which
we now know to be hazardous. And
we think it's safer" that a foreign
material not be inhaled by anyone
eyen if we do not at this point recog-
nize a significant" hazard_
Question: Dr: Seliko:ff, 1\>ill part of
this study deal with others in the
areas of this construction?
Dr. Selikojj:"rn"asense, yes. But
in another sense: We feel that when
we successfnlly control the dust pro-
duced by the ,insulation workers in
.... ".. the process of" applying insulation,
We . will simultaneously remove any
hazard which might occur as a result
of any dissemination of these dusts
beyond their imm~iate confines. So
that solving thiS immediate problem,
we simultaneous1iso1ve any potential
problem which may~exist even though
, these are less well}efined.
"r" Dr. James: W11af'about the others
in the construcUon..in'dustry, carpen-
ters, plumbers,StCam'fitters, welders,
", . and laborers, the . architects ?
Dr. Selikojj: W;' ~re not sure that
the dusts which subject the insu~ation
worker to hazard might not also have
"", some slight hazard or additional haz-
ard to other' :worJanen in the con-
struction industif.::'Again, we feel
that as we contI:ol' the insulation
worker's dust we simultaneously con-
trol any potential exposure to any of
the other trades in the construction
industry. And we, feel, too, as Mr.
Hutchinson mentioned, that the meas-
ures we will be able~ to design and
apply for the construction worker are
going to be later applied and adopted
by many other trades that produce
dust in their work.
Dr. Brown: We've been puzzled
for a number of years by the fact
that the Bureau of Old Age and
Survivors Insurance data indicate ex-
ce5"ive deaths for construction work-
ers, a very high risk trade, quite apart
from accidents. We have puzzled over
this. \Ve've speculated too that these
people are exposed to unusual stresses.
They work in climatic conditions
which are rough, and they are under
all sorts of stresses that the rest of
the population aren't. But it is a
significant portion of our total pop-
ulation.
Certainly we can't lose anything
by improving the control of dusts of
all kinds to which they're exposed.
Question: I -would like to know
what is being done now to keep dust
levels down, especially with the work-
ers who work in direct contact 1\ith
<i lot of dust and things?
Dr. Brown: Well, Dr. Selikoff has
some very positive steps planned. We
want to emphasize there's a great
deal of research going on. But what
we're talking about here is the prac-
tical method of how you control dust.
We think the industry in general
has done a rather good job of reduc-
ing dust levels in the manufacturing
process. This is done primaril r by
ventilation techniques, which is what
we do in the dusty trades generally.
Because we have lacked kilOwled!!e as
to the exact amount of asbestos ~dust
that can be tolerated we have had
to go blindly here on the assumption
that the dusty trade standard was
Members of the Asbestos Workers Union install pipe covering in Oyster Creek generating
station now being built at Toms River, N. J. Site was visited by IffiRP team. (See story
on page 8)
somewhere about right and was a
good thing to use. '
Dr. Selikojj: I'll add a little bit to
what Dr. Brown says. \Ve are not
really concerned with dust counts,
and we're not really concerned with
getting it down to 100 million par-
ticles or 50 million particles or one
million per cubic foot. We want to so
reorganize trade practices so that as
far as possible no dust is created.
Dr. James: If 7 or 8 percent, which
is about one out of twelve, of the I;
working force is in the construction
industry, and therefore is potentially
exposed, this goes a long way to 'f!
making this a general matter. Also
there is the fact that" more and more
of our environmental hazards seem
to be acting in concert. If you have
cigarette smoking and you have air
pollution and you-have asbestos dust
and you have' respiratory virus ill-
ness, all added together, this can
mount up to a significant degree and
cause much serious illness and disa-
bility. Whereas, if you can reduce
one or the other of them you can then
reduce the hazard.
And so we can attack the things we
know how to attack as we learn how
to do it. Certainly disea~es like lung
cancer and pulmonary emphysema
are two of the most rapidly growing
diseases in the United States, tw.o of
the real epidemics, if you want to call
them that. in the recent decades. with
no indication 'that the peak has' been
turned. Anything that can be done
to reduce the insult to the lungs and
reduce the incidence of respiratory
diseases should be done.
" ,
 Joint Research Effort
(Continued from page 7)
IIHRP Hygienists Study
importance of the research program
.:' to the Union membership, he said
the Union's contribution to it is fi-
30 Construction Sites
nanced by a special assessment rather
than through regular dues payments.
Dr. Selikoff explained that much Industrial hygienists Ralph D. "',IT. Hindmarch said he and :Mr.
of the research is being: conducted in Hindmarch and Alfred Spenne)' have Spenney studied these job operations
the field by a team of industrial completed on·site inspection studies during their field trip: installation of
.! ' engineers a~d hygienists, while ana- at 30 construction projects and block and pipe covering; installation
i lytical work is conducted af the En- fabricating shops in the east, mid- of fiber glass blanket and pipe cover·
vironmental Sciences Laboratory. west, south, and southwest sections ing; installation of mineral wool
of the country. blanket; cutting of pipe covering,
Dr. Selikoff said the program con-
Samples of mi..-.::ed dusts were col- block and blankets (including cal-
'," '~7!; sists of a national survey of current
lected and information was gathered cium silicate, fiber glass, mineral
trade practices, primarily among in-
about work procedures, Mr. Hind- wool, and foam glass); mixing and
sulators in the building construction
march reported to the IIHRP Ad- applying various cements; opening
field; quantitative measurements of
visory Council, adding that he and cartons of insulation of all types;
dust exposure to determine how much
Mr. Spenney received full coopera- cutting and installing polyurethane;
inhalable dust is released into the
tion from both union and manage-
air by various operations; qualitative installing spray-on insulation.
ment representatives.
analyses of mixed dust samples to The hygienists made on-site studies
On the basis of their observations,
determine what types of dusts are re- in the following locations: N ew York
the Council is now moving ahead with
leased, and their comparative effects
plans for more detailed sampling and City, Long Island, New Jersey tJ ersey
on health. Specific aims of the pro- City, Toms River), Texas (La Porte,
analyses in regard to various field
gram reviewed by the panelists in- Houston. Texas City), Missouri (St-
operations in the beginning phases
cluded: the development of improved Louis, Kansas City) , Louisiana
of insulation and fabrication. It is
'i\-ork practices for the industry to I Baton Rouge, New Orleans), and
expected that two sites in the New
minimize dust· exposure, design of Illinois (N aperviUe, Kincaid, Wood
York-New Jersey area will be selected
appropriate ventilating and exhaust River. Alsip).
for close study.
devices, improved respiratory masks,
better housekeeping procedures, and
definite work rules and methods of
personal protection;
Dr. Selikoff explained that, like all
workers exposed to a dusty occupa-
tional environment, those in the in-
sulation trades in·the construction in-
dustry run a .risk of c~ntracting
respiratory disease. However, there
is no precise ·information on what
constitutes a dangerous concentration
of mixed dusts; or~ of any particular
dust. In' recent. ~: years· the greatest
attention has heen focused on asbes-
tos dust as a:he3.Ith·hazard when in-
haled in excessiw":Cpiantity ·over a'
protracted tinie/'j'ienod. The . most
common disease ..luizard is abestosis,
one of the class ~fC!iseases known as
pneumoconioses. ExcesSive inhalation
;; of almost any type of dust can cause
.-,;-
a type of pnetJ?loconiosis. Addition-
ally, it has been: :reported that the
inhalation of asbestos dust increases
"',;;,'Z the risk of lung cancer.
"The problem I:; ~ serious one for
insulation workers at present. How-
ever, since we have discovered and
defined this risk. it has also become
evident ·that it c~n be removed. That
is the purpose of this new program. -~.:. ...'- -......... : :--.". ........ . ~

;.~. ::-. - .. '.~ • • •j,......,• •m:t'-'i.~ ., . . .

Moreover, analysis of the problem Members of UHRP Advisory Council joined hygienist team in visit to Oyster Creek
made it evident that today's solution generating station construction site in Toms River, N. J. Observing a sawing operation
is the proper one," said Dr. Selikoff are Drs. SelikofI, Hammond and Pundsack.

8
 Joint Research Effort
Science, Labor, Industry on. (Continued from page 1)
Participants in the panel discussion
.....
IIHRP Advisory Council October 14, 1968, included Dr. Seli-
koff; Dr. George James, Dean of
rdount Sinai School of lVIedicine:
~. J. B. J obe, Vice President of Johns~
Manville Corporation; Albert E.
Hutchinson. General President of the
Asbestos Workers Union, and Dr.
lvIurray C. Brown, then Director, Bu-
reau of Occupational Safety and
Health, OSPHS.
Dr. James, former New York City
..... ' . Health Commissioner, said the re-
.... search "will produce knowledge and
benefits that can be applied far be-
yond the particular occupations re-
presented by the insulation workers
union."
Dr. Brown defined the role of the
Public Health Service as that of
"catalyst for this precedent-making
:.,,: program. The federal government can
...... '

provide leadership. Much of the ac-

tual work can and should be done by
industrial concerns, unions and pri-
vate estabIi~hments such as Mount
... .': Sinai's Environmental Sciences Lab-
oratory."
Discussing industry's part, Mr. Jobe
cited experience in manufacturin~
Mr. Hutchinson (left), Dr. SelikofI and Mr. Jobe, three of the six members of IIHRP
Advisory Council, discuss function of electron· microprobe equipment with Dr. Arthur which shows that effective health and
Langer (seated), staff mineralogist at· Mount Sinai's Environmental Sciences Laboratory. safety practices depend on coopera-
. ........ ::~" . .,.. - ... '
tion between management and labor.
Such practices canr';'ot be imposed by
A six-man Ad\~;ory: Council, rep- ·>·-.~d A~bestos Workers; J. B. Jobe, management on workers who are not
resenting science,labor and industry, Vice President, Johns-Manville Cor- interested, nor imposed by organized
will meet regularly -to. provide. con-poration; Dr. E. Cuyler Hammond, labor on management unwilling to
suItation and leadership :for the In- Vice President, American ~ancer So- make them part of standard working
sulation Industry Hygiene Research-·· ciety; Dr.· Fred L. Pundsack, Vice procedures, he said.·
Program. Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Pro- President, Research and Development, Mr. Hutchinson of the Union hailed
gram Director, is. chairman. Johns-Manville Corporation; Dr. the program as "a welcome culmi-.
Other members of - the Advisory George W. Wright, Director of Medi- nation of our continuing consultations
Council are: Albert E. Hutchinson, cal Research, S1. 1-uke's Hospital, and meetings with scientists, Public
General President, International As- Oeveland. Health Service officials and industry
" sociation of Heat and Frost Insulators representatives." As evidence of the
(Continued on page 8)

..

..- Dr. Hammond Dr. Pundsack Dr. Wright

. . :- .. _- '-.~ ~.---.-;:---.'-' ": .,

 Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

""O\l1'lT Sily-f/ INSULATION HYGIENE

~l~o
O(OFMI:.Q
,,0

of The City University

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
frving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York
Vol. 2 No. 1 Spring 1970
...1

. .'
.~

Mixing Bag Tests Are Successful

II I
.. .; .....~ One of the most common and also
one of the dustiest operations faced
by an asbestos worker-hand mixing
I of asbestos cement--can now be con- .

~ :,",-:~
trolled by new mixing techniques.
Tests were made by IIHRP person-
~' iirc' nel of a new plastic bag for asbestos
cement that can also be used for en-
closed mixing. These tests showed
dust levels could be reduced to 1/6
that of standard mixing methods. In
this new bag, which was described
in a previous IT\'SULATION HY·
"
GIENE PROGRAM REPORTS (Fall,
" 1969), water is added directly into
. '.,
the bag and the mixing is achieved by
kneading the bag_
The cement bag trials were held
during boiler insulation work in
Glens Falls, New York, on October
29, 1969. Bags with the two types of
water inlet were considered for trial
and the most feasible one was tested
at that time. This hag utilized a cor-
ner entrance flap through which the
bag could be filled using a hose.
Methods Compared
~~" .. Attending the trial of plastic cement bags at Glens Falls, N.Y., are from left to right,
W. J. Nicholson, IIHRP Program Coordinator, G. Metzler, Johns-ManYJl1e Field Super- During the trial, comparisons were
intendent, B. E. Mullen, ].;\1 Contract Supervisor, W. Anaguostopulos, Asbestos Workers made of mixing techniques using a
Union member, J. O. Collins, J-M Research, and W. A. Waller, J-M Contract Estimator. fast-setting, hydraulic finishing ce-
, : ment containing 15, percent asbestos
and non-hydraulic cement containing

Mt. Sinai Holds 4-Day approximately 50 percent asbestos.

The hand mixing was done in a tub
large enough to; hold one bag and
dust levels were measured at the
~ "

;;-
Course For Scientists
The Mount Sinai School of Medi-
cine has announced a four-day post-
graduate course for physicians and
and other scientists on the health ef·
fects of asbestos. The full-time course,
to be <riven from June 15 to 18, 1970,
• will i;clude a study of working con·
ditions in the asbestos industry as
well as clinical aspects of asbestos·
related disease.
The curriculum for the courSE; will
include a detailed analysis of the clin·
ical findings and industrial hygiene
aspects of asbestos-related disease,
with emph~is on diagnosis, treat-
ment and prevention.
The course, directed by Dr. Irving
J. Selikoff, will have a faculty of over
forty experts, including Drs. E. Cuy-
ler Hammond and Harry Heimann of
the IIHRP. Other participants will
include Professor Rene Dubos of
Rockefeller University, Dr. Paul
Kotin, Director, National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, and
(Continu.ed on back page)
breathing zone of the worker.
The data, summarized in the fol-
lowing table, indicate the clear utility
of the plastic bag as a dust control
·measure.
Mixing
Method Hydraulic Non-Hydraulic
Tub 46 flcc 10 flcc
Plastic Bag 7.5 4.4
Dust samples were collected only
for the. total mixing time which was
(Continu.ed on center spread)
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Yol. 2 ND. 1 Spring 1970
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene
search Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irying J. Seli-
koff, M.D_, Director), Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of the -city Uni-
versity of New . York New York,
:~: '. N.Y. 10029 '
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program
Director and Chai=an
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D. Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
J. B. lobe, Vice President, Johns-
Manville Corporation, New York,
N.Y.
Fred L. Pundsack,·Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research and Development,
Johns-Manville Corporation, New
York, N.Y.
George W. Wright, M.D. Director of
Medical Research, 51. Lu~e's Hospi-
tal, Cleveland, 0.· .
_". ;r-' ..
PURPOSES OF THE .
INSULATION
INDUSTRY· HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of these improved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their
universal adoption.
Re-
W. J. Nicholson (left) and W. B. Reitze (right! discuss the use of a high volume
air sampler with Dr. S. Holmes, Secretary of the Asbestos Research Council in England.
IIHRP Personnel Inspect
European Building Sites
William B. Reitze and William 1.
Nicholson of Mount Sinai have re-
turned from visits to construction
sites, shipyards and laboratories in
Great Britain and continental Europe.
Invited to study work practices in
England by the Asbestosis Research
Council, the IIHRP team extended
their visit to sites in Holland, Ger-
many and Denmark.
Emphasis was placed during the
trip on studying those dust reduction
techniques that might be adapted for
u~ in this country. Particular em-
phasis was given to England because
of the extensive research work of the
Asbestosis Research Council and its
member companies and because prep-
arations were being taken prior to
the introduction in May, 1970, of
strict government asbestos control
regulations.
In England, visits were made to
the Turner Brothers and Cape Asbes-
tos Corporation factories, Newalls
Insulation, a Newcastle shipyard, and
the Gloster Saro Corporation, a dis-
tributor of spray asbestos and ce-
ramic fiber insulation. In addition.
a visit to the Pneumoconiosis Re~
search Unit at Penar:th, Wales was
made;
In Holland. visits were made 'to
Hertel Insulation in Rotterdam. and
the de Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen.
Spraying Differs
One notable difference observed
between practices in the U.S. and
Europe was the restricted use of
spray asbestos. Its use in Europe, and
particularly in England, was less ex-
tensive than the U.S. and when used,
the material was applied at night· or
when other trades were not working
on the site. Moreover, in some cir-
cumstances, dust control during spray
applications was ~effected by a pre-
damping process that reduced dust
levels to 1/250 of those measured
without predamping.
In commenting on the usefulness
of the trip, Reitze remarked that it
was very helpful to have seen the
dust collection devices on power
tools, especially hand tools, as well
".
as the spray predamping equipment.
"Moreover, the difficulties experi-
enced by some parts of the asbestos
industry in confo=ing to the imple-
mentation of strict regulations clearly
indicate the need for action now by
industry and labor in this country to
reduce worker exposure levels to a
minimum," he said.
 Bag Tests Successful
( Con.tinlUa)
virtually identical in each test (7-9
minutes for tub mixing 8-10 for bag
mixing). The levels are high, but it
must be realized that cement mixing
is not a continuous operation.
The data obtained for the standard
mixing method are comparable to
-, those obtained by William B. Reitze,
Director of IIHRP Field Studies, for
.' the mixing of cement in various field
conditions. In those cases, which
..,.:'~ range from hand mixing in small
buckets to the large.scale mixing used
in power house \ insulation work,
dust levels varied from 25 to 62
fibers per cc.·
An example of extensive tarping used on the Wodd Trade Center prior to spraying the
Problems Easy. to.. Solve. (outside of girders' and spandrels.
While it is clear, that a very dusty
operation can he-controlled, two dif-
ficulties of the present plastic bag
were observed during the trial. Some
bag damage, in excess of that experi-
New Spray Methods Used
enced with paper bags" occurred dur-
ing shipment of the plastic bags.
Moreover, bags containing 35 to 50
pounds of cement, were difficult to
handle when the necessary water had
On World Trade Center
been added. '
Following the- Glens Falls trial, Rising on the west side of lower Special enclosur;'procedures have
Fred L. Pundsack, Vice President for Manhattan are the no story high, been developed to prevent dissemina-
Research and Development of J ohns- twin towers of the New York PDrt tion of asbestos into the air of N.Y.
Manville Corporation, expressed his Authority's World Trade Center. The City while spraying the outside of the
pleasure at the dust reduction ca- towers will be the world's tallest girders and spandrels. To prevent loss
pability. structures. at the bottom of enclosures, all tarps
"The two problems observed dur- Needless to say, unique practices extend through the window areas into
ing the trial can be easily solved. We are necessary in all phases of design the building.
will investigate the use of different and construction. For example, to During the spraying of ceiling
and stronger bag material and we keep elevator space to a minimum, joists, the spray area is sealed from
can design a package of more suit- three local elevators will operate in other work areas at the elevator shafts
able weight. The redesigned packages one shaft at different levels. as well as from the outside at the
will be available for both field and The size Df the buildings has also building perimeter. '
marketing trials in the near future," dictated unique practices for the ap- .0

he said. plication' of sprayed mineral fiber. Continuing Effort

" '
Efforts to improve methods of
spraying insulation material at the
World Trade Center are part of a
continuing effort to improve spray
procedures in all buildings.
In discussing efforts to control the
unwanted release of asbestos and
other insulation dusts, both on and
off job sites, Dr. Irving Selikoff,
IIHRP Director, stated, "Some prog-
ress is being made. Proper proce-
dures have been specified in broad
terms, but they must be implemented
with specific action on all buildings.
Clean-up of waste is still a very serio
ous problem everywhere. Work on
the World Trade Center shows some
of the things that can be done. We
William B. Reitze, Director of IIHRP Field Studies, di~cusses spray asbestos problems hope progress on the spray problem
with spray mineral fiber manufacturers, plastering contractors, general construction con· not only continues there and else-
tractors, and members of the N.Y. Department of Air Resources. where, but accelerates."
 N ew Electron Microscope
U sed to Analyze Dusts
The Environmental Sciences Lab-
oratorY of Ii'fount Sinai School of
Medicine has rec~iyed a second elec-
tron microscope to be used exclus-
ively for the Insulation Industry Hy-
giene Research Program, The instru-
ment, capable of magnifying 480,000
times. was installed in the laboratory
durin'g Kovember and has received
continuous use since.
The electron microscope is used to
determine the size distribution of
asbestos fibers in occupational ex-
posures and to measure the amount
of asbestos in the atmosphere around
various types of insulation work.'
To J1easure Fibers
The measurement of the number
of fibers in all size ranges in con-
struction dust is important. Standard
sampling methods measure only those
fibers longer than 1/5000 of an inch
in length. This may account for only
1/10 of the total number of fibers
present. If the ~orkers' health experi-
ences are to be related meaningfully
to their dust exposures, accurate ul-
" tramicroscopic data must be obtained.
In the case of many air samples,
the presence of other particulate mat-
ter prevents the use of light micro-
scopes to measure asbestos fibers of
any length. Only by ashing the sam-
ple to remove the organic matter, dis·
persing the residue on a sample grid,
and scanning with,the electron micro~
'··~:~~fi~:S:,:- --
Course' for'scientists
( Co-ntViuecl)
Dr. Marcus Key, Chief, Bureau of
Occupational Safety and Health of
the U.S. Public Health Service.
Participants will be shown con-
struction practices by James Mul·
hearn and Jack Novak of the Asbes-
tos Workers Union. Plant and mine
visits will be arranged throui!h the
cooperation of }olms-Manville Corpo-
ration.
A detailed brochure describing the
course can be obtained from: Regis-
trar, Page and William Black Post-
graduate' School of Medicine, Kling-
enstein Clinical Center, 1450 Madison
Avenue, Room 621, New York, N.Y.
1002~ • with the new electron microscope.
scope, can one hope to obtain any
data on this difficult problem.
In addition to the industrial hy.
giene work, these data will be used
in a joint study by the Environmen-
tal Sciences Laboratory and the New
York City Department of Air Re-
sources which was described in the
Fall 1969 PROGRESS REPORTS.
How it Works
In describing the operation of an
electron microscope, Arthur N. Rohl,
IIHRP mineralogist, made a com-
parison with a standard television
::et. "In a TV set an image is pro·
duced by a high energy electron
beam striking a phosphorescent
screen. The position of the electron
beam on the screen is controlled by
the voltage on deflection plates within
the tube. In the case of the electron
microscope a similar beam of high
energy electrons is produced which
passes through the sample to be stud.
ied. It is directed and enlarged by
magnets within the microscope,
strikes a similar screen, and produces
an image which can be photo-
graphed."
Arthur Langer (left) and Arthur Rohl, IIHRP mineralogists, analyze consu"uction dusts
IIHRP Staffer
Wins Honor
Duncan A. Holaday, a member of
the staff of IIHRP, has been honored
as the first recipient of the Distin-
guished Service Award of the Health
Physics Society.
Holaday was honored not only for
his recognition of the problem of
exposure of uranium miners to radon
and its daughter products and for his
technical contributions to the art of
monitoring such exposure, but also
for his efforts in achieving a highly
significant reduction of that exposure.
Trained as a chemical engineer,
Holaday served with the U.S. Public
Health Service from 1943 to 1968.
He joined the industrial hygiene pro-
gram of Mount Sinai this year and
is in charge of several task forces
directed toward reducing dust levels
in the asbestos industry.
His immediate concern is to co-
ordinate IIHRP activities with efforts
in the safety appliance industry to'
obtain an efficient and comfortable
disposable respirator. He has recently
been named to head an American
Standards Association subcommittee
setting standards for disposable res-
pirators.
-;
_ .14 4fP .. .-.- _ ...
... ~""'.
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 2, No.2 Summer 1970
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene
~ean'h Prop:r.am
Editor: W; J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
... ~. ~
Sciences Laboratory (In'ing J. Seli-
" koff. ~I.D_, Director), Mount Sinai
School of :\fedicine of the City Uni-
':;. versity of New York, New York,
KY. 10020 ,
Advisory Council of IIHRP
IrYing J. Seliko:fI, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D. Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
"
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washinp:ton, D.C.
J. B. J obe. Vice President- Johns-
~'lunville Corporation, Ne~ York,
N.Y.
Fred L. Pundsack. Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research ~nd Development,
Johns-Manville Corporation, New
York, N.Y.
George W. Wright, M.D. Director of
Medical Research, St. Luke's Hospi-
tal, Cleveland, O.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develqp improved
methods for minimizing ex-
pos,ure ohnsulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of these' improved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously" and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their
universal adoption.
"' ...-- r· -_.
Re-
(1. to r.) New York's Mayor Lindsay, Commissioner of Air Resources Robert
N. Rickles, and "Environmental Protection Administrator Jerome Kretchmer
discuss the new spray orders at City Hall.
NYC Leads USA-Sets
Rules For Spray
(Continued from 1st page)
the World Trade Center engineers
and their general contractor, Tish-
man Construction Company."
The interim orders will remain in
force until adoption of final regula-
tions following public hearings. The
hearings are to be held within six
weeks, according to Jerome Kretch-
mer, newly appointed New York City
Environmental Protection Adminis-
trator. The new rules include require-
ments that
(a) any spray area be completely
enclosed by tarpaulins,
(b) the area be vacuum-cleaned
after application, and
(c) insulation in air circulation
plenums or ducts containing
asbestos be coa"ted with a seal-
ant to .preclude erosion of
asbestos-colltaining material
into the air of the building.
(See page 3 for complete regula-
tions. )
Some Contractors 11-1 ade Effort
Dr. Robert N. Rickles, New York
City's new Commissioner of Air Re-
sources, emphasized the need for spe·
cific procedures that are enforceable
and noted that voluntary measures to
"
reduce environmental exposures were
not uniformly followed.
"Some contractors," he added,
"made an effort to contain their
spray operation." (See Spring 1970
issue of Progress Reports for story
on World Trade Center.) "Other op-
erators, however," he went on, "made
only minimal efforts at containment.
We also found that cleanup of waste
was a serious problem everywhere,
with workers of all trades being ex-
posed continually to the debris of
spray fireproofi:ng insulation."
Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, IIHRP Di-
rector, endorsed th~ City regulations.
"The technology for safe application
of sprayed mineral fireproofing mate-
rial exists,'" he said. "However, the
utilization of app'ropriate contain-
ment and cleanup techniques must be
uniform throughout the industry if
we are to succeed in solving the
health problem of mineral fibers in
urban air.
"It is of importance, too, to note
the Environmental Protection Ad-
ministration's concern with coatings
of air plenums in buildings already
in construction since it wishes to in-
sure that air in ventilating systems
not be contaminated by foreign ma-
terial."
 INSULATION HYGIENE
Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

oul'ITs,,.,,

~T~
ll~ll
°
°lOFM<'<:>
"c;
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of The City University Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York
Vol. 2, No.2 Summer 1970
•• ~' I

Shipyards Tour
Shows Hazards
to Workers
- . Air samples taken from ship com-
partments in eight shipyards of the
Gulf Coast are now being examined
for asbestos fiber content in the
New York laboratories of the Insula-
tion Industry Hygiene Research Pro-
gram.
Two scientist investigators, Dr.
Harry Heimann and Mr. William B.
Reitze, secured the samples during a
recent two-week tour. They visited
yards at Houston, Galveston, Beau-
mont, New Orleans, Pascagoula, Mo-
bile, Jacksonville and Tampa.
They carefully inspected aircraft
~. This asbestos worker is applying insulation in the unventilated and confined carriers, destroyers, Navy supply
space of a ship's engine room. Note asbestos-containing material on his over- ships, con~ainer ships, and tankers.
alls. Arrangements for the tour were
made through the cooperation of the
United States Department of Labor .
NYC Leads USA - Sets and the International Office of the
International Association' of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos

.Rules For Spray Workers.

Other Workers Endangered

In a historic~Ctiojj,- the Environ-
mental Protection Administration
i_
and the Department 'of Air Resources
of New York City have promulgated
interim orders governing the spray-
ing on City construction sites of any
insulation material 'containing as-
bestos.
First Such Action
The orders went ·into effect April
13. They detail the steps that mnst
be taken by spray contractors during
application. These steps will mini-
mize exposure to spray applicators,
to other construction workers on a
job site, and also to the general
population living or working nearby.
This action by New York City is
the first such in the United States.
It brought to fruition a cooperative
effort by Mount Sinai School of
Medicine's Insulation Industry Hy-
giene Research Program, New York
City's Department of Air Resources,
and various industry groups which
began last summer.
As part of this cooperative effort,
a joint program of asbestos sampling
and analysis was initiated by Mount
Sinai and the Department of Air Re-
sources last July. At the same time
the Sprayed Mineral Fiber Manufac-
turers' Association and the New York
City Plasterers' Association met to
establish industry safety practices
and control procedures for spray ap-
plication. (See Fall 1969 issue of In-
sulation Hygiene Progress Reports.)
In addition, consultation on vari-
ous aspects of the problem of spray
insulation took place between IIHRP
staff and building owners, architects,
general contractors, and, especially,
(Continued on next page)
The handling of asbestos insula-
tion products presents a health haz-
ard not only to the insulation work-
ers but also (because of the confined
ar~) to the allied shipbuilding
trade workers_
Dr. Heimann and Mr_ Reitze found
that the three most serious hazards
appear to be
L the extreme dustiness during re-
moval of old insulation
2. an almost total lack of ventila-
tion in confined spaces .
3. the spread of dust from work
areas into other regions of the
ship.
Methods to remove old insulation
with a minimum of dust production
are receiving top priority considera-
tion by Mount Sinai's engineers.
The design of a typical ship in-
cludes many small compartments
(Continued on last page)

.. - .--. - ... - .. -.
"'--.-- -" --_. ".
 C<;>ating Process Developed Solid Waste Gets
IIHRP Attention
to Control Product Dusts Procedures for controlling and
eventually eliminating possibly harm-
ful dusts produced by solid waste
materials on construction jobs are
getting attention from the Insulation
Industry Hygiene Research Program
(IIHRP) .
t. As a first step, IIHRP representa-
o' '

tives met recently for a discussion

of the problem with federal and New
York City officials.
-.. "The problem is more than one of
.. :;
'.-
controlling dusts from insulating ma-
terials," said Dr. Irving J. Selikoff,
Director of Mount Sinai's Environ-
mental Sciences Laboratory and also
of the IIHRP. "We are concerned
with the total population exposure to
dusts that one sees from the great
variety of material on every construc-
tion site."

Joint Study Discussed

The March 20 meeting saw agree-
ment on the desirability of a coop-
erative federaI-IIHRP project to
study and reco=end ways to col-
lect, transport, and dispose of all
construction wastes.
At the meeting for the U.S. Depart-
ment of Health, Education and Wel-
fare were Dr. Marcus Key, Acting
. Director of the Bureau of Occupa-
tional Safety and Health; Russell
.. ~
. ...
: ..; ; .. ",'.;"
;-~-.~~,:",,,":," . ...
~
:
··7~
..... .:..,
. .- . . '· .. · ..
Cummings and Jan Campbell of the
Experimental chamJ>er in :which new coating process is applied to prevent dust from Bureau of Solid Waste Management;
shaking looSe from various' asbestos-containing· materials. A section of pipe covering is K. L. Johnson of the National Air
seen. Coating is.sprayed.oui. of nozzles .on.ring; ..: >.: Pollution Control Administration,
~, ~ ~:"~~~~~:~~;" \¥'~:-:·:·~-·t~~·-':. :~!~:;~~-:·- '.:.: ... :.: ...... and Gerald Hansler of the Bureau
A new '-coating 'j>ioi:!esS::has b~. reduce sources of dust at construc- of Consumer Protection and Environ-
.d~veloped tOp'ry!.en:t;)I~·from ~hak- tion job sites. mental Health Sciences. Also partic-
ing loose from'j>;ar!0us. asbestos-con~" . Dr.. Hurley said the coating, which ipating were Austin M. Heller, Com-'
taining insulation"matenaIs asthby consists· 'of a wax-like substance missioner of Air Resources of New
are jarred '?~g:~l:ipII1eni: or han- ~: mixed with water, is easily and York City, Dr. Selikoff, and two
dIed on the JoK,,";;-~·;·'-~·,,;,. quickly applied through a uniqu~
The process .consists' of applying gun-type device. It dries by itself members of ~e IIHRP's Advisory
a microscopically thin coating of a within 10 seconds and contains no Council, J. B. J obe and Dr. Fred L.
Pundsack, both of Johns-Manville
.- wax-like material to:'Qpen sections of
such products . ··as " pipe covering,.
toxic materials, he said.
:The material is slightly tinted to Corporation.
elbows and··blocks.,:.~The 'coating is' proVide visual proof that the surfaces "I feel we have be.,oun action that
.,.';"J,..
pressure-sprayea-·.<>.p:the products be- of the insulation products being will bring significant results to this
...~';' '" fore they are.:'packed in shipping shipped are covered, he said. serious problem," Dr. Selikoff said.
containers. .'0;':,:-.\:' Originally developed as a corrosion "In New York City alone 2;000 tons
Develope~'-;;("t1~:new technique, inhibitor for various metals, the coat-
of waste a day arise from construc-
which is still being improved, is ing reduces abrasion betw-een items
tion work. Four million men through-
:Elmer B. Hurley, a research associ- in a shipping' container. This further
ate at the Research and Engineering prevents production of dust. out the nation are involved with some
Center of the Johns-Manville Corpo- Dr. Hurley said research was un- phase of construction. The presence
ration in FindernCi ~ew Jersey. De- derway to package the coating mate- of federal and city officials at this
velopment of the . process resulted rial in aerosol containers for use on meeting is indicative of the magni-
from the Insulation Industry Hygiene job sites where insulation products tude of the problem and the concern
Research Program's overall effort to are cut. for it."

'. .~ ..
."';
'
-'~"
Insulation worker Bill Sheppard gives ~ staff consultant Duncan Holaday his on-
the-job reaction to new r~pU::'to::-
Results of Union sUrVey
.. :"
\ . ' '--:'.~;.~.. .
(ConftnuedJ_ ·c'..., '.
.'-, - "'-. - .";""'~~'., :_.,
gardless of a mask's e.ffi~iency, it was
too seldom worn, even on dusty, jobs,
primarily because of discomfort and
interference with breathing_' This par-
ticular finding stimulated the IIHRP, . _ due to closeness of work.. Also tends'
eHort to develop an. effiCient.and ac~'
ceptable mask that would': be 'worn_' :;:~ : '. Worker dissatisfaction with avail-
More than 12 OOO.'~~ers an_"abl~ masks fell into these categories:
swered the. qu~tionnillre:; nearly:c~-::>:',
8,700 of them replied -to the specific -": Discomfort
, .: .', questions about evaluation .of the
.. \..
,: ;- masks_,About5,OOO_m.en.3ound.the_~·
masks unsatisfactory;: some 3,700
thought they were satisfactory. How-
ever, the fact is that those' who said
the masks were "satisfaCtory" did not
use masks any more often than did
.''; . those who did not find:,them "satis- _
factory.~'. Only 4 percent·(&the work-·
ers said they always wore:amask at a
dusty job and alnlost 30~cent said
they never used such P~?~ection.
Here -are some comments by union
members that helped IIHRP scientists
as they sought to develop an efficient
and effective mask:
"On a hot job the ga:uze may be-._ to insulation workers-:-in terms of
come saturated with sweat very early
in use and the dust ·particles. soon
adhere to the mask, making breath-
ing difficult."
"There, is condensation in cool
weather and leakage around the
mask_"
. "Most masks are designed to filter
visible size dust particles_ They are
of no use in filtering dust of micro-
.scopic size.." . accompanied the IIHRP team. Dr.
"Awkward to breathe through and
impossible to wear in some areas
. to obstruct full vision_"
. Field Tests of Mask
37%
Interference with breathing 21 %
Problems with filters 14%
Unavailability of masks or
replace~ent filters. 7%
__ .. Inconvement to work WIth 7%
Interfer.ence with vision 6%
IneHectiveness ' 4%
Condensation problems 2%
No problems with existing
masks 4%
Results of the survey have been
analyzed by scientists and hygienists
associated with the IIHRP. In de-
signing the new mask, they realized
two essential features were impor-
tant: 1. The mask must be acceptable
comfort, breathing, vision, eHective
filtration, etc.; 2. EHectiveness must
be measured in terms of keeping out
fibrous dusts.
Hygienists Visit
West Coast Sites
Two industrial hygienists associ-
ated with the Insulation Industry
Hygiene Research Program have
completed the second phase of a
cross-country survey of insulation
industry trade practices_ Particular
emphasis on the trip was given to
observing conditions in shipyards.
William B. Reitze and Ralph D.
Hinclmarch visited private shipyards
in Seattle and San Diego, and U.S.
Naval Yards in San Francisco, Long
Beach and San Diego. They also vis-
ited commercial' and industrial sites
in Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco,
and Los Angeles to study how indus-
try conditions and practices on the
West Coast differ from those in other
parts of the United States which had
been previously visited. The applica-
tion of insulation materials by unions
other than the International Associ-
ation of Heat and Frost Insulators
and Asbestos Workers also was
studied for possible health hazards_
IIHRP industrial hygienists have
previously visited construction proj·
ects and fabricating shops in the east,
midwest, south and southwest sections.
Wayne Kelley, International Orga-
nizer for the Western States Confer-
ence of the IAHFIAW, and local
union and industry representatives
William Nicholson, IIHRP Program
Coordinator, and Duncan Holaday,
a staff consultant, joined the team
in the Los Angeles area.
(Continued)
out improvements for the disposable-
type respirator. When this has been
done, further field tests are planned.
"We are trying. to develop a mask
that is both acceptable and eHective,
because one factor is no good with-
out the other," said Dr. Irving J .
SelikoH, Director of the Environ- >I.
mental Sciences Laboratory at Mount
·.
Sinai School of Medicine in New
York City and Director of the IIHRP_
"No mask is eHective if it remains
in the tool box or clothes locker."
The field trial was under the direc-
tion of Duncan Holaday, a consultant
to IIHRP. Assisting him was Dr.
William J. Nicholson, Program Co-
ordinator of ~e IIHRP, and George
Reimschussel of Johns-Manville Re-
search and Engineering Center, who
is working on the mask design.
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 1, No.2-Summer 1969
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program
Editor: W. J. NicholsOJ;l, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences La·boratory (Irving J. Seli-
koff, M.D., Director)' Mount Sinai
.School of J\'1edicine of the City Uni-
' ..
." versity of ~ew York, New York,
N.Y. 10029
Advisory COUJ;lcil of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D. Vice
:." President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y_ " ':
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
J. B. Jobe. Vice President, Johns-
Manville Corporation, New York,
N.Y.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research and Development,
Johns-Manville Corporation, New
York, N.Y. .~ .
George W. Wright,· M.D. Director of
Medical Research, St. Luke's Hospi-
tal, Qeveland, O.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
..
"
,. INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
:.'~
...... ~-; 2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of these improved
methods of 'dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their
universal adoption,
Scientist and Occupational
Health Expert Join IIHRP
William J. Nicholson, Ph.D., has
been appointed Pr;g:ram Coordinator
for the Insulation Industry Hygiene
Research Program. Announcement of
the appointment was made by Dr.
Irving J. Selikoff, Program Director,
Dr. Nicholson will supervise over-
all coordination behl'een on·site
sampling conducted by industrial
Iqgit:nists, the laboratory analysis of
field samples, and the task forces
organized to seek solutions to the
particular problems of the insulation
industry. He also will serve as editor
of Insulation Hygiene Progress Re-
ports.
Dr. Nicholson joined the program
this year after having served for eight
years on the staff of the Watson
Laboratory of Columbia University
where he directed research in molec-
ular biology and also worked on
instrumentation for the automatic
detection of abnormal and cancerous
tissue cells. He is a graduate of the
University of Washington where he
held Atomic Energy Commission and
University Graduate Fellowships.
In referring to his appointment,
Dr. Nicholson emphasized that it is
particularly important for academic
scientists to become involved in the
direct needs of society. "The ivory
tower of the university ~o longer
exists. To me, this program is im-
portant and exciting because it offers
the opportunity to apply the tools and
knowledge of the sciences to the
practical health problems of construc-
tion workers and the general popu-
lation."
Dr. Nicholson
Duncan A. Holaday, a veteran in
occupational health work, has joined
the Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program as a consultant to
several task forces studying specific
health problems of the insulation
industry.
Among his first responsibilities are
the directing of field tests of res-
pirators developed for use by insu-
lation workers, and the selection and
testing of a feasible, self-contained
air supply mask.
Mr. Holaday comes to the IIHRP
from the U.S. Public Health Service
where he served for 25 years with the
Bureau of Occupational Safety and
Health. During this time he was Chief
of the Occupational'Health Field Sta-
tion in Salt Lake City for 14 years
and later served as Deputy Chief of
the Bureau.
His experience has included the
organization and direction of inten-
sive studies of health hazards in spe-
cific industries, particularly those
associated with uranium mining. He
is a recipient of the Meritorious
Service Medal of the Public Health
Service and the Distinguished Serv-
ice Award of the Health Physics
Society.
"Occupational health problems
created by the use of insulating
materials are m£!nifold and their solu-
tions will not be simple," Mr. Hola-
day said on assuming his appoint-
ment. "However, the fact that
industry, labor and scientific groups
are concerned and are cooperating to
reduce the hazards is assurance that
practical answers will be found."
, .
Mr. Holaday
 Environmental Sciences

INSULATI'ON HYGIENE
Laboratory

ouNTSI""

~l~
.'~ "

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
°lOFMcQ"
of The City University IrvIng J. SeJikoff, M.D.. Program Director
of New YoM: Vol. 1 No.2 Summer 1969
,.
. '

.-.:::.
New.Mask Undergoes Field Test
Science moved out of the laDora-
. ','
tories and onto construction sites in
....-.'
April when insulation workers, mem-
bers of Local 17 (IAHFIAW) in the
Chicago area, were called upon to
playa key role in testing a new type
of respiratory maSk to protect
against on-job dusts.
Union members were asked to give
their personal evaluation of the ac-
ceptability of three yariations of a
face mask especiaIIy . designed by
scientists and technicians associated
with the Insulation Industry Hygiene.
Research Program: (IIHRP) _ The:··
project was given top priority when
it was learned from a uriiom~-jde sur-. ', .. _
vey that presently.: 'aVailable tn.asb: _:.
were not much used-on'the job. ·:.::s:L,.
The survey showecl-'union ·mem-.·· ~,.'
hers· had manymany'':good reasons
for not liIqng~d' therefore not
wearing-present ·;masks.. Responses;,
offered many suggestions that were
incorporated into .,the :design of the
.:~~:~~:":::::= new mask. (See story. at left.) .
Although the long-run objective of
'!" • •

They're not of ~ '17 of IAHFIAW field testing ';;:.~ew type

" ,f'
mask. Each mask' different though they look alike. From left to right: Alan IIHRP is to enminat'? the generation
:Miller, Edward R. G~t_ . James Hupp~, 0 . • : ' . · · ·..
of asbestos and other dusts on job
, .... ;.

..____ .._.___ .___ .~··;~r~.2:~j~~

.- .. -
~
_____ ·.~ ...... ___ ._.~_ . .
. .' .
_.J __ ~ .. _. _ .• _ _ . : . - _ ' -
-
.
sites, it was considered important .
·ri:te~lllwhile to develop better protec-··

.Union. ':S,urvey Shows Current tion against breathing dusts unavoid-

ably created by working with insulat-
ing materials_ It .~hoped the newly
lvfasks'-'Have
........
Drawbacks ~:-~-.: - -:.:
developed mask, already checked out
for its filtering efficiency with ilie
'
U.S. Bureau of: Mines, will have
"HELPP' ~~~(r~::·._ ~': 'of a new mask that would-be both broad applicatiorim- oilier industries
"Try to convmce'the.men the mask-: effective and acceptable to .msnlation where dusty work.is unavoidable.
is all important..'~.,~~Z~: .'.:~':' . workers. Such a mask is now, in the
. ".' ~
"A good respirator' can aid our field-testUig stages of development. Three Models of Mask Tested
,. program greatly_":;;~~i;C- (See story at right.)" ,' •. Three models of the experimental
These co=ents~pretty much sum The quotations were among re- mask were worn on three successive
up the feelings that· thousands of sponses to a survey of the nearly half-day work periods by Local 17
insulation workers-' have about res- 18,000 members of the International members working on ilie SIOO-million
piratory protection '-equipment. Most Association 0'£ Heat and Frost Insu- addition to Co=onwealth Edison
workers find maJor- drawbacks in lators and Asbestos W orkers~ Union Company's Dresden Nuclear Power
currently available masks. members were asked by questionnaire Plant at Morris, Illinois. Each work-
Because of this reaction to present about their personal use of masks and er gave his evaluation of each mask,
respirators, scientists of the Insula- how they rated their effectiveness. and IIHRP scientists then began
tion Industry Hygiene Research Pro- An important finding was that re- analyzing these comment; to work
gram gave priority· to development (Continued on center spread.) (Continued on center spread.)

"1: ..
 Successful Saw Tests
( Continued)
for the trials was the cutting of cover·
ing for 6-inch diameter pipes. The
cutting of this commonly used material
can be especially dusty as the dust is
generated by the saw blade 3 inches
above the surface of the saw table.
When cutting with no dust collector,
this dust spreads out from the cut,
bounces against the table, and is dis-
persed into the air.
The two systems of dust collection
tested were the high velocity -system of
Hoffman Industries of New York City
and the high volume system of The
Torit Corporation of St. Paul, Minne-
sota. Each system used highly efficient
bag filters but differed in the mode of
collection from the saw. .
The Hoffman system' used a 2·inch
collection pipe that directs an airflow
along and then' away from the saw
blade at velocitieS exceeding 10,000 Vic~'f..z;;; ~e dust collection equipment of The Torit Corporation are Roger ·E. Cunning-
ft./min. This speed exceeds typical, ham, Executive' Director of the illinois Regional Insulation Contractors Industry Pro-
blade velocities. of. from 3,000 to 5,000 motional and Educational Program, Richard Bennett, Chicago Sales Manager of The Torit
ft./min. This high velocity air stream Corp.. Gerald McMahon, Director of the Illinois Insulation Contractors Apprentice Train-
ing Program, Frank R. Chase, Vice President of Torit, and Leo Pierce of Torit.
not only rem~ves all material from the
blade, but draws the dust prodnced
above the table down the saw blade tor. The ':dust at this point was mostly pressed with the effectiveness of the
and into the collector. heavy particles which would fall to the dust collector. I've been in the insula-
floor and produce general housekeep- tion trade for many years and during
The trials of the Hoffman' collector
ing problems. But of most importance, that time have seen a large number of
were held at the Forrest Company
at the breathing zone of the saw op- fab shops and job sites. Some of these
plant in HoustOILand conducted by
erator the dust level from very fine locations had dust collection systems,
William B, ReitZe, Duncan A. Holaday,
particles and fibers was reduced to usually of the home-made variety.
and William r;:-Nicholson of Mount
Sinai's Insulation~' Industry Hygiene 1/2Oth of that which existed with no While certainly useful, their efficiency
Research Program; : .. . collector. in no way approached that which I
'. Joseph R. Shrode, International Or- saw today. There was just no dust at
ganizer of the International Association . all." '
lo,OOO-fold Redu.crion
of Heat and Frost Inscl.ators and As- The Torit high volume system was
They found from. dust counts made bestos Workers Union, who operated tested on a Forrest saw at the Appren.
20 inches from the" cut that dust levels the saw during the Houston trial com- tice Training Facility of the Chicago
could be reduced. aver 10,000. times .'. mented on the efficiency of the dust area Local 17 of the IAHFIAW die
from those wiuch~ts with lU}.::collec- l.-· collection system. "I was really im- rected by Gerald McMahon. The Torit
......:. "'r".:", .. '~'-"" ·.. ·~~.·-:i .~. system is similar to that designed by
,
..~ several dust collector companies. IIi
this method a large volume of air is
collected from the area beneath the
saw table and by 1- collector mounted
above the cutting ~ea. In typical cases
1,500 to 2,500 cubic feet of air are
collected per minute.
'.- The Chicago trial was conducted by
William Reitze and William Nicholson
of the IIHRP. Mr. Roger E. Cunning-
ham, Executive Director of the Illinois
Insulation Contractors Industry Promo-
tional and Education Program, partici- '
pated as an observer. Dust counts were .-
taken with and without dust collection
facilities operating during the cutting
of calcium silicate.asbestos and on
other in~nlation materials. Again it was

The cl:tting of 6' diameter pipe covering, with =d without the use of a dust-collector. (C(mtinu.ed. on center SPTI'ad)
 'You Can Live Without Them' 3. Those who now smoke cigarettes
should stop immediately. This is true
ev·en. if they are retired from the trade.
(Continued) By November 1st, 1969, only one of Dust remains trapped in the lung and
, ' Sanborn. Their efforts were guided, ex- the 87 men who did not smoke ciga- cigarettes will be harmful. While it is
tended and reinforced by General rettes developed lung cancer. Among too early to tell yet the full beneficial
President Hutchinson, Secretary-Treas- the 283 who had a history of' cigarette effect of stopping smoking among as·
urer Haas, President Emeritus Sickles, smoking, 35 developed lung cancer! . bestos workers, there is reason to be-
and the loyal and capable staff of the lieve this may be considerable. Dr.
International office. But the credit be- Lung Cancer Hammond has found, for example, that
longs, too, to the membership of these Jan. 1, 1963 among American men in general stop-
two locals, each man who patiently to ping smoking significantly decreases
and diligently helped complete the re- Nov. 1, 1969 the risk of lung cancer, and the longer
search which led to the discovery of ~;::: ::;,;:uette smoking 87 1 one goes without smoking, the greater
the unusual and extraordinary cigarette Cigarette smoking.. 283 35 the decrease in risk. In fact, 10 years
,,' . smoking effeC1=- after stopping, the risk is little greater
" .~ 370 36 than that of men the same age who
Starting on January 1, 1963, the two never smoked cigarettes! (See Figure
locals began to keep a careful eye on 1.)
It seems obvious that insulation
all their members, but particularly on
work and cigarette smoking don't mix. Cigar smoking and pipe smoking
the more senior members, those who
had entered the locals from 1910 to What should be done about this sit- have at least so far not been associated
1942, and who, by 1963, already had uation? Four recommendations are with any increase in risk of lung cancer
more than 20 years in the trade. There warranted: among the members of Local 12 and
were 370 such men. It was determined Local 32. Cigarette smoking is the cul-
that: 1. Minimize or eliminate exposure prit.
to insulation dusts on the job_ This is
87 men had never smoked cigarettes 4. Regular examinations should be
the goal of the IIHRP. and will be done
regularly. scheduled. This is important for men
with the help of labor and the indus- who started in the trade twenty or
283 had smoked cigarettes. . try, including locals of the IAHFIAW more years before and especially im-
The locals have since observed what and contractors of the ICDNA through- portant for those 20-year men who
has happened to these two groups of. . out the country. A harbinger' of what smoke cigarettes or ever smoked ciga-
men, the same in all respects (age," . will be done is demonstrated by the rettes regularly, even if they have
work experience, etc.) except that one, improved table saws reported on stoppecL
smoked cigarettes· and' the other did .. - page 1. These precautions won't cure all 'the
not! The experiences of the two groups" .. 2. Asbestos workers who do not problems in the trade immediately, but
have been instructive. . . . smoke cigarettes should never start. promise to bring one of the most im-
portant ones under controL They are
FIGURE 1.' feasible ~d practical, and their intro-
duction will be a tribute to the pioneer-
TOT AL DEATHS-EX-CIGARETTE SMOK~S ing research of the Asbestos Workers
AGE STANDARDIZED DEATH RATES Union .
. BYYEAR$ STOPPED SMOKING :1 Selikoflt I. J"'t Hammond.. E.. C. and Churg, J ..
Asbestos exposure, smoking and neopla.sia... JOUIlla!
2,500 of the American Medical .Association VoL 204...
pages 106·112, April 8, 1968.
CIl
a::
.:(
u:l
>- 2,000 Successful Saw Tests
Z
<
;:,:
(Continued from back page)
j
o demonstrated that by using properly
o 1,500
o engineered duct work dust collection
oo could significantly reduce operator ex-
posure levels.
a::
ILl /,000 At the conclusion of the trials, How-
a..
. ,
ILl
I-
<r
a::
ard Forrest stated his pleasure over the
succ'essful outcome. "We have had
available on our saws a 5 or 6 inch
500 outlet to which high volume dust col-
:J:
I-
<r lectors can be attached. In addition
ILl we will provide on'all future saws th;
D
appropriate ducting for attachment to
NEVER high velocity systems. Moreover, the
SMOKED. owner of any present Forrest saw can
REGULARLY
obtain the necessary attachment from
us if he wishes to modify his present
saw.."

:I .-
 Vol. 1 No • .c. Winter 1969

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program

Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,

Published at the Environmental
Sciences Lrboratory (Irving J. Seli-
koH, M.D., Director), Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of the City Uni-
versity of New York, New York,
", ~

N.Y. 10029

Advisory Conncil of IIHR.P

Irving 1. SelikoH, M.D. Program-
Director and Chai=an .
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D. Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y: . "~"' .
. ! ~; •.

Albert Hutchinson, General President,

'International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
J. B. Jobe, Vice President, Johns-
Manville Corporation, New York,
N.Y.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent Research and Development,
J oh~s-Manville Corponi.tion, New
York, N.Y.
Georo-e W. Wright, M.D. Dn:ector of
Medi~al Research,. S1. Luke's Hospi-
tal, Cleveland, 0:' ~-
• ; .• 4.' ..
PURPOSES
INSlJLATION
INDUSTRY, HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
,.j
1. To develop improved
methods for' minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their. work.
2. To disseniliiate knowl-
edge of these' lmproved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their-
universai adoption.'
Engineer Robert B. Black of the Oregon State Board of Health. changes a personal
sampler filter on a worker: during the study of conditions in the insulation industry.
(Photo courtesy of the Oregon State Board of Health)
Oregon State Health Board
Studies Insulation Workers
Several research programs directed
to diagnosis of the health problems of
:~-.~ ", •• insulation workers are in progress
throughout the country in addition to
- the program at Mount Sinai School of
'OF'THE Medicine. A particularly thorough study
'has 'been that of the Enviro=ental
Health Section - of the Oregon State
Board of Health.
Studies of the working conditions of
Local 36, International Association of
Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers Union, were conducted by Mr.
Robert Black of the Environmental
Health Section. In this study personal
air samplers, collecting air from the
breathing zone of workers, were used
,to measure the atmospheric concentra-
tions of asbestos fibers during -various
operations.
As an example, the tests showed that
cutting amosite blanket with a textile
saw produced an atmospheric concen·
tration of 16 fibers (over 5 microns in
- length) per cubic centimeter. Tearing
asbestos cloth by hand resulted in an .
atmospheric concentration of 43 fibers
per cc, while cutting asbestos cloth with
a textile saw produced 8.2 fibers per cc.
Health is Checked.
The Enviro=ental Health Section
has also conducted limited studies of
the health of the members of Local 36_
From chest X-rays 18 of 103 workers
were found to have conditions that
could be related to asbestosis. In studies
of pulmonary function they also found
that lung efficiency,bf asbestos workers
decreased with age significantly faster
than that of a comparable group of non-
asbestos workers.
In co=enting on the Oregon pro-
gram, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff 'stated that
it was particularly gratifying to have
state agencies take interest in the health
problems of asbestos workers. "The'_ ' ..,.: ::~::~
Oregon studies, which corroborate our_:,- . __
own, point to the need for rapid action ._
to reduce dust exposures in the insula- . _ '_,
tion trade. The magnitude of the proh- .. __:~,c/_,,;
lem is great, but through the coopera-", .c,·. c; -.~"d-~
tion of governmental agencies with '.:' -:.,.:F':::
labor and industry we will be able to "::;"":::~;;~
obtain meaningful solutions sa on." .: f~[t:.:

- ····--·~ .T ..
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-,·Y
• ~ f- ",:,,:r 1..,
 Environmental Sciences
Labor8tory
OUHTSI,y
MTM
\5.
0
U~ll J
°lOFM'i;.<;)"
of The City University
of New York
:.~. I
~. ..
Joseph R. Shrode. International Organizer of the IAHFIAW, Caude R Foster, Contract
Manager of the Houston lohns-Manville office, Guy F. Cusumano, Sales Manager of
Hoffman Industries, and Howard C. Forrest of the Forrest Co. with the Hoffman dust
collector used during the Houston trial.
......... .:.
Saw ··Dusts Cut To A .Trace . .
By Two' New .Collectors
Dust produced by cutting with nand
saws can be virtually eliminated 'in the
insulation industry! This was the con-
clusion following trials of two dust
collector systems during September and
October by IIHRP perso=el
Dust from hand saws was early iden-
tified for priority action by the indus-
trial hygiene program. Twenty-five saw
manufacturers were contacted and'
asked if they provided dust collection
".
facilities on their hand saws. None in-
dicated he did. and among thenega-
tive replies, one manufacturer even
stated, "An efficient suction system
would require more ducting ~tc., than'
would be practical to build into a
machine."
Fortunately, among the saw manu-
facturers, the Howard C. Forrest Co.
of Houston, Texas, a major supplier to
the insulation industry, was concerned
INSULATION HYGIENE
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
about dust exposures from sawing op-
erations and made his facilities and
saws in Houston available to the IIHRP
for a dust collector trial
Two dust collection systems were
selected for trial, each differing sig-
.
nificantly in design. Dust levels were
measured with and without the use of
collectors during .the cutting of calcium
silicate-asbestos block and half-round
pipe covering.
Far Below Limit
In each case, the dust collector re-
duced the asbestos dust exposure of the
saw operator dramatically indeed, to
levels less .than l/lOth that of the cur-
rently proposed"asbestos threshold limit
value.
The material felt most representative
(Con.ti.nued on back page)
Irving J. Sellkoff, M.D., Program Director
Vor. 1 No. <4- Winter 1969
Cigarettes,
Asbestos
Don't Mix
By Dr. Irving J. Sclikoff -
Director, IIHRP
There are a number of problems
which asbestos workers face as a result
of the dusts to which they are exposed.
It is clear that the best way to solve
these problems is to greatly decrease
or eliminate the dusts-and it is to
this task that the IIHRP is dedicated.
Nevertheless, it is now evident that
one of the .principal hazards-lung
cancer--can be sharply decreased' by
a simple measure-stopping the smok-
ing of cigarettes! This is true, of
course, among adult men in general,
but it is ESPECIALLY TRUE OF AS-
BESTOS WORKERS. There is some-
thing particularly dangerous about the
combination-insulation work and ciga-
rette smoking-that creates a risk
much greater than either one by itself,
or even the simple addition of the two.
All men increase their risk of de-
veloping lung cancer if they regularly
smoke cigarettes-for asbestos workers,
this increase is tremendous. We have
calculated that an asbestos worker who
smokes has 92 times the risk of dying
of lung cancer as yompared with a man
who neither smokes cigarettes nor
works as a pipe coverer.].
w.
Local 12 and Local 32 Research
Asbestos workers throughout the
country owe a debt of gratitude to the
members of Local 12 (New York) and
Lod-a~ 32 (Newark), IAHFIAW. The
-.
names --or Terence McConnell and the
late John Bogovich come immediately
to mind, as do those of James Grogan,
Howard Barnett, Edward Kellner,
Nicholas Lucich, William Sha=on,
James Mulhern, Jack Novak, George
Rider, Raymond Rider and Edward
(Continued on center spread)
...,.
. .i:

., ~ ,
.: '
.. ,",
B. M. McBrient of Wat~I~Kit·chener Insulation Limited, demonstrates the bag he
... designed for dust· free self-contained mixing of asbestos insulation cement.
. .... -.
~.-:.. ','-~':.
Bag Tests Planned ....
.. : ....
(Continued) ..
If all goes well in the field t~
asbestos cement in the new bags will
be marketed by J ohns·Manville . in
the U.S. and Canada.
Mr. McBrien says he became con- .
cerned about dust hazards forinsu-
lation workers after learning of the
work of Dr. L J. Selikoff, Director of
IIHRP, and attending some meetings
where the problem was discussed.
.- The idea for the new bag came to
him as he sat beside a swimming pool
.kneaded by hand."
watching his small daughter play in
the water with a plastic bag ·which
'. ;. once contained sugar.
"It hit me like a' flash," he said.
"Why not pack asbestos cement in
waterproof bags, find a way to add
water, and mix it without opening
the bag?"
To test his theory, Mr. McBrien
constructed. a small model using one
of the sugar bags and the valve from
an old beach ball. He filled the bag
with asbestos cement, sealed it, added
.:', :
water ~d kneaded. The r~tilt was
well·mixed. asbestos cement..
On the basis of that test he had
bags made up in 50.pound size for
use on the job. At first there was a
problem with splitting of the heat
sealed. seams. This he solved by hav-
ing them tightly sewn. Since then,
Mr. McBrien has used the bags with-
out problem on a number of jobs.
"If the wet asbestos cement can
stand overnight you can add water
the evening ~efore and the stuff
mixes itself," he explained.. "Where
speed is necessary the bags are
Dr. Selikoff; who has discussed the
development of the bag with Mr.
McBrien, co=ented: "I think this
suggestion illustrates a very impor-
tant aspect of lIHRP. Many people in
the asbestos industry have the expe·
rience and the imagination to make
significant contributions to our health
research program. We need and weI·
come their ideas-and each will be
given careful consideration. I hope
we are seeing only the beginning of
this type of cooperation."
Electron Microscope of
Value in Dust Analysis
The problem of dust produced. duro
ing the mixing of insulation cements
used to finish pipe, boiler and simi·
lar work is getting top priority from
scientists and industrial hygienists in
the Insulation Industry Hygiene Re·
search Program..
An important tool that scientists
are using is the electron microscope
which is valuable in analyzing dusts.
An lIHRP team recently began
sampling dust levels produced dur-
ing the mixing of large batches of
finishing cement.. The first sampling
was done at a power house being
built on Staten Island, N.Y.
It was quickly learned that con·
ventional dust analysis techniques,
using a regular light microscope,
",oilld be inadequate. Many fibers
collected in the dusts are too small
to be seen in a light microscope,
which can only magnify images 500 c.
or perhaps 1,500 times. ~
However, using the electron micro·
scope of the Mount Sinai Envirori.
mental Sciences Laboratory, Dr.
Arthur M. Langer, Head of the Min·
eralogy Section, was able to count
these fibres. This was possible be-
cause the electron microscope can
produce ma",onifications of over
30,000.
Spray Controls
(Continued)
ing and modifying those work prac-
tices of the heat insulation industry
that contribute dust exposures to
workers. It is gratifying that the fire·
proofing industry as well is now tak-
ing very positive steps to reduce on-
the job and environmental exposures
to insulation dustS."
Herbert Levine, President of
SMFMA stated that the speed of ac-
tion demonstrated·by all members of ..!::
,
the SMFMA and the Plasterer's Asso-
ciation was truly amazing.
"A fundamental program such as
this is usually hampered by reticence
on every~me's part," he said. "But in
this case, there was an unusual display
of frank and open discussion with all
parties participating in a vigorous,
constructive debate of the issues. In
this cooperative atmosphere, stimu·
lated by Dr. Selikoff, we were able to
accomplish much in a very short
time."
. ~ :
 Field Trials Set For
New Mask Designs
An analysis of the results of the
disposable respirator trial by the
Chicago based Local 17 of the In-
ternational Association of Heat and
Frost Insulation and Asbestos
Workers on April 8th and 9th has
been completed by IIHRP personnel.
The results indicate that the newly
designed light-weight filter material,
in addition to being effective in re-
moving respirable fibers, provides
satisfactory breathing conditions.
However, the face piece design used
during that trial will require modi-
fication to provide better vision and
a more comfortable face fit, particu-
larly about the nose area. '
Ducan Holaday- of the IIHRP
. pointed to some of the difficulties in
Dr. Eisenbud Mr. Heller
the design of an' effective respirator
face piece. .! t' . . ~ .... : .

"It is not hard to make nuisance

dust respirators that are comfortable
as they do not require a highly ef-
fective filter element or an especial-
ly tight face seal," ,he said. ''How-
ever, when you are 'concerned about
dust with some hazard such as as-
bestos, both the filter element and
the face seal of the respirator must
be highly efficient. We now have
one good filter elenient, and I'm
confi dent we will -soon' have a face
piece design thai' is both effective
and comfortable_", '"
Research Goes"F ;;;;;~rd .'
Using the conu:i:tents of the insula-
tion workers who participated in
the trial as a bask for a new design,
additional developmental research is
being conducted by::Johns-Manville
Corporation 'and];rHRP personnel to
overcome the ,deficiencies 'of the·pro- , _ at existing New York City monitoring
totype mode1~:,:A:':.seCon~ 'respirator '
trial has been, sch'&luled for :the faJI
to test the 'ne~ ~moael now ~ imder'
development. Moreover, it is antici-
pated that respirators from two ad-
ditional manufacturers will be tested
at that time. . ,;~.~,~::, ::. " -
~-- '-'-'
In discussing. th~' ;~pirator trial,
Dr. Fred Pundsack,.: Vice President
of Johns-Manville~" declared, "The
respirator research, begun by us
under the auspices of the industrial
hygiene program haS already borne
fruit. We have an effective filter ma-
terial. Moreover, Dr. Selikoff's defi-
nition of the problems of asbestos
workers and our initial efforts have
, ,
City, Mt. Sinai Monitor
Air At Building Sites
Merril Eisenbud, Administrator, sources of inadequate dust control
Environmental Protection Adminis- so that appropriate engineering pro-
tration, and Austin Heller, Commis- grams can be devised.
sioner, Department of Air Resources, During initial stages of the study,
City of New York, have announced particular emph.asis will be given to
the establishment of a j oint study by determining the asbestos concentra-
the Department of Air Resources and tions about construction sites during
the Environmental Sciences Labora- the spraying of insulation on ceilings
tory of Mount Sinai School of Medi-i and girders.
cine to survey asbestos levels in New
York City air_ , Encouraging Steps
Sampling will be conducted by De- In discussing this use of asbestos,
partmenf.of Air Resources personnel Dr. Eisenbud declared, "It is encour-
aging to learn of the steps taken by
stationS.and other sites located in the the Sprayed Mineral Fiber Manufac-
vicinity . of high rue construction, turer's Association and the New York
demolition, and factories .using asbes- City Plasterer's Association. If effec-
tos as raw materiaL tive, these measures can go a long
Analysis of the samples will be way to reduce .~the dispersal of
done at the Enviromental Sciences mineral fibers into the ambient air
Laboratory using optical microscopy of New York."
as well as electron microscope and Mr. Heller mentioned that =der
electron micL"oprobe techniques. funding by the National Air Pollution
Administration, New York has the
A Guide for IIHRP responsibility to determine the type
and amount of pollutants in its air
The program will allow the Envi- and to reduce those pollutants to ac-
ronmental Sciences Laboratory to ceptable levels.
monitor improvementS,.in insulation "Clearly, asbestos is a pollutant of
industry practices and thus guide the significant concern and exposure of
IIHRP in its program to eliminate all the general population must be re-

stimulated others to design dispos- hazards in the trade. duced to a minimum," he said. "This
able respirators that can be tested A finding of areas with significant study will dete=ine the magnitude of
for effectiveness and acceptability by amounts of asbestos in the ambient the problem and define those sources
workers." air will help the Laboratory pinpoint requiring remedial action."

. . ;:.~l-r-----...,....---·;:"",.,...~·-,..---~-,
rl---------:----:~~:"'!.,..-yJ-:-~:_=-."" -,,-.-.-,'
.. ',' t~ - .~- l
. - .... :-.: f·, "':': .
 Text of the New Spray Rules:
,.,.-
"
' ..
., "
. ,
Four examples of trade practices the
new rules ban: (top to bottom)
Spraying without any containment at
all; Inadequate tarping; asbestos-
containing debris uncleared up; and
spray material that has been allowed
to fall down on to construction
equipment.
1. Before the start of spraying operations all Boor
areas shall be swept broom clean. Before the application of asbestos-containing
material commences, the floor of the area shall be cleared of all objects, mate·
rial and equipment other than that employed in the application of the asbestos-
containing insulation or all objects, materials, etc. shall be covered with plastic
or plastic·coated tarpaulins in a manner that precludes the subsequent dispersal
of asbestos particulates.
_ 2. The entire floor, or the part of the floor to be in-
sulated, shall be enclosed with plastic or plastic-coated tarpaulins in a manner
which shall preclude the escape of asbestos-containing material from the enclo-
sure. All interior open areas, such as elevator shafts, stairwells, etc. shall be
enclosed in a manner which shall prevent the escape of asbestos-containing
material from the working area. "Stack effect" of the shafts, stairwells, etc.,
shall be considered in providing proper enclosures. An enclosure will be con-
sidered satisfactory only if visible insulating material cannot escape from the
enclosure.
3. Wet asbestos-containing material which has fallen
to the floor shall be immediately swept up and placed in a container having
walls, bottom, and a tight cover strong enough to resist tearing or breaking
under normal handling conditions and clearly marked as containing asbestos
waste. The contents of the aforementioned containers shall not be transferred
to another container, but the container shall be placed directly upon a vehicle
for disposal at an approved site.
4. All floors will be vacuumed shortly after drying.
The vacuum cleaner shall contain a strong, single-service, disposable inner bag
of durable material which shall be removed from the vacuum cleaner and
tightly sealed. The bag shall then be placed in a container of the type described
in paragraph 3, which shall thereafter be placed on a vehicle for removal and
disposal at an approved site_
S. The materials used to form the enclosure shall be
thoroughly vacuumed upon completion of the application of the insulation in
the area. The entire floor area, all ledges and surfaces including tarpaulins
upon which waste insulation material may have fallen, shall then be vacuumed
or revacuumed before removal of the enclosures.
6. Enclosures shall not be dismantled until the area
has been thoroughly vacuumed after completion of spraying and cleanup.
7. All areas used for opening bags containing as·
bestos insulating material andl or. charging of hoppers shall be ~pclosed in
such a manner that asbestos-containing insulating material shall not be per-
mitted to ·escape from the immediate area in which such activity takes place.
8. Signs shall be posted outside enclosures warning
persons of the hazard of entering the enclosure without appropriate mask and
other apparel.
9. All persons involved in the spraying of ashestos
at the site must be furnished with Bureau of Mines approved respirators for
pneumoconionic-producing dust and must be furnished with suitable coveralls
which will be left at the site and thereby preclude the removal of asbestos
from the site. No person shall be permitted in an area in which asbestos spray-
ing or handling has taken place until final vacuuming referred to in paragraph
numbered "5" herein, unless such person is furnished with and wears a Bureau
of Mines approved respirator for pneumoconionic-producing dust and coveralls
of the type described herein. Facilities shall be provided and procedures insti-
tuted and supervised that preclude the removal and dispersal of asbestos·
containing material from the construction site on the clothing or other appur·
tenances of persons leaving the area.
10. Any plenum or other structures coated with
asbestos-containing insulation which is intended for use in the circulation of
air in the building must be thoroughly cleaned of all debris ana waste insula-
tion. All applied asbestos-containing insulation within. a plenum or duct must
be coated with a sealant which precludes exposure of the asbestos-containing
material to the circulating air.
: I.·,

Insulating pipes with asbestos-containing material m so confined a space as
this adds to the danger of breathing the dust_
Confined Spaces Add
Yet Another Danger
The Insulation Industry Hygiene
Program has found answers to a
number. of problems in the asbestos
insulation industry_
Coated calcium silicate pipe cover-
ing and block, plastic mixing bags,
and proper use of dust collection de-
vices are some of the solutions_ All
contain the dust at its source and all
significantly reduce worker exposure
to asbestos.
, ture. In many cases, easily obtainable
Portable Exhaust Systems
Some insulation work, however,
presents problems n.ot easily solved
by containment at the source. Ship-
board work, both application and
tear out, and covering steam lines in
confined tunnels are two such types
of work.
When there is poor ventilation in
such work areas, removal of dust is
made difficult and temperatures may
rise to much above 100 0 F. To these
. with little natural ventilation. When
. giene Research Program for control-
twin problems, two complementary
solutionS are now being studied by
IIHRP engineers-the use of port-
able exhaust systems· and self-
contained air supply respirators.
Cool Air to the Face
In the confined space of a tunnel,
the use of an exhaust system at a
nearby manhole can reduce both the
dust level and the working tempera-
and inexpensive exhaust systems of
less than 5000 cubic feet per minute
capacity would suffice. IIHRP engi-
neers and industrial hygienists will
be pleased to assist any contractor or
union having specific problems asso-
ciated with tunnel work.
Aboard ship, some use is made of
portable 101v-volume exhaust systems,
designed .principally to control fumes
from welding operations. These sys·
tems, however, are i.qeffective in
Shipyards Tour
Shows Hazards
(Continuea from 1st page)
the ship is in operation,. the air in
these compartments is changed by
means of a forced ventilation system. :p
But during construction or rebuild-
ing, it remains stagnant. Fine dust
and fibers put into the air by .fitting "
and handling calcium silicate block
or amosite blankets remain sus-
pended for hours.
Special Techniques Needed
Dust generated by hand sawing OJ:"
fitting asbestos block can easily fall
two or three· decks through gratings.
The fibers thus deposited throughout
an engine room may contaminate a
ship for months. Here the use of
drop cloths or boxes to contain the
dust can improve conditions measur-
ably.
Some of the methods being devel-
oped by the Insulation Industry Hy-
ling asbestos dust at land-based
building construction sites can be
used aboard ships_ It is evident, how-
ever, that further special dust control
techniques will have to be developed
for the protection of all craftsmen in
shipbuilding trades. Hence, the pri-
ority now being given to these prob-
lems by the IIHRP.
changing the large volume of air in
most ship compartments.
In some spaces having large vol-
umes of air, exhaust syst,ems of suffi-
cient capacity to maintain clean air
are either too costly or impractical .:;:..'" ..
to use. In these cases the solution
may lie in self-contained battery-
operated air supply respirators.
These respirators-far more com-
fortable to wear than standard ones
-not only provide almost absolute
respiratory protection from dust, but
provide a cool stream of air to the
worker's face. Batteries and motors
have already been developed of suffi-
ciently light weight as not to be ob-
jectionable. Several later models are
under study by the IIHRP and full
details and descriptions will be forth-
coming in a future issue of Insula·
tion Hygiene Progress Reports.
 . Environmental Sciences

INSULATION HYGIENE
,
Laboratory

OUl'lTS(,A,t

~l~ °lOFtA'i.<:;)'<
of The City University
of New York
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J, Selikoff, M,D~ Progr.am Director
Vol, 2, No.3 Fall 1970

Available· S6on-.
:,,!'."
'" The Disposable
Respirator~'.: -'.
. . ~.~~t.::'.:·:~·~:.'·" ~ "
:;..... At last-adequate r~;U:~t~ry pro:·:
tective devices will soon: be 'available - .; ........
to insulation workers~-:Several com~
panies are now producmg~disposable
. . respirators which w:ill.l:J0$:prpvide .
protection and be acceptable to work- .
men. . :.:. ;.~'~'>.-'::~-1'.:.::~"~':~:~'':~'~: </','
In one t~·t'~~d~~t~ i;;'ili~ ·Insula-
tion Industry Hygiene Research Pro-
gram (IIHRP) "or:'a c':eo=ercial
model manufactuied, .bY:,the Minne-
sota Mining' ana ManUfacturing Co.,·
the worker acceptan~~;j\ras~~ery high,
Favorable co=entson:such matters
.~ . as breathing:ieSistZn~;;weight; inter-
ference With ··VisioD~:::ana: comfort ex-
ceeded un£avorab1~';nes:~bf:i:hree oi,·nr:~·~'J~ Selikoff (r.) .and'"Dr.-Y Suzuki' (2d ·r.) of Mount Sinai"s Environmenl8l '.'.
foUr to?ne.. ~!.~~o.~,.-teS~;.with this . Science5·flaboratory'addressed the' participants of the post graduate course on uhe5tos. ',.
respirator' n.emonstrateditsability to •.. ~;~~.:.- . .' ;'.: :;f~iI:~~~:" ;·:~::,I~~·;~:~:;~~~·· !;:;§:-::.:·;~i.~.i~,~::~~};:~~:~·
.'
meet ~~ ~5~~~2k~~I~t7.ds~<~·::;.:::?:;~~i:~: Warld's' First·· Course -.';~:,.:. ~-:.--
O ther ..'
. . ' : .:":
CommerciaZ'Mo-dels·~.,~
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In add;ti6i'~i~'Tili~~¥~1¥;li~;:~~:. ·,~.~~5~SS;'?":· iri~ '~soest6's
. ready field.t~ted,<ih~;.'JIHW·:;will:.~·",~';.-:-;;Xf;~~;):'~'.:::·;;. ·.c.:';:;;:~d;·f'-".'·.
Effects .
.' . . . . . . ..
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soon be field 'testil;ig:oth_eiii;;iJII~mercial: -'.As"·'a~hlstoric first-iIi. :occuPational .. ~nd environmental circumstanCl'is was .
models for:use:.m:-asbesios ..inSulation· . medicine The Mount...SinaLSchooLoL_ also-discnssecL ,'-'___ ._'_'.~_.. _____.. _
work. .,~. ~~:;';>·'"':.;l·l'di''Z';;~':..:'.'::' '.: Medicin; presented a four-day post· The full spectrum of problems fac':-
The tortuOUS-](Hl~ey~to-a ~~er- graduate course during June on all ing the insulation worker was pre-
." cially available disposabIe~~prrator aspects of the health effects of as· sented including description of insu-
began at Mount·'Sinai!s;~~onmen. 1(estos;';TJie course was given to 43 lation operations ei[>ecially contribut-
.. tal Sciences La.b?~~oty;, nearly two .. 'physi~iap.S and scientists from all re-. . ing to high dust levels. Industrial
years ago,:cAt::a::n:ieetirig,:1h~:q,:with"'.:gioris,;oHhe U.S. ana six.other coun- Hygiene procedures found to reduce
safety equipmerit~mariufai:tui-ers, the:' ;_. ~tiies~'mcluding England.;.cWales, Ger- .. these levels such as the use of efficient
~eed for fesp~~~~~.sii,i!~~~:I,tor..use,,:_:::'~anY~ilncl Canada... 'i.:';"'~r\::.;.'·-... }.. -;.dust. collec~ors, .p~astic cement hags" ..
. ,'-V III the construc.t;Io~:@d~'>.~:~<l par- '. ';,The,;program was under.J:he drrec· coated calClum silicate block, and a~:
ticularly in'ID.s1i1.aR..?n:.,.;~~i- ''':;W:~P~~::::,.:, tio~~?OH~Iofessor Irving:J~~Se1ikoff, propriate face respirators w~_.~;'.-
.. ~ '"
::;:.U~;!t~;~ :~S~'~·;·;:'~~~!:r ~r~pj~aLSci· ~:;::t~d~2in
".;.;", .. ,~'L;~;~~~~:"''T,;:!'' All, tI-Le"Worker's Problems
sElt' . .
Becauseofihe .exti-eme'.:(lifficultY,::~:~ :-:.;:,.!;,,'. . The course included neld tri~· ~~
I" ,.
'. .;..,
of operating·:i:· gQ.9d 'i:eSpg~t.or:~main~ :~~.2:.' .:Ex,:te~~y~ presenta~ons~were made see the application of the=al insula-
tenance 'progi:am'~oii~:B!.o:gStruction":: and:'discussions held on all f:1inical, . tion material at' both large and Small
sites, single.use r~piiafors<,,:werea:' ... asp~cts'cif asbestos disease ~cludi~g construction sites in New York and
necessity. Moreover,many··states reo .'0:. panentmanagement, x·ray dIagnOSIS, New Jersey, arranged by Jacob No-
q~ired that only U.S~.:.: ~ui-'eau of c pulmonary function analysis, and pa- yak and James Mulhearn, Interna-
Mines approved .reSpirat~rs.he used.. thology. .Epide~iology of as~tos- tional Vice Presidents of the Asbestos
(Continued .on. page.thT.ee.) . related dISease III both occupanonal (Continued on page two.)

_ . .d--.
 .. ,~

.~
:1..,
,
World's First Course
.'

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports .-.
-,-
-,

Vol. 2, No.3 Fall 1970 in Asbestos Effects _.'

~)

from the (Continued from first page.) featured speakers. .~

Insulation Industry Hygiene Re·

Workers Union.
Dr. Selikoff commented with pleas.
ure on the diversified background of
,.. ~

:;earch Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving .J. Seli·
koff, :M.D., Director), Mount Sinai
.School of Medicine of the City Uni·
,':',"
versity of New York New York.
N.Y. 10029 . ..:.._~"~~:' '.' :.
.... <~.~.~~.;.~..;.
- .-1. Day in the Lab
. ~ . :";" ~~. '
A(IvisoryCounC??-(~r~
• ," . ':-. •~ . . . -;!" •
Irving J. Seliko:£t_M.D~: Program
Director and Chairman .-... , -.~
.. ~:~~;g;.~~. :~.~:' .'.::.'- - ",
E. Cuyler Hammond," Sc.D .. Vice
President, American CaDcer Society,
New York, N.Y~· ~';{2~~:,-
Albert Hutchins~~Gen~ral President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators' and Asbestos
Work~rs, Washin:rton:,;'D.G.
.......
... :"' ''''-, ~.:
J. B. JODe, ViCe",Pr~ident, Johns·
Manville Corponitibri;' New York,·
N .Y: ,_. . ~~.··~~-:~~~T:·~~·1 ·~·
Fred L PundsadS~_P.h:i( Vice Presi-
;: dent, Research 'aria':': Development,
Johns·Manville "Cprporation, New,
York, N.Y..:};:;~:;-:~i. ,~_ ,_ .. _..
Visits to the world's largest asbes-
tos mine in Quebec, Canada and to
an asbestos manufacturing plant in
Manville, New Jersey, were arranged
through the cooperation of the Johns·
Manville Corporation .
..,' ~
Th~~ ~terested in th~'l~oratory
~ aspectS of asbestos sampling and ex-
tracting from tissue and.' air as well
as electro? microscopic studies 'of the
pathology of lung tissue'"reaction to
inhaled asbestos fibers spent a day in
the 'laboratories of Mount Sinai
School of Medicine's EnVironmental
Sciences Laboratory.
Each day at lunchtime speakers
discussed broad aspects of environ-
mental and occupational health. One
of them; Dr. Rene Dubos, Professor
" of Pathology and Microbiology at
Rockefeller University".-spoke on
..
-"Ecological PerspectiveS . ' of the
1970's~. -.
Fra:nk and Open Dis~ussion
Dr:,Douglas H. Lee, .Assbciate Di-
rector of the National Institute of
the participants and on the frank and
open discussions held among them- .. '
,
selves and with the faculty. ;, ~::
Unions Sponsor IvI.D.s "',
"We had physicians sponsored by
local unions of the Asbestos Work-
ers," he said, "representativeS.-of, the
National Insulation Contractors As-
sociation, and medical directorS of
asbestos manufacturing companies all
meeting together ~ith a single: pur-
pose-to improve the healt40f the
asbestos worker. ':':
"It's also, noteworthy thai:'-"more .;:-. ;:
than a dozen registrants were repre·
sentatives of the 'Public Health Servo
ice or various State Departments of
Health. This demonstrates .an in·
creasing awareness by fedenil·· and
state agencies of the multiplicity of
problems facing Asbestos W ~rkers."
.-:".
.........
What The cidsi Said~'
<The most info~ati;e'" c;~i I
have ever attended."-H~· Blej~r,
M.D., California Dept. of Health. .
"Enjoyable and stimulating."".-W: '. '::::~
Smither, M.D:,Medical Director,· _" ..d
Cape Asbestos Co~; London. " ,:~:~,;,,,

<I .. ,. ~
~ '",:,~ ,". ,....: '"

Environmental Health Sciences, and

M.5: c:o,a:::· ;,i;,,;,:ttl: . .

n
Dr. Marcus Key, Chief; Bureau of p
Occupational Safety and' Health of
the Public Health Service, were other gional Medical'Piogram.;·~jf;~"';
..~ ':":..:.- . ,-~·~·.'·::-.o::1:'

- .. ~ .~.:::?:;.@;::.:~;.;:... . ·~~·~)l
,..
>',

•• r
r PURPOSES OF'THE -:.~
INsuLATION" "<'"
INDUSTRyjfyGIENE'<:' -
RESEARCH:'P,ROGRAM ~
:.. ..:.-~;$:...: ..•....
1. To . develop' improved
methods for: minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their \vork~ .'
_:-:..::..~~-;. ... t.r- : •

2. To dissemmate knowl-
edge of these 'improved
methods' of 'dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice .'
and assistance toward their
universal adop~ion.
Prot Rene Dubos (c..)
asbestos disease course.
 Disposable Respirators Will
Be Available Soon
(Continued from first page.)
But no Bureau of Mines schedule ex-
isted that was suitable for disposable
respirators. Hence no approved mod-
els were commel'cially available.
In the research towards the goal of
making disposable respirators avail-.
able, the IIHRP has helped arrange
.'" field tests in which members of Local
17 in Chicago of the Asbestos
Workers participated by wearing
respirators and giving their observa-
tions of the desirable and undesirable
features of the devices. These trials
and results were extremely helpful in
assisting manufacturers .. to devise
equipment which is as Unobjection-
able as possible and still 'e:ffective_
Bureau 0/ Mines Criteria
An important recent development
has been the action of the U.S. Bu-
reau of Mines in issuing a schedule
listing criteria for approval of dis-
posable single-use respirators. _.This
approval' schedule' lists. essentialre-
quirements which. respirators must
meet. .A..mong th~ .. requirements are
efficiency of dust removal, resistance
".- ::"-. ~ .... ~.",'"
,'.
.'
..
.'.
.
. Public Health working in coopera-
'~r· ."
.....
~'!
. weight. and will operate for eight
A hattery·powered air supply respirator is
worn hy Duncan Holaday during efficiency
tests. For this test two air-sampling pumps
are attached to his belt.
. - - - HELP WANTED
-AGAIN
There is a reservoir of talent,
knowledge and expertise in the in-
sulation industry, that has barely
been tapped-that of the Asbestos
Worker. His knowledge of prob-
to breathing, and adequacy of face lems and perhaps solutions that he
fit. The criteria insure that all res- has found effective should be avail·
pirators will give' adequate protec- able to the entire industry.
tion. In the development of practical
Another significant development solutions for the dust problems in
now taking place is the preparation insulation work, comments and
of an American National Standards suggestions of members of the In-
Safety Guide for protection against ternational Association of Heat
asbestos-containing dust. This stand- and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
ard is being written by a subcom- Workers have been of prilne im-
mittee of the American National portance.
Standards Institute's Committee on In field trials of respirators,
Respirators. dust collectors, or new cement
mixing methods, the effectiveness
When to Wear Them of each procedure was tested
against the experience of the men
The subco:ri:unittee, chaired by involved.
Duncan Holiday of the IIHRP, is In future issues of Insulation
composed of representatives of regu- Hygiene Progress Reports we
latory agencies, the International As- would like to feature comments,
sociation of Heat and Frost Insula- suggestions, and ideas of asbestos
tors, the Insulation Contractors workers throughout the country.
Association, respirator manufactur- We welcome your help. We need
ers, and research and university your help. Please send any com-
groups. ments or suggestions you may
The standard developed will detail have to me at Mount Sinai School
circumstances in which respirators of Medicine in New York City.
should be worn, and also give guid.
L J. Selikoff, M.D.
ance ill selection of respirators and Program Director
any 'information which is necessary
~
for the operation of a respiratory
protection program..
Certain operations, however, pro-
duce sci much dust that more pro tee-
. tion is reqUired than can be obtained
by half-mask respirators. One such
condition is the tearing out of insula-
tion aboard ship in confined spaces.
-.-... _.. -'._--
. - ....--
. ..
~-.--- .. -.•.-.... -
Air-Conditioned!
A battery-operated device which
supplies :filtered air to the respirator
and is suitable for use in extremely
dusty conditions was recently tested
.. by the' IIHRP at the World Trade
Center in New York... This equipment
was developed by. Prof. William
~.
Burgess at the Harvard School of
I
~~-: ...::~.
. tion with the. American Iron and
. Steel Institute. . r;,:
It is not yet commercially avail-
able, but many units have been con-
structed and are being tested in sev-
eral industries. The device is light-
hours on one battery charge. Full
The hattery pack and air filtration unit of
field tests are planned and will be re-
the air·supplied respirator. This respirator
ported on in a later issue of Insula- is for use only in extremely dusty condi-
tion Hygiene Progress Reports. tions..
Plastic Cement
Mixers Are The
Next Thing
Dr. Fred 1. Pundsack, Vice Presi-
dent for Research and Development
of J ohns-ManyilIe Corporation, will
market their line of asbestos cement
in plastic bags beginning in Septem-
ber.
These bags will allow water to be
added and the cement to be mixed
inside the bag. A previous study by
the IIHRP demonstrated that dust
levels could·be reduced to one tenth
that of standard tub or bucket mix-
ing methods.
No Extra Equipment Needed
The bags used are suitable for use
with conventional bag-filling equip-
ment. Thus they can be introduced
industry-wide with no additional in-
yestme~t in plant equipment.
The IIHRP has made available to
all manufacturers of asbestos cement,
samples of the bag used by J ohns-
Manville as well as information on
the effectiveness of its use.
"Experience Valuable"
Dr. William J. Nicholson. IIHRP
Program Coordinator. stated: "The
cIea~ benefits to insulation workers
will only come through industry wide
acceptance of this mixing method. As
in any variation of trade practices,
practical experience will undoubtedly
have much to contribute in the rapid
introduction of this important safety
measure."
A plastic mixing bag containing asbestos cement being filled with water through a valve
at the top of the bag,
Charles Collins, President of Local 30 of the Asbestos Workers Union, cutting calcium
silicate block during the powered hand-saw trials at the Hoffman Air Systems plant in
Syracuse, New York.
Saber Saw May Answer
The Sawdust Problem
The insulation application trade handsawing, the IIHRP is currently
has a sawdust problem_ The hand- investigating cutting devices which
saw-most commonly used tool by can be fitted with portable dust con-
asbestos workers-generates signifi- trol units_ One such unit offering
cant dust, and such saws cannot yet possibilities for dust reduction is the
be fitted with suitable dust-control saber ·saw. Preliminary tests have
devices_ shown that a saber saw fitted with
the proper blade and appropriate
Tests Show Less Dust dust collector can reduce the level of
dust produced when calcium silicate
As an alternative to extensive materials are cut.
These early trials also demon-
strated that only heavy-duty saws
would be suitable. Currently studies
are under way to determine the right
combination of saw, blade, and dust
collector for standard cutting jobs.
Don't use Han~ jar Band . -..--~
Because of the size of existing dust
collectors, the use of a saber saw thus
.;.
equipped would be limited to power-
house work and on industrial sites
having well-localized insulation ap-
.plications.
A word to the wise: powered hand
saws should not be used as a substi-
tute for band saws which can be
equipped with dust collectors of
greater efficiency (see Insulation Hy-
giene Progress Reports VoL 1,
No.4).
--_.'. ,.
 Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

OI.ll'lTsI,y INSULATION HYGIENE

~l~a
O(OFt.\<.Q
,,0

of The City University

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York
Vol. 2, No.4 Winter 1970

Good Housekeeping
• <11 . Challenge to
Insulation Industry
The annual meeting of the Na-
tional Insulation Contractors Associa-
.. ,' tion (NICA) held in Dallas, Texas,
October 4-8, 1970, was a landmark
occasion for the insulation industry.
At it the NICA approved the estab- .
lishment, in cooperation with the As-
bestos Workers Union, of three na-
tional insulation industry funds.
These were the Industry National
Development Fund, the National Ap-
prentice and Training Fund, and--of
special importance to the health of
the workers-the National Health The problems of shipboard insulation work being discussed at Mount Sinai School of
and Safety Fund. Medicine. Commander Barboo, U.S.N., is at head of table, Commander Lawton, U.5.N.
(No jacket} on his righL Dr. Selikoff is far left, with Dr. Pundsack of 10hns ~lanYille nat
Health and Safety to him.. .
~'.
More than one day of the four-day
program was devoted to Health and
Safety. :Mr. AThert E. Hutchinson of
The U.S. Navy Joins Battle
HHRP's Advisory Board and Presi-
dent of the Asbestos Workers Union,
With Shipyard Dust
spoke of the Union's determined ef-
forts ill the past decade to promote The u.s. Navy is shortly to intro- U.S. Department of Labor, and rep-
safety in the trade and pledged con- duce a set of procedures to reduce resentatives of the commercial ship.
tinued cooperation with industry and insulation dust exposure in naval building industry, the insulation
scientists to achieve this. shipyards. Prospects are excellent manufacturnig industry, and Mount
Dr. 1. J. Selikoff and Mr. W. B. that they will help solve this complex Sinai's Insulation Industry Hygiene
Reitze of the IIHRP reviewed the problem in ship building and repair. Research Program.
.,. , health problems that had been found The procedures were outlined by Commander Barboo described
among insulation workers and many Commander Samuel Barboo, U.S.N., the proposed Navy procedures for
of the available measures that have at a meeting held October 15 in insulation applicfLtion and rip-out,
Mount Sinai's Environmental Scien- including the following:
been developed to control them.
ces Laboratory. He is Head of 1. a program of health surveillance
Challenged the Industry the Industrial Environmental Control for all asbestos workers includ-
Branch of the Navy's Bureau of ing annual chest x-rays;
Of special interest was a discussion Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Barboo
of "Occupational Good Housekeep- 2. substitution, whenever possible,
traced the Navy's quickened interest of other materials for those con-
ing" by Mr. Donald Bradshaw of in the problem to a Conference held taining high percentages of as-
the Owens-Corning 'Fiberglas Corpo- with Dr. Selikoff of the IIHRP two bestos;
ration. years ago, that reviewed health haz- 3. mandatory use of respirators
In this speech, Mr. Bradshaw, who ards of shipyard insulation workers. where warranted by conditions;
is Chairman of NICA's Occupation.al
4. enclosure of ship areas under-
Health and Safety Committee, chal- Five Procedures going insulation work and ex-
len<Ted the asbestos industry, both Also at the meeting were Com- clusion of other trades whenever
corrtractors and workers, to imple- mander George Lawton, M.C., U.S.N., possible; and
ment safe working practices and in- Director. Industrial Environmental 5. adoption of work procedures de·
troduce safe materials throughout the Health Division. Bureau of Medicine signed to reduce dust exposure.
industry. and Surgery, Mr. John O'Neill, Con-
(Continued on page two) sultant, Bureau of Labor Standards, (Continued on page four)

---0-''1.•
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 2, No.4 Winter 1970
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene
search Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving ]. Seli-
koff. ?\I.D., Director), Mount Sinai
School of 1Iedicine of the City Uni-
versity of f\.ew York, New York,
N.Y. 10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D. Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
Ne\r York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International· Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
J. B. Jobe. Vice President. Johns-
l\bnville Corporation, Ne,,; York,
KY.
Fred L. Pundsack. Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research ~nd Development,
J ohns·]\1anville Corporation" New
York, N.Y.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of these improved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, pdvice
and assistance toward their
universal adoption.
.- -.. -.. -....-:---. -- ',--.-.
Th~Plastic Cement Good Housekeeping
Mixer is Becoming Needs Workers'
The "In" Thing Cooperation
Several manufacturers of asbestos
Re- cement products are developing
plastic shipping bags in which the
cement can be mixed.
Follo\ying their introduction in the
T;nited States bv the J ohns-Mansville
Corporation, other manufacturers of
.::..:~c::;::'s cements were apprised of
the merits of in-bag cement mixing
by Dr. Irving 1. Selikoff, Director of
the Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program.
Mini and iVI axi P aks
To date, the manufacturers' re-
sponse has been gratifying. Several
have put product development pro-
grams into operation and one manu-
facturer, Ryder Industries, Inc. of
Dallas, Texas, has already marketed
"?\1ini-Pak" and "1'1axi-Pak" kits of
plastic-bagged cement.
Each Ryder kit also includes a
plastic glove for mixing and a strong
cardboard box that can be used in
lieu of a bucket.
The concept of plastic mixing bags
was discussed favorably by panelists
at the recent National Insulation Con-
tractors annual meeting, where sev-
eral contractors stated their desire to
use this mixing method.
.-.......
A "Mini·Pak" of asbestos cement marketed in a plastic mixing bag by Ryder Industries
of Dallas, Texas. No dust flies out during mixing .
~--!'-.-- ... - .......... ""
(Continued from first page)
Of the contractors he asked. "We
are all quick to' defend our' indi-
vidual positions as contractors but
are we really taking the necessary
practical steps of good housekeeping
now so obviously necessary in our
industry for the health and safety of
our m;n and also all other persons
at the jobsite or in the shop?"
The Individual Essential
To the worker he pointed out that,
without effective involvement of the
individual, occupational health good
housekeeping cannot be achieved.
"A man is obligated to take prac-
tical care of himself," he said, "to
educate himself in health protection,
and, through good housekeeping
practices, to protect all other men at
the j obsite."
Unity and Uniformity
In calling for uniformity of action
in putting into effect safe work prac-
tices .and safe materials, Mr. Brad-
shaw pointed· to the role of the lri-
ternational Union. "Through this
body," he said, "unity and uniform-
ity of action are possible."
'. .... ~- -
'~~i~::r.t;:~·~
- . ~..:::~;:;.~~~
l(~~;
..
.J[.;.c""._~'li...,.. --,-~,

·....
•: '"":I
,.. .. :.. This plastic "tent" fitted over a Cape Asbestos Company turbine controls dust during .rip-
out and spraying operations. The small portable vacuum exhauster seen on the left prondes
negative pressure inside the "tenL"
Anti-Dust Crews Trained
- With Special Vans
Specially trained insulation demo-
lition and rip-out crews using newly
developed techniques and equipment
-including special vans fitted with
change rooms--are.now operating in
Great Britain.
The Cape Asbestos Corporation of
London has instituted the program in
order to minimize the exposure of
workers to insulation dust.
Details of the program were re-
viewed with IIHRP personnel by Mr.
Alex Cross and Dr_ Walter Smither
of Cape Asbestos. This was part of
the continuing program of coopera-
tion between insulation industry
scientists and engineers in other
countries and the IIHRP. Both Dr.
Smither and Mr. Cross visited Mount
Sinai during the summer - to study
dust control measures developed here.
Change Rooms and Showers
Each special van contains a "clean
.- room" for taking off (and later put-
ting on) street clothes and a "dirty
room" for putting on (later taking
off) work clothes. Shower facilities
:; . are available for use after work.
The men working with the unit are
trained in the latest techniques to
minimize dust production. Moreover
they use all necessary personal pro-
tection equipment and clothing. This
includes plastic or nylon coveralls
and air-supplied or face respirators,
when appropriate.
During the removal of old insula-
tion material. the work area is com-
pletely enclos-ed and other trades are
excluded. Material to be removed is
extensively wetted and localized ex-
haust systems are used whenever pos-
sible to minimize dust spread.
Minimum Dust Exposure
This program now introduces on
land measures similar to those used
for insulation removal aboard ship.
(See story on page 4 on insulation
work in British Naval shipyards)
Dr. Smither, who is Medical Di-
rector of the Cape Asbestos Corpora-
tion, emphasized that the workers in
the special crews will not eXllerience
greater dust exposure than those ap-
plying new insulation.
"The procedures ahd the protec-
tive equipment available to these men
reduce their dust exposure to a mini-
mum," he said.
A new disposable dust·mist respirator. It
weighs only 1% oz.
--------_._--- - - - - - - ~
New Dust-Mist I
Respirator Put I
On the Market I
A new disposable dust-mist respi- I
I
rator was introduced by the Safety
Products Diyision of the American I
Optical Corporation on October 26. I
The commercial ayailabiIitv of the
first effective disposable r~spirator
~
l
culminates two years of effort on the
part of the IIHRP to obtain a res-
pirator suitable for insulation work-
ers. (See Insulation Hygiene Prog-
ress Reports, vol. 1, nos. 2 and 3,
and vol. 2, no. 3.)
90% of Dust Excluded
The disposable respirator an-
nounced by American Optical has
been awarded a United States Bu-
reau of Mines approval under Sched-
ule 21B. Under this approval sched-
ule, certain respirator efficiency stan-
dards must be met.
These includ~ lack of penetration
of dust through the filter material,
low resistance to breathing with stan-
dardized loading, and little leakage
about the face seal.
It is this last standard that, in
general, limits the efficiency of ap-
proved respirators. Under Schedule
21B, the face seal must exclude 90
per cent of the dust from a standard-
ized aerosol.
Six Points in Favor
The most important features of the
American Optical respirator are:
1. a new fibrous filter- medium
that is highly efficient,
2. a larE!:e effective filterinE!: area
to pr'Ovide very low resistance
to breathinE!:.
3. a weight o~iy 1% ounces,
4. a foam-face·sealinE!: gasket that
is efficient and, ~in~ addition,
improves wearer comfort,
5. a malleable metal frame that
permits the wearer to adjust
to the contours of his face_ and
6. two adjustable harness straps
to allow a good fit of the res-
pirator on the face.
Worker Acceptance
Other disposable dust respirators,
manufactured by the Minnesota Min-
ing and ivIanufacturing Co. and by
the Welch IVlanufacturin!! Co. have
been field tested by the ~IIHRP for
worker acceptance.
Also under development are mod-
els by other manufacturers, includinp:
Willson Products Division of ESB
Inc.
:~.

..
.. '
A down-draft cutting table attached to a portable vacuum-cleaner designed by Mr_ Carl
lfangold, Head, Industrial Hygiene Branch, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The legs are
removed for carrying_ (Photo courtesy of Carl Mangold, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard)
The British Navy Too IS
Battling Shipyard Dust
An extensive program for reducing
insulati0n dust exposure to w.orkers
has been put int.o operation at the
Royal Naval Shipyard, Plymouth,
England. Its operation was studied
by Dr. Harry Heimann, Dr. William
J. Nicholson, and Mr. Duncan A.
Holaday of the Insulation Industry
Hygiene Research Program, who
visited the shipyard in September.
The program Wa.!? developed and
implemented by Dr. Peter G. Harries,
Surgeon-Commander, Royal Navy.
He designed it to isolate dusty opera-
tions, reduce dust production during
insulation work, and prevent, as far
as possible, inhalation .of asbestos-
containing dusts.
Supplied-air Hoods
Isolation of dusty operations (such
as rem.oval of old insulation) is ac-
complished by sealing compartments
where possible or by use of plastic
tarpaulins. The men doing· removal
and clean-up w.ork wear plastic
coyeralls and supplied-air hoods.
For work which creates less dust
than insulation removal does, nylon
coyeralls are used.
When removal is complete, the
area is cleaned by the use of vacuum
lines or portable cleaners and final
washdowns. Air samples are taken to
insure that the clean-up has been
thorough before the area is opened
for further work.
Concern for pers.onal protective
measures is further seen in the re-
q~irements that asbestos workers on
arrival remove their clothes, then
proceed to another room and put on
work clothes, clean sets of which are
supplied daily. At the end of the
shift, coveralls are vacuumed, work
clothes are removed, and the work-
men take showers before donning
street clothes.
Dust Respirators Required
. -Yarying degrees of respiratory
protection are required, depending
on the work being done. In addition
to the supplied-air hoods, self-con-
tained air-supply respirators are
available for removal operations,
clean-up, and waste collection work.
For installation of insulation mate-
rials which contain asbestos, ap-
proved dust respirators are required.
In some circumstances, where ap-
propriate, insulation material con-
taining no asbestos has been substi-
tuted. In other circumstances the
asbestos content has been reduced.
u. S.. Navy Joins
Battle Against
Shipyard Dust
(Continued from first page)
Mr. Carl Mangold of the Industrial
Hygiene Section of Puget Sound
Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash-
ington, detailed some of the proce-
dures that are now standard at that
yard.
Overalls at $1 Each
Disposable overalls, costing ap-
proximately $1 per pair are used as =
a routine matter. A downdraft r.ut-
ting box for hand sawing has been
found to be particularly eifective and
is well received by the workers. Ex-
tensive use of portable vacuum clean-
ers has reduced much of the unneces-
sary dust exposure in confined areas.
Mr. O'Neill emphasized the need
for a solution to the health problems
of insulation workers and said that
a set of regulations applicable to the
shipbuilding and ship repair indus-
try and also the construction industry
is under consideration by the Depart-
ment of Labor.
Committee Appointed
At the end of the meeting a com-
mittee was appointed to draft a
unified approach to the problems .of
shipboard insulation work.
It includes representatives of the
Navy, the Department of Labor, the
Asbestos Workers Union, the com-
mercial shipbuilding industry, the
insulation manufacturers, the insula-
tion contractors, and the IIHRP.
Asbestos refuse collected in polyvinyl
plastic bags which are sealed and removed
from the ship. This reduces a major source
of asbestos dust and simplifies clean-up.
(Photo courtesy of Carl Mangold, Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard)

Environmental Sciences
Laboratory
auNTS/iv INSULATION HYGIENE
~~~
llfll
o ,,0
°lOFt"'''-'V
of The City University
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of New York
SPECIAL ISS.UE
-"
.~ ," "" This issue of Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports contains a report
given by Mr. Donald Bradshaw to
':I,. "
the 1970 Annual meeting of the Na-
tional Insulation Contractors Associ-
ation at Dallas, Texas. It begins in
the next column.
In his call for "good housekeeping
.: " ' j
~ .. for good health", Mr. Bradshaw
.~-
enumerated responsibilities of insula-
tion contractors, general contractors
or owners, government authorities,
unions, workmen, and manufacturers
in the drive to achieve work safety.
What Progress Has Been Made
As he is Chairman of the Health
and Safety Committee of N.r.C.A., his
remarks take on special significance.
They illustrate how far the insulation
industry has progressed since the first
publication of the health hazards of
asbestos insulation workers in 1964
by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, and since
the beginning of the Insulation indus-
try Hygiene Research Program two
years ago.
Safety PrG,{:tices
The talk, which is illustrated by
IIHRP photographs, well summarizes
many of the safety practices devel-
oped by the IIHRP and others. We
look forward to having those prac-
tices already developed become stand-
ard on all job. sites, and to finding
appropriate solutions for those prob-
lems still remaining.
. -_ _ AND NEXT: _ _- .
The next issue of Insula-
": tion Hygiene Progress Re-
ports will discuss, among
other items, the precautions
to be taken in the use of
fibrous glass products and
the potential hazards associ-
ated with volatile adhesives
us~d in insulation work.
. ~ ..
~. :
Insulation Contractors Call
for "Good Housekeeping" -
By Donald Bradshaw
What do we mean by "good house-
keeping" as it applies to our industry
-the insulation contracting industry
-in the context of the theme of this
annual meeting? It means the dedi-
cated practice of handling all mate-
rials We use so as to minimize and
ultimately eliminate all hazards to
human health.
What hazards do we face? Already
this morning we have been addressed
on the human body 'and its anatom-
ical aspects which can be affected
adversely by the use of specific ma-
terials common to our industry. How,
therefore, can we adapt ourselves to
the handling of our materials in a
safe and acceptable manner?
Almost thirty years ago the United
States was faced with the large-scale
development of radio-active fission-
able materials, arid the handling of
these materials required housekeeping
methods and safeguards almost be-
yond comprehension prior to that
time. It was done and done success-
fully because it had to be done
successfully or the consequences
would have been swift and severe.
A Practical Perspective
Over the past tWD to three years
housekeeping in our industry has
taken on a very new and significant
meaning to us as. we have become
aware of the magnitude of certain
occupational health hazards. At this
point we are striving to maintain a
practical perspective on the perform-
ance of our work while we actively
move forward to reduce and elimi-
nate, where possible, the causes of
the occupational health hazards.
What, then, is good housekeeping?
It is the removal of those causes.
Since, at this time, the source causes
are an inherent part of the materials
we use in our industry, we must exert
our best practical efforts towards con·
trolling the use of the materials so as
------------1
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Oi",ctor
Vol. 3, No.1 Spring 1971
... . ""--:
~
1fr-. Donald Bradshaw, Chairman of the
Health and Safety Co=ittee of the
National Insulation Contractors Association.
He is also North California District Man.
ager of the Supply and Contracting Divi-
sion of the Owens-Corning Fiberglas
Corporation, San Francisco, California.
to make the working enviFonment as
health-safe as possible.
'Recently we have seen the imposi-
tion of r.igid controls in New York
city on the application of structural
fireproofing protection containing
health-hazardous materials. How do
such controls relate to everyday prac-
tices in our industry where some
similar materials are used in a differ-
ent way? -
RESPONSIBILITIES OF
INSULATION CO:NTRACTORS
We are all quick to defend our
individual positions as contractors
but are we really taking the necessary
practical steps of good housekeeping
now so obviously necessary iri our
industry for the health safety of our
men and also all other persons at the
j obsite or in the shop?
We have two major areas of health
(Continued on second page)

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Yol. 3, No. 1 Spring 1971
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. Seli-
koff, :M.D., Director), Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of the City Uni-
versity of New York, New York,
• .j N.Y_ 10029
Advisory Council of IllIRP
In~ng J. Selikoff, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
. effective dust collection system is used
;.'
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D. Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson. General President,
International As;ociation of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
J. B. J obe. Vice President, Johns·
Manville Corporation, New York,
N.Y.
Fred 1. Pundsack. Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research ~nd Development,
J ohns·Manville Corporation, New
......
......
York, N.Y.
, .....
George W. Wright, M.D. Director of
Medical Research, St. Luke's Hospi-
.";' tal, Cleveland, O.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of these improved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their
universal adoption.
:,
Vinyl-coated calcium silicate insulation,
developed in cooperation with the IIHRP,
greatly reduces dust generated during Ehip-
ment and in subsequent handling by
workers .
Five Groups Each
Have Their
Responsi bili ties
(Continued from first page)
protection to control:
1. The inhalation of known haz-
ardous insulation material dusts
which lead to respiratory tract
and lung congestion and dis-
ease; and
2. The inhala'tion of vapors or
absorption through the skin of
liquids which are .harmful to
health, and which are found
today in a number of adhesives
and some surface finishes.
Our responsibility is to:
1. Organize the performance of
the work so that the best avail-
able practical health safety can
be followed;
2. Provide the facilities and equip·
ment which will minimize and,
where possible, eliminate, the
presence of harmful dusts;
3. Avoid the use of known highly
toxic materials in favor of safe
ones when available, or ones
with the lowest toxicity;
4. Educate our field and shop
men in the most effective use of
facilities and equipment so as
to afford maximum protection
for themselves, and see that
they are used correctly;
5. Select materials and methods
which provide the maximum
safety when being applied.
6. Promote the development and
use of health·safe materials
throughout our industry; and
7. Support the apprentice training
programs in the teaching of
good housekeeping practices
for the health·safe handling of
aJl industry materials.
How should we implement our
responsibility?
The Dust Problem
First of all, the harmful dust prob-
lem. Let us start in the shop.
See that all materials of a harmful
nature are handled so as to control
all dust. Some materials are now
being coated to reduce dusting in
handling. Use a large commercial
vacuum cleaner with disposable filter .
bags to sweep up all powdered or
crumpled material.
When bags of insulating cements
are broken, carefully repackage them
in plastic bags and vacuum up all
spilled material.
Where shop fabrication occurs see
that your men wear approved masks
-U.S. Bureau of Mines or better-
and be sure that an adequate and
which discharges the material into
bags which can be sealed for disposal.
Improved Saws
A new mask is expected to be avail-
able by the end of 1970 with a filter
medium developed by Johns-Manville
and Mount Sinai, and the face piece
engineering by Wilson, Welsh, and
others.
Keep alert to improved saws which
reduce dust. Have disposable bags
suspended from frames and deposit
scrap and waste material into these
bags which must be sealed before
disposal. Store fabricated material in
lined cartons or containers before
shipment so as to contain the dust.
All this seems like a massive under-
taking but when you think it through
(Continued on third page)
An, efficient yacuum cleaner used to clean
up fallen material can greatly reduce air·
borne dust leyels.

The use of an efficient collection system
attached to table saws reduces dust. See . under the bed of a saw. Air velocities as
Vol. 1, No.4" of Progress Reports for re- . high as 10,000 feet per minute can be
sults of band saw dust collector trials.
Cements Must Be Mixed Under
:s .; Dust-Controlled Conditions
(Continued from second page)
and follow it out, it is just good
housekeeping by any method of meas-
.;;... ..
uring, coupled with necessary health
protection.
The same fabrication procedures
as outlined for the shop fabrication
should be followed. Today we are
improving high velocity dust collect-
ing equipment which can contribute
most significantly to the control and
elimination of dust, and such equip-
.. ",
ment is being adapted to field fabri-
',".'
cation saws.
~ ".
The fabrication shop should be
enclosed either in a building or in an
enclosure of polyethylene so as to
prev'ent the wind from scouring all
the dust out of the shop and deposit-
ing it over the j obsite area_ Bagging
of dust and scrap is necessary, as in
the shop, and approved masks must
,. be worn by all people working in the
shop area.
All possible fabrication of harmful
dust-producing materials should be
carried out in the jobsite fabrication
;. area, and the floor and fabrication
....... tables should be vacuum cleaned fre-
quently.
In The Ba.g Mixing
The mixing of cements should be
done under dust-controlled condi-
tions, or the new "in the bag" mixing
method used.
The remov~l of old insulation re-
quires special attention, and should
be done with the care necessary to
contain the dust and scrap material
throughout the process.
Hazardous cloths should be cut, not
;'.
A high-velocity collection port located
generated to collect loose asbestos dust.
torn.
What about the point of applica-
tion fabrication which often requires
the sawing and shaping of material
for closure pieces or special configur-
ations?
Blowing in the Wind
This is where our good housekeep-
ing falls apart on certain types of
work. Way up on the sixth level of a
power plant or 120 feet up in the air
on a refinery tower, the exposure to
our man may not be too great if the
wind is blowing away from him, but
with the aid of the wind we neatly
deposit a fine blanket of material· over
a wide area.
To make templates of complex
shapes to be sent to the fab ~hop is a
lengthy and costly process, so we
must devise portable compact en-
closed work booths with bagging facil-
ities for dust and scrap and contain
all such work at these points. Power
saws are now being developed with
self-contained dust collectors.
Change facilities on jobs enable
the men to change clothes at the start
and end of work and, with the im-
provements being made in throw-away
clothing, we are approaching the time
of slip over covers which will keep the
dust out of the working clothing.
Toxic Vapors, Liquids
Practices of beating dust-forming
insulation into place and sinking tie
wires into the insulation should be
discontinued. Contractors should in-
str!l.ct their men to wear masks when-
ever hazardous insulation material
- .. _. --_ .. _ - - - - - - - -
---I
dust is in the air. A contractor may
be found negligent if this is not re-
quired.
In the area of toxic ,~apors or
liquids the potential health problems
are more easily protected by the selec-
tion of materials presenting little or
no hazard. Where toxic materials
must be used, they should be applied
with good ventilation and the men, in
confined spaces, should be provided
with low-pressure air face masks.
Rubber gloves should be worn at
all times. Containers shouIa always
be kept closed when not in use.
The responsibilities of the contrac-
tor in the area of industry health
protection, and the steps he must take
in discharging them, result from the
position of certain materials he uses
in the performance of his work. It is
very apparent that should it become
possible to remove the causes in the
materials we use, then our good
housekeeping and working practices
can be modified extensively.
OWNERS' RESPONSIBIUTIES
In the sense that we are consider-
ing the occupational health of our
industry, the general contractor's or
owner's responsibility is basically one
of an understanding of our house-
keeping obj ectives and the reasons
for them. He must cooperate with us
in the actions we must take in provid-
ing us with the necessary working
areas, and if essential, remove other
crafts from our working area for
specific periods of time,
He should not impose any re-
straints on the performance of our
work which would prevent the eco-
nomical installation of the materiaL
GOVERJ.'i'l\1ENT AUTHORITIES'
RESPONSIBIUTIES
Here we look at all levels of gov-
(Continued on fourth page)
.\.: II
~
. .-.::. -.·-...
~~l;~'~ -"~·I
.c. .
Asbestos workers of Local 91 field testing
new disposable respirators of Minnesota
Mining and .Manufacturing Co. in an
amo~ite pad shop.
7

Large amounts of dust generated during
',. :. conventional cement mixing expose asbestos
workers imd spread throughout the site.
The Individual Worker Must
Prudently Lead The Way
(Continued from third page)
ernmental authority, from city to
federal, and ask ourselves: Are we
going to let government agencies con-
trol our business in the field, or are
,Ye going to control it otir!5elves?
"\\1e have seen rather sudden and
drastic local controls imposed on the
structural 'fireproofing industry in
New York city because the industry
itself was not organized to take ap-
propriate preventive measures. Legis-
lation in the Health & Safety Con-
struction Act and the Walsh-Healey
addendum on material specification
sheets faces us at the federal level.
The Daniels bill, if passed, will be
. '. much stiffer than the Walsh-Healey
bilL
1 Worthwhile Progress
Are we, as an industry, capable of
organizing ourselves before the gov-
ernmental agencies do it fDr us? In
my opinion, we are making some
really worthwhile progress, but we
still have quite a lot to accomplish.
We have a common body through-
out our industry and that is the inter-
national Union_ Through this body
unity and uniformity of action is pos-
sible. Such actions must be responsive
to our industry's needs and costs and
must be well conceived.
If we ourselves default in our re-
sponsibilities then surely the govern-
mental agencies will quickly assume
our responsibilities. In summary, we
are saying that the government
should do only what we ourselves,
. ,
,'~
,.,·,."J;~-":,,:,,,~:Ji <~ I
• ~.~ .... 'J..:
"
The mixing of asbestos cement in a plastic
bag during IIHRP trials.
union and contractor, are unable to
do.
I have already touched on the role
the International Union can play
in promoting singleness of action
throughout the nation, but the re-
sponsibilities of the Union, both at
the International and Local levels,
extend into several other areas.
UNIONS' RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To promote the understanding
and acceptance of good house-
keeping occupational health
concepts at the membership
level;
2. To stimulate the merTIbership
to follow good practical safe-
guards necessary in the indus-
try;
3. To represent the industry in
unity with the contractors at
the area level whenever there
are inquiries or investigations
into the health hazards of our
industry, and not take uni-
lateral action which could hurt
the industry; and
4. To support regular health ex-
aminations for the membership
and to sustain a continuing
awareness of good housekeep.
ing procedures.
INDIVIDUAL WORKERS'
OBLIGATIONS
Without the effective involvement
of the individual worker. we cannot
achieve occupational h~alth good
housekeeping. In fact, we hope and
A Man Should Take
Care of Himself
-and Others
expect he will prudently lead the way.
What do we mean by prudent?
Well, we cannot make every jobsite a
" cIean room, " b ut we cannot expect
a, man to over-expose himself un·
necessarily to harmful dusts either by
his own action or because of lack of
equipment.
A man is obligated to take prac·
tical care of himself, to educate him-
self in health protection, and, through
good housekeeping practices, protect
all other men at the jobsite.
MANUFACTURERS'
RESPONSIBILITIES
All of us can quickly see that good
housekeeping in the field and shop
has a price tag to the insulation con·
tracting industry; and the cost of
this tag could be increased consider-
ably by future possible legislation. To
remove the causes is to cancel the
price tag and we, as a contracting
industry, should give every support
to the development and use of non-
hazardous materials.
This price tag is not a two cents
per hour contribution to support an
occupational health program. It is
the cost effect of carrying out good
housekeeping practices in the field,
the impact of which is no small
matter.
Good housekeeping? Yesl
Why? Good health is good sense.
Where? Everywhere .
When? Now.
How? By the methods outlined and
to be developed.
Thank you gentlemen.
;:'
,.
Bagging of waste material prevents as-
bestos dust dissemination about the job
site and into the general community.
 .. ;.~.,
" :-:
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VoL 3 No.2
-·-....,:..·.:-:·r:~·~~: _. .... l...:.-...... _ • . oin IIHRP,_ Study ..Experience of
.- Summer 1971 '.

from the"'-'
Dust: Collection :: .·Adhesives .
. .
Insulation Ind~s-ti;T'~·:E~·gie~e· R;~ :.,~ Dr: Irving. J. Selikoff has:m' . (C.ontin.ued froT4 first j)age)
search J>rogram . q -: .:.,.. .' ·r·, nounced that scientists from Flonda . . ."
....:-- Institute of Technology will partici· asb~~~": dust an'a' ~i~~~tte smoke
~':':.

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Sciences LaboratcirjrL{lrving. J . .'Seli~.,
provided by·:·the. InternatIonal As50' feciS' :on .
health of" adheSive" fumes
clation of Heat and FDrest Insulators in· coiriliination with. eithei"~bestos'~ ' .• ~
koff, .M.D., Director)~.· Mount .. Sinai, .
..5chool of MedicIDe:~Lthe ·CityUni.:~
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 --
New Standard Is
Questioned For
Asbestos Workers

•• ~ I

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":'. "_.

,;.

. ~ , ~ . ;". : :..~~ .~~:. ·

 '1
New Standard Is
-.
. ?-'"
Que~tioned FOJ;
Asbestos Workers
(Contirwed from third page)
IIHRP scientists are making these
facts known to governmental agen-
cies responsible for setting standards_
They have also voiced strong objec-
tions to the setting of standards
which would' allow continued danger
to men in the insulation industry.
uAnd Wluit to do About Them!:.'.
There is a further problem in .con-
. nection with the use. of TLV5o•. In- the
. , .. past,. dust concentrations have. seldom ':VI e were- told what to do about health. hazards;' said Jack Novak (2nd R), here'. Seen
. been measured"'"on'constructio'n sites. drscusslng the Occupatioruu Health Hazards course.for. union,,:inem.bers with Dr.. SelikofE

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=.J.t.l§;.... w~ '.'·.~~;l?las,tic ~gs"J~as:;:~'~~': '~~~umoiinieID1~;:'was, given by'MOUnt ~::-.:;<
....-r-. ~::_ ::,?::.-:~;~~ar~t~'!o-:w.~i!ICe~. that.%e~. io~K,·. ·"":i;we:'.:have~,:been:<m.fOrin,e9-· by: ~ .: ,Sii:i.m. ScllooY'of"Medicine' frcimApTII ~"'>:,
., ,--..:,;:::.~;" 'enruon:ii:tent' ~. safe,:,:n.v.s', woUld' be ~~ <:'the-: comIiany:·.' i:hat'Eth~:~~h1gh}: :-~~'i~~C ihr-oYl~~i62::<iThe, coriJ:s'e;:'1i1der' '. '.
.:~~te.i:np~ratirre·l:nsulatio~;· c'ementS;::- : '? i:l?rf ~~tio'~' o£D2r~ngC r.s.e~o~" "

~~i~~'l~~ill~f;L' .' - .:.-::-,"",:.:;"' "~.~' ':.~'~~' S.eventy-fiV~Union membe6.;:from _"

'·:l.:2S":':di:fferenn-UIUonsatlended. the. five-··
....;.day..:-course::Fiank Hess ,of.. L:>cal 4
,':" Bu:ffal~~NfY;;':-and. Bud Maupirr;"of,
.:Local'.: 27~_, Kansas .City, ,Missouri,
,:.~~ere: p.articipatiD.g, asbestos 'w~rke~ •
. ' On:e'YziTtMi-:Problem .. :~?::.:..:",.,
~ .- ·~':".Ari:.~advis~ri'~ committee of:. labor·
lead'ers ' for' . the course inCluded.,
among. others:,' 'Andy Hass,. Secre-
tary;:.and. Jacob Novak, Vice. Presi- ,
. ~. ::
deD.~ . of-the International Associa- "
tion 'of Heat":and Frost Insulators .... :
. ·i
, and Asbestos' Workers; Anthony --"
I
Mazzocchi, Leghlative Director,. Oil_~
Chemical, and Atomic' Workers; 'c "
Frank WaIlick"Automobile Workers; -.:..
and Marco Vestick of the United
Steelworkers.
. In co.=enting on the course, Jack
Novak said, "One of the most impor·
tant aspects of it was that, not. only
were health hazards clearly de-
scribed, but we were told what 't~ do
about them. And this included not
only on the shop Roor and at the con-
Note that these two asbestos workers, member.! of Local 32, are. wearing personal air struction site, but in the state legis·
samplers (ree arrows) while c'!tting asbestos board. ~ lature-and even in Congress."

. ' ... ' .. ~'

'''"
 Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

OUNTS!.."

(/1;-1\
INSULATION HYGIENE
~~~o "c.;
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
°lOF""~O
of The City University Irving J. Se/ikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York
Vol. 3, No.3 Fall 1971

Insulation Industry
Problems Can
Be Solved
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program and by you, the union memo
bers directly involved.
'",
On the platform with me tonight
IIHRP meets with Local 12 on Health and Safety; (L to R.) Dr. Nicholson, Dr. are the members of our occupational
Kay, Mr. Holaday, Dr. Heimann, Mr. Haas, Dr. Selikoff. health and industrial hygiene group.
..-_ _ _ _ _ _ SPECIAL ISSUE,_ _ _ _ _ ~ Dr. Harry Heimann was formerly
; Chief of the Division of Occupa-
tional Health of the U. S. Public
First Union-IIHRP Meeting Health Service.

on Health and Safety Uranium Mines Hazard

Duncan Holaday is our senior in-
Health hazards among insulation workmen are now dustrial hygienist, and was in charge
recognized and underst(}Qd. They are related to dusty of the Western Field Station of the
conditions in the industry. Research in the past two years Public Health Service. He is well
has provided much information on how these conditions knov;n. for his important w.ork in de-
can be controlled or eliminated.. fining the health hazard to uranium
Determining these facts, however, is only one side of miners on the Colorado Plateau.
the coin. Correctj:ng the situation is at least as important. Dr. Kingsley Kay came to us from
To do this, review of the problems and consideration of the Government of Canada to whom
remedies by all concerned "'ill be helpful. Accordingly, a he was Chief Scientific Con~ultant.
series of meetings in various parts of the country has Finally, Dr. William Nicholson is a
been organized by the International Association of Heat physici.st who joined the IIHRP two
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers at which years ago and has been coordina'ting
engineers and scientists of the IIHRP are meeting asbestos most of the activities in the program.
workers and contractors to analyze what can and should Tonight we will be discussing the
be done now to make this important industry safe for the practical-practical in the sense that
men who work in it. we will review what should be done,
The first such meeting was held in New York City July and what can be done. There have
8, 1971, with members of Locals 12 and 91. Representa- been serious problems in the in-
tives of area contractors were also in attendance. Because sulation industry, but I am confident
of the broad interest of the questions covered, highlights they can be solved. There are several
of the discussions are published here. Mr. Nick Lucich, reasons for my optimism.

i.
.
:",JI>
- President of Local 12, opened the meeting•
Nick Lucich: It was good of all
of you to come tonight. It was good
of the Local 91 members to come. I
see contractors iIi the audience. We
are pleased to welcome them.
We know whal Dr. Selikoff stands
for. We know that since the Doctor
came into the act, the widow of any
boy who passed on was able to get
some compensation and those of us
with crippled lungs could also be
taken care of.
We know what he has done in try-
ing to clean up the trade. We're
going to hear something about that
tonight. I thp.nk you all for coming.
Doctor, I turn the meeting over to
you.
"Especially Worthwhile"
Dr. Irving f. Selikoff: Thank you,
Nick. This meeting to review health
and safety practices can be especially
worthwhile. Weare at the cross-
roads on the journey to a safe work
environment.
Hence this review and discussion
can be most effective in providing
guidelines for future action by the
Reasons for Optimism
The first reason comes from a re-
view of the data in Table L L117
men of Locals 12 and 32 were' ex-
amined and X-rayed. Of the 34<>
men who worked less than 10 years
in the trade, only 10% had any
change characteristic of asbestosis on
their X·rays, and these changes were
smalL
Even in the 10-19 year group, few
changes were of serious consequence.
In other words-what causes lung
scarring takes a long time and re-
quires much dust.
(Continued on second page)
 .,., ,. . .: ..

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
VoL 3, No.3 Fall 1971

from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program

Editor: W. J. "'Nicholson, Ph.D.,

Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. SeIi-
koff, M.D., Director), Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of t~e City Uni-
versity of New York, New York,
N.Y. 10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Dr. Selikoff with Andy Haas. "We will see that work on health and safety con·
Irving J. Selikoff, M_D. Program tinues," Mr. Haas said.
Director and Chairman
(Continued from first page) expected of those who had reached
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice Therefore, today's . disease is the 20 years of work. In fact, there were
President, American Cancer Society, result of practices of 20, 30, or even 255. In addition, seven men died be·
New York, N.Y_ 10 years ago. Work conditions then, fore reaching this "time of risk."
in terms of dust, were bad. On many More than 50 men died who should
Albert Hutchinson, General President, jobs they are still bad. But, just for not have died. Looking at Table II,
International Association of Heat that reason, we can look 10 great we can see the causes of these "excess
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos improvement. deaths": 45 died of cancer of the
Workers, Washington, D.C. There is a second reason for opti- lung, trachea, and pleura where only
mism_ Just as there is much room six or seven were expected; 12 died
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi- for improvement, much has been of asbestosis although none should
dent, Research and Development, found that can signiEcantly reduce have died; and three times as many
the dust exposure. died of cancer of the G. 1. tract as
Johns-Manville Corporation, New were expected.
York, N.Y. Results of continued observation of
The Unpleasant Facts the 370 men still in the locals on Jan.
George W. Wright, M.D. Director of I, 1963 up to 8 days ago, June 30,
However, before we go to the prac·
Medical Research, S1. Luke's Hospi- tical solutions, let's look again at are shown in Table III. They repre-
tal, Cleveland, O. the problem, the data which point sent a catastrophe. They have changed
to the need for urgent correction of the entire course of our research.
conditions. The facts are not pleasant.
Briefly, the facts are these. No Dust, No Disease
There were 632 men who were It is no longer enough to get ad-
PURPOSES OF THE members of Locals 12 and 32" on ditional health facts. Nor is it of
January), 1943. Knowing each man's primary importance to determine
INSULATION age in 1943, we could calculate from exactly how asbestos acts on cells or
INDUSTRY HYGIENE standard mortality tables how many proteins and enzymes in the body.
RESEARCH PROGRAM of the 632 should have died by Dec. In a situation in which one of every
1. To develop improved
31, 1962. Eve dea·ths is due to lung .cancer ana
The calculations were made by our almost three in ten' to gastro-intestinal
methods for minimizing ex- colleague and co-worker, Dr. E. Cuy- cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis,
posure of insulation workers ler Hammond, Chief Statistician and . correction of the conditions is far
to dusts and fumes encoun- Epidemiologist of the American more urgent, because "no dust, no
Cancer Society. disease".
tered in their work. From all causes, 203 dea'ths were (Continued on third page)
2. To disseminate knowl- Tabl .. 1
edge of these improved X-roy Changes in Asbestos Insulation Workers
methods of dust control Onset of % % Asbestosis (grade)
wherever they may be ap- Exposure (yrs.) No. Normal Abnormal 1 2 3 .-
plied advantageously and 40+ 121 5.8 9:4.2 35 51 28
to offer cooperation, advice 30-39 194 12.9 87.1 102 49 18
.. 20-29 77 27.2 72.8 35 17 4
~ , and assistance toward their 10-19 379 55.9 44.1 158 9 0
universal adoption. 0-9 346 89.6 lOA 36 0 0
1,1 I7 51.5 48.5 366 126 50

•• - :-:"'"::-... '.~.-. ""7~"'!;;' ~.

r-~. ~-.~._...--.-;--...
"- ' ..

5 Ways Cement Dust Can
Be Controlled
(Continued from second page)
This is the direction the Insula-
tion Industry Hygiene Research Pro-
gram has taken.
I would like Dr. Nicholson to list
some of the results of that program
before we open the floor to a dis-
~
cussion of any problems and ques-
..;.
",
tions you may want to raise.
Dr. William J. Nicholson: Since
most of you will have kept up with
the progra~ through our reports in
the ""reen sheet in The Asbestos
o
Worker, •
I will only mention th e
maj or sources of dust and solutions
that have been indentified to control
those sources.
. "
How to Control Dust
., . The mixing of cement, either in
pails or in 'troughs, is one of the
dustiest operations. It can be con-
trolled by in-bag mixing in plastic
bags.
Dust collectors on band saws can
do wonders. Collectors can even be
attached to powered rotary hand
saws or saber saws.
The use of a downdraft cutting
table can significantly reduce dust
when using an ordinary hand saw.
Calcium silicate block and pipe
covering can be coated with a thin
plastic film to reduce dust during
blocking operations. Comfortable,
disposable respirators have been de-
veloped for use in circumstances
where complete dust control is not
practical.
How To Prevent Spread
The use of drop cloths, plastic
bags and vacuum cleaners to collect
waste will prevent the spread of as-
bestos throughout the construction
site.
These are solutions that are prac-
tical. They can be implemented with
a minimum of additional expense. If
followed, they can reduce to at least
Table 2
Expected' and Observed Deaths Among 632 Asbestos Workers
Exposed to Asbestos Dust 20 Years or longer (1943-19621
Total deaths: all causes
Total cancer: all sites
. '.'" Cancer of lung, trachea, pleura
Cancer of stomach, colon, rectum
Cancer all other sites combined
Asbestosis . o
All other causes
,,' ".:,".:'
one tenth the dustiest exposures of
insulation workers.
(There followed a demon-
stration with slides a.rul
photographs of the various
practices which lead to
dusty conditions, and for
which remedies have been
worked out. Many of these
.l:.c:ve appeared in the In-
sulation Hygiene Progress
Rep<Jrts.)
Dr. Selikojj: These things can be
done. Bul I suspect that less than
full implementation of these proce-
dures has taken place.
Is the Letter Correct?
The other day I received a letter
from a member of your Local.
It states that many employers pay
only lip service to health and safety.
Few respirators are available, and
they only cheap ones. Cement in
plastic bags is never used because
of the few pennies extra cost. The
letter closes with the comment, "Only
forceful legislation coupled with stiff
fines will help. The $ still reigns
supreme."
Is this correct- If so, what should
we do?
Bill Fitzgerald: You can get a
respirator from most contractors. I
wear a respirator. But we don't know
which are approved and which aren't.
We don't know which are the best to
wear. What is the s'tory?
Dr. Selikojj: Three years ago every
ll;sbestos worker in the country was
asked about his personal use of respi-
rators - and their suitability. The re-
sults showed that only 4% of the
men always wore respirators even
when they though't the job was dusty.
The Problems Reviewed
There were good reasons for this.
Available respirators were uncom-
fortable, hot, and interfered with
breathing or vision.
Expected Observed
203.5 255
36.5 95
6.6 45
9.4 29
20.5 21
12
167 148
------- ---------~--------------- ----------l
Table 3
Mortality experience of 632
members of IAHFIAW, Locals 12 and 32
January 1, 1943 to June 30, 1971
Num- Per
Cause of death ber cent
Lung cancer 85 20.0
Pleural mesothelioma 7 1.6
Peritoneal mesothelioma 20 4.8
-Gastro-intestinal cancer 40 9.3
All other cancers 36 8.4
Total cancer = 188
Asbestosis 32 7.7
All oj}er causes 205 48.2
425 100.0
In 1968, Mr. Hutchinson and I
visited the Public Health Service.
We then reviewed these problems
with safety equipmen't manufacturers
in a series of meetings.
The last meeting with nine manu-
facturers was held on October 9,
1969, at The Mount Sinai School of
Medicine.
Disappointed with the then slow
progress in preparing new models,
the IIHRP undertook independent
development of respirators and filter
materials, in cooperation with J ohns-
Manville's Research Laboratory.
Following the 1969 meeting, the
Bureau of Mines began developing
criteria for single-use disposable
respirators. These criteria may be
published this summer.
Standard For Protection
Duncan Holaday Was appointed
chai=an of the 288.3 Committee of
the American National Standards In-
stitute which has written a standard
for respiratory protection against as-
bestos dust.
So, while the road to a comfort-
able, effective respirator has' been
long, it appears that we are nearly
there. And Duncan Holaday has been
the skillful guide we've followed.
Duncan A. Holaday: The basic
problem with respirators is that any-
thing worn on the face is, ill some
degree, uncomfortable. Reusable
("standard") respirators, approved
by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for
protection against asbestos under its
old schedules, have been available
for many years.
Individual Fitting
The common types all have a half-
mask face piece and should be indi-
vidually fitted to insure a proper seal
to the face. Because of the small
filter area, they have relatively high
(Continued on fourth page)
 .•.. ' .....
Bill Fitzgerald asks: "Which respirators are the best to wear?"
(Continued from third page)
resistance to breathing, which is
particularly objectionable to men who
may have impaired lung function.
They require maintenance (filter
change, cleaning, strap replacement,
etc.) to insure continued proper
functioning. Unfortunately, main-
tenance programs are very difficult
to operate in construction work and,
for practical purposes, do not exist_
" ' For these reasons, we have been
working with respirator manufac-
turers to develop single-use respira-
tors which can be discarded at the
end of the shift. A new approval
schedule has had to be promulgated
for these new appliances, since their
like has not been tested before by the
Bureau's respirator service.
At least three man ufacturers are
working to produce such respirators
and one of these has a device ap-
proved under the old schedule.
New Respirator Schedule Due
The other two should be available
shortly after the Bureau of Mines
publishes its new schedule for dis-
posable respirators. We have been
told that it will appear in July-
but I won't guarantee this date.
The cost per day of the single-
use respirators should not be any
more than the cost of operating a
maintenance program for re-usable
respirators.
Frank Brady: You show in the
green sheet one that looks like a
surgical mask.. How much protec-
tion does that give?
Duncan Holaday: Surgical masks
cannot be relied on for good protec-
tion_ They are not designed to filter
out fine particles and 'the face seal
is highly variable. They are better
than nothing, though.
The respirator shown in the green
sheet was not a surgical mask, even
-: .....
though it may have looked like one.
That particular respirator is made of
a high-efficiency material 'which pro-
vides good protection.
Glasses Get Fogged
Don't confuse lightness (for com-
fort) with flimsiness.
Frank Suraci: What good are any
of these maSks to anyone who wears
glasses? In five minutes your glasses
are all fogged up.
Duncan Holaday: With a good face
fit, this would not be so much of a
problem. Anti-fog dope is available
at safety supply houses. I have used
this and find it helps to prevent
fogging.
Fitting respirators is an important
part of a respirator program and
should be done by an experienced
person.
Several to Choose From
Several respirators should be avail-
able for selection, as no single model
face-piece will fit all men.
R..udy Perich: I bought a mask. It
seemed secure on my face. I took it
home and found a spoonful of block
iri it.
George Boylan: What do you mean
by a good face fit? How does a man
know if he has one?
Duncan Holaday: For reusable
respirators, one can take off the filter
cartridge, cover the inhalation orifice
with the hand and breathe in. If
you have a proper fit, you will not
get any air.
A single-use respirator is harder
to test. If the iit is bad, leakage 'will
usually occur around the nose; here,
if you blow hard, you can feel warm
air at your eyes.
Having another man make a quick
inspection of your respirator will also
help.
Let's Get Back to
Cleaning Up The
Workplace
Nick Lucich: It all boils down to
the fact that we already have three
masks that can do the trick for liS,
light and comfortable. Let's get them
on the job_
Dr. SelikofJ: Right, Nick. But re-
member-although respirators are
valuable, they are no substitute for
safe work practices. Let's get back to i-;'-
cleaning up the workplace.
Nick Buratovich: We know the
effects of the dust. We are now at
the point of desperation. I will take
the responsibility of picking out a
mask. It is wonderful to know that
we can get over 90% protection_
Does Water Affect K-Factor?
In 'the past, we saw a lot of dust
and we did some 'things to try to
control it. One of them was to take
a block and dump it into a 50-gallon
drum filled with water.
I was told that this was not to be
done because it would affect 'the
k-factor of the' block. Is this true?
Dr. Nicholson: A very brief wet-
ting would not affect the k-factor, al-
though a more extensive soaking
could. But there is a better solution
to this problem. '
Frank Suraci: Is there a way to
reduce the dust on the block before
it goes to the field?
Dr. Nicholson: Yes, the same re-
sult that Nick Buratovich achieved
by wetting can be obtained by the
use of a plastic or wax coating on .
the block, applied by the manufac-
turers. No manufacturer uoes this
at this time, although Johns-Manville
has developed ,;pne process that is
suitable.
Coating Must be Mandated
The problem comes, in getting
every manufacturer to apply a coat-
ing. No one company wants to do
it alone because of the extra cost of '
the product. It must be mandated by ~."'::>';,oiIJ!"',;!II
agreement or regulation and its use ,
required by asbestos workers_
Art Boylan: Why not have state .. '
inspectors give citations for dusty,
conditions? They give citations for
(Continued on fifth page)

.~
Frank Brady: "How much protection?"
.~
-:-:.
(Continued from fouth page)
faulty ladders or other safety haz-
ards. Why doesn't the state come
into the picture?
Dr. SelikofJ: I once asked each
man in Locals 12 and 32 how many
times he himself ·had seen a dust
inspection on the j ob_
The more than 1,100 men asked
had had over 4,500,000 work days
of experience. Eight dust counts had
;" been seen from 1915 to 1963.
Ralph Drinkard of Local 25 re-
cently asked 75 men in Detroit
whether 'they had seen inspectors
take dust counts on the job. Not
one had.
6 Men to Check 120,000 Places
The fact is, the states just do not
have the manpower to provide effec-
tive inspection. For example, in New
Jersey at this time, there are six in-
dustrial hygienists in the Department
of Health responsible for the condi-
tions in 120,000 workplaces_
It's not surprising that no inspec-
tors are seen.
We need a specified set of proce-
dures required by law or by union
.agreement. Then you men yourselves
must help do the job of policing.
The Great White Father in Washing-
ton, or Albany, or Springfield, or
Austin, or Boston has lots of other
....... things to do, and doesn't get to them
all. If a job doesn't have safe equip-
ment or safe materials, you are put-
ting yourselves at risk.
We "\'till all have to work at getting
the safe materials; equipment, and
procedures required.
We've Come aLong Way
I'm ready to join you any time in
meeting with federal, state or local
officials to establish appropriate reg-
ulations. With the new Occupational
Safety and Health Act, this would be
; ~'. ". ':
a good time to do it.
Ton:z. Viscovich: In the past, no
one knew of approved respirators.
We have come a long way.
Let me move on to another field
where respirators probably cannot
help-that is adhesives. I've read
where kids sniffing glue have had
brain tumors, some kinds of cancer,
and kidney damage. What is the ef-
fect on us of the adhesives and the
glues that we use?
Dr. Kingsley Kay: Organic sol-
vents are used in most adhesives_
These chemj.cals act primarily as
anesthetics causing central nervous
system depression manifested by vis-
ual disturbances_ mental confusion,
fatigue, nausea;' vomiting, difficulty
in locomotion, and, finally, if con-
centrations are high enough, uncon-
sciousness.
Workers Made Accident Prone
Naturally, the exposed worker who
is affected by 'these substances be-
comes potentially accident prone.
As enzyme systems in the body re-
spond to the insult of these materials
by augmenting their destruction,
adaptation is frequently experienced.
Nevertheless, this adaptive mecha-
nism has its limits, beyond which the
basic toxic nature of such solvents
begins to take effect.
Another aspect of the inorganic
solvents is their effect in defatting
skin and interfering with lipoproteins
of the mucous membranes.
In heavy concentrations, pulmo-
nary effects may ensue. They are
usually irritating to the eye, and cor-
neal damage is always a possibility.
Cirrhosis of the liver and kidney
damage may also occur in excessive
exposure.
A special reference should be
made to the interaction of many
George Boylan: "What is a good face
fit?"
Frank Suraci: "What about fogged
glasses?"
organic solvents with drugs and al-
cohol. It is well known that solvents
and alcohol interfere with each
other's metabolism.
As a result, normal intake of alco-
hol may result in increased effects
due to reduction in the normal rate
of alcohol metabolism, caused by
the solvent.
Workers continually exposed to
solvents should have special medical
advice where drugs have to be taken.
Apart from 'the solvents, some high
polymers and additives used in ad-
hesives can be sensitizing to produce
skin reactions and asthmatic attacks.
Interaction With Asbestos
It will be understood that workers
who· experience adverse effects using
adhesives should have continuing
medical supervision_
Tom Viscovich: What is the inter-
action of solvents or the polymers
with asbestos?
Dr. Kay: It is not known whether
solvents, high polymers and addi-
tives commonly used in adhesives
interact with asbestos in its action
on the lung. Obviously, materials
that affect 'lung tissue stand a chance
of intensifying each other's action.
Most adhesives are intended for
use under conditions of good ventila-
tion. What seems to happen is that
they are frequently used in whatever
conditions exist on the job-for as
long as the men caD. stand the expo-
sure.
Everyone's Responsibility
When labels call for good ventila-
tion, the employer should provide
adequate equipment_ It is surely
everyone's responsibility to ensure
working conditions appropriate to
the precautions on the products
handled.
Tom Babich: There are so many
(ContiTULed on sixth page)
 '-
Nick Lucich~ "Let's get them on the
job!"
(Continued from fifth page)
solvents, We feel like we're involun-
tary guinea pigs. One time the boss
accused me of being drunk. I was
weaving all over the floor and he
said, "Have you been drinking?"
"No, just smelling this stuff."
A dhesives V ary Widely
Are ·there any adhesives we can
use that are less toxic than others?
Dr. Kay: Adhesives are generally
formulated for a particular job, so
the ingredients vary widely. Virtually
all the materials in use today contain
organic solvents.
Though there are some differences
in the toxicity of different organic
solvents, switching solvents is a less
satisfactory answer than good venti-
lation.
Frcmk Suraci: Proper ventilation
is not practical. It is not the fault of
the employer, nor ours. It is just not
practical on a construction job.
Duncan. Holaday: I hesitate to ac-
cept the statement that it is impos-
sible to .. ventilate areas where adhe-
sives are being used. I agree that it
is diffi cult.
Difficult, But it is Done
The U.S. Department of Labor
regulations covering shipbuilding
and ship repair require that ventila-
tion be used for all surface coating
work in enclosed areas. Ships have
many compartments which are hard
to ventilate, but it is done.
Similar regulations should apply
to all construction work.
The Department of Labor regula-
tions published in the Federal Regis-
ter, April 17, 1971, which apply to
all federally assisted construction
work, state that exposure of em-
ployees to inhalation, ingestion, skin
absorption or contact with any mate-
rial or substance at a concentration
above those specified in the "Thresh.
" '
More Than 70 Kinds of Fibrous
Glass Used in Insulation
old Limit Values of Airborne Con·
taminants for 1970" of the American
Conferel)ce of Governmental Indus·
trial Hygienists shall be avoided.
The Ducts Problem
It will require some ingenuity and
work to control vapors of adhesive
solvents-but it is possible.
Ray Ryder: Ducts are another area
of the problem. We have a problem
in this city with ducts lined on the
inside with :fibrous glass and I don't
know anyone who ",rill guarantee that
the glass will never enter the air
stream.
The use of this stuff is new and
its effects haven't yet showed up in
Nick Buratovich: "We're at the point
of desperation,"
pipe coverers. The State won't
change the specifications.
Doctor, what can you do to have
a study made of the hazard of this
material?
Dr. Selikoff: The problem is po-
tentially an important one. There are
more than 70 different kinds of
fibrous glass used in insulation prod-
ucts. They are different in size and
have different chemical compositions.
Tests on Animals
To evaluate each would be an im-
possible task. We have tested three
different kinds in animals. Nothing
happened with two, but the third
produced cancer.
Moreover, fibrous glass is manu-
factured with a variety·· of binders,
resins, and oils, the biological ef-
fects of which are unknown either
alone or in conjunction with fibrous
glass.
In addition, the effects of the glass
you inhale today will probably not
• .... £ ••
become evident for more than 20
years, just as with asbestos.
No one suggests that glass particles
in your lungs are good for you, and
since recent studies by Dr. Cooper
have shown that air contaminated
by dust from fibrous glass insulation
materials contains fibers fine enough
to enter the depths of the lungs, these
materials should be used only in such
ways as to keep them from being
inhaled.
New Air Pollution Code
A similar problem occurs with
sprayed plenums used for return air.
Here asbestos, rock wool and other
materials are in direct contact with
a building's air supply.
In New York City we have not
been allowed to analyze air in build-
ings in which this has been done.
We may be able to do this when the
City Council passes a new air pollu-
tion code.
Tom Viscovich: Doclor, one thing
seems funny. Men in their forties
and :fifties are dying of lung cancer.
But those in their si:>..'ties and seven-
ties die of something else. What is
the reason for this?
Started Smoking Young
Dr. SeZikofJ: Your observations are
very sharp, Tom. The answer is that
lung cancer is strongly associated
with cigarette smoking, especially in
asbestos workers.
Not many men in the United
States began smoking cigarettes until
after W orld War I, and those that
started did so while young. We are
(Continued on seventh page)
Tom Viscovich: "What's the effect of
adhesives?"

Reducing Dust Levels is Key
to The Whole 'Problem
(Continued from sixth page)
now seeing the result.
The young men who began smok·
ing cigarettes in the 20s and 30s
are now coming down with lung
cancer after 20, 30 or more years;
the older non-smokers do not.
In fact, asbestos workers who
smoke run more than 90 times the
risk of dying of lung cancer than
men who neither smoke cigarettes
nor work with asbestos do.
Pete AlpJWno: You say one out of
five died of lung cancer. Was there
something special with them?
The Key to the Problem
You mentioned the association with
smoking. Is there something else we
can do to prevent disease?
Dr. SelikofJ: We have discussed pre-
vention of disease by reducing the
dust levels. This is the key to the
problem.
However, this will be of most
benefit to those now entering the
industry. Of equal importance is the
question of what can be done for
those who have been in the industry
10 or 20 years or more. Here, too,
we have some optimism.
1. Asbestosis can be delayed or
minimized by reducing dust
levels; we talked about that.
2. Since smoking greatly increases
the incidence of lung cancer,
switch to a pipe or cigar, if
you have to smoke at all. Only
a small effect on health has
been found from either.
3. With respect to dust already
in the lungs, research at Mount
Sinai is being conducted on
how to inactivate ·that dust. A
chemical has been found that
will inactivate silica dust al-
ready in the lungs. We hope
to do the same for asbestos.
Dr. Robert J. Schnitzer in our
... ,;. laboratory has discovered some
chemicals 'that inactivate asbes-
tos in test tube experiments,
and animal' studies are noW
under way.
4. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the
lining of chest or abdomen,
has never been cured. Almost
10% of the deaths of insula-
tion workers are from this dis-
ease.· Research now being done
at Mount Sinai, and the estab-
t
I
"t .,.-.~-"­
':.:
Pete Alphano: "What can we do to
prevent disease?"
lishment of a treatment center
there, give rise 'to hope. We
are testing new drugs and new
treatments. Some success has
already been achieved, both by
Dr. William E. Smith in our
animal research laboratory,
and by our chemotherapy team
for patients. This is now one
of our research priorities. A
cure must' be found to help
men who get this disease in the
1970s and 1980s, even while
we con'trol dust exposure, and
prevent future cases, in the
1990s.
Nick Lucich: Cases of mesotheli-
oma were so rare in the past that
Tom Babich: "Are any adhesives less
toxic?"
-
.-----~
Ray Ryder: "Ducts are another prob-
lem."
when a pipe coverer got it, it was
something special.
What is the number of cases to-
day?
Dr. Selikoff: The first modern re-
port on mesothelioma came from
Mount Sinai Hospital in 1931, writ-
ten by two of my teachers, Dr. Paul
Klemperer and Dr. Coleman B. Ra-
bin. In the next 30 years we saw
only three cases. That's how rare it
was in the past. .
In the last eight years, however,
we have had more than 25 cases,
many from Locals 12 and 32. Be-
cause of its association with asbestos,
mesothelioma is now compensable as
an industrial disease. But this is
small consolation. Compensation IS
no substitute for a man's life!
Studies Being Continued
Ray Ryder: If a man comes down
with cancer of the llmg, is there any
chance of similar problems develop-
ing in his wife or children?
Dr. SelikofJ: This is a worry to
us. Dr. Muriel L. Newhouse in Lon-
don found cases of mesothelioma in
family members of asbestos work-
ers. Presumably, this was from the
dust brought home by the worker on
his clothes.
We have been looking at the prob-
lem here in New York. So far, fortu-
nately, the data look reassuring. We
are continuing these studies.
I would advise, nevertheless, that
work clothes always be changed be-
fore going home. Dr. Victor Baden
. of our staff has taken samples of
dust from the air in the houses of
(Continued OlL eighth page)
 · ...

(Continued from seventh page)

pipe coverers. Asbestos and glass
fibers were found.
Pete Alphano: JM has a cement
that contains no asbestos. I think
Carey also has one. Is there any
problem with these cements?
Dr. SelikofJ: We don't really know.
They all contain mineral material
that has no business being in a man's
lungs. You should use the same care
with them as with the asbestos ceo
ments ..

Non-Asbestos Cement il} Plastic
Mix them in plastic bags. I know
.of two manufacturers. Johns-Manville
and Ryder Industries' of Dallas, who
sell non·asbestos cement in plastic
bags.
George Semonovich: To summar-
izetonight's meeting, it is clear that
we need
1. good housekeeping,
2. dustproof materials,
3. muscle to demand that action
be taken.
It remains for us now to get this
done. Will we get any help from the
Occupational Safety and Health Act?
Dr. Harry Heimann: The new Oc-
cupational Safety and Health Act is
a good one and, if adequate money
is appropriated by Congress for the
law's implementation, all workers,
including asbestos workers, could ex-
pect to benefit from it by a marked
reduction in accident and sickness
resulting from their occupations.
First Come, First Served
However, it looks as if funds ap-
propriated will be much less than are
needed for proper implementation.
As a result, it will be a matter of
first come, first served.
For 'this reason, the union rank
and £Ie must begin to exert pressure
in the right places, so that the funds
are used to benefit their own safety
and health.
Incidentally, Senator Williams and
Representative Daniels, who intro-
duced and' strongly promoted the
Bill, are from New Jersey. They, and
the congressmen and senators who
supported them, deserve much credit.
The bill contains the provision
that standards for harmful physical
agents, such as asbestos will assure
"That no employee will suffer mate-
rial impai=ent of health or func-
tional capacity even if such employee
has regular exposure to the hazard
dealt with by such standard for the
period of his working life."
Jack Novak: "The workplace must be . Rudy Perich: "Problems with respira·
made safe for pipe coverers." tors."
"Each employer shall furnish to But if these new acts are not prop-
each of his employees employment erly enforced, we ourselves ·will see
and a place of employment which are that the results of the IIHRP re-
free from recognized hazards that search get into the workplace.
are causing or are likely to cause One thing is certain-the work-
death or serious physical harm to
place must be made safe for pipe
his employees." coverers.
Whether this will come true or Andy Haas, General Secretary-
Hut will depend on how Labor and Treasurer : You all know President
Hutchinson's view on health and
Industry meet their responsibilities,
on what you do. . safety and how he has done so much,
as has the entire Executive Board,
Jack Novak: It was interesting to
hear the data on the number of state to eliminate the severe hazards from
our industry. Research is under way
inspections. Asbestos workers have
had to tc>.ke care of themselves in the and much has been discovered. It is
now necessary to have action, to get
past and, if necessary, we will in the
future. a safe workplace.
The asbestos industry National
Health and Safety Fund has been
Now We Need Action! slow in getting off the ground, but
The Occupational Safety and I can assure you that we will see
Health Act and the Safety and that action on health and safety pro-
Health Regulations for Construction ceeds, and rapidly.
can give us some of the muscle we It's just too important to our
need. members for it to stop.
SAFETY AND HEALTH
REGULATIONS
FOR CONSTRUCTION
The following regulation is applicable to all federally funded con-
struction (Federal Register, Vol. 36, page 7349, April 17, 1971):-
"1518.55 Gases, vapors; fumes, dusts, and mists.
(a) Exposure of employees to inhalation, ingestion, skin ab-
sorption, or contact with any material or substance at a
concentration above those specified in the "Threshold Limit
Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970" of the Ameri-
can Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,
shall be avoided.
(b) When engineering or administrative controls cannot be
employed to reduce or eliminate the exposure, protective
equipment, as required in Subpart E of this part, shall be
used."

-------_. -------,.,.-.-~
 Environmental Sciences

(/
Laboratory

O\Jt<T 51;'"
-1\
INSULATION HYGIENE
~l~ °lOFM'i;.Q"
of The City University
.PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York Vol. 3, No.4 Winter 1971

Here Are Some of

Dust produced by use of an unventi-
lated band saw. Without the back light-
ing used here, much of the dust would
not be visible.
Cutting pipe with band saw equipped
with high·velocity, low·volume exhaust
system. Compare absence of any air·
borne dust with that shown in uncon-
trolled cutting (picture left.)
Many Ways to
Reduce Dust
pened in other environmental
situations.
b. Does the new material meet engi-
neering specifications and will it
perform adequately under condi-
tions of use?
Materials containing reduced amounts
of asbestos have been used in the fol-
lowing applications:
a. Blanket and pad filling
Substitution of the proper types
of other pad fillers not only re-
duces asbestos dust during fabri-
cation and installation but also

Shipyard Procedures Guide tends to lessen the problems dur-

ing subsequent "rip-out". Addi-
tionally, asbestos cloth which has
been treated with a dust suppres-
Helps All Insulation Men sant is available and its use should
also be encouraged. There are re-
ports that much less dust will be
The Winter 1970 issu~. of Insulation Hygiene Progress Re- produced.
ports announced a joint effort by the Insulation Industry b. Pipe covering and block
Hygiene Research Program, the U.S. Navy, the Department of Serious consideration should be
Labor, and insulation manufacturers and contractors to control. given to those products contain-
shipyard asbestos dust exposures. ing lower amounts of asbestos
As part of that effort, Duncan A. Holaday and William B. fiber. Several British firms have
Reitze of the IIHRP prepare<! a procedures guide for shipyard introduced asbestos-free calcium
insulation application and removal. Because of its relevance silicate block and pipe covering.
to all insulation work, portions of it are given in this issue of To date, however, this material
Insulation Hygiene Progress Reports. has not been adequately evaluated
A complete report was presented by the authors ar the Inter- in the United States to determine
national Symposium on Safety and Health in Shipbuilding and how it will perform in use.
Ship Repairing, at Helsinki, Finland, on August 30, 1971.
Reduction of Du~t by Changes
.. ~
by Duncan A. Holaday Control of Asbestos-Containing Dusts in Work Methods
= and William B. Reitze by Use of Substitute Materials a. Mixing Asbestos Mortar
-. The general goal in all insulation Substitution of materials contain-
This operation has usually been
done at the job site. While the
work should be to maintain a clean ing reduced proportions of asbestos time spent in mixing is quite
environment. or no asbestos at all, is becoming
short, considerable dust is pro-
Measurements of concentrations of more common in ship construction.
duced. A tested method of control
asbestos fibers ("dust counts") in the Before ·a material is substituted for
is to mix the mortar dockside
asbestos, however, two questions
atmosphere can be used to identify under controlled conditions and
must be carefully considered: package the mixed mortar in sev-
sources of contamination and to point a. Has the substitute material been
out deficiencies in control methods. eral containers for transportation
tested? 1£ not, it may turn out to to the job site.
Primary reliance for control of ex- be of the same or greater hazard
posures, however, must be placed on than the material of known haz- Mortar is also available packaged
faithful observance of operating rules. ard. This sort of thing has hap- (Continued on second page)

(,
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 3, No.4 Winter 1971
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program
Editor: ·W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. Sell-
koff, M.D., Director); 'Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of the City Uni-
versity of New York, New York,
N.Y. 10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoif, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
E. Cuyler HaTIlIDond, Sc.D., Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research and Development,
Johns-Manville Corporation, New
York, N.Y.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of 'these improved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their.
universal adoption.
:.
Procedures Used at Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard
(Continued from first page)
in several sizes of plastic bags
which have a spout through which
water is introduced. Sufficient wa·
ter is added to moisten the mor-
tar; after premixing, the bag is
opened and the remaining water
added. The carton in which the
bag is packaged may serve as a
mixing box and waste container.
b. Pre-cutting.pipe covering and
block in the fabrication shop
Hand-cutting of pipe covering
and block should be kept to an
absolute minimum.. Bend sections,
pipe cover lengths, and blocks,
should be cut in the fabrication
shop on exhaust-ventilated equip-
ment.
How the Navy Does It
At the Puget Sound Naval Ship-
yard, cut sections are dipped in
water and then packed in plastic
bags which are labeled to identify
the location where they are to be
used. The cut sections are still
damp and relatively dust-free
when they are applied and the
plastic bags are available for use
in collecting wastes.
c. Pre-scoring blocks
Insulation blocks should not be
scored at the job site. Blocks
which have been pre-scored by
the manufacturer can be pur-
chased, or standard blocks can be
scored in the fabrication shop by
.'
....;;...;;,;;;===........
High temperature mortar packed in
plastic bag. Water is added to bag
through spout and mortar moistened
before opening. The moistened mortar
is removed as required and mixing
completed in shipping container. All
wastes are placed in container and
sent to disposal at end of shift.
using an exhaust-ventilated gang
saw.
d. Insulating pipe assemblies in
the shop
Some pipe assemblies are quite
intricate and are troublesome to
lag while jn place. A satisfactory
method of doing these jobs, par-
ticularly during ship repair,
·which is employed by the Puget ~ ~
Sound Naval Shipyard, is to re-
move the assembly in conveniently
sized sections and transport them
to the shop. Here the old insula-
tion is remoyed, any necessary
repair of the pipes performed,
and the ·assembled section re-
lagged.
Relag in the Shop
Not only is dust dispersion re-
duced, but it is much more con-
venient to re-Iag the section in the
shop than when it is in place
shipboard. Any insulation which
is damaged during transport and
fitting is repaired after the sec·
tions are in place.
e. Hand-cutting at job sites
Some hand-cutting at job sites is
unavoidable. However, dispersion
of dusts by these operations can'
be minimized. A portable dqwn-
draft table is used by the Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard. This table
has folding legs so that it can be
carried down companionways and
set up conveniently to the work.
A small industrial vacuum cleaner
is the source of exhaust. Scrap is
dropped into a plastic bag and a·
(Continued on third page)
Procedure used at Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard for handling bend sections.
Sections are cut in fabrication shop,
dipped in water and placed in plastic
bag. The bag is then labelled with
the job·site description.
 .......
~ .'
Dampening fibrous glass blanket filler
before cutting. Note lateral draft hood
in which fabrication is done.
(Continued from second page)
... drop cloth is placed on the deck
under the equipment.
f· Fabrication of Pads and Blan-
kets
Pads for valves and machinery
should be fabricated in the shop
whenever possible. Amosite has
been largely replaced by fibrous
glass filling with covers of an
asbestos cloth which has been
treated with dust suppressants. As
an effective means for suppressing
dust dispersion and collection, the
fibrous glass blanket is unrolled,
dampened and rerolled. This pro-
cedure insures that all the blanket
will be dampened. The blanket
and asbestos cloth shapes are cut
in the lateral draft booth.
g. Housekeeping and Clean-up
Essential parts of a dust control Puget Souncf Naval Shipyard for use
program are housekeeping and shipboard.
clean-up procedures. Meticulous
attention must be given to reo
stricting the spread of dust and
larger wastes. Use of a drop cloth
under a work area vividly illus-
trates how much waste would be
distributed over the general area
or to lower decks if one were not
used.
Areas should be cleaned up at
the lunch break and the end of
each shift, using an industria.!
vacuum cleaner to collect dust
and small scrap.
In all possible instances, work-
men should clean up their own b. Ventilation of Hand Power
areas. Where work rules prohibit
this, the clean·up crew should be
under L~e direction and super-
vision of the insulation foreman
to insure that proper attention is
given to this important subject.
. ....
Reduction of Dusts by Use of Local
Exhaust Ventilation
a. Ventilation of Large Power
Tools-Band Saws
Extensive use of band saws both
in dockside fabricatiOI)_shops and,
on board larger ships such as
aircraft carriers make emissions
from band saws a major source
of asbestos dust. Control devices
for such saws have been known
for years and are relatively sim·
p~e. Conventional low·velocity,
l:u;:!::'·volume systems, using a
negative pressure baghouse for
air cleaning, are practical in a
fixed installation fabrication shop.
Because some degr~e of porta-
bility is desirable in a temporary
shipboard fabrication area, a
high-velocity, low·volume dust
collection unit IS desirable for
Portable down·draft table developed by a. Protective Clothing
Lightweight industrial vac·
uum cleaner is used as the air mover.
Note plastic bag for scrap and drop··
cloth on deck.
such use; it may also be suitable
for fixed installations. The air
mover is an industrial vacuum
cleaner which pulIs about 50
cubic feet of air per minute past
the saw blade at velocity of more
than 10,000 feet per minute. This
system is a very efficient dust col-
lector. Units such as this can also
be designed to control dusts pro·
duced by table saws and gang
saws.
Tools
High·velocity, 10~v"lolume collec·
tion systems control dust emis-
sions from most small power tools
adequately. Saber saws for cut-
ting pipe covering and rotary facilitate clean-up.
l
saws for cutting asbestos cement
board are well controlled with
these systems.
Control of Number of Workmen
Exposed
a. Scheduling of Insulation
Work
~tandard industrial hygiene prac-
tlces call for insolating operations
which contaminate the atmosphere
with toxic materials. Areas where
insulation work is beino- done
under conditions in whi~h dust
might be created should be iso-
lated by non-flammable curtains or
other means. Whenever possible,
work should be scheduled to
minimize the numbers of other
tradesmen in the area. Ship con-
struction operations are more
read~ly scheduled than are ship
repaIr or ship-breaking jobs.
However, every effort should be
made to keep the number of men
exposed at a minimum. In par-
ticular, rip·out of old insulation
should always be isolated and, if
necessary, performed on an off-
s~ift. Trained' workmen supplied
WIth proper protective equipment
should always be used for rip·out
work and it should be scheduled
for rapid completion.
Personal Protective Equipment
In addition to dust suppression and
dust control procedures, personal pro-
tective equipment is often necessary
to reduce exposure and limit the
spread of contamination. The equip-
ment described below is used in con-
trol programs.
Protective clothing is required to
keep contamination confined to
the work areas. One method is to
issue disposable coveralls which
can be removed when leavino- the
(Continued of! fourth page/,
Use of dropcloth to contain wastes and
-i

A small industrial vacuum cleaner
being used by a Local 62 asbestos
worker for clean-up_
(Continued from-third page)
work area or some time prior to
entering the locker room and
placed in plastic bags for disposal.
Resin Impregrwled Paper
A satisfactory type of protective
clothing consists of resin impreg-
nated paper coveralls. These are
inexpensive and rea·dily disposa-
ble. They prevent spreading con-
tamination to laundries and elimi-
nate pilferage. They are worn for
one shift, then removed and
placed in plastic bags for disposal
with other asbestos-containing
wastes.
b. Respiratory Protective Equip~
ment
Occasionally some operations gen-
erate so much dust that it is
virtually impossible to maintain
satisfactory atmospheric concen-
trations of asbestos fibers and
respiratory protection must be
provided to the workers. A variety
of respiratory protective equip-
ment is available from which
devices suitable for various situa-
Self-powered Respirators
tions can be selected_ American
. National Standard Z88_3-1971,
Safety Guide for Respiratory Pro-
tection Against Asbestos-Contain-
ing Dusts (obtainable from Amer-
ican National Standards Institute,
1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y.
10018) should be referred to
for detailed information.
Invisible Dust 2. Particulate-filtering Respira-
It is emphasized that unsatisfac-
tory amounts of respirable dust
can be present in the air even
though conditions are not visibly.
dusty.
1. Air-supplied Respirators
Extremely dusty jobs, such as rip-
out of old insulation where dust
concentrations are very high, re-
quire use of ·air-supplied respi-
rators which will deliver c1eflIl,
dust-free air to a facepiece or
hood. Two general types are
available: air-line and self-
Saber saw equipped with high-velocity,
lo .......volume exhaust system.
powered.
a) Air-line respirators in which
air .is supplied to a hood, helmet
or facepiece give the greatest de-
gree of protection. Air is fed to
the facepiece from a compressed
air-line. The air source must be
located in an uncontaminated
area and if the source is not
specifically designed for breathing
purposes, a temperature sensing
alarm must be installed on the
compressor or a carbon mon-
oxide monitoring device must be
installed in the air-line.
Disposable Hood
Anti-freeze compounds should not
be used iri the compressor system;
.water vapor must be removed by
dessicant and oil mists removed
by a filter.
A plastic, disposable hood has
been developed by the Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard for situ-
ations where a very high degree
of protection is required. This
hood and other similar ones are
available commercially. The air-
line should be fastened to the hood
with a quick-disconnect :fitting.
b) Air-line respirators connected
to a compressed air supply 14nit
movement, and this limitation can
be troublesome. Self-powered res-
pirators do not impose such limi-
tations, but they do add to the
equipment the workman must
carry and they also require care-
ful maintenance.
tors
There are several types of par-
ticulate-filtering respirators. Those
with a half-mask facepiece are
considered most suitable for use
by insulators. Only those ap-
proved for protection against as-
bestos dust by the U. S. Bureau
of Mines should be used. These
devices are recommended for use
in situations where the atmos-
pheric concentration of asbestos
fibers is at relatively low levels.
All the recommendations for res-
pirator-fitting, training of work-
men and maintenance, detailed in
Z88-3-1971 should be followed.
a) Reusable particulate-filter-
ing respirators
A variety of reusable particulate-
filtering respirators are available_
To insure proper fitting, several
different makes should be avail-
able from which the \\;orkman can
select one. No one model respira-
tor facepiece will fit all faces.
Routine maintenance is absolutely
necessary to replace clogged filters ".
and leaking inhalation or exhala-
tion valves. Unmaintained res-
pirators produce a false sense of .~ ,;
security.
Maintenance Troublesome
b) Disposable particulate-filter-
ing respirators
Operation of an adequate respira-
tor maintenance program can be
troublesome and, if only a few
men are involved, impracticaL
Disposable respirators are avail-
able which are designed to be
worn for no longer than one shift
and then discarded_
Education and Training
No dust control program can be effec-
tive unless worh."1Ilen and supervisors
understand the hazards associated
with the jobs, the sources of the
hazards and the reasons for following
recommended procedures carefully.
Understanding is only obtained by
education of personnel and training
in correct operating procedures. For
an education and training program to
be successful, both management and
labor must be concerned and partici-
pate. As with all s-afety programs, it
is essential that first-line supervisors
be interested in and cooperate in the
work.
The harmful effects of neglect of pro-
cedures for controlling asbestos dust
are not apparent for many years.
Therefore, it is more difficult to con-
vince workmen and supervisors of. ~
the necessity of following rules for ~. ~
working with insulating materials
than if more obvious physical haz- _~
ards were involved_ "....
Education in hazards associated with
use of insulating materials and in-
struction in correct work practices
should be included in apprentice'
training programs.
PHOTO CREDITS: Pg. 1, I.I.H.R.P.;
pg. 2, Ryder Industries and Puget
Sound Naval Shipyards (P.S.N.S.);
p. 3, P.S.N.S.; pg. 4, I.I.H.R_P, and
P.S.N.S_
 Environmental Sciences
INSULATION HYGIENE
Laboratory
e\.lt<TSi-v
/' -1\
~l~ o{OFtJ>~Q"
of The City University
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of New York
-, ..
__ c
Mr. Howard Forrest cutting pipe covering in test of new, economical dust
_collector (far left.)
N OW Available: An Effective
Economical Dust Collector
An effective, economical dust col-
lector is new available for use with
band saws, other powered equipment,
and fer general cleanup.
Environmental tests made on it at
the Howard Forrest Co. factoryT
Heusten, Texas, demonstrated the effi-
ciency 'Of the system. In these tests,
t.:
. made during the cutting of five-inch
diameter pipe covering, airborne as-
bl!stos levels remained well below the
new emergency standard for airborne
asbestes dust.
-. High-Velocity Collector
The measurements were made in
an enclosed area designed te repre-
sent a typical fabrication shop.
All measurements, taken at various
locatiens in the room and in the
breathing zene 'Of the saw operator,
showed dust levels to be less than
1 fiber/milliliter (longer than 5 mi-
crons) during 50 cuts on the material
over a 10-minute peried of time.'
The collecter developed by Howard
Forrest is of the high-velocity type.
It gains its effectiveness by establish-
ing an air stream along the saw blade
- ;~---- - --
having a velocity several times that of
the blade. As this air stream is di-
rected to the collector, virtually all
asbestos debris is carried along ..
To Sell For Less- Than $400
For the past two years, following
earlier tests that showed this collec-
tion method to be especially effective
(reported in Vol. 1, No.4 of Insula-
tion Hygiene Progress Reports), all
Forrest saws have been equipped with
an inlet pipe to which a high-volume
collector ceuld be attached.
What is un~que about the Forrest
collector is the low cost. It is designed
te sell for less than $400, a fraction
of the cost of a small band saw.
From three separate tests made by
IIHRP staff members, and from the
results of similar tests supplied by
contractors, it is clear that power
band saws can be effectively venti-
lated. In all cases where efficient col-
lection systems have been installed
airborne asbestos levels have remained
below 2 fibers/ milliliter during oper-
ation.
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
Vol. 4, No.1 Spririg 1972
Labor Department
Sets Asbestos
Standard
An emergency standard for con-
trolling occupational expesures to as-
bestos was announced by the Depart-
ment of Lab.or on Dec. 7, 1971.
Acting under the provisions of the
Vlilliams-Steiger Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970, the Labor
Department established a limit of 5
fibers (longer than 5 microns) per
milliliter 'Of air fer the time weighted
average concentration of airborne as-
bestos to which a worker may be
exposed. (See page 4 for details).
Certain' provisions of the emergency
standard are of particular importance
to insulatien workmen and contrac-
tors. It is now mandatory that as-
bestos cements and mortar be mixed
in closed bags, that all waste be dis-
posed of in sealed containers, and that
vacuum cleaners be used for cleanup.
Standards Long Urged
Tests by the Insulation Industry
Hygiene Research Program of the use
of plastic bags for the mixing of ce-
ment have demonstrated their feasi-
bility. In-bag mixing can reduce at-
mospheric dust levels to 1/10 that
found when the cement is dumped in
a trough or tub for mixing.
It is expected that such procedural
requirements will be expanded in the_
permanent standard which must be
issued before June 7, 1972.
Procedural standards have long
been urged for adoptien by the
IIHRP. The use of plastic mixing
bags, dust collectors en powered toels,
adequate cleanup, down-draft cutting
tables, and coated asbestos block all
reduce workers' dust exposure
On Jan. 12, 1972, the Department
of Labor published in the Federal
registe~ a proposed permanent stand-
ard for asbestos dust. This publication
is the first step in the process of adopt-
ing a final standard. Written and oral __ ---\
cemments have been solicited _bv t~-- \
(Continued on. l - · - - - J
:'£iCIZA
.
 Insulation Hygiene Four Single-.Use
Progress Reports
Respirators to
How Makers
In alphabetical order, here are de-
Vol •. 4, No.1 Spring 1972
scriptions of available reopirators, as
from the Choose From sent to us by their manufacturers:

In this issue of Insulation Hygiene AMERICAN OPTICAL

Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program
Progress Reports disposable respira- CORPORATION
tors from four companies are de-
scribed. Each of these will provide
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., useful respiratory protection for as-
bestos workers during virtually all in-
Published at the Environmental sulation work. Spraying of asbestos,
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. Seli- !1cnV F:ver, or removal of old insulation
koff, M.D., Director), Mount Sinai will require air-supplied respirators.
School of Medicine of the City Uni- . The emergency standard promul-
versity cif New York, New York, gated by the Department of Labor
N.Y: 10029 requires respiratory protection when
certain airborne dust concentrations
Advisory Council of IIHRP are exceeded. See Section (a) of the
Standard (page 4 of this issue).
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program When to use a Half-Mask Type
Director and Chairman For atmospheres containing not
more than 25 :fibers per milliliter
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice (greater than 5 microns in length)
over an 8-hour average, or more than
President, American Cancer Society, 50 :fibers per milliliter over a period of
New York, N.Y. 15 minutes, a half-mask respirator ap-
proved under Schedule 21B of the
Albert Hutchinson, General President, Bureau of Mines or a valveless respi-
rator providing equivalent protection
International Association of Heat shall be used.
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos The four respirators shown here
Workers, Washington, D.c. satisfy the criteria of the emergeny
asbestos standard. In addition, a
The AO R1050 respirator will util-
Bureau of Mines Schedule for valve-
Fred 1. Pundsack, Ph.D. Viae Presi- ize a :fibrous :filter. element of large
less respirators will soon be published.
dent, Research and Development, area to insure both a low resistance to
In preliminary tests, each of these
breathing and a large storage capacity
Johns-1'1anvilIe Corporation, New respirators met the standards of that
for retained dust particulate.
York, N.Y. schedule or of Schedule 2IB.
A malleable metal frame attached
These Require No Maintenance to the periphery of the :fibrous :filter
To obtain the respirator info=a- element will pe=it the respirator
tion shown here, all respiratory equip- wearer to shape the element to :fit his
ment manufacturers were invited to face.
PURPOSES OF THE submit descriptions of their single-use A soft gasket composed of a cIosed-
INSULATION respirators for t1;lis issue. Four re- cell plastic foam attached to the per-
I.N:tiUSTRY HYGIENE sponded and we print their replies. iphery ·of the :filter element will seal
RESEARCH PROGMM Single-use respirators were devel- the respirator to the wearer's face.
oped for the specmc purpose of mak- The respirator's head harness con-
1. To develop improved ing available protective devices which sists of two loops {)f elastic strapping
methods for minimizing ex- do not require maintenance. They attached to the respirator's periphery
are intended for use during one shift at four separate points (two points on
posure of insulation workers
or one day and are then to be dis- each side of the .r:espirator).
to dusts and fumes encoun- carded. One loop of the head harness is
tered in their work. To be eifee<tive, however, they must positioned around the back of the
2. To disseminate knowl- be properly fitted and worn in accord- respirator wearer's head, above his
ance with the manufacturer's instruc- ears, while the other loop is positioned
edge of these improved tions. The variety of respirators below his ears.
methods of dust control shown here will allow a workman to The respirator will be introduced
wherever they may be ap- choose the type that is most accept- to the market as soon as it has been
plied . advantageously and able to him and best fits his face. approved.
to offer cooperation, advice Initially, local safety equipment M. A. Bousquet
supply houses may not have these Product Manager
and assistance toward their respirators in stock. However, pur- Respiratory Protection
universal adoption. chasing arrangements can be made by American Optical Corp.
writing directly to the manufacturers. Southbridge, Mass. 01550

•. ,,-~
_"'~r
.. -~-~.: --. "...,...""'.""'
....=s
... .........~
_:!iS.
_"',."".,... .. ·IF...-.:-t.~'f~~!1l'
,
..~:;'<!3l!!!EII!!I!!~·~"''''''.j'''.='''.:r-...;::.,.._......_ _ _ _ ~•.~ -..~
 )escribe their Various Respirators
MINNESOTA MINING
AND MANUFACTURING
The MMM No. 8710 is a low-cost
(S.50) single-use valveless respirator
which has been tested extensively in
the laboratory and in the fielc.
It was field-tested by insulation
workers at the Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard in Bremerton, Wa.shington;
at the Todd Shipyards in Seattle,
Washington; at the World Trade
Building in New York City; and at
various other construction locations.
It is also being used in the Appren-
.- tice Training School of Local 17 in
Chicago. All field tests have shown
; .
overwhelming acceptance from a
comfort standpoint.
The MMM No. 8710 is currently
available on a test basis, only, but
production is being expanded as
rapidly as possible and it should soon
be available in most parts of the coun-
try. It will be distrib~ted through
Safety Supply Distributors.
Curtis A. Thorpe
ldarket Supervisor
Occupational Protection Products
3M Center
St. Paul, Minnesota 550101
..
.' ..-
_0••
THE WELSH MFG.
COMPANY
The Welsh 7165 is a compact, easy-
breathing, disposable respirator for
dusts. It is unusually compact, and
yet has a large filter area for out-
standing efficiency and ease of breath-
ing.
Economical: The 7165 is inexpen-
sive enough to throwaway ·daily.
Bureau of Mines approved: Meets
the stringent Schedule 21B.
Company and wotker acceptance:
Extensive field testing has brought ap-
proval from major U.S. companies
and from workers.
Easy fit: The 7165 is soft, non-
\~<\~:>";~ .
\- ...i.;~~l.~-:.:\
irritating, and conforms readily to the
face. A soft aluminum band may be
formed to nose and cheek contours
for a positive seal. In addition, fully
S~~S:S. .., :»,.;.-\
adjustable head bands provide good
respirator-to-face contact without un-
SAFELINE PRODUCTS due pressure.
CORPORATION Compatible with safety glasses: The
compactness, light weight (less than
The new. single-use valveless dust 2 oz.), and the contoured fit allow
respirator to be marketed by Safeline
safety glasses and goggles to be worn
Products will be identified as the Safe- comfortably.
line 5350 Single-Use Dust Respirator.
Day-long comfort: The large, wrap-
It will be equipped with a fibrous around filter, and low inhalation and
filter unit of exceptionally large area, exhalation resistance give a constant
so that it will have a very low breath- circulation of' air. Cleaned, cool air
ing resistance and will not be plugged comes in through the filter. .Hot moist
rapidly by retained dust particles. air goes out through the exhalation
It will contain a formable metal valve.
frame attached to the outer edge of Welsh Manufacturing Co.
the illter unit which will allow the 9 Magnolia Street
user to shapi the illter unit to fit his Providence, R. I. 02909
face. A soft gasket made of a closed- Phone: 401-351-3400
cell plastic foam attached to the outer
edge of the illter unit will ~eal it to
the face.
The respirator will be equipped
with a simple head harness composed
of two loops of elastic strap. Lengths
of the straps are such that they will
insure the respirator is properly sealed
to the face and yet comfortable to
wear, whether the user has a small or
large head.
The ends of the elastic straps of
each of the two head harness loops
are attached at separate points of the
respirator to insure that the respirator
is properly balanced .on the user's
face. This respirator will be marketed
after it has been approved.
George L. Cochrane
Sales Manager
Safe1ine PlOducts
Box 550
Putnam, Connecticut 06260
 .•.. ' ...

Excerpts .from The New l).S. Workers Played'a

Maj or Role in
Asbestos Dust Standard
The New Emergency Asbestos Dust Standard"published in The Federal
New Standard
Register by the U.S. Department of Labor includes the following; The Asbestos Workers Union, the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
(a) The 8-hour time-weighted average airborne concentration of as- Program, and industry played impor-
bestos dust to which employees are exposed shall not exceed 5 fibers per tant roles in the promulgation of the
milliliter greater than 5 microns in length, as determined by the mem- new emergency asbestos standard and
brane filter method at 400-450X magnification (4 millimeter objective) in demonstrating the need and feasi-
phase contrast illumination. Concentrations above 5 fibers per milliliter, bility of some of its provisions.
but not to exceed 10 fibers per milliliter, may be permitted up to a total The effectiveness of plastic bags for
of 15 minutes in an hour for up to 5 hours in an 8-hour day. mixing cement was first published in
(b) Engineering methods, such as but not limited to, enclosure, va- Insulation Hygiene Progress Reports
cuum sweeping, and .local exhaust ventilation shall be used to meet the (Vol. 2, No.1). Adequate cleanup
exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section. Where such and housekeeping have long been
engineering methods are not feasible, or do not otherwise reduce the advocated.
concentrations below those prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section, The need for an effective single-use
respiratory protective devices shall be provided and used in accordance respirato.r was first emphasized by
with paragraph (c) of this section. President Hutchinson of the Asbestos
[Paragraph (c) deals with respiratory protection, respiratory maintenance Workers Union to the U.S. Public
programs and conditions under which specified types of respirators must Health Service as long ago as 1968.
be used. The main impact of the section for asbestos workers is made Tests Made by Various Locals
clear in the story on page 2, column 2, of this issue.] The current availability of these
(d) (1) When an employer has employees who are exposed to respirators and their acceptability for
asbestos dust exceeding the limits preScribed in paragraph (a) of this use in the new emergency standard
section and the exposure results from the operations described in the has followed extensive work by the
remaining subparagraphs of this paragraph (d), the employer shall 11 HRP, respirator manufacturers,
comply with the requirements of these subparagraphs relating to the and the Johns-Manville Corp., which
operations involved. The requirements of this paragraph are in addition developed the first prototype of a
to those prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section. disposable respirator.
(2) All hand- or power-operated tools which produce asbestos dust Field testing of different respirators
such as, but not limited to, saws, scorers, abrasive wheels, and drills by a number of locals of the Asbestos
shall be provided with local exhaust ventilation and dust collectors in Workers Union was especially use-
accordance with the American National Standard Fundamentals Govern- ful in achieving suitable respirator de-
ing the Design and Operation of Local Exh-aust Systems: ANSI Z9.2- sign.
1971. Of particular importance has been
(3) Employees exposed to the spraying of asbestos or the demolition the cooperation of Local 12, in New
of pipes, structures, or equipment covered or ins).llated with asbestos York, and Local 32, in New Jersey,
shall be provided with respiratory protective devices in accordance with in participating in a health study of
paragraph (c) (4) of this section. asbestos workers by Dr. Irving J.
(e) Asbestos cement, mortar, coatings, grout, and plaster shall be Selikoff of Mount Sinai School of
mixed in closed bags or other containers. Medicine.
(f) Asbestos waste and scrap shall be collected and disposed of in This research, along with a related
sealed bags or other containers. industrial hygiene study of the work
(g) All cleanup of asbestos dust and blowing shall be performed by environment of Asbestos workers in
vacuum cleaners. No dry sweeping shall be performed. the New York and New Jersey area
has indicated that a serious health
hazard exists in the insulation indus-
try at dust levels of 12 fibers/milli-
Labor Department Consults liter, the Threshold Limit Value effec-
tive before publication of the emerg-
ency standard.
Both Labor and Industry Drive for a Permanent Standard
In fact, there is question whether
(Continued from first page) tor of the IIHRP, praised the Depart- the currently proposed emergency
ment of Labor for promptly acting standard of 5 fibers/milliliter is ade-
Labor Department and the final stand- on the request of labor unions and quate. (See Vol. 3, No.2 for a dis-
ard will take notice of these. establishing an emergency standard cussion of this question.)
To this end, hearings will be held for asbestos dust. In a continuing drive to assure a
on March 14, 1972, in Washington, "The recognition of the occupa- safe permanent standard, both the
D.C., at which labor, industry and tional hazard of asbestos and the spec- staff of IIHRP and President Hutchin-
other interested parties can supply ification of safe means for its use is son of the Union will appear to testify
information relevant to the final extremely important," he said. "We in the hearings required before pro-
standard. have here a good beginning, but much mulgation of a final standard, to pre-
Commenting on the new emergency more must be done to establish a safe sent data pointing to an appropriate
standard, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Direc- environment for asbestos workers." standard.

>
;
-·······-··r ._ ... ,......__ •.. :.
 Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

O\ll'lT Sl,y INSULATION HYGIENE

~,~.0
°l OF tJ>,-Q
,,0
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of The City University
pi New York Vol. 4, No. 2 Summer 1972

Extensive Hearings
Held on Asbestos
Standard
At hearings held by the Department
of Labor from March 14 through
March 17, an asbestos dust standard of
2 fibers (longer than 5 microns) per
milliliter was proposed as an 8-hour
time weighted average by the National
Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health and by the Department of La-
bor's Advisory Committee on Asbes-
tos Dusts. (A milliliter [ml] of air is
about a thimbleful.)
Additionally, a short-term IS-minute
ceiling of up to 10 flml was proposed
as long as the 2 fI ml 8-hour average
was not exceeded.
The current emergency standard for
asbestos promulgated on Dec. 7, 1971,
is 5 flml for an 8-hour day wit'h five
r-
15 minute peaks of 10 flml permitted
during a working day. Francis Perez of Mount Sinai's Environmental Sciences Laboratory analyzes
some of the more than 10,000 replies received by. the IAHF1AW on their
StrIcter Standard Urged survey of dust counts observed in contruction work.
Support for reducing the standard
to at least 2 flml was given by four
members of the staff of the IlHRP, by
Asbestos Workers Survey
labor union representatives, by various
medical personnel, and by a goveIT\-
Shows Few Dust Counts
ment official from Great Britain who Asbestos dust counts are seldom Table I
discussed the British adoption of a done in the construction industry. Type of Man-days
2 flml goal for asbestos work. This is the conclusion of a survey construction per dust-count
IIHRP testimony was submitted by made by the In.ternational Association
the program director, Dr. Irving J. of Heat and Frost Insulators and As- United States
Selikoff, and by staff members, Dr. bestos Workers of all its members. Commercial 26,600
William J. Nicholson, Dr. Kingsley Shipyard 6,570
10,000 Insulation Workers Reply
Kay, and Duncan A. Holaday. Canada
Over 10,000 replies were received Commercial 11,050
This testimony included documenta- by the Asbestos Workers Union to a
tion of the severe disease experience Shipyard 8,400
questionnaire .asking details concern-
found with occupational exposures to ing dust counts seen on construction Only one in forty asbestos insula-
asbestos. jobs during 1970 and 1971 by its tion workers saw even one dust count
Evidence was cited that among one members. on the job, during 1970 and 1971.
group of insulation workers, for ex- The replies received to date repre- This was less than one dust count per
ample, of those who died, one in 5 sent over 4,000,000 man-days of work. day, on the average, for the U. S. and
died of lung cancer, one in 10 of gas- During this observation time, only 247 Canada in these years.
trointestinal cancer, nearly one in 10 dust counts were seen, nearly half of These results, demonstrating the
of mesothelioma, one in lOaf other which were in shipyards. limited surveillance of asbestos dust
cancers, and almost one in 10 of as- levels in the construction industry, are
bestosis. Approximately 40% of these Few Dust Counts Seen understandable in terms of the lim-
deaths were attributed to occupational The results have been analyzed ac- ited number of personnel available to
exposure to asbestos. cording to local and state. Table I the Department of Labor and the state
The research of the IIHRP on the gives the detailed results by region and departments of health.
(Continued on third page) type of construction. (Continued on fourth page)
 • ••. : _ . _ . .
Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 4, No.2 Summer 1972
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene
search Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. Seli-
koff, M.D., Director) ,. Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of the City Uni-
versity of New York, NE;.w York,
N.Y. 1002<)
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice
President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
Albert Hutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost Insulators and Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research and Development,
Johns-ManviIIe Corporation, New
York, N.Y.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved
methods for minimizing ex-
posure of insulation workers
to dusts and fumes encoun-
tered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowl-
edge of these improved
methods of' dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice
and assistance toward their
universal adoption.
0-
f· .
Re- t·.
;:.
F !
.,t·.
Andrew T. Haas
Haas and Holaday Worked
on Proposed Standards
General Secretary Andy Haas of the
Asbestos Workers Union was· ap-
pointed by Asst. Sec. of Labor, George
C. Guenther, as one of five members
of the Department's Advisory Com-
mittee on Asbestos Dusts. Addition-
ally, Duncan A. Holaday of the IIHRP
served as one of three Review Con-
sultants on Asbestos to the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NlOSH).
The Advisory Committee prepared
recommendations regarding the pro-
posed asbestos standard for considera-
tion by the Department of Labor.
Other members of the Committee
included Edwin Hyatt of Los Alamos
Scientific Laboratory, Dr. Joseph Wag-
o.ner of NIOSH, Jack Baliff of the
State of New York Division of Indus-
trial Hygiene and Issac Weaver of
Raybestos-Manhattan Corporation.
Major Recommendation
The major recommendation of the
majority of the Committee was to pro-
pose a time weighted average standard
of 2 fI m!. In this recommendation,
Mr. Baliff and Mr. Weaver dissented,
stating that a 5 flm] standard would
be adequate.
Other provisions of the standard
r
;
.'
.I'"
~.
Duncan A. Holaday
considered respiratory protection de-
vices, protective clothing, work prac-
tices, warning labels, monitoring and
records, and medical surveillance.
Special concern was expressed by
Andy Haas over the confidentiality of
medical records. As proposed by the
Advisory Committee, only government
physicians and medical consultants and
physicians designated and authorized
by the employees shall have access to
the medical records.
Procedural Standards
As a Review Consultant to NIOSH,
Duncan Holaday recommended adop-
tion of extensive procedural standards
to reduce the need for constant sur-
veillance by inspectors in enforcing
the proposed standard.
He also· urged that a series of man-
uals detailing recommended practices
for controlling exposure to asbestos be
produced. The manuals would cover
shipyard work, general construction,
and various factory operations.
These manuals could be produced
by a committee composed of labor,
management, and government repre-
sentatives. (Such a manual for ship-
yard work was described in Vol. 3,
No.4 of Insulation Hygiene Progress
Xeports.)

Government Agencies Act
to Protect Building Air
Jacob Novak, of Local 12 presents awards to Harold Romer (right) and
Morris Stoltz (left) of the Department of Air Resources of New York City.
Harold Romer and Morris Stoltz of
the New York City Department of
Air Resources have been given awards
for their efforts in controlling spray
fireproofing operations in New York
City ..
The awards were presented on
March 21, 1972 by Jack Novak, In-
ternational Vice-President of the As-
bestos Workers Union on behalf of
the NYC Building Trades Council.
In the presentation ceremony, No-
vak cited the Department of Air Re-
sources officials for their diligence
in enforcing regulations to prevent
the dissemination of spray material
throughout construction sites, into the
city's air, and into the air streams of
public buildings.
New York City Set the Example
In 1970 New York City took the
lead in the nation and promulgated
stringent regulations controlling the
application and use of sprayed fire-
proofing material. (See Vol. 2, No.2
of Insulation Hygiene Progress Re-
ports.)
Subsequently, on Feb. 25, 1972, the
use of asbestos in spray fireproofing
was prohibited in New York City.
Other cities and states that have also
banned this procedure include Phila-
. . . . . . . .-.---.. -.- .- .-.- ----·--·-··--·-··--1
-A
delphia, Boston, Illinois and New
York. A similar ban is in proposed
regulations of the U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Of importance in the early New
York regulations was a provision
which remains in effect for all sprayed
inorganic material. It requires that
any insulation material within a ple-
num or duct be coated with a sealant
to effectively prevent exposure of the
mineral material to the circulating air
of the building. if the possibility of
erosion into the air exists.
Clean Air in Buildings
Harold Romer of the Department
of Air Resources emphasized the im-
portance of such measures. "Indoor
air pollution is of special concern to
us," he said.
",\\'e want to assure that nothing is
introduced into the air of public build-
ings by the air supply system. We
know very little about the long term
effects of the many materials now
being used. New York citizens should
not be used as gUinea pigs. to find
out."
In addition to the use of spray min-
eral fiber in lining the return air ple-
nums Of buildings. the question of the
use of fibrous glass for lining aIr
supply ducts has been raised.
Hearings on this procedure have
been held in several states. One took
place on March 2, 1972 in Atlanta,
Georgia and another on April 21,
1972 in Memphis, Tennessee.
At the Georgia hearing, Dr. Irving
J. Selikoff expressed concern for the
possible long range health effects of
fibrous glass in human lungs.
He cited the recent experiments of
the National Cancer Institute which
indicated that fibrous glass, if broken
into sufficiently small fibers, can cause
cancer in animals. (See story on third
page for details of the NCr study.)
He pointed out, however, that such
effects had not been identified in hu-
mans, and that studies on this ques-
tion were needed.
Data obtained by the IIHRP which
demonstrated that erosion of fibrous
glass did take place in some ducts
were presented at both the Georgia
and Tennessee hearings.
Additionally, the finding of fibrous
glass in lung autopsy specimens of
New York residents was described.
Industry representatives testified at
each hearing that the use of fibrous
glass lined ducts was safe and stated
that by using proper materials and
with proper installation, the fibrous
glass would be sealed off and erosion
into the duct air stream prevented.
They also cited the absence of data
indicating a serious toxicity to humans
from the various uses of fibrous glass
that have occurred in the past.
Monitoring Staff
is Limited
(Continued from first page)
At this time the Department of La-
bor has approximately 350 safety offi-
cers and only 45 industrial hygienists
available to monitor over 4,000,000
workplaces.
It is contemplated that this force
will be raised by July, 1972 to a
maximum of 440 compliance officers
and 60 industrial hygienists.
Dr. William Nicholson of the
IIHRP pointed to one of rhe ironies
of the present consideration of whether
an asbestos standard should be 5 flml
or 2/ml or lower. "If the dust con-
centrations are infrequently measured,
peak concentrations will be missed
and average exposure exposures im-
possible to determine accurately."
"The most feasible alternative, es-
pecially in construction work, is the
reliance on procedural standards.
These can be 'monitored' by the
workmen involved and do not require
constant vigilance by a monitoring in-
spector."
 Caution Essential In Use of
All Insulation Material
With the promulgation of the emer-
gency asbestos standard, insulation
materials containing no asbestos are
being used mQre extensively. Substi-
tution of less toxic materials is a
standard procedure for reducing health
hazards. In certain instances, it has
been effective.
Often, however, substitutes may
only be less toxic and not non-toxic.
Indeed, some can, in the long run, be
found to be· equally or even more
toxic. Thus, careless use of material,
the safety of which has not been dem-
onstrated, can prove hazardous.
Uncertain Toxicity
Here, special concern exists with
the increased use of insulation mate-
rials made of polyurethane foams.
These products have a variable com-
position, and often contain a variety
of fire-retardants, the toxicity of which
has not been determined for use in
conjunction with polyurethane.
In recent animal experiments con-
ducted at New York University,~ rats
exposed to dusts produced by grinding
or sawing a polyurethane foam devel-
oped both lung cancer and emphy-
sema.
These experiments are only prelim-
inary. The effects seen in animals may
not occur in humans, and ·they may
not occur with other types of poly-
urethane. Still, they do give pause.
Moreover, the addition of fire-re-
tardants gives rise to further concern
for possible health effects. At times,
materials, having low or moderate tox-
icity in pure exposures, when com-
bined, produce a highly toxic combi-
nation.
That some polyurethane insulation
products are extremely dusty has been
demonstrated in on-the-job tests con-
ducted by the IlHRP in cooperation
with Local 32 of the Asbestos Work-
ers Union.
In the absence of demonstrated
safety of a particular product, the
above results and considerations would
indicate that special care be exercised
to minimize the inhalation of any dust
from these materials.
Concern for Small Fibers
With respect to fibrous materials
ether than asbestos, data recently re-
ported by researchers at the National
Cancer Institute' also dictates caution.
In this work, five varieties of fibrous
glass were ground to short fragments
and applied to the pleura of rats. All
five produced mesothelioma, although
not as extensively as three varieties of
asbestos. The finest fibers seemed to
be the most toxic, in these experi-
ments.
The NCI scientists concluded that
the carcinogenicity of asbestos and
fibrous glass (in their animal experi-
ments) appeared primarily related to
the structural shape of the materials
rather than to their physiochemical
properties.
This conclusion could have rele-
vance beyond the scope of asbestos
or fibrous glass. It suggests that all in-
sulation products containing inorganic
fibrous material, should be used with
proper precautions, until more is
known about the health effects in hu-
mans. Often, such effects are not seen
for 20, 30, or more years.
In commenting on this situation,
Dr. 1. J. Selikoff, Director of the
IIHRP, stated, "We have learned that
proper engineering procedures will al-
low asbestos to be used safely.
"These valuable techniques, devel-
oped by capable industrial hygiene en-
gineers, should also be utilized during
the application of other insulation ma-
terial having uncertain toxicity."
1 Sidney Laskin et al., in Assessment of Air-
Borne Particulates; Edited by Mercer; Published
by Charles G. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1972.
• M. F. Stanton and C. Wrench, Mechanism
of Mesotbelioma Induction witb Asbestos and
Fibrous Glass; Journal of tbe National Cancer
Institute 48, 797 (1972).
HOW TO GET A HAZARD
EVALUATION
Section 20(a) (6) of the Oc-
cupational Safety and Health
Act provides for health hazard
evaluation by the National Insti-
tute for Occupational Safety and
Health. A union representative
may request such an evaluation
by NIOSH On a form obtained
from:
U. S. Dept. of Health,
Education and Welfare
National Institute for
Occupational Safety and
Health
Division of Technical
Services
Hazard Evaluation
Services Branch
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Different Views
on Standard
(Continued from first page)
work environment of the asbestos in-
sulation workers was described in
which it was found that the time
weighted average exposure level dur-
ing recent years was about 6 Jlml
while these men worked with asbestos.
As more than 50 % of the insula-
tion ,:orker's time is spent applying
matenals other than asbestos, a 2 flml
average for the eight hours wo'rked
could easily be achieved in insulation
work.
Because of the limited prospects for
surveillance of the many workplaces
using asbestos, especially those in
the construction industry, procedural
standards were urged by the IIHRP
staff, :to supplement the "number
standard" being considered.
Industry View
The lowering of the asbestos stand-
ard, to below 5 flml, was, however,
contested by industry sources as being
excessively costly and u=ecessary.
Clifford Sht::ckler, speaking for the
National Insulation Contractors Asso-
ciation and the National Insulation
Manufacturers Association, stated that
to meet even a 5 U ml standard in the
thermal insulation industry would be
prohibitively costly.
Other industry sources, including
representatives from Certain-teed Prod-
ucts, Union Carbide, the American
Asbestos Textile Corporation, and
Raybestos-Manhattan, stated that a
5 flml could be met. Dr. F. L. Pund-
sack, Mr. J. B. Jobe and Mr. H. B.
Moreno, J ohns-Mansville vice-presi-
dents, stated that the proposed warn-
ing label for asbestos products was
inappropriate and unnecessarily de-
structive to the industry. They also
claimed that 5 fI ml was feasible but
that implementing a 2 flml standard
presents engineering and economic
problems which would shut down
shops and result in .substantial un-
employment.
Dr. George Wright, a medical con-
sultant to J-M declared that 5 flml
was a safe level for chrysotile asbes-
tos exposures. In support for this p0-
sition, he emphasized the results of
,'.
a study sponsored by the Quebec As-
bestos Mining Association of the health
experience of Canadian chrysotile as-
bestos miners.
Details of this study were supplied
during the hearings by Dr. J. C. Mc-
Donald of McGill University who be-
lieved that a 5 flml limit would pro-
vide adequate protection for chryso-
tile asbestos miners.
 INSULATION HYGIENE
Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

Olll'lTSI,y

~l~
o
O~OFM~Q
"c.;

of The City University

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York
Vol. 4, No.3 Fall 1972

New U.S. Standard

for Asbestos
In All Industries
The Department of Labor promul-
gated a standard regulating exposures
to asbestos dust on June 7, 1972,
which became effective on July 7,
1972. This standard supercedes the
emergency standard which was is-
sued December 7, 1971, and applies
to all industries rather than to con-
struction only.
The standard-
• establishes permissible limits for ex-
pOsure to airborne concentrations
of asbestos :fibers;
• lists methods of compliance;
Workers, Scientists Hold 3 • speci:fies when personal protective
equipment can be, or shall be, used
Talks on Health Hazards and conditions of use;
• describes methods of measurement
On July 14 fuo'ugh 16 three meet- ment of Labor. of atmospheric concentrations;
ings were held by west coast locals Duncan Holaday described numer- • establishes requirements· for moni-
of the Iriternational Association of ous techniques and materials, de- . toring conditions; and also
Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbes- veloped by the IIHRP and others, that • lists requirements for cautionary
tos Workers. . would reduce asbestos workers' dust signs, cleanup, and waste disposal.
In Long Beach, San Francisco, and exposure to a minimum. The standard additionally requires
Seattle insulation workers and ·their Much of the material in these for- medical examinations of employees.
wives, as well as Contractors, state mal presentations has been presented Records of these examinations must
and federal government personnel, in Insulation Hygiene Progress Re- be maintained and be made available
and members of other shipyard ·and ports. Because of the Widespread in- to employers as well as the employee.
construction locals met to hear Dr. terest in these topics, a selection of
!n>i.'lg J. Selikoff, Dr. WIlliam J. . material from the discussion periods Records to ~e Kept
Nicholson and Mr. Duncan A. Hola- is published. Records of personal or environmen-
day discuss some of the results of Bill Lewis, Local 5: At this time, tal monitoring also must be main-
the Insulation Industry Hygiene Re~ right now, can you prove that :fibrous tained and be available for inspection
search Program. .' . glass is hazardous to your body in any by employees to determine their own
IAHFIAW members were present way, shape or form? exposures.>
from locals in Los. Angeles, Long Dr. Selikoff: We do not know enough On several important issues the
Beach, San FranciscO, Portland, Seat- about the effects of :fibrous glass in Department of Labor established pre-
tJe, Spokane, Bremerton, Anchorage, humari beings at this time. The effect visions contrary to. those recom-
and VaiJ.couver, B.C:·...... . of dust. in the lungs usually takes at mended by the National Institute for
The health hazards ·of insulators least 20, 30, or more years to be Occupational Safety and Health and
;;; were documented by Dr. Selikbff who seen. Asbestos workers didn't begin the Department's own Advisory Com-
described the adverse Irlortality exper- to wo.rkwith glass until the second mittee on Asbestos Dusts. In each of
ience of the entire ASbestos Workers' World War and not extensively until these, the requests of the Asbestos
Union membership in the U •. S. and the 1950's. The health experience of Workers Union were rejected and the
Canada. The especially high risk of :fibrous glass be seen in the 1980's will Industry position was judged prefer-
lung cancer among cigarette smoking and 1990's. able.
insulators was emphasized. While we do not know what it will The permissible 8-hour time
Dr. Nicholson described some of do in humans, some animal 'experi- weighted average air concentration is
the past work practices that were es- ments at the National Cancer Insti- 5 :fibers, longer than 5 microns, per
pecially dusty and discussed some of tute give us concern. Five varieties cubic centimeter of air until July 1,
the provisions of the new Asbestos of :fibrous glass were tested in animals. 1976, when it will be reduced to 2
Standard issued by the U. S. Depart- (Continued on fourth page) (Continued on third page)

"- -: - T· ....... -. !'"<O_.O:-_ .•:: '-~ .r.r :7.-'-;:~~.:·:T·

.- = '='. ':-
.,.
.~ .•..
,."
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports .
Vol. 4. No.3 Fall 1972

from the

Insulation Industry Hygiene Research

Program

Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,

Published at the Environmental Sci-
ences Laboratory (Irving J. Selikoff,
M.D., Director), Mount Sinai School
of Medicine of the City University of
New York, N.Y. 10029

Advisory Council of IIHRP

Irving J. Selikoff,'M~D. Program Di-
rector and .Chairman

E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice

President, American Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.-

Andrew Haas, General President, In-

ternational Association of Heat and Albert E. Hutchinson, 1911-1972
Frost InsulatorS and Asbestos Work-
With the death on June 19 of Albert E. Hutchinson from cancer, the labor
ers' Washington, D.C.
movement lost a unique individual. He was a man of unusual integrity, a most
decent and devoted man. His early recognition of the health hazards of asbestos
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi- workers was followed by untiring efforts to improve work conditions for in-
dent, Research' and Development, sulators. The national concern that led to ~he promulgation of an asbestos
J nuns-Manville Corporation, New standard 17 days before his death is, to a large measure, the result of his efforts.
In a sense, Mr. Hutchinson's life spanned an important period in the insula-
York, N.Y.
tion trade. "Hutch" became a pipecoverer in 1928 when he joined the Navy at
the age of 17 and was assigned duty as a sailmaker's mate. 1928 was also the
. :;;. :..: .... year in which pneumoconiosis was fully documented as a risk of asbestos
i
"

exposure.
In 1939 he left the Navy and joined Local 9 at the Norfolk Naval.Shipyard.
PURPOSES OF THE'
;- INSULATION .
This was four years after we had our first infonnation that asbestos work could
also cause lung cancer. On moving to the Los Angeles area, he continued
t INDUSTRY HYGIENE working regularly as a pipecoverer until his colleagues in Local 5 selected him
i
, - RESEARCH PROGRAM as Business Agent. This began his subsequent rise to the leadership of his union,
with selection as International President in Chicago, in 1967, as its fifth pres-
1. To develop improved ident in almost sixty years.
methods for _niinimizing ex- Hutch's last year was spent helping to organize the campaign that he hoped
posure of insulation workers would see pipecoverers in the future without risk or hazard. In one of his last
official actions, he wrote to Secretary of Labor Hodgson asking that the Depart-
to dusts and fuInes encoun- ment of Labor arrange for at least one dust count for each employer around the
tered in their work. country. Unfortunately, his request could not be granted.
2. To disseminate knowl- We have made progress since 1928. Control measures exist that can limit the
edge of these improved exposures of new men who enter the insulation trade. We are spurred, too, in
yet another direction, to urgently develop methods to neutralize the dusts that
methods of dust control are already in the lungs of pipecoverers, inhaled in the days of inadequate con-
wherever they m<).y be ap- trols, in the 1930's, the 1940's, the 1950's, the 1960's. This research must be
plied advantageously and to carried to a successful completion rapidly, so that all insulators will be able to
offer cooperation, advice ayoid diseas~ associated with excess dust. This achievement will be a fitting
.~'
memorial to Albert E. Hutchinson.
and assistance toward their We all-labor, industry, scientists, government--extend our heartfelt sym-
::=.'
~.

universal adoption. pathy to Mrs. Hutchinson and the Hutchinson family. We have lost a friend and .,--,
a valuable ally in the battle to solve the asbestos problem.

.':-\
"..... ~
.~

... _ ...........J_ ::f.ii!.~ ..t'-- _.....,:;£. • .;:d!!iit..t....J, ;.'.·h.;J ~!i::::r,."" ~:~

I

In Memoriam: New U.S. Standard Safe Practices May

With Thanks Applies to All Depend on Workers
The Insulation Industry Hygiene Industries The promulgation of the asbestos
Research Program wishes to acknow- (Continued from first page)
standard on June 7 was an important
ledge, with gratitude, numerous con- fibers per cubic centimeter. In addi-
tributions received to date in memory tion, the standard states that no em- action by the Department of Libor,
of Albert E. Hutchinson. ployee shall be exposed at any time as well as an acknowledgement of the
to an atmospheric concentration ex- existence of a serious health hazard to
From locals of the International
ceeding 10 fibers per cubic centimeter. asbestos workers. We all owe a debt
Association of Heat and Frost
The standard was written to cover of gratitude to numerous individuals
Insulators and Asbestos workers:
all industries in which asbestos is used
1 7 9 11
and thus contains provisions appli- in the labor movement, in government,
12 16 18 19 cable to manufacturing plants, as well and in academic institutions who de-
.~
24 26 27 28 as construction. veloped the evidence that demon-
35 42 46 47 The requirements for air sampling,
52 60 64 73 strated that asbestos standards were
for example, are much more mean- badly needed.
75 81 88 95 ingful for production operations
110 131 132 134 equipped with dust collecting devices However, the regulations, as they
From insulation contractors and which have been shown to be ade- now stand, may be of limited use in
other organizations: quate. In such circumstances condi- protecting insulation workers. The
The E. J. BarteIIs Company tions do not change rapidly and, if justification of a four-year delay in
Robert A. Keasbey Company the equipment is properly maintained
reducing allowable dust levels from 5
Sherman, Dunn, Cohen & Leifer and operated, infrequent environmen-
Burnett-Noble Corporation tal surveys are sufficient. fibers/mI to 2 fibers/ml may be ques-
Catalytic, Inc. In the construction industry the tioned. Of even greater concern is the
P. S. Thorsen Co. situation is completely different. Here apparent reliance on dust counts as a
Hinchliffe and Keener, Inc. conditions change not only from day prelude to the enforcement of control
New England Insulation Co. to day but from hour to hour and
procedures.
Twin City Industrial Insulation Con- air monitoring documents only the
tractors Assoc. conditions that existed at the time the The siandard is couched. in inter-
A & K Midwest Insulation Co.. sample was taken. pretive ambiguities. Engineering con-
Glen Slaughter and Associates . Operational rules were suggested by trols and various clean-up operations
Carday Associates, Inc. the IIHRP and others for inclusion
need only be aplied "to meet e:rposure
Midwest Materials Co. in the standard, and were designed to
Insul Coustic Division, Birma Prod- reduce peak exposures to dust. Most limits" or if it can "be reasonably fore-
. ucts Corp. of these suggestions are contained in seen that asbestos concentrations may
Shook & Fletcher Insulation' Co." the standard, but they are advisory; be excessive". This phraseology could
Boston Insulation ContractorS Assoc. not mandatory. Unless air sampling create a situation in which no excess
Midwest Insulation Contractors Assoc. is done, they are not required.
dust levels are foreseen, no dust
Johns-Manville Sales Corp.: .. " AIl respirators must be approved
Central Contract Region, Johns~Man- by the U. S. Bureau of Mines or the counts taken, and no controls applied.
ville Sales Corp. - . National Institute for Occupational Here, interpretation of the standard by
From Labor organizatiorls;. Safety and Health. Where re-usable the Occupational Safety and Health
respirators are used a respirator main- Administrations is of crucial impor-
United Slate, Tile and Composition
Roofers, Damp and . Waterproof tenance program must be established. tance.
Workers' Assoc. Since it would be difficult for insula-
Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO tion contractors (except the largest An especially onerous prOVISIon is
Texas State Building & Construction ones) to comply with fuis provision, the requirement that records of phys-
it is anticipated that only single-use ical examinations prescribed under the
Trades Council
.. International Union of Elevator Con-
respirators will be used in construc-
tion work. (For a description of such standard be made available to employ-
structors-No. 14
, .. Building and Construction Trades
respirators, see Insulation Hygiene ers. This provision is untenable in the
insulation industry today.
Progress Reports, Vol. 4, No. 1.)
Council of Orange County
•• Building and Construction Trades Structural and· Ornamental Iron Good practices have been described.
Council of Greater New York Workers What is needed now is that they be
International Association of Machin- Building and Construction Trades De- mandated in the industry. Here, insu-
ists and Aerospace Workers partment, AFL-Cro
lation workers, through their union,
Wood, Wire & Metal Lathers Inter- AFL-cro
national Union From individuals: may have to take the first step by
Midwest States Conference, Asbestos Mrs. Joe A. Collins requiring safe materials and safe pro-
Workers Mr. Carl W. Sickles cedures in contractual agreements with
Laborers' International Union of Mr. & Mrs. D. R. Nobles and Family employers. Such agreements, once ob-
North America Mrs. Odile W. Hullinghorst
tained, could be adopted by regulatory
Sheet Metal· Workers' International Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Kelly
Association Mr. Norman Pon agencies and applied to all contractors,
International Association of Bridge, Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Scott union and non-union.
 .-
"_.
Long Beach audience listens to results of Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program
(Continued from first page)
All five produced mesothelioma (see
Table I) . In our laboratory three
varieties were tested. One produced
mesothelioma, while two did not.
These results are in animals. They
may not apply to humans. But they
do teU us to be prudent-to use fib-
rous glass wi~ care. It doesn't belong
in your lungs.
Table I
Incidence of pleural neoplasms
National Cancer Institute (1972)
% Dr. Selikoff: If the examination, by
AAA-C glass
18
AAA-U glass 12
Course glass
4-6
Pyrex glass
4
Glass wool 4
ChrysotiJe 58
George Hunt, Local 5: You have
been working on what causes asbes-
tosis and how to prevent asbestosis.
What have you found out about how
to cure asbestosis?
Dr. SelikofJ: So far as treatment is
concerned, there is, at this 'time, no
way of reversing what exists. There
is, however, much that can be done
about treatment..
The first thing . is that we have
now found .that smoking not <)DIy in-
creases the risk of developing lung
cancer tremendously, but it also, for
reasons we don't really understand,
causes increased lung scarring among
asbestos workers. So the first thing
you do is stop your cigarette smoking.
Secondly, smoking by itself sharply
affects the functioning of the lung. As
you know very well, people who
smoke, but don't work with asbestos,
get emphysema. Not all, but many
do, and it may be enough to kill them.
When you have asbestos in your lungs,
you are subject to one kind of lung
trouble, scarring. There is no reason
to add a second kind of lung trouble,
emphysema. So there are two very
good reasons for not smoking ciga-
rettes.
....
Thirdly, people who have asbestosis
generally do not die from the scarring
directly. What happens is the scarring
decreases their lung reserve. They get
along pretty well-pretty well for
most things-until they get an ordin-
ary bronchitis or a touch of influenza.
If I had ordinary bronchitis, I
would be sick for one, or two, or
three days and then would recover.
However, because someone with as-
George Hunt, Local 5: Can you
cure asbestosis?
bestosis has little reserve, even an
ordinary bronchitis can kill him.
Therefore, every single pulmonary in-
fection in a man who has asbestosis
has to be treated as an emergency,
and treated vigorously.
Every Infection is Important
With good treatment, you'll respond
well, come through the crisis, and be
back on your .feet. But it is critical
that you and your doctor know what
you have and treat every lung infec-
tionas an important thing.
Also, lung scarring may cause a
strain on the heart, which has to
pump the blood through the scarred
areas. This is called "cor pulmonale".
Doctors have many useful drugs to
strengthen the heart in such circum-
stances and to keep it working at
maximum efficiency. This is a good
reason for pipe coverers to place
themselves under the care of com-
petent physicians, for regular surveil-
lance.
Tony Mignano, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, Depart-
ment of Labor: Is it possible to do
exercises that will increase the capa-
city of lungs damaged by asbestos?
Dr. Selikoff: The answer is no. In
fact, in some instances,it can be
dangerous for a man with badly scar-
red lungs to do too much.
The reason is that the scarred lungs
impede the circulation of blood, re-
quiring the heart to work much harder
to pump blood through those lungs.
This can produce the type of heart
disease called "cor pulmonale!'. To
ask a man's heart to pump the extra
blood needed during exercise through
scarred lungs can be asking too much
and lead to severe trouble. Ordinary
activity or exercise is good for a per-
son, but not peak exertions.
Much more important than exer-
cise-and I hope I don't sound like
a broken record-is to stop cigarette
smoking.
The Annual Physical
George Hunt, Local 5: If I go to
my own doctor and pay for a physi-
cal exam, do the results have to be
given to my employer?
your own physician, is for the pur-
pose of the annual physical required
by the asbestos standard, the results
of that examination must be sent to
the employer.
However, any workman can go to
his own doctor, for a personal ex-
amination, paid for by himself, and
have the results remain entirely con-
fidential. Only he would know: Such,
however, is not the case with physi-
cals conducted for the purpose of the
standard..
Let me review this with you. It is
specified by the standard that an an-
nual physical be taken, including at
least an X-ray and a breathing test.
(Continued on eighth page)
Bill Lewis, Local 5: Is fibrous glass
harmful to humans?
 u.s. Asbestos Standard-The Text
Here is the complete text of the new
standard for exposure to asbestos dust,
as published in the Federal Register,
vol. 37, No. 110,pp. 11320-11322,
Wednesday, June 7, 1972:
§ 1910.93a Asbestos
(a) Definitions. For the purpose of
this section; (1) "Asbestos" includes
chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremo-
lite, anthophyllite, and actinolite.
bestos fibers longer
(2) "Asbestos fibers" means asbes-
tos fibers longer than 5 micrometers.
(b) Permissible exposure to air-
borne concentrations of asbestos fibers
--(1) Standard effective July 7, 1972.
The 8-hour time-weighted average air-
borne concentrations of asbestos fibers
to which any employee may be ex-
posed shall not exceed five fibers,
longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic
centimeter of air, as determined by
the method prescribed in paragraph
(e) of this section.
(2) Standard effective July 1, 1976.
The 8-hour time-weighted average air-
borne concentrations of asbestos fibers
to which any employee may be ex-
posed shall not exceed two fibers,
longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic
centimeter of air, as determined by
the method prescribed in paragraph
(e) of·this section.
(3) Ceiling concentration. No em-
ployee shall be exposed at any time
to airborne concentrations of asbestos
fibers in excess of 10 fibers, longer
than 5 micrometers, per cubic centi-
meter of air, as determined by the
method prescribed in paragraph (e)
of this section.
(c) Methods of compliance-{lJ
Engineering methods. (i) Engineering
controls. Engineering controls, such as,
but not limited to, isolation, enclosure,
exhaust ventilation, and dust collec-
tion, shall be used to meet the expo-
.
r'
sure limits prescribed in paragraph
(b) of this section.
(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 Na-
tional Standard Fundamentals Govern-
ing the Design and Operation of Local
Exhaust Systems, ANSI Z9.2-1971,
which is incorporated by reference
herein.
(b) See § 1910.6 concerning the
availability of ANSI Z9.2-1971, and
the maintenance of a historic file in
connection therewith. The address of
the American National Standards In-
stitute is given in. § 1910.100.
(iii) Particular tools. All hand-op-
erated and power-operated tools which
may produce or release asbestos fibers
in excess of ·the exposure limits pre-
scribed in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion, such as, but not limited to,
saws, scorers, abrasive wheels, and
drills, shall be provided with local ex-
haust ventilation systems, in accord-
ance with subdivision (ii) of this
5uLr>aragraph.
(2) Work practices-(i) Wet meth-
ods. Insofar as practicable, asbestos
shall be handled, mixed, applied, re-
moved, cut, scored, or otherwise
worked in a wet state sufficient to pre-
vent the emission of airborne fibers in
excess of the exposure limits pre-
scribed in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion, unless the usefulness of the
product would be diminished thereby.
(ii) Particular products and opera-
tions. No asbestos cement, mortar,
coating, grout, plaster, or similar
material containing asbestos shall be
removed from bags, cartons, or other
containers in which they are shipped,
without being either wetted, or en-
closed, or ventilated so as to prevent
effectively the release of airborne as-
bestos fibers in excess of the limits
prescribed in paragraph (b) of this
section.
(iii) Spraying, demolition, or re-
moval. Employees engaged in the
spraying of asbestos, the removal, or
demolition of pipes, structures, or
equipment covered or insulated with
asbestos, and in the removal or demo-
lition of asbestos insulation or cover-
ings shall be provided with respira-
tory equipment in accordance with
paragraph (d) (2) (iii) of this sec-
tion and with special clothing in ac-
cordance with par~graph (d) (3) of
this section.
(d) Personal protective equipment
~(1) Compliance with the exposure
limits prescribed by paragraph (b) of
this section may not be achieved by
the use of respirators or shift rotation
of employees, except:
(i) During the time period neces-
sary to install the engineering controls
and to institute the work practices re-
quired by paragraph (c) of this sec-
tion;
(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
insufficient to reduce the airborne con-
centrations of asbestos fibers below
the limits prescribed by paragraph (b)
of this section; or
(iii) In emergencies.
(iv) Where both respirators and
personnel rotation are allowed by sub-
divisions (i), (ii), or (iii) of this
subparagraph, and both are practica-
ble, personnel rotation shall be pre-
ferred and used.
(2) Where a respirator is permitted
by subparagraph (1) of this para-
graph it shall be selected from among
those approved by the Bureau of
Mines, Department of the Interior, or
the National Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health, Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare,
under the provision of 30 CFR Part
fl (37 F.R. 6244, Mar. 25, 1972),
and shall be used in accordance with
subdivisions (i) (ii), and (iv) of this
subparagraph.
(i) Air purifying respirators. A re-
usable or single use air purifying
respirator, or a respirator described in
subdivision (ii) or (iii) of this sub-
paragraph, shall be used to reduce the
concentrations of airborne asbestos fi-
bers in the respirator below the expo-
sure limits prescribed in paragraph (b)
of this section, when the ceiling or
the 8-hour time-weighted average air-
borne concentrations of asbestos fibers
are reasonably expected to exceed no
more than 10 times those limits.
(ii) Powered air purifying respira-
tors. 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 concentrations of airborne asbes-
tos fibers in -the respirator below the
exposure limits prescribed in para-
graph (b) of this section, when the
ceiling or the 3-hour time-weighted
average concentrations of asbestos fi-
bers are reasonably expected to exceed
10 times, but n~t 100 times, those
limits.
(iii) Type "e' supplied-air respira-
tors, contino us flow or pressure-de-
mand class. A tyPe "cn continuous
flow or pressure-demand, supplied-air
respirator shall be used to reduce the
concentrations of airborne asbestos
fibers in the respirator below the ex-
posure limits prescribed in paragraph
(b) of this section, when the ceiling
or the 3-hour time-weighted average
airborne concentrations of asbestos
fibers are reasonably expected to ex-
ceed 100 times those limits.
(iv) Establishment of a respirator
program. (a) The employer shall es-
(Continued on sixth page)
 · ., ..
(Continued from fifth page)
tabIish a respirator program in ac-
cordance with the requirements of the
American National Standards Prac-
tices for Respiratory Protection, ANSI
ZS8.2-1969, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
(b) See § 1910.6 concerning the
availability of ANSIZ88.2-969 and
- the maintenance of an historic file in
connection therewith. The address of
the American National Standards In-
stitute is given in § 1910.100.
(c) No employee shall be assigned
to tasks requiring the us~ of respira-
tors if, based upon his most recent
examination, 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 em-
ployees will -be impaired by his use
of a respirator. Such employee shall
be rotated to another job or given
the opportunity to transfer to a dif-
ferent position whose duties he is
able to perform with the same em-
ployer, in the same geographical area
and with the same seniority, status,
and rate of pay he had just prior to
such transfer, if such a different posi-
tion is available.
(3) Special clothing: The employer
shall provide, and require the use of
special clothing, such as coveralls or
similar whole'- body clothing, head
coverings, gloves, and foot coverings
for any employee exposed to airborne
concentrations of asbestos fibers,
which exceed the ceiling level pre-
scribed in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion.
(4) Change rooms: (i) At any
fixed place of employment exposed to
airborne concentrations of asbestos
fibers in excess of the exposure limits
prescribed in paragraph (b) of this
section, -the:-employer shall provide
change .roomS-for" employees working
regularly at the. place.. "
(ii) Clothes lockers: The employer
shall provide two separate lockers or
containers for each employee, so sepa-
rated or isolated as to prevent con-
tamination of the employee's street
clothes from his work clothes.
(iii) Laundering: (a) Laundering of
asbestos contaminated clothing shaH
be done so as to prevent the release
of airborne asbestos fibers in eXcess
of the exposure limits prescribed in
paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Any employer who gives asbes-
tos-contaminated .::lothing to another
person for laundering shall inform
such pen:;on of the requirement in (a)
of this subdivision to effectively pre-
----~
"~,i.';.
" .'- ''':
vent the release of airborne asbestos
fibers in excess of' the exposure limits
prescribed in paragraph (b) of this
Section.
(c) Contaminated clothing shall be
transported in sealed impermeable
bags, or other closed, impermeable
containers, and labeled in accordance
with paragraph (g) of this section.
(e) Method of measurement. AIl
determinations of airborne concen-
trations of asbestos fibers shall be
made by the membrane filter method
at 400-450 X (magnification) (4 milli-
meter objective) with phase contrast
illumination.
(f) M onitoring-( 1) Initial deter-
minations. Within 6 months of the
pUblication of this section, every em-
ployer shall cause every place of em-
ployment where asbestos fibers are
released to be monitored in such a
way as to determine .whether every
employee's exposure to asbestos fibers
is below the limits prescribed in para-
graph (b) of "this section. If the limits
are exceeded, the employer shall im-
mediately undertake a compliance
program in accordance with para-
graph (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
porosity mounted in an open-face fiI-
ter holder. Samples shall be taken for
the determination of the 8-hour time-
weighted average airborne concentra-
tions and of the ceiling concentrations
of asbestos fibers.
(ii) Sampling frequency and pat-
terns. 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 employees. In no case
shall the sampling be done at intervals
greater than 6 months for employees
whose exposure to asbestos may rea-
sonably 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 representative of the airborne con-
centrations of asbestos fibers which
may reach the breathing zone of em-
ployees. Samples shall be collected on
a membrane filter of 0.8 micrometer
porosity mounted in an open-face fiIter
holder. Samples shall be taken for the
determination of the 8-hour time-
weighted average airborne concentra-
tions and of -the ceiling concentrations
of asbestos fibers.
__ ~.r;:-;~7~~--:-·--"-:-:-:"-r:.~~~-~~
~.
-: :-.: ::;.. ':. -~~. ........
(ii) Sampling frequency and pat-
terns. 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 employees. In no
case shall sampling be at intervals
greater than 6 months for etnployees
whose exposures to asbestos may rea-
sonably be foreseen ·to exceed the
exposure limits prescribed in para-
graph (b) of this section.
.!
(4) Employee observation of moni-
toring. Affected employees, or their
representatives, shall be given a rea-
sonable opportunity to observe any
monitoring required by this paragraph
and shall have access to the records
thereof.
(g) Caution signs and labels. (1)
Caution signs. (i) Posting. Caution
signs shall be provided and displayed
at each location where airborne con-
centrations of asbestos fibers may be
in excess of ·the exposure limits pre-
scribed in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion. Signs shall be posted at such a
distance from such a location so that
an employee may read the signs and
take necessary protective steps before
entering the area marked by the signs.
Signs shall be posted at all approaches
_ to areas containing excessive concen-
trations of airborne asbestos fibers.
(ii) Sign specifications. The warn-
ing signs required by subdivision (i)
of this subparagraph shall conform to
the requirements of 20" x 14" vertical
format signs specified in § 1910.145
(d) (4), and to this subdivision. The
signs shall display the following legend
in the lower panel, with letter sizes and
styles of a visibility at least equal to
that specified in this subdivision.
Legend Notation
Asbestos. . . . . . .. I" Sans Serif,
Gothic or Block.
Dust Hazard .. :. !J :j4" Sans Serif,
Gothic or Block.
Avoid Breathing
Dust .......... ;4" Gothic.
Wear Assigned
Protective Equip-
ment ......... ;4" Gothic.
Do Not Remain In
Area Unless Your
Works Requires
It ............ %" Gothic.
Breathing Asbestos
.Dust May Be '. ~,
Hazardous To
Your Health '" 14 point Gothic.
(Continued on seventh page)
 (Continued from sixth page)
Spacing between lines shall be at least
equal to the height of the upper of
any two lines.
(2) Caution labels-(i) Labeling.
Caution labels shall be affixed to all
raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste,
. limits prescribed in paragraph (b) of
debris, and other products containing
asbestos .fibers, or to their containers,
except that no label is required where
asbestos fibers have been modified by
. ing. The employee shall also be timely
a bonding agent, coating, binder, or
other material so that during any rea-
sonably foreseeable use, handling,
storage, disposal, processing, or trans-
portation, no airborne concentrations
of asbestos fibers in excess of the
exposure limits prescribed in paragraph
(b) of this section will be released.
(ii) Label specifications. The cau-
tion 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 sta·te:
CAUTION·
CoNTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID CREATING DUST
BREATHING ASBESTOS DUST MAY
CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM
(h) Housekeeping-(l) Cleaning.
All external surfaces in any place of
emp10yment shall be maintained free
of accumulations of asbestos fibers if,
with their dispersion,. there would be
an excessive concentration.
(2) Waste disposal. Asbestos was-te,
scrap, debris, bags, containers, equip-
ment, and asbestos-contaminated
clothing, consigned for disposal, which
may produce in any reasonably fore-
seeable use, handling; storage, proc-
essing, disposal, or transportation air-
borne concentrations of asbestos fibers
in excess of the exposure limits pre-
scribed in paragraph (b) of this sec-
tion shall be collected and disposed of
<. in sealed impermeable bags, or other
closed, impermeable containers.
(i) Recordkeeping-(l) Exposure
. . records. Every employer shall main-
tain records of any personal or en-
vIronmental monitoring required by
this section. Records shall be main-
tained for a period of at least 3 years
and shall be made available upon re-
quest to the AssistaIit Secretary of
Labor for Occupational Safety and
Health, the Director of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, and to authorized representa-
tives of either.
(2) Employee access. Every em-
ployee and former. employee shall
have reasonable access to any record
required to be maintained by sub-
paragraph (1) of this patagraph,
which· indicates the employee's own
exposure to asbestos fibers.
(3) Employee notification. Any
employee found to have been exposed
at any time to airborne concentrations
of asbestos fibers in excess of the
this section shall be notified in writing
of the exposure as soon as practicable
but not later than 5 days of the find-
notified of the corrective action being
taken.
(j) Medical examinations - (1 )
General. The employer shall provide
or make available at his cost, medical
examinations relative to exposure to
asbestos required by this paragraph.
(2) Preplacement. The employer
shall provide or make available ·to
each of his employees, within 30
calendar days fonowing his first em-
ployment in an occupation exposed to
airborne concentrations of asbestos
fibers, a comprehensive medical exam-
ination, which shall include, as a mini-
mum, a chest roentgenogram (poste-
rior-anterior 14 x 17 inches), a
history to elicit symptomatology of
respiratory disease, and pulmonary
function tests to include forced vital
capacity (PVC) and forced expiratory
volume at.1 second (FEV1.0).
(3) Annual e=minations. On or
before January 31, 1973, and at least
annuaIIy thereafter, every employer
shall provide, or make available, com-
prehensive medical examina·tions to
each of his employees engaged in oc-
cupations exposed to airborne con-
centrations of asbestos fibers. Such
annual examination shaII include, as a
minimum, a chest roentgenogram
(posterior-anterior 14 x 17 inches), a
history to elicit symptomatology of
respiratory' disease, and pulmonary
function tests to include forced vital
capacity (PVC) and forced expiratory
volume at 1 second (FEVJ..o).
(4) Termination of employment.
The employer shall provide, or make
available, 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 (posterior-
anterior 14 x 17 inches), a history to
elicit symptomatology of respiratory
disease, and pulmonary function tests
to include forced vital capacity (PVG)
and forced eXpiratory volume at 1
second (FEVJ..o).
(5) Recent e=minations. No medi-
cal examination is required of any
employee, if adequate records show
that the employee has been examined
in accordance with this paragraph
within the past I-year period.
(6) Medical records-(i) Main-
tenance. Employers of employees
examined pursuant to this paragraph
shall cause to be maintained complete
and accurate records of all such medi-
cal examinations. Records sball be re-
tained by employers for at least 20
years.
(ii) Access. The contents of the
records 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
I,
authorized physicians and medical
consultants of either of them, and,
upon the request of an employee or
former employee, to his physician.
Any physician who conducts a medi-
cal examination required by this para-
graph shall furnish to the employer
of the examined employee all the in-
formation specmcaIIy required by this
paragraph, and any other medical in-
formation related to occupational
exposure to asbestos fibers.
3. A new § 1910.19 is added to
Subpart B of Part 1910, reading as
follows:
§ 1910.19 Asbestos dnsL
Section 1910.93a shall apply to the
exposure of every employee to as-
bestos dust in every employment and
place of employment covered by
§ 1910.12, § 1910.13, § 1910.14,
§ 1910.15, or § 1910.16, in lieu of
any different standard on exposure to
asbestos dust which would otherwise
be applicable by virtue of any of
those sections.
Effective date. Paragraph (b) (2)
of § 191O.93a shall become effective
July 1, 1976. AIl other provisions of
§§ 1919.93a, 1910.93, and 1910.19
shall become effective July 7, 1972.
The current emergency temporary
standard remains in effect until July
7,1972.
(Sees. 6, 8, 84 Stat. 1593, 1598;
29 U.S.C. 655, 657; 29 CPR 1910.4;
Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71,
36 F.R. 8754)
Signed at Washington, D.C., this
2d day of June 1972.
G. C. GUENTHER,
Assistant Secretary of Labor
[FR. Doc, 72-8574
Filed 6-6-72:8:48 am]
I.
Labor Dept. Adds One Good
Provision and One Bad
Tony Mignano: Does Exercise help?
(Continued from fourth page)
This is good, but the Department of
Labor has added some provisions-
one good and one bad.
The contractors must pay for the
exam. That's good. But the results
of the exam must be sent to the em-
ployers, and that's bad. It goes con-
trary to all existing experience in in-
dustry.
Moreover, it is contrary to the pro-
cedure established under the· Federal
Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
where all examinations of coal miners
must be completely confidential with
the results given only to the employee
and to the Public Health Service.
Not Very Reassuring
The Department of Labor has rec-
ognized the potential for victimization
of the workman. In his prelude to the
standard, Mr. George Guenther states,
" . . . there is no intention to allow
employers to abuse medical informa-
tion obtained pursuant to the Act, to
the detriment of employees. There-
fore, the administration of the medi-
cal records requirement will be closely
watched, and, in .cases of abuse, ap-
propriate action will be considered."
That is not a very reassuring state-
ment. I would want more than just
consideration. Until this situation is
clarified, I strongly urge that asbestos
workers consider the consequences of
submitting to examinations, the results
of which will be sent to their em-
ployers.
A Very Important Lesson
Mrs. Charles Parker: I would like
to tell you of my husband's case. He
had been told to go for his physical
examination on the mUltiphasic exam
program established here on the West
f. ...
Coast. He did not do so because he
knew the results would be sent to his
employer. Nine months later, when t~j;2~:it·
he finally had to· go for an exam, it ~,~.i,'I.
t,~ li" ..
•... .'
-~-
was too late! It was. found that he 4~~~;;~"I ..-
11::...>;1.-.....
had inoperable cancer of the lung.
Dr. Selikoff: Mrs. Parker has taught Jerry M onath: Do the new standards
us all a very important lesson. One apply in shipyards?
of the great dangers of this potential have no evidence that it will produce
victimization is that it will prevent cancer, including mesothelioma.
people from going for the examina-
tions that they need. This is a critically As with all mineral dusts that can
enter the lung, we must keep a careful
important point that you have laid
watch.
your finger on: Any examination pro-
gram must be looked at carefully by Cancer-An Early Sign
union leadership. Everyone must feel,
must know, and must be sure that the Bill H auston, Local 16: When a
results of any examination are en- man finds he has cancer it is often too
tirely confidential. far gone to do anything. What can we
ask our doctors to look for when we
take our a=ual physical exams, es-
The Navy Is Stricter
pecially in the abdomen?
Jerry M onath, International Brother- Dr. SeZikoff: One thing that is quite
hood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuild- useful is an ordinary blood count.
ers, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, People who have cancer of the stom-
Local 285: Does the asbestos standard ach or colon tend to bleed, even in the
and the monitoring requirement apply early stages.
to shipyard employees? The bleeding can be slow and you
would not notice it. But when you
have been bleeding for weeks or
months, you become anemic and this
is a sign to your doctor to look care-
fully and do some more checking.
This is important, because if you
pick up cancer of the GI tract soon
enough, it can be operated on and re-
moved. Unfortunately this is not the
case with mesothelioma, where we
have yet to find a cure. I have hopes
that we will, but the research that is
necessary to find such a cure is not
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Parker, Local
being done.
5: Concern about exams.
Duncan Holaday: No. The U. S. Loss of Appetite
Navy does not come under the De- M aft W oons, Local 29: Is loss of
partment of Labor Standards. How- appetite a sign of stomach cancer?
ever, we have found that the Navy Dr. SelikofJ: Yes. If you find you
generally enforces more vigorous have a 10ss of appetite it can be from
standards. In monitoring, they do a cancer. You should go right to your
much better job than is done in com- doctor.
mercial or industrial work. Ernest Tschopp, Local 16: Can a
Jerry Monath: Can. diatomaceous blood test reveal cancer in any part of
earth produce mesothelioma? the body?
Dr. Selikoff: No. Diatomaceous Dr. SelikofJ: No. We've been look-
earth may contain crystalline silica, ing for many years for such a test but,
which can produce serious scarring so far, none has been found effective
of the lungs. However,: at this time we for early diagnosis.
(Continued on the ninth page)
 has to do then is see if the pressure
as indicated by the meter, is at a saf~
value. If it is, he knows that he is
working in a safe environment. There
are many such procedures, and they
all can be written into a contract.
Wayne Kelly: If we achieve the
necessary conditions through negotia-
tions with our employers, it is going
to be reflected in the cost of the
job. It will be necessary to have the
same procedures applied by all em-
ployers, across the board.
Di. SeZikotJ: You can't ignore the
role of the Government here. You
c.ru;t obtain agreements with your
umon contractors but if the non-union
shops get off scot-free and don't have
to .take the necessary precautions, the
umon shops will be in trouble. The
Bill Houston, Local 16: What are Government has to come in and say
early signs of cancer? that every contractor, union and non-
union, must provide safe work con-
(Continued from eighth page) ditions.
Another Method Needed Get An Agreement
Wayne Kelly, 1ntemational Organ- Eddie Story, Local 16: Dr. Selikoff,
izer: rm sure you all feel the futile- it would seem that we would be ahead
ness of this surveillance situation. of the game if we started in our in-
Monitoring these jobs is an insur- dustry with the union employers and
mountable task. Another method must obtained an agreement on safe work
be employed. We must look to de- practices. Then we could go to the
veloping a contractual obligation with State and say, "Here's what could be
the contractors. We must force a safe implemented across the board in the
workplace to come about. entire insulation industry in Califor-
Duncan Holaday and Bill Nichol- nia. »
son have shown us the tools and the
Dr. SeZikotJ: Absolutely! In Cali-
methods that are necessary. Perhaps fornia you have a great advantage.
workers themselves could attach moni- California has an excellent Depart-
toring devices to their coat lapels. ment of Health. It is knowledgeable,
But whatever procedure evolves, it alert, and concerned with this prob-
must be enforced by a contractual lem. So, too, incidentally, have Wash-
agreement.
ington and Oregon.
Dr. Nicholson: Wayne, you have
Moreover, we have the start of a
hit upon the heart of the solution, a
contractual agreement with the em- good model. The asbestos standard
ployers. If safe work procedures are' :...:-.•.... _':.~; ..J.~;:
".' ..... .'
written into a contract, the workmen
can easily determine if they are in
use.
It would not be necessary to have
~ ..~..
':::'~~.~'
. ....;
/<~:.;!'-::'!:
Ernest Tschopp, Local 16: Do blood
tests reveal cancer?
specifies ·a number of useful proced-
ures, if the permissible exposure is
exceeded. All you have to do is to
make all those procedures mandatory
-without the requirement of a dust
count.
A Difficult Question
Unidentified questioner: I was
wondering, Doctor, what you would
recommend for someone with asbes-
tosis. Would you recommend that they
get out of the trade?
Dr. SelikofJ: That's a very difficult
question and I can only give you
some guidelines from my experience.
Each man's case has to be considered
as an individual problem. In general,
however, unless procedures are de-
veloped to neutralize the dust in your
lungs, that which is there now is going
to do whatever it will do.
li you don't add to it, you will
have lost nothing by staying in the
trade. I would, therefore, recommend
that you stay, but work in safe con-
ditions that add no more dust to your
.
lungs. You will, at least, have a de-
cent job. However, if staying in the
trade means adding much more dust
to your lungs, that is another story.

;..
.~

. dust counts taken, either by workers

or by outside industrial hygiene
groups. No cement should be mixed
. .. unless it is done in an enclosed plas-
tic bag. We know that is a safe pro-
cedure. No cutting should be done
with power tools unless they, are ade-
quately ventilat~·
Many Possible Procedures
When dust collectors are installed
on power equipment, they can be
tested and, if they are safe, a pres-
sure gauge can be installed on the
exhaust duct which will indicate
whether there continues to exist ade-
quate ventilation. All the workman
Doubly Important
Therefore, the implementation of
the control procedures we have dis-
cussed today is doubly important. It
will protect the new generation of
pipe coverers, but it also will allow
you to remain safely in the trade.
There's another reason to stay in
the trade. If you leave, you will no
longer be covered by insurance and
compensation. However, if the point
is reached where the scarring is so
"\: severe that you can no longer work
without jeopardizing your health, then
.£
you must leave the trade.
Matt Woons, Local 29: What about
loss of appetite? (Continued on tenth page)

,~'- . ~ ",:- ..

·' .;
",' ..- ~ ~
~::~~"'->~:~''''~''''
Wayne Kelly, International Orga-
nizer: We need contractual agreements.
(Continued from ninth page)
Dust Counts Not Exact
Howard lacobs, International Long-
shoremen's and Warehousemen's
Union: You state that the standard
requires only those fibers longer than
five microns to be counted. Why not
the shorter Dnes also? Are they less
hazardous?
Dr. Nicholson: There's no real rea-
son to believe they are less toxic. But
they are harder to count, being so
smalL So we don't ,try to count them.
We now know that occupational ex-
posures can have 100 times as many believe they are effective for even the
'short' fibers (the ones we don't count)
as the longer ones that are counted.
This would be no problem if the ratio . pass through the openings.
of short to long fibers were a constant.
However, such is 'not the case. The about the audience, most of the men
fraction of fibers longer than five have been around a long time and
microns can vary. by as much as ten over 90% of those I know are non-
times when different exposures to
chrysotile are studied.
It is important, therefore, to recog-
nize that·dust counts are only a crude
measure of the amount of asbestos
present.
Tiny Fibers Stay Suspended
Howard lacobs: Would there be a
build-up of small fibers in an enclosed
space after some time?
Dr. Nicholson: Yes, there could be
a build-up for a' while. The larger
fibers would 'tall to the floor sooner
than the tiny ultramicroscopic ones. In
fact, unless the smallest ones collide
with and attach to larger particles,
they could remain suspended indefi-
nitely.
Dust Counts Not Exact
However, they do attach and are
rem?ved from the air as the larger
partIcles fall out. But we have evi-
dence that an equilibrium is reached
that has a greater fraction of sub-
microscopic fibers.
Silica Dust Test
Ron Shott, Local 16: How good are
the respirators in filtering the fine
dust?
Duncan Holaday: The respirators
are tested with a silica dust. Some
tests have been done to check them
with asbestos but efficiency for ultra-
microscopic fiber has not been studied.
Ron Schott,. Local 16: How good
are the respirators?
We have, however, good reason to
small fibers because these readily at-
tach to the filter material rather than
Paul Shebo, Local 16: As I look
smokers. rm afraid some of the
younger members, especially those
Paul Shebo, Local 16: Help work-
ers, in spite of themselves.
who smoke, don't want to hear your
facts. We're going to have to find
ways to help them in spite of them-
selves.
Dust in the Lungs
Robert Mingram, Local 16: Can
?,ou clean the dust out of your lungs
In any way?
Dr. SelikofJ: No, you cannot. All of
you sitting in this audience have dust
in your lungs. You cannot have been
in this trade for any length of time
and not have. It's going to stay there
and cause more and more scarring, if
nothing is done to neutralize it.
ls this inevitable? No. Not neces-
sarily. We have a hint now that it is
possible to inactivate mineraI dusts in
lungs.
Research work in Germany has
shown that coal dust in the lungs can
be inactivated by a plastic polymer
called polyvinyl pyridine-n-oxide. We
don't know how it works, but we do
know that when an animal inhales
coal dust or silica dust, it ordinarily
would get silicosis. This can be pre-
vented by this polymer given even
after the animal inhales the silica.
This establishes the principle that it
is possible to inactivate dusts in the
lungs so that they are no longer able
to do any harm.
Experiments Encouraging
We don't know how to do this with
asbestos. We have begun working in
our laboratory in test tube experi-
ments. These have so far been very
encouraging, but our work is limited.
This research should now be ' in-
creased; not twice as much not ten
times as much, but one hund~ed times
as much. There should be a hundred
scientists working on this problem, in
a dozen different laboratories, right
now. Unfortunately, it's not being done.
(Continued 0'; eleventh page)
Howard Jacobs: What about the
shorter asbestos fibers?

;:.
Ken McGrew, Local 16: Concerned
about glue~ and epoxies.
(Continued from tenth page)
The Disability Problem
Unidentified questioner: When you
go to Social Security for Disability,
you have to be disabled, according
to them. Our lungs are our first and
worst problem. Yet 'we have to stay
in the trade until they are really bad
before we get compensation.
Is there any way we can get some
Disability and get out of the trade
if we begin to have a problem? Do
you recommen~ that this be done
through our union pension fund?
Dr. Selikoff: Ron, you have touched
upon a very important problem. As
you know, Social Security only recog-
nizes total ~sability. Many State com-
pensation programs are similarly
totally inadequate for compensation of
partial disability... Moreover State
Workmen's Compensation relies on
payments by employers for funding.
In one sense, the contractors are
in the same boat as you are. Just as
you were unaware that the conditions
10, 20, or 30 years ago would lead
to serious disease, so were the con-
tractors. Thus, they could not budget
the necessary funds for what is now
foreseen in terms of Workmen's Com-
.pensation or insurance. They are in
a tough spot.
The Coal Mine Situation
The same situation existed for the
coal mine operators 'in 1969 when we
suddenly found that the coal miners
in the country were in trouble. If the
coal mine operators had had to pay
the Workmen's Compensation that
was required at that time it would
have bankrupted nearly every mine
operator in this country.
The situation would have been dif-
ferent had the coal mines paid into
r
Chet Howell, Local 36: We .have
trouble with compensation.
a compensation fund the necessary
monies. Had they done it, the whole
country would have had .to pay more
for coal-a few pennies a ton, per-
haps.
They didn't and, since society got
coal cheaper, Congress correctly said
that the country as a whole owes the
coal miners a debt and that the coal
mine operators are not the only ones
who should pay for this condition.
Therefore, they passed the Coal
Mine Act of 1969 which said that the
Social Security system-you, me~ and
everybody in the country-must pay
the Disability for the coal miners.
The law is widely applied, liberally
interpreted, and of tremendoUs bene-
fit to the coal miners.
Asbestos Act is Needed
What we now need is a similar
political solution to your problem. We
need the political solution of an As-
bestos Act, just as there was a Coal
Mine Act. There were 125,000 coal
miners employed, so its need is far
greater.
George Maynard, Local 36: A bad
experience with respirators.
However, one advantage of the coal
miners was that they had explosions:
20, 80, or 100 men were killed at a
time (some advantage!) That im-
presses everybody.
You people die one at a time. So
it doesn't impress anybody. The coun-
try doesn't see it. But this could be
made known. There are political rep-
resentatives, Congressmen, Senators,
who are knowledgeable and can
understand these problems. Because of
the scope of the problem, it can be
done only through the Government.
This matter is of such seriousness
that I expect it to be one of the im-
portant items of your Las Vegas Con-
vention. While it is the Government
and the Congress that must act, it is
you who must make your needs
known.
Charles Luck, Local 7: What studies
have been done on adhesives?
Compensation
Chet Howell, Local 36: We often
have trouble with compensation. Can
you say with certainty that a man died
of an industrial disease rather than of
something else.
Dr. Selikoff: Yes, in many cases we
can. Asbestosis and mesothelioma are
directly the result of an insulator's
asbestos exposure.
However, in any single case of lung
cancer you can't say, with absolute
certainty, that asbestos was the cause
and not cigarette smoking. All one
can say is that because he worked with
as bestos the chances are 7 to 1 that
the cancer was related to his work..
That's enough for the compensation
courts. If the risk has been signifi-
cantly increased by his job, the death
is compensable.
The statistics are as follows: an
asbestos worker who smokes ciga-
rettes has 92 times the chance of dy-
ing of lung cancer, compared to a man
of the same age who neither smokes
nor works as a pipecoverer.
(Continued on twelfth page)
 ....... _' ..
(Continued from eleventh page)
8 Times The Risk
Further, he has eight times the risk
compared to other cigarette smokers!
For this reason, compensation courts
have acknowledged that the cancer is
highly related to his work, and com-
pensation should be awarded.
Cancer of the stomach, colon, rec-
tum, or esophagus are other diseases
where your risk of death has been in-
creased because of your work and the
courts have granted compensation. In
some states rheumatoid. arthritis is
compensable on the basis of increased
risk, because people with pneumo-
coniosis seem to develop such arthritis
more than other people.
The significantly increased risk is
the essential factor.
A Bad Experience
George Maynard, Local 36: I had a
very bad experience with one respira-
tor. It was certified to me as being
adequate for these blow-gun opera-
tions spraying asbestos. After a couple
of hours, the exhalation rubber flap-
per was completely covered with as-
bestos mud. God knows how much of
that stuff went into my lungs.
Duncan Holaday: You were given
bad advice, George. During spray op-
erations, asbestos fiber levels can ex-
ceed 100 fibers -per ml. At these
concentrations only powered air-puri-
fying or supplied-air respirators should
be used.
The replaceable filter or disposable
respirators, even though approved by
the Bureau of Mines, are for use only
in dust concentrations of less than
ten times the permissible level (50
fibers/ml now; 20 fibers/ml in 1976).
They are' not suitable for use during
spray operations, or extensive removal
of old insulation.. ,,," :.,
I mi,ght add,:bowever, that all res-
John Barton, Local 7: Where are the
plastic bags for cement?
,
pirators are intended to b~ used for
non-routine or emergency operations
only. They are not to be a substitute
for engineering controls.
Adhesives Affect Nerves
Charles Luck, Local 7: I've been
concerned about glue and vapors. We
see a bristle brush disintegrate in three
days and the hairs in your nose turn to
a rubber-like substance when you use
these materials. What studies have
been done along these lines?
Dr. Selikoff: Dr. Kay of our Labo-
ratory has looked into this. He :finds
that very few studies have been done
on the adhesives you us~. We do
know they can produce a toxic effect
on your nerves.
This will affect you as if you were
drunk and may lead to a greater risk
,of accidents on the job and while
driving home. I might add, that at this
time, more than 1 % of all deaths in
your union are deaths due to work
accidents. The adhesives should be
used only in well ventilated areas.
.'
Joe Petrowski, Local 62: How much
does the standard really help?
Moreover, we know ·little of their
long term effects, either alone or in
combination with other materials. If
you have some especially troublesome
materials you should write -to -the Na-
tional Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, Division of Techni-
cal Services, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202,
requesting a hazard evaluation.
Plastic Bag Action Needed
John Barton, Local 7: You've told
us about plastic bags, for over a year
now. Yet, they're not coming out.
What is the reason for this?
Duncan Holaday: Economics-and
who makes the first move. The manu-
facturers say cements packaged in
plastic bags are not being purchased
.;
\
Anthony CeraMi, Local 118: Stand-
ards must be applied uniformly.
because Gf ,the extra cost, so they use
the old bags. The contractors say we
can't buy the bags because they are
not available.
In fact, they have legally been re-
quired since December of last year.
However, the limited enforcement of
the asbestos standards in construc-'
tion work has not forced their wide-
spread use.
John Barton, Local 7: Then the
only alternative appears to be for us
to refuse to work with cement until
it comes in plastic bags.
Duncan Holadcry: That might get
some action.
Standards Are Elastic
Joe Petrowski, Local 62: If my un-
derstanding is correct, the best deter-
mination shows the average dust levels
in our trade during the past few years
to be, in the average day, about five
fibers/ml. So the standard will not
help that much.
Dr. Nicholson: Correct. The stand-
ard, in this regard, will not be of
much help. If dust counts were done,
some of the peak exposures could be
limited and this would help a lot.
But they won't be done; there sim-
ply aren't enough industrial hygienists
in the country, for one thing. For
another, the standards are very "elas-
tic" and largely depend on voluntary
compliance.
We already know that in the past
two years-when there was an official
standard, although not this partiCUlar
one-very few dust counts were done.
In some states, not a single dust count
was seen!
So what is required in a standard
that would really help is the specifica-
tion of mandatory safe work practices,
without the need for dust counts.
... ~ .: . ... ~
'--
 . . . ., .;.

'.
Environmental Sciences

l
Laboratory

O\lI'lTSI~
" INSU·LATION HYGIENE
~l~ o
°lOF",,~Q
"c;

of The City University

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York
Voi. 4. No.4 Winter 1972

Convention Issue
A Gloomy Picture
Insulators' by Duncan A. Holaday
Health Problem ..... Insulation workmen have been, and
now are, subjected to extremely seri-
sidered 29.6% of all deaths were
caused by occupational disease. More-
Worst in U.S.' ous risks of disability and death from
diseases related to their occupation.
over, as time progresses, it is antici-
pated that the percentage of excess
The health of' 'insulation workmen Mortality studies have shown incon- deaths will increase.
was a major topic:of discussion at ·the trovertibly that past exposures of these It is pertinent to speculate on the
22nd Convention' of the International men to toxic substances constitute public reaction which would occur if
Association of Heat and Frost Insula- what is probably the most serious those working with nuclear energy
tors and Asbestos Workers in' Las occupational health problem we have suffered a comparable incidence of
. . in our country, both in degree and radiation-induced deaths. While indus-
Vegas o'n September:.11-14.
The first presentation of the results in numbers of people exposed. trial radiation exposure' may arouse'
of the mortality "Study of the entire Data were presented by Dr. Irving greater public interest than do other
J. Selikoff at the 22nd Convention of hazardous conditions,. official agencies
membership of the Union was made . the International Insulation and As- must regard all causes of occupational
by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff. The results _
substantiated ·theea.rlier:experiences _bestos Workers on the mortality expe- diseases with equal concern.
of Locals 12 and 32 and demonstrated' rience of the entire membership of The NIOSH Criteria for a Recom-'
that serious hea1thproblems still exist. the Union from January 1, 1967 mended Standard for Exposure to As-
in the insulation industry· and tha(the. -through December 31, 1971. Some of bestos estimates that .there are about
problems are nation wide. . .~ _ the significant findings are: 40,000 field insulation workmen in the>
1. Of the 17,800 members' of rec- United States and 'perhaps another ...
The accompanying article "J:)y. Duri:", 20,000 are employed in maintenance .:..,. :,
can A. Holaday provides sOII].e details' ord on January 1, 1967, 1,092
of this presentation and points to sev- died in the ensuing five years and repair in the ..-chemical, refining,'····
eral unfulfilled needs in the insulation whereas only 806 were expected electric power and ;other industries. ", .
industry. . .::;:::-;:,~ .. - .' . to have died. 286 excess deaths • These numbers . may be compared
. "",';~::;:',~~:;, ".,' -:__, ' occurred. with those engaged in coal mining
2. 459 deaths from cancer occurred (about 95,000) and.·metal mining
Union Reaffirms .Commitm~nt during this period although only (about 60,000). Thus we see that in-
At the conve~tfOIithe 'officers and 144 were anticipated. Cancer sulators are a significantly large group
d~legates of the Union reaffirmed was the cause of· 41% of all to be exposed to such high risks of
their commitment to solving the health deaths. . " injury and death.:· /,~;~~ : ..
problems of the industry. General 3 .. In this same group 78 or 7.1 %
. -. ":: .-:~.:,-:,.

President Andrew. Haas stated, ,"In of the deaths were due to as- Asbestos Standar.d.. a Beginning
view of the extreme imPOrt.aD.ce and bestosis-a disease which has
the health of oUr membership; not . no cause other than exposure to Some first moves ~a~e been made
only now, but in the future~ we cannot asbestos. by official agencies t~ improve condi-
afford to droP. 0.Ur. Health 'Hazard 4. 77 or 7.0% of the men died tionse A standard regulating ·expo-
Program and we-would:.he.most negli-;" from pleural and peritoneal sures to asbestos was promulgated on
gent and remiss inotir duties if we. did' . mesotheliomas. As these dis- June 7, 1972, containing provisions
not continue it. :IIr:tact we' must in';:' eases are extremely rare in the which theoreticaIlY'cShould reduce ex-
tensity it until we:have the' industry,. '.. general population,·· essentially posures of insulators to asbestos dust.
cleaned up so that:oUr niembers.:may':'~~.··.: '" .all of these deaths can be as- . This standard haS several basic
work with the full ,"-knowledge:.that. ;~. cribed to exposure to insulation weaknesses which, severely limit its
they are protected . ,and "sate 'from . 'dusts. effectiveness in reducing exposures in
occupational ~~;;i.':" ." . 5. 213--one .of every five--deaths the construction industry. Almost all
In additionto.preSeil.tations to the were due to lung cancer, an ex- of the provisions of the standard re-
delegates by Dr. Selikoff, Dr. William cess of 167 over the number quire that OSHA must· first prove that
. J. Nicholson, and Dilncan A. Holaday, expected. the stipulated atmospheric concentra-
a fourteen paneI"-6xhibit was installed These data demonstrate the results tions have been exceeded before dust
describing the results of the IIHRP. of the exposures to insulation dusts to control measures can be required.
Because of requests by many delegates which insulators have .been subjected. This means that first an _inspection
that the material be more widely dis- The picture is indeed a grim one. If must be made and then' there is a time
tributed, the exhibit is reproduced in only the deaths from asbestosis, 'lung lag of at least a week'-betWeen the
its entirety in this issue. cancer and mesotheliomas are con- (Continued on second page)

,0-
('

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 4, No.4
from the
Insulation Industry
search Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D.,
Published at the Environmental
Sciences Laboratory (Irving J. Seli-
ko:ff, M.D., Director), Mount Sinai
School of Medicine of the City Uni-
versity of New York, New York,
N.Y.. 10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
.',
Irving J. Seliko££, M.D. Program
Director and Chairman' ..
... i"~
E. Cuyler Ii~inond, Sc.D~ Vice
President, AmeriCan Cancer Society,
New York, N.Y.
AIbertHutchinson, General President,
International Association of Heat
and Frost InsUlators -~d Asbestos
Workers, Washington, D.G.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice Presi-
dent, Research. and. Development,
J ohns·Manville ,Corporation, New
York., N.Y~ '~.:-~.';~;'-
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To d~~eiop:;·improved
methods for mjnimizing ex:"
posure of ffisulition workers ;:
to dusts mid fumes encoun:",.
tered in the~:wcir~ '.'
2. To dissernii1'ate knowl-
edge of tllese improved
methods of dust control
wherever they may be ap-
plied advantageously and
to offer cooperation, advice.
and assistqnce toward their.
universal adoption.
','
';".. ;" ;~
A Call For Action
(Continued from first page)
Winter 1972 visit of an inspector and receipt of the
laboratory report.
In the construction industry where
conditions can change hourly, these
Hygiene Re- procedures serve only to record ex-
posures. OSHA has apparently recog-
nized the futility of this mode of
operation and is not even attempting
to conduct industrial hygiene inspec-
tions of insulation work. With about
50 industrial hygienists to cover all
industries' it is understandable that
OSHA has directed its efforts else-
where. However, this does not alter
the fact that the effect of official ac-
tions on reducing the hazards of in-
sulators has been negligible.
Uni(;m and Company Action
Such improvements in environ-
mental conditions which have taken
place are largely the result of actions
by the Union and individual com-
panies. The Union, along with the
Johns-Manville Corporation, through
the Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
search Program, has sponsored proj-
ects which have identified the most
hazardous operations; developed some
dust control procedures; assisted in
development of more useful respira-
tors, and a manual of recommended
practices for shipyard work.
The Union has also conducted a
vigorous educational program in In-
dustrial Hygiene Progress Repons and
in seminars for its members. Con-
tractors have started to use substitute
materials (hopefully' of lower toxicity
than asbestos) and a few have acquired
such dust control equipment as is
available.
The situation is that we know we
have serious health problems; we have
identiiied the largest sources of haz-
ards and have some means of correct-
ing the.m; we have regulations, and
we still have unsafe working condi-
tions. Unless a positive program is de-
veloped and carried out, these unsafe
conditions will continue to exist in-
definitely. .
Accept Responsibilities
Such a program ·cannot be con-
ducted by the insulation ·industry and
the Union alone. . Mr. Hoyt B. Gilley
Federal and State agencies must ac-
cept their responsibilities to assist the
insulation workmen in alleviating all
the adverse health consequences of in-
sulation work. It is urgent that the
appropriate government agencies con-
sider implementation of the following
...
programs:
1. Minimization of future insula-
tion dust exposure, including
development of the additional
engineering control measures
required.
2. Adequate compensation for dust
related disabilities in all states
including long term disability
and family compensation.
3. Adequate medical surveillance
of those workers exposed to in-
sulation dusts. Lives can be
saved in this way.
4. Adequate medical care, "'hen
required, of· occupationally re-
lated disease.
5. Development of a cure for
mesothelioma. This could be
part of our country's new Na-
tional Cancer Plan.
6. Development of methods to in-
activate lung dusts in those
workers already exposed. There
is already evidence that this is
possible.
In Memoriam
The Insulation Industry Hygiene
Research Program wishes to gratefully
acknowledge additional contributions
made in memory of Albert E. Hutch-
inson. Previous contributions were
listed in Volume 4, Number 3.
From locals of the International
Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos workers:
6 14 20
41 53 57
62 74 76
83 84 86
90 98 99
From labor organizations:
International Brotherhood of Paint-
ers and Allied Trades
State Building and Construction
Trades Council of California
Norfolk Building Trades Council
Operative PlaSterers' and Cement
Masons'-International Association of
the United States & Canada
Atomic Trades and Labor Council
From individuals:
Mr. Edward Sargawakian
Mrs. B. G. Scallon
Mr & Mrs. James Hauber
To date 92 groups and individuals
have contributed over $5,900 to the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program in memory of Albert Hutch-
inson
 INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM

......;..;

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INSULATION HYGIENE
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
. . ......
E. Cuyler Hammond, &.D. Direeto~,
Department of Statistics and Epidem-
iology, American Cancer Society, NYC.
St2tistical consultant.
_.'.1••
.'~
", ~~~:~~.:~
Kinpley· Kai, .Ph.D. Formerly Senior
Scientifie Consultant in Occupational
Health to the Canadian government, Ot- .
taw&. Toxicologyand industrial hygiene..
Arthur R<>bI, Ph.D. Researeh min<=l-
ogist. Dr. Rohl comes to the IIHRP from
L"e Dep=tment of Mineralogy of C0-
lumbia University. He is responsible for
examination and analysis of dust sam-
ples.
OUl'lTSIIy
~l~°Ol OF ~<:..<:>.....(j
OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY
OF NEW YORK
~-.
Harry Heinann, M.D. Formerly, Di-
rector, Division of Occupational Health,
United States Public Health Service,
Washington, D.C. Epidemiological Re-
search Staff.
-P.' ..•
", \~'",,:,
.. 0":.• ::':'~
..
William J. Nicholson, Ph.D. Recruited
to the HHRP from the Watson Labora-
tory, Columbia University, where he
was senior research biophysicist. Head
of field stuaies of the program, and ed-
itor of the Insulation Industry Hygiene
Reporta
Robert J. Schnitzer, M.D. Formerly,
Head of Chemotherapy Laboratories of
LG. Farben and of Hoffmann-LaRoche.
Heads Biological Laboratory research
into techniques of dust inactivation.
Duncan A. Holaday, M-A.. C=e to the
IIHRP after serving as Chief, Western
Field Station, U.s. Public Health Ser-
,-ice, Salt Lake City. Industrial hygiene
and engineering.
William Reitze, B.s. Field investigator
in industrial hygiene. Recently retired
from the program after making impor-
tant contributions. Mr. Reitze has re-
joined Johns Manville as Manager of
Accident Prevention and Industrial
H~th.
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Director, En-
,-;ronmental Sciences Laboratory and
head of Medical School's Dh'ision of En-
,-;ronmental Medicine. Formerly, Pres-
ident, New York Academy of Sciences.
Directcr of IIHRP.
 r
,.,
I

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

OOSES "
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tlae ~ 9ft coastr'IId:ioa ..i:te.-tnd ial ....Jyaia.. 'I'Ito., _ .......,......
ia~-' .. tlI.rti:Mae..e«P"icmaterial ..· -
lTrea1 tAr Tano-s _inU:aJ O..a:a..

.....
! -: :

X·rzy diffndioe ~t 1'"-" .

~ W(t'f1ft.AtioD. Oft 1M ~JC"
.~p~ia""""".c
~d-.

\ ~~~~f_~~.4.,{~~~S;

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 ..
.......

THE
FIBERS
ARE
USED
IS
L"St'LA TIO;
MATERIAL
.UW
DURING
APPLICATIt
BECOME
~~DED _ ,:.
THEIR :;
, INDIYIDUA
ASBESTOS - , FIBRIlS.
ORE
FROM
CANADIA~
:J ~ERS
/0 AND
,,"';;

OPEN <# FIBRILS

CHRYsori~ CAN
EASILY
MINE. BECOME
AIRBORNE.

~
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. ; I
,
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t

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THE
ORE
IS
CRUSHED WHEN
A)'ID INHALED
THE THEY
ASBESTOS READILY
FIBERS ARE
ARE TRAPPED
OBTAINED IN
BY THE
LUNG.
;EPAM-rtoW.
IN
A
MILL.
. :::#.... 4:;4:4£ ~:)if4Fi1'P­
:::1'
..
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,
:;~

NORMAL CHEST X-RAY

Most x-rays of pipecoverers appear normal for at 1e2st ten
years,. or longer. Indeed? one of 20 has a clear x-ray eVen after-tO
yean:.of work.. We do not know why there are these differencei
aIDOQC individuals. Ciiaretie smokin, tends to result in somewhat
more sarring than would otherwise be the C1Oe, but ui>estoois
may occur' even in the absenee of cigarette smoking.
A normal appesring- fUm does not insure that there is no scar·
ring; th-e x-ray sometimes does not show rIDe.sa..nt. esped.a.lly the
cfiffW!e variety cha=eteri.stie of asbestoois.. In such instan<:es, res-
piratory function tests may demonstrate some ch.a.nge,. especially
after exercise.. Ho-wever,. by and larg~ a norm21 x-n.y is a very
satisfactory rIDdIng In an inauJati<>n worker and is a distinct ad-
TaDtage..

MINIMAL ASBESTOSIS
Fine lines. indicative of sarring, begin to appear. OCt..!, as
here,. they are neither extensive. nor vuy dense. The. scars tend to
appear in the lower portions of the. lungs.. -on both sides, UK! are
frequently irregulu- or reticular. As a ruJe, there is more to be
found in the lung than can be seen on x-ray. ,..hieh may "'under-
read~ the sitnatiolL Sometimes. only the covering of the lung..,(the
pleura) is involved and the lung itseJf is entirely or largely spared.
When thU hapJ><flS "pleunl plaques" are seen on the x-ray. These
may become calcified.
The appearance of these x-rays is not abooIuteIy specific: other
diseaaes. sometimes give similar flndinp.. Yet when they occur in
an .ubestors wurku, the diagnosis an usually be made ...nth ron·
siderable ronCidenee, especially by an experienced ph)'llician.. Lung
m-Y is rarely necessary and should not be undertaken ~hUy.

NORMAL CHEST X-RAY
EXTENSIVE ASBESTOSIS
'!be scarrinl' ia much. more intense and is present in much of
the lung_ 'The pleurae, too, are involved in many cases..
There is incomplete -corrdation between the 1lDOUn.t of sca.rring
_ on x-ray and the rfSlliratory cfifficulty a person mi~ht haye,
or the extent of the abnormalities found on the pulmonary func-
tion test&.. 'The x-ray may be ~ly abnormal, y~t the individual
baa no liifficulty In breatlrinc. Conversely. serious shortness of
breath may be present without impres3ive chang... in the chest
x-ny. One cannot pr~ct from the x-ray l1one.

.. ~

'''':.•. ,'.:': ;.:~:. ,:,..

.
: ~:.:-.~~-~.'.

}Fgfik~".:,

MINL'lAL ASBESTOSIS EXTENSIVE ASBESTOSIS

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LUNG CANCER
X-ray examination is at p.resent the only efficient 'way to diag-
nose the presence of lung cancer, at least in tjme for successful
treatment. However~ such dia.gnosis may be somewhat more dif*
firolt in asbestos workers,. since the lung scarring which is often
also present. may obscure the cancer shadow.
A considerable adva.ntag~ is to be able to compare the suspicious
markings with the same arM. on previous x-rays, to see if there
has been any change. Therefor~ regular periodic x-rays are essen-
tial for pipe: coverers. For those '"With more than twenty years in
the trade. even once a year is sometimes not often enough., espe-
cially if there is a history of ciruette smoking. Every six months
...ould be better. At most, there ....ould be a little waste of time and
mGney, but there could be the saving of a life..
The lung cancers in asbestos workers are, as a group, to a cer-
tain extent, different than the usual cancers.. Twtrthirds are in
the lower portions of the lune (where more scarring is seen on
x-ray, also); ordinan1Yt only one--third are found here.. But, apart
from such minor variations,. they can be diagnosed and treated in
the usual .... ys. The important thing is early dil.gnosis, if ....e &re
to hope for a cure.
...,........, ...:-.:,
...~:.. -;:~~~~:.:~~~.~ . :..... ~ .~
<j-;':~j~~~; •.
LUNG CANCER
MESOTHELIOMA
The lining of the chest and the lining of the abdomen is the
"'mesothelium n " Therefore. when neoplasm affects this tissue, it is
l2.bded "mesothelioma"'.
Such tumors generally spread across the whole lining surface..
This fact determines their x-ray appearance - they show a dif-
fuse shadow linin!> the whole chest, en=in!> the lun!>. Usually,
they are on one side onlYt and may be accompanied by fluid in the
chest ("pleurisy'" or "pleural effusion"'). 'l\nen the lining of the
abdomen is affected, fluid ma.y again be found, causing swelling.
X-ny is very efficient in demonstrating the presence of meso-
thdloma in the chest (pleural). It is so fa.r of little help in dial:Tlos,
ing abdominal (peritoneal) mesotheliotnL
Early progress has been made in developing chemicals and
drugs to treat these cancers and it is hoped th&t additional research
",,"ill help provide 3: cure.. Therefore,. early x-raY' diagnosis Vtill be a
grea.t help in creating the best possible circumstances for treat·
ment.
~.'
¢
MESOTHELIOMA
 STATISTICS STATISTICS

.... MORTALITY STATISTICS OF Six years ago it was not known whether the Locals 12 and 32
INSULATION WORKERS, 1943-1971 experience was unique or to be found throughout the country.
Therefore, research was undertaken to investigate this question.
On January 1, 1967, there were 17,800 men registered in the
. ~~i. International By December 31, 1971, 1,092 had died.

iJ
Exposure to insulation dusts usually does not produce disease EXPECTED AND OBSERVED DEATHS AMONG 17,so0
'"a until many years after beginning work -20,30 or more years. The
experience of members of Locals 12 and 32 is therefore of interest.
MEMBERS OF THE L-\.HFIAW IN THE l)NITED STATES
AND CANADA, JAN. 1, 1967 -DEC. 31,1971

(12,681 members) (5,119 members)

On January 1, 1943, there were 632 members in these locals.
Seven died young, before reaching twenty years from onset of their Before 20 years After 20 yearS

~. ~::
work. The fate of the remaining 625 men has been studied, and is
Expected Observed EXP"Cted Observed
summarized in the following table:
.::..
.::
Total deaths 178.94 211 626.69 881 ..
. ~7
~

Expected and observed deaths among 625 Cancer deaths 26.31 51 117.78 408
members of Locals 12 and 32, Jan. 1, 1943 • Dec. 31, 1971
Lung cancer 7.03 22 37.39 191
;,:
A

Pleural mesothelioma 2 24 :_ :' r

-.,
Expected Observed Peritoneal mesothelioma 3 48
.....
Cancer of stomach 0.97 1 5.65 15 \ -,

Total deaths 288..5 423 Cancer of colon, rectum 2.51 3 15.00 23.
)"
Ii Cancer of esophagus 0.44 2.77 12'·
[ Cancer deaths 52.2 189
All other cancers 15.36 19 56.97 96
.- . Lung cancer 1L4 84

Pleural mesothelioma 8
Asbestosis 3 ".
73
Peritoneal mesothelioma 24

Cancer of stomach, colon, rectum 12.5 41

All other causes 152.63 157 509.91 400

All oilier cancers 28.3 32

COMMENTS
Asbestosis 33
Lung cancer is the most serious health hazard of insulation work-
ers. It may be responsible for one in five of all deaths. among them.
All other causes 236.3 234 However, generaliy it does not occur until more than 20 vears
have passed from onset of work. -
r.Iesothelioma of the chest or abdomen is very rare in the general
population; approximately 1 death in 10,000. Among pipecoYerers,
it is increased more than 700 times. accounting for 7'. of all deaths.

Gastro-intestinal cancer is also increased in frequency but not to

.~ the extent as lung cancer or mesothelioma. It is found two 01' thl'ee
J times as often as anticipated.
The IIHRP is grateful to the Department of Statistics of the Amer-
ican Cancer Society for undertaking the extensive statistical anal- Asbestosis - scarred lungs - was responsible fOI' approximately
yses needed to provide these data. Expected deaths are based upon 7'; of deaths. There is no cause for asbestosis Othel' than the in-
U.S. Xational Office Of Vital Statistics annual rates for U.S. white halation of asbestos dust. Each of these deaths was therefore work-
males. taking age and year into account. related.

·U.S. death rates not available. since these are rare causes' of ·U.S. death rates not a\·ailable. since the~e ure rare cau;:eS of
death in the general population. death in the general population.

l , ...
~.- ~
 CIGARETTE S~fOKING

Cigarette smoking and insulation work do not mix ..

Research has shown that lung cancer occurs against a background of dg·
aretie smoking:

1. LOCALS 12 AND 32:

On Jan .. It 1963, there Were 3iO mem.

bers of Locals 12 and 32 who had en-
tered the Union before 19~3.

87 never 2S3 had a history

smoked cigarettes of cigarette
smoking

Total deaths by
Dec.31,1971 35 133

Expected deaths of
lung cancer¥- 1.26 3.31

Deaths of lung cancer

Jan.l,I963-Dec.31,1971

2. ALL LOCALS, U.s_AND CANADA:

There Were 17,800 men registered in

the International on Jan~ 1, 1967.. 11,655
cGropJeted questionnaires rec.ording
their smoking habits..

2,066 n-ever 9,59Qhad

smoked cigarettes smoked cigarettes

Total deaths
by Dec.31,1971 73 596

Expected deaths of
Tung cancer'" 5.98 25.09

Deaths oflung ClIneer

Jan.1,1967-Dee.31,1971 2 134

."·"Based on U.s. death rates. U.s. National Offit'e of Vital Statistics.

Calculations indicate that asbestos workers who smoke cigarettes have

eight times the chance of dying of lung cancert compared to other cig-
arette smokers of the same age who do not work in this trade.

Asbestos workers who smoke cigarettes have .92 times the risk of dying
of lung c:anc-er~ compared to similar men, who neither work with asbes-
tos nor smoke cigarettes.

We have not found significant trouble Vt;th pipe or cigar smoking.

In the absence of cigarette 'smoking, we haye, not found lung cancer to 'be
a Vf!ry serious problem among asbestos workers:

Cigarette smoking is not the whole story. however. Mesothelioma and as-
bestosis occur eyen without smoking 9 as does cancer of the stomach~
esophagus, colon or rectum. Therefore, dust control is essential.

Two things do not belong in pipe-coYerers'lungs:

INSULATION DUSTS AND CIGARETTE SMOKE.

t4.
 DUST COUNTING
Asbestos dust levels in insulation work are determined by tak-
ing air samples during the different jobs of an asbestos worker. A
small. battery operated pump draws air through a special filter
mounted in a collecting unit worn on the coUar DC a. workman... The
collecting unit and filter which collects the fille..,. and partides
in the air, are taken back to the laboratory for analysis.. &cause
they are easier to measure. only those fibers longer than five mi-
crons (about 1/5000 of an inch) are counted; smalkr one are
known to be present but are not counted.

The asbe;tos dust concentration allowed by the new asbestos

standard is 5 fibers (longer than 5 microns) per milliliter of air
averaged over an 8 hour day. (A milliliter of air is about a thimble-
ful)_ Since you breathe approximately 8,000,000 milliliters of air
in a working day, the standard permits you to inh..aJe 40,000,000
fibers daily. Moreover, there can be 100 fibers shorter than 5 mi-
crons for everyone longer than 5 microns.. Thus.. one could say we
have, at this time, a 4 billion fiber asbestos standard.

In actual fact, the numerical value of the standard is of limiW

value. To monitor dust levels in insulation work is an insurmount~
able task. For example. the Department of Labor has about 50
industrial hygienists tu monitor over 4,000,000 workplaces for
dust and loxic chemicaJs.. Most State Departments of Health have
even lesser capability for monitoring. The route tl) a. safe work
environment is not dust counting, but impkmentation of m.anda~
tory safe work practices and safe materials.

·1~ A An IIHRP industrial hygienist collecting dust sample during-

insulation work in a power house.

B Dust counting is p"rformed in the Environmental Sciences La~

oratory using a phase contrast microscope.

C A typical view, in the microscope, of airborne dust coUected

during insulation work..
A

-,

-..
 "-'"

POOR
WORK
PRACTICES
PRODUCE
DUST

o Cutting pipe -covering

with no dust control on a
btnd saw.

~
..
~

~
"

Asbestos debris await· 0

ing collection on job site.

o Dumping dry asbestos

cement into .a trough prior
to mixing with water.

Dust generated by cut· 0

ting with a hand saw. The
dust on the workman's
shoes can he brought from
work to contaminate his
home.

o Hand mixing of dry ;as...

bestos cement.

A broken bag of ssbes· 0

too cement used as the bot·
tom step of a ladder.

,
 GOOD
WORK
PRACTICES

Wettmg. rna terials prior

to cutting.

1 vacuum
A por~~:d~uatedust
cleaner '\\'1 Id be used to
filtration shou dust.
clean up loose

high v.loc-
The use of a band saws
~.irluany
"ty collector .on. ates air-
ehmln
borne dust.

gmg ta-
A downdraft c:'tt"
hand
hIe for use d~~~le vac-
sav,·ing. A po rovides the
unm .c1ean:fr ~enti.lation.
reqUIred . 1 is dISposed
P matena
Scf:a
o m a plastic bag"

"t dust col-

A high V.IOCI Y po,,"er
lector for use on
h1U1d saws.

"" of asbestos ce-

t ;:gplastic bags.
1I11X
men

. of waste
The bagt;tn g disposal..
material pnor to
 ';ingle Use Respirators... These .re suitable for use in asbestos concentrations up to 50 Disposable Filter Respintors. These are suitable for the same conditions as single use
. 'ih-:rs/mmiliter and should be used for the <lustier ioo. during: imWlation of ashes- respiniors.. They sMuld not be used unless a respirator ml1in tenance program is avail·
'OS insu12tion mai..eri.a.1s... They should be worn during aU blodclng or hand cutting op- 1hk Oft the ....ork site.
!r3tions 1S e,XC'O:! dust i3 often generated •.

NOTE: On July I, 1976 the applicable level for which

respirators A and B are suitable drops to 20 fibersl
RESPIRATORS milliliter lUId that of C to 200 fibers/milliliter. At that
time respiratory protection should be provided at all
concentrations above 2 fibers/milliliter.
~ ..": ": ...

Air Supplied Re;piratora. These mUllt be nsed: in ubestoo dust eooeenh-aHons above Powered Air PurifyinJ: Re;pirators. 'Theae are for uae in asbestos concentrations up
;00 fibers/milhliters.. However, they w&nld be required only in the moot extreme con- to 500 fiben/milliliter., and .an- suitabk for the removal of old insulation material or
ditio", such as remon! of old inaulatiou in lIIIlall shipboard compartmeata. the Sl)Ta:rinr o~ asbestos fiber.
 Environmental Sciences.
Laboratory
O\l1"TSI.y
INSULATION HYGIENE
~T~a
O(OF~~<:l
"c.;
of The City University
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
. of New York
Asbestos Standard
has Little Effect
Conditions in the asbestos insulation
industry have changed little since the
promulgation of the Asbestos Standard
on June 7, L972. This is the conclusion
from a preliminary analysis of the data
in a survey of all Asbestos Workers
on environmental conditions in their
work.
Although the standard required that
at least one dust count be done by each
employer during the first six months
following the issuance of the standard,
fewer than 5% of workmen saw such
a count.
These results included dust counts
made under the auspices of the
employers and aiso those by state or
federal officials. In fact, a large fraction
ofthose dust counts were in Navy Ship-
yards which have permanent industrial
hygiene departments:
Procedures Not Followed
In order to reduce dust concentra-
tions below the established Threshold
Limit Value of 5 fibers (longer than
5 microns) per milliliter of air, certain
procedures were listed in the standard ..
These included the use of plastic bags
for mixing cement, vacuum cleaning
of asbestos debris, the use of containers
for waste material disposal, and
exhaust ventilation on power equip-
. ment.
Over one-half of the replies stated
that none of these items were usually
available on job sites; approximately
one-third stated all were never
available. In nearly fifty percent of the
replies change rooms were listed as
unavailable so that dust laden clothes
were taken home by many workmen
to possibly contaminate their house-
holds.
The replies represented observations
on over 900 employers and thousands
(Continued on page two.)
~7
i~r
"'.\.
~\
'~"
~
~
'~
,l
Roy Steinfurth (right). Director of the Health Hazard Program of the Asbestos Workers discusses
the statistical work of the American Cancer Society concerning asbestos insulation workers with
Herbert Seidman. chief statistical analyst of the A. C. S.
Asbestos 'Workers Health
Hazard Program Begins
Roy Steinfurth, formerly Business
Agent of Local 45, Toledo, has been
selected by General President Haas to
direct the Health Hazard Program of
the IAHFlAW. This program was
developed by the Asbestos Workers at
their convention last September and is
being funded by a one cent per hour
assessment on each member's wages.
All Aspects of Health
The new program will be concerned
with all aspects of asbestos health prob-
lems, support of clinical and laboratory
research, implementation of asbestos
dust control technology, educational
programs for workmen, and adequate
compensation for as~stos disease.
This last issue as~sumes special
importance at this time. Procedures,
materials, and control equipment have
been identified that can reduce dust
exposures in insulation work to one-
tenth that which existed in the past.
This existing technology, additional
engineering controls to be developed,
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Diredor
Vol.5, No.1 Spring 1973
-:c
and the use of appropriate respirators
in dusty work will substantially reduce
the health risk of workmen now enter-
ing the insulation trade.
It is equally important, however, to
assure that those now in insulation work
or who have retired and have been dis-
abled by the dust exposures of 20, 30,
or more years ago be adequately treated
for their disease and compensated for
their disability. "
Mixed Picture
At this time the compensation pic-
ture is very mixed. A few states have
laws that provide reasonable compen-
sation for damage to health caused by
asbestos or other dusts. However, in
some'states compensation for dust dis-
eases is virtually non"existant and in
others totally inadequate.
New York, for example, wiII allow
payment in pneumoconiosis diseases
(including asbestosis) only for total dis-
ability.
(Continued on page two.)
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 5, No.1 Spring 1973
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., Pub-
lished at the Environmental Sciences
Laboratory (lrvi~g J. Selikoff, M.D.,
Director), Mount Sinai School of .Medicine
of the City University of New York, N.Y.
10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program Director
and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice Presi-
dent, American .Cancer Society, New
York, N.Y.
Andrew Haas, General President, Interna-
.~ .. tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers,
Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice President,
Research and Development, Johns-
Manville Corporations, New York, N.Y.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
assistance toward their universal
adoption.
Asbestos Standard
has Little Effect
(Continued from page one.)
of job sites and demonstrate that much
is yet to be done before safe work con-
ditions prevail on construction sites.
The complete results of the survey
with a detailed statistical analysis' will
be published in the next issue ofInsula-
tion Hygiene Progress Reports.
Compensation- an Hazard
Important Issue Evaluation
(Continued from page one.) Available
Similar problems existed in the coal Regulations for conducting job
mining industry and were solved by health hazard evaluations have been
the passage of the "Black Lung Law" published by the National Institute for
in which the Federal Government, Occupational Safety and Health in the
through the Social Security Adminis- November 7 issue of the Federal
tration, assumed the compensation Register.
responsibility for all coal mine NIOSH carries out evaluations of
workers. potentially toxic substances in the
Mr. Steinfurth spent the first week workplace at the request of employers
in his new position with International or of representatives of employees in
Vice-President Jack Novak visiting establishments covered by the Occupa-
Mount Sinai School of Medicine and tional Safety and Health Act. Such a
the American Cancer Society where all representative may be a union officer,
aspects of the various asbestos research a collective bargaining representative,
programs were reviewed. an employee having written authoriza-
Arrangements have been made for tion from at least two other employees
Mr. Steinfurth, Mr. NOVak, and Dun- who work in the area where the toxic
can Holaday of Mount Sinai's Environ- substance is found, or a single em-
mental Science Laboratory to visit ployee in those establishments employ-
individuals in the AFL-CIO headquar- ing three or fewer employees.
ters concerned with health matters and Copies of all final reports of health
all government departments and hazard determinations will be for-
facilities that may be involved with warded to the Department of Labor and
asbestos health problems, including, to the appropriate state agency, as well
especially, the Occupational Safety and as to the requesting parties. Each deter-
Health Administration of the Depart- mination will state the concentration
ment of Labor and the National. of the {oxic substances found, whether
Institute for Occupational Safety and such concentrations can produce toxic
Health. effects, and the basis for such judg-
In discussing his new position, Stein- ments.
furth said, "Solving the health prob- . Because a wide variety of possibly
lems of asbestos workers is such an toxic chemicals and adhesives,are now
important task. I'm pleased to be part used by insulators, we are publishing
of that effort and look forward to work- a copy of the form on which a health
ing with ail insulators across the coun- hazard evaluation can be requested
try to solve our health problems." from NIOSH."
SIX INSULATORS DIE IN ACCIDENT
On December 15, 1972 six members of Local 2, Pittsburgh, were
killed in a coke oven gas explosion in Weirton, West"Virginia. Paul
-E. Byrne, George M. Crowley, Russell J. Ober, Michael R. Repko,
Albert R. Tuttle, and James R. Tuttle were applying insulation to
pipe at the coke oven battery when the accident occurred.
Because of the large number of deaths from asbestos dust diseases
in insulation work, accidental deaths are often overlooked. In his report
before the delegates to the National Convention, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff
pointed out that over 1% of all deaths of insulators are from work
accidents. Moreover, for every accident causing death there are many
more involving serious physical injury.
The terrible event in Pittsburgh and accidental deaths elsewhere
dramatize that Asbestos Workers, industry safety officers, and govern-
ment officials should be conscious of occupational safety as well as
health in insulation work. One cannot be too careful on the job site.
. ~:.-""'" :.. . " :. :' ~ ~--- ,
 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

REQUEST FOR HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATION

This form is provided to assist in registering a request for a health hazard evaluation with the U.S. Department
of Heahh, Education, and Welfare as provided in Section 20(a)(6) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 and 42 CFR Part 85. (See Statement of Authority on Reverse Side).

Name of Establishment Where Alleged !-i1'l2';> r rl(s) Exist _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Company{,Street~~---------------------TelePhone-----------___
Address City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip Code _ _ _ _ __

(manufactu ri ng .. constructi on. transportati on. servi ces. etc.'

2. Specify the particular building or worksite where the alleged hazard is located, including address _ _ _ __

3. Specify the name and phone number of employer's agent(s) in charge.

4. Describe briefly the hazard(s) which exists by completing the following information:
Identification of Hazard or Toxic Substance(s) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Trade Name (If Appl icable) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Chemica I Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Manufacturer Does the material have a warning labeI7 _ _ _ _ _ Yes _ _ _ _ _ No
If Yes, attach coPy of label or a copy of the information contained on the label.
Physical Form: Dust 0 Gas 0 . Liquid 0 Mist 0 Other 0
Type of Expo~ure? Breathing 0 Swallowing 0 Skin Contact 0
Number cf People Exposed Length of Exposure (Hours/Day) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Occupations of Exposed Employees _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

5. Using''the space below describe further the nature of the conditions or circumstances which prompted this re-
quest and other relevant aspects which you may consider important, such as the nature of the illness or symp-
toms of exposure, the concern for the potentially toxic effects of a new chemical substance introduced into the
workplace, etc.

NIOSH-4 (Cin) FOFM APPROVED

9/72 OMS NO. 68-R1236
 6. (a) To your knowledge has this hazard been considered previously by any Government agency? _ _ _ _ _ __
(b) I f so. give the name a nd address of each.

(c) and, the approximate date it was so considered. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

7. (a) Is this request, or a request alleging a similar hazard, being filed with any other Government
agency? (b) If so, give the name and address of each.

;;
;

;.
~
~ The undersigned (check one)

o Employer
o Authorized Representative of employees'"
ii iii (circle one)
believesthata substance (or substances) normallyfoundat the following place of employment may have potentially
toxic effects in the concentration used or found.

Signature _______________________________ Date ____________________ ~~

Typed or Printed Name Telephone: Home ___________________

.' .
Street Busi ness'
Address { City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip Code _ _ _ __

If you are a representative of employees, state the name and address of your organization.

Please indicate your desire:

o 1 do not want my name revealed to the employer.
o My name may be. revealed to the employer.

Authority:
Section 20(aJ (5) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, (29 U. S. C. 559(a)(6) ) provides as follows: The Sec r eta ry of
Health. Education. and Welfare shall •.. determine following a written request by any employer or authorized representative of
employees. specifying with reasonable particularity the grounds on which the request is made. whether any substance normally
"Found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in su<;;h concentrations as used or found; and shall submit such
determination both to employers and affected employees as soon as possible. If the Secretary of Health. Education, and Wel-
fare determines that any substance is potentially toxic at the concentrations in which it is used or found in a place of em-
ployment. and such substance is not covered by an occupational safety or health standard promulgated under section 5. the
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall immediately submit such determination to the Secretary of Labor, together
~

.' .
, with a II pertinent criteria.

• "Authorized representative of enployees" means any person or organization meeting the conditions specified in 42 CFR Part
,-
85.3 (b) (4) (i). (ii) or (iii):
(i) - that he is an authorized representative of. or an officer of the organization representing. the employees for purposes of
collective bargaining: or
(ii) - that he is an employee of the employer and is authorized by two or more employees employed in the workplace where the
substance is normally found. to represent them for purposes of the Act. Each such authorization shall be in writing and in-
cluded in the request; or
(iii) - that he is one of three or less employees employed in the workplace where the substance is normally found.

Send the completed form to:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Hazard Evaluation Services Branch
U.S. Department of Health. Education. and Welfare
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
 Environmental Sciences
LaborsUlIj'
INSULATION HYGIENE
~i~
~O llfll rf
.OlOFtJ-'i.Q"
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of The City University
of New York
Members of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers attending
a conference on the health hazards of asbestos work presented by Local 95 in Toronto, Canada.
Health and Safety Meeting
Held in Toronto
On Saturday, January 13, 1973, a
meeting was·held in Toronto to discuss
health hazards in insulation work. Drs.
Irving J. Selikoff and William J.
Nicholson of Mount Sinai School of
Medicine spoke to nearly 200 members
of Local 95 about the risks of asbestos
work and described what can be done
to improve working conditions.
Because of the general interest in the
health problems of insulation work a
selection of questions and answers that
followed these talks is published here.
Torn CarS{)n: A few years ago I was
doing insulation in a room where paint-
ers were spraying. The fumes bothered
me and I came out of the room, but, like
a dope, I went back in and got this
tremendous pain in my chest. They
took me to the Doctor and after looking
Irving J. Sellkoff, M.D., Program Director
Vol. 5 No.2 ~7 Summer 1973
International
Experts Meet
on Mesothelioma
On April 2 and 3 an international
working group met to discuss research'
programs for the treatment and cure of
mesothelioma. The meeting was held
at the National Headquarters of the
American Cancer Society under the
auspices of the Mount Sinai School
of Medicine~A.C.S. Environmental
Cancer Research Program. The treat-
ment experiences of several medical
centers were reviewed and future re-
search programs discussed.
Cooperation Pledged
Andrew Haas,. Asbestos Workers
President, pledged the full support of
the Union in any research efforts to find
a cure for mesothelioma. He described
how nearly 10% of the deaths in the
membership of his union were from
mesothelioma and that finding a suc-
cessful treatment for this cancer should
. be one of the priority items of the Fed-
eral Government. Similar support for
such research work was offered by Jack
Solon, Vice-President of the Johns-
Manville Corporation.
Attending the meeting from Great F
Britain were Dr. Muriel Newhouse of
the London Sch091 of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine, Dr. Margaret
Turner-Warwick of the Institute of
Diseases of the Chest, London, and
Dr. Geoffrey Sheers of the Beaumont
...
House Chest Clinic in Plymouth, Eng-
land. Dr. Sheers: report on the inci-
dence of mesothelioma in workers,
other than insulators, in the Devonport
Dockyard was especially disturbing.
Here, the frequency 'of cases in
Tom Carson painters, electricians, or shipfitters,
at the X-ray, he said my lung had col- etc. appeared to be nearly as great as in
lapsed. Could this have been caused by insulation workers.
(Continued on fifth page) (Continued on second page)
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 5, No.2
from the
Summer 1973
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., Pub-
lished at the Environmental Sciences
Laboratory (Irving J. Selikoff, M.D.,
Director), Mount Sinai School of Medicine
of the City University of New York, N.Y.
10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving 1. Selikoff, M. D. Program Director
and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice Presi-
dent, American Cancer Society, New
York, N.Y.
Andrew Haas, General President, Interna-
tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers,
Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice President,
Research and Development, Johns-
Manville Corporation, Denver, Colo.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
.,;.. ..
assistance toward their universal
".z
adoption.
,.-
(Continued from page 1)
Also present at the meeting were Dr.
Marcus Key, Director of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, Dr. Douglas Lee of the Na-
tional Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, Captain George Law-
ton of the U.S. Navy, and representa-
tives of the National Cancer Institute.
Resuits of Asbestos
Workers Survey In
Over five thousand members of the
Asbestos Workers Union responded to
the questionnaire, distributed by Gen-
eral President Andrew Haas in De-
cember, 1972, to find out what effects
the new asbestos regulations had had in
reducing exposures of Asbestos Work-
ers. The important provisions of these
regulations as they applied to insulation
work were covered by the questions.
One of the mandatory requirements
of the new standard was that each work
place where asbestos fibers were re-
leased should be monitored by De-
cember 6, 1972. The number of dust
counts seen by Asbestos Workers in the
d.iffercnt regions of the United States
and Canada are shown in Table 1.
Few Dust Counts Seen
One hundred and seventy-one mem-
bers observed an air sample being
taken; 4956 did not see any such
activity in six months. After making all
reasonable allowances for unobserved
surveys, i,t must be concluded that there
has been no major effort to comply with
this part of the regulations. ,
By itself, air sampling does nothing
to reduce exposures. In this situation,
however, it is an indication of the activ-
ity of employers or official agency in-
dustrial hygienists in complying with at
least the mandatory provisions of the
regulations.
The distribution of the surveys was
noteworthy, Fifty-four, or about one-
third of the observed surveys, were
reported by the relatively few (165)
replies from members of shipyard and
TABLE [
Numberof dust counts seen by inSUlation workers during the period June 7,1972, to
December 6, 1972
Region
New York-New-England
Middle Atlantic
Southeast
Southwept
Midwest
Central
West
Canadian
Maintenance Locals
Shipyard Locals
All regions
...... :'
maintenance locals. As many of the
members of these locals work in
facilities which have an industrial
health program, this result is under-
standable.
In order to reduce dust concen-
trations below the established Thresh-
old Limit Value of 5 fibers (longer
than 5 microns) per milliliter of
air, certain procedures were listed in
the standard, These included the use of
plastic bags for mixing cement,
vacuum cleaning of asbestos debris, the
use of containers for waste material
disposal, and exhaust ventilation on all
power equipment. Workers were also
queried on the availability of this
equipment as well as the availability of
respirators and change facilities.
No Widespread Adoption
Table II lists the questions and com-
plete results obtained in the survey. It is
evident that there has not been any
widespread adoption of work practices
recommended or mandated in the stan-
dard. As with the dust counts, the pres-
ence of an· industrial health program
and stable work location in main-
tenance and shipyard locals result'ed in
a lower percentage of "never" re-
sponses to the questions on the avail-
ability of change rooms, respirators,
and personal protection equipment.
However, across the United States,
the standard had little effect in improv-
ing conditions in construction work.
Reportedly, there has been an in-
crease in the proportion of asbestos-
free insulation being installed, and this
Dust counts seen? Percentage of men
Yes No seeing a dust count
12 743 1.6
25 755 3.2
6 326 1.8
18 474 3.7
5 935 0.5
2.4
18 740
24 509 4.5
2.5
9 363
23 38 37.7
31 73 29.8
171 4956 3.4
Few Improvements Seen
may be a positive effect of the standard.
However, if substitute materials are
used with no regard to control of dust, it
is possible that other health hazards can
be created. Exposure to high atmos-
pheric concentrations of any inorganic
dusts can be injurious.
Along with returned questionnaires,
many workmen sent excellent letters
describing conditions in the field. An
especially good one was sent by Jay H.
Mackley of York, Pennsylvania and
because of its relevance we are publish-
ing excerpts from it.
Dear Sirs:
I hope this letter attracts more
attention than the numerous question-
naires that I have been returning. My
seven years of being an asbestos
worker, I have not yet seen one precau-
lion taken to prevent dust or any other
efforts taken to better our working condi-
tions. I'm a young man with many years
ahead of me in the trade. From the few
years I worked, I observed there isn't
"those golden years of retirement" to
look forward to. The few asbestos work-
ers, that do reach retirement age soon
after succumb to cancer or a related dis-
ease associated with asbestos.
The good working practices, that were
suggested in the November journal are
very seldom used and some are not
even practical. Trying to get the
company to furnish a downdraft cutting
table for uses during hand sawing and a
portable vacuum cleaner for proper ven-
tilation i~ next thing to impossible, we're
very lucky if we even have a box to lock
up our personal tools.
If we are going to change and improve
our working conditions, let's start with a
few of them than can be corrected im-
mediately. For instance: have a change
shanty large enough for the crew and
well ventilated; most of them are
cramped and very dusty. On larger jobs,
have adequate wash rooms or at least
be given time to clean up. Have a wash
machine or vacuum cleaner in the
shanty for work clothing, there is no need
to carry the dirt home. Have- question-
naires that an insulator could write in his
own suggestions that he might think will
improve his conditions. Have regulation
on dust control that the local can enforce
and the journeymen can very well un-
derstand.
To use an old cliche "An ounce of pre-
vention, is worth a pound of cure," would
apply very well to our trade. I think it
would be a lot easier to eliminate the dust
and try to clean up the trade-than try to
find the cure for lung cancer and all the
other dreadful diseases. I hope my
letter does· not go unanswered, I'm
anxious to read your reply. Thank-
you.

TABLE 11
QUESTIONNAIRE-OBSERVATION OF ASBESTOS STANDARDS

In the period June 7, 1972, to December 6, 1972:

1. Dust counts
I did not see a dust count done 4956
I personally saw one or more dust counts done 171
. 2. Work clothes and facilities
In order not to bring dusts home from the job, special facilities are recommended.
Facilities and supplies for clothes change were available:
All the time (100%) 1291
Usually (50-75% of the time) 940
Occasionally (1-49% of the time) 872
Never (0%) 1964
3. Respirators ("masks")
Were provided by the employer:
. At all times (100%) 2038
Usually (50-75% of the time) 1014
Occasionally (1-49% of the time) 1242
NEwer (0%) 787
4. The following materials and equipment were available:
Always Usually Occasionally Never
Cement in plastic bags 570 549 616 3252
Exhausted power table saws 594 402 603 3004
Exhausted power hand saw 112 74 176 4125
Vacuum cleaner for clean up 203 136 425 4127
Bagging of waste for disposal 407 388 681 3439
Drop cloths & collector for hand sawing 190 227 513 3943
Portable exhausts for confined spaces 125 154 443 4150
It should be noted that an ambiguity exists in the replies to the availability of exhausted power saws. On soma jobs where there was no
use of power equipment the response was "never" as to the availability of exhausted saws.
 ------------------t-
\

Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health

Results from the health survey, con-
ducted by Dr. Irving J . Selikoff and Dr.
E. Cuyler Hammond, of the full mem-
bership of the International Association
of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbes-
tos Workers dramatically point to the
severe effects of cigarette smoking on
Asbestos Workers.
~
.. . The 17 ,800 men enrolled on January
1, 1967 in' the International were
studied through December 31, 1971-
11,656 completed a questionnaire pro-
viding, among other details, informa-
tion concerning their smoking habits.
The results of the causes of death of all
members, listed according to their
smoking habits, is shown in Table 1.
Among the 9,590 men with a history
of regular cigarette smoking, there
were 596 deaths, 134 of which were
due to lung cancer. Of the 2,066 men
who had never smoked cigarettes regu-
larly, only 2 of 73 deaths were from
lung cancer.
Mortality studies of Locals 12 and 32
have been reported which indicated that
cigarette smoking increased the risk of
death of lung cancer among asbestos
insulation workers approximately
ninety times over that of men who
neither worked with asbestos nor
smoked cigarettes.
The results of the current, more ex-
tensive, survey substantiate the earlier
data on the added effects of smoking on
the production of lung cancer in
asbestos workers. However, they also
illustrate the importance of not
smoking in lowering the incidence of
cardio-vascular disease. In the non-
cigarette smoking group, only 36
deaths from all causes other than cancer
were seen where 93 were expected.
Most of these other deaths were from
cardio-vascular disease which was
significantly reduced in the non-
smoking asbestos workers.
In fact, comparing the number of
deaths of non-cigarette smoking asbes-
tos workers with those expected from
statistical data on the mortality of the
general population, it is seen that only
73 insulators died where 112 or 113
deaths were expected during the
1967-1971 period. Forty fewer deaths
were seen than expected.
Two factors account for the
improved mortality data of insulation
workmen. Firstly, at the beginning of
the observation period, most of the in-
sulators were working and thus
healthier than many in the general
population where many deaths occur in
those who are disabled, si",k or other-
wise unable to hold a job. This factor
usually will reduce the expected mor-
tality over a five year period by no more
than 20% from that of the general popu-
lation.
The second major factor is the ab-
sence of cigarette smoking in this group
of Asbestos Workers compared with
the general population which contains
many smokers. Even including deaths
that occurred from asbestos exposure
(asbestosis, mesothelioma, and 0-1
cancer) these data show that over this
five year period of time the effects of
cigarette smoking on health is greater
than the effects of working with
asbestos containing insulation ma-
terials.

Table I
Expected and Observed Deaths among 17,800
U.S. and Canada Asbestos Insulation Workers,
Jan. 1, 1967-Dec. 31,1971"
No history History
of clgaruttB of cigarette Smoking habits
Total smoking" smoking not known
Number of men Jan. 1,1967 17,800 2,066 9,590 6,144
Person-years of observation 86,300 10,163 46,615 29,522

~ Expected Observed Expected Observed Expected Observed Expected Observed

-• Cancer aI/ sites

deaths

144.09
deaths

459
deaths

19.92
deaths

33
deaths

79.58
deaths

265
deaths

44.59
deaths

161
Lung cancer 44.42 2'13 5.98 2 25.09 134 13.35 77
Pleural mesothelioma 26 2 17 7
Peritoneal mesothelioma 51 9 29 13
Cancer of stomach 6.62 16 0.95 1 3.60 8 2.07 7
Cancer of colon, rectum 17.51 26 2.52 4 9.53 14 5.46 8
Cancer of e$ophagus 3.21 13 0.44 0 1.80 7 0.97 6
Asbestosis 78 4 45 29
All other causes 661.54 555 92.67 36 356.67 286 212.20 233
Total deaths 805.63 1,092 112.59 73 436.25 596 256.79 423
'Expected dealhs based upon age specific U.S. mortafl1y rales for While males. disregarding smoking. Lung cancer esllmates based upon U.S. rales tor cancer of lung. pleura. bronc!lus and
trachea. calegones 162 and 163. '
"Included 609 men who sm<lked pipes or cigars.
• ..... United States data not available, but these are rare causes of death In the general population.

:. ...
- ,. ' ..
 Can Asbestos
Dust be
Inactivated?
How much (Continued from first page)

do you smoke? the asbestos and the fumes together?

Dr. Selikoff: The condition from
which Mr. Carson suffered is known as i
,.

"spontaneous pneumothorax." That

is, the lung develops a leak and
ruptures. The air leaks out of the lung .;, •

None.1· Yzpack?
and, since it can't get out of the chest, it
fills the space between the lung and the
chest wall, collapsing the lung.

Stan Roes

~praying Can Be Dangerous

This condition can occur to anyone,
bvt it is more likely to occur from irri-
The bronchi and blood vessels appear as Small holes in upper lung typical of
tation by fumes or dust. Spraying, in
small round holes in this norrnallung. early emphysema
general, can be an extremely dangerous
procedure. If something may be
harmful to you, to deliberately spray it
into the air makes it worse.
2ormore? Some of the new epoxy paints can be
especially irritating and if there is a
little weak spot on the lung, which
might occur from scarring produced by
asbestos, additional irritation by the .
epoxy paints can cause rupture.
Tom Carson: I now notice that paint
fumes bother me even more since this
happened.
Dr. SelikofI: That's correct.
Whenever the lung has been so injured
it is left weaker.
Stan Roos: I have a condition called
..-
bronchiectasis and have to sleep on the
bed with the foot raised. Would I be
more susceptible either to asbestos or to
A later stage showing larger holes Many large holes representing various fumes?
in the lung. far advanced emphysema. Dr. Selikoff: Bronchiectasis is a big
word for a condition in which the small
airway tubes, the bronchi, are dilated.
With this condition mucus tends to col-
The National Dearing House on Smoking and Health has pUblished a description of some of the lect in the bronchi and, when it does, it
changes that can occur in human lungs from various amounts of cigarette smoking. This description of can become infected. Sometimes we
cigarette smoking induced emphysema is based on work by Dr. Oscar Auerbach and Carmine Benante even have to almost stand a person on
of the East Orange, New Jersey Veterans Administration Hospital and Dr. E. Cuyler Hammond and
Lawrence Garfinkel of the American Cancer Society. (Continued on sixth page)
 (Continued from fifth page)
;;
. '-:
John Cook
Insulators'Life
Expectancy
is Less
his head so that the mucus can drain
out. Bronchiectasis can come from
childhocxl infections and sometimes it
can come from asbestosis.
Joe Mathews: You have raised the
question of the possibility of inactivat-
ing dust in the lungs. Isn't there some-
thing now being done for miners in this
regard.
Alex Taggart
Dr. Selikoff: Yes, this was first done
at the McIntyre Foundation in 'Ontario
for silica exposures. As you know, the
silica prcxluced in the dust of hard rock
mining is aiso an irritant. The fine par-
ticles can get into the lungs and cause
scarring as asbestos does, although it is
a different type of scarring. The disease
that is produced is called silicosis.
In Ontario it was thought that if these
miners inhaled aluminum dust, the
aluminum would coat the silica
particles and prevent them from
injuring the lung. The idea of coating
the particles to neutralize them is a
good one. However, at this time, there
is very little evidence that aluminum is
especially effective in this regard.
Chemical Prevented Scarring
In fact, though, this has led to the
whole idea of such inactivation. In
Germany, at this time, studies are
under way by a scientist named Schlip-
koter who has found that administration
of a plastic polymer called polyvinyl
pyridine-N-oxide administered in ani-
mals either before or after inhalation of
silica, can prevent the scarring caused
by the silica particles. This clearly es-
tablishes the principle that even after
dust is in the lungs it can be neutralized.
This is why we believe that for every
dust, silica, beryllium, asbestos, or
coal, we may find chemicals that can
inactivate it. What is urgent at this time
is that we get 20, 50, 100 scientists to
work on the problem to find appropriate
chemicals that can neutralize these
dusts in your lungs.
John Beardwood
Effects on the Heart
Joe DeWit: Does the dust that gets
into our lungs cause any special kind of
heart conditions?
Dr. Selikoff: That's a very gocxl
question. Let me tell you of two effects
:,."
that dust may have on your heart. First,
the right side of your heart pumps blood
through the lungs in order that it pick up
oxygen. The blood then returns to the
heart and is pumped to the rest of the
body where the oxygen is released.
When the lungs are scarred, your heart
has to pump that much harder, some-
times so hard that it fails. This
condition is called cor pulmonale.
Heart disease caused by the lung.
We used to think that there was not
much that we could do for this
condition, because the primary cause
was in the lung, but in the last 5 years
we have learned that there are ways to.
strengthen the heart so that it can do its .
job.
The second problem is that when the
lungs are scarred not enough oxygen
enters your blood so the blood which
goes to your heart itself doesn't have
enough oxygen. Instead of being 95%
saturated with oxygen it might only be
70% saturated. The heart must do more
work at a time when it is receiving less
oxygen, so that a man with ordinary
coronary disease has even greater
trouble.
As you know, coronary disease is
epidemic in our society today. Let me
give you some statistics. In the general
U.S. population lout of 6 male deaths
in non-smokers is caused by coronary
disease. In cigarette smokers the
number is lout of 3. Twice as many.
This is another reason for you to stop
smoking. Not only will it reduce the
risk of lung cancer but it will reduce
your risk of coronary disease, an even
more significant cause of death.
Where Do We Start?
Barney MacDonald: Most of your
studies were done in the States. Canada
seems to be about 5 or 10 years behind.
How do we put the pressure on to get
some of these things that you have
described. We have no ventilation
equipment, no masks, no nothing.
Where do we start?
Dr. Selikoff: That's the key
question ofthe whole afternoon. Where
do we start? Who is going to do' what?
How is anything going to get done?
.Mr. Kirton, would you care to answer
that?
Alfred Kirton, International Vice
President: Some things are being
done. We just had a meeting in Sarnia
with some of the contractors. They told
me that in 3 different insulation mate-
rials they are taking the asbestos out.
That's one step. As I understand it,
I
the manufacturers have been given a
deadline to get'it out of all insulation
materials or they will be banned.
Dr, Selikoff: That's a good answer.
May I add to it? There is no reason why
insulation workers shouldn't have dis-
posable masks on the job. They cost
less than a dollar a day to use. There is
no reason °that you people should be
inhaling any of the other dusts in insu-
lation materials. There is calcined
diatomaceous earth in insulation mate-
rials which can also produce lung scar-
ring. Fibrous glass is another material
that shouldn't enter your lungs. It has
been shown to produce cancer in ani-
mals just like asbestos. You shouldn't
have to breathe in any mineral mat-
erials. They belong in pipe covering,
not in your lungs.
Secondly, is there any reason why
every power saw should not be ex-
hausted when an effective dust
collector costs only $350.00. The jobs
you're· working on cost tens of
thousands of dollars. Is there any
reason w,hy asbestos cement shouldn't
be supplied in plastic bags so that it can
be mixed without creating dust? These
things may cost a little bit more money
but, if all the employers have to do
them, it simply adds to the cost of the
job and no one is at a disadvantage.
Especially you.
Here your International is doing a
bang up jobo It has appointed a full time
man to work on the problems of health
hazards. Roy Steinfurth, formerly
business agent of Local 45 in Toledo,
now has the job of coordinating all
health activities in the International and
I am sure he will be able to help you
people here in Canada get the things
. done that you need to make the work-
place safe.
The employers are not our enemy.
They are in this with you and to the
extent possible activity on qealth prob-
lelT!s should be joint activity. Their
cooperation can certainly be beneficial
in solving health problems.
Joe DeWit
Clean lJp lVecessary
Joe DeWit: I think one of the main
problems that we have comes from our-
selves. If you're working on a job and
you start to clean up, the foreman might
come by and say, "Look, you're not
paid to clean up you're paid to put cov-
ering on pipes." So you leave the dust
on t)1e floor and meanwhile you're
walking through it all the time.
Dr. Selikoff: You're right. Not only
do we have to clean up the jobs, in some
cases we also have to clean up our
minds. The foreman sees dirt on the
ground and knows that it will go away
tomorrow or the next day. He doesn't
think of 20 or 30 years from now when
the dust that got into your lungs can
cause trouble. That's the problem with
all of us, wedon't feel the urgency over
something that will happen 30 years
from now. We must get to the point that
good housekeeping is automatic, so
that it is not left up to the foreman.
Jry Lunn: I have the same problem
as Stan Roos. I find that I can work in
any dust except fibrous glass. If I work
with that for 4 or 5 hours my lungs
would begin to hemorrhage.
Dr. Selikoff: Yes, we have found
tha.t in other circumst;mces fibrous
glass can be irritating.
The Lung Clears Up
Paul Pasztor: If a person has been
smoking for 10-15 years, how long will
it be before his lung clears up?
Dr. Selikoff: TheAmerican Cancer
Society has some good information on
this. Not much change happens the first
year, but every year thereafter the risk
goes down until after 10 years or so
your risk is nearly back to normal. The
risk is then about the same as someone
who never smoked at all. While it may
take 10 years for you to get back to the
level of non smokers, the 10 years has
to begin sometime. I suggest that it
begins now. .
Joe Berlasty: What's the average
life expectancy of a pipe coverer?
Dr. Selikoff: For a male child born "
in the United States or Canada the odds ~
are that he will live about 68 years. For
a man 20 the life expectancy will be a 0"
little longer. He will live on average to ::,
age 70. The odds are that a man of 40
will live to age 72. A man of 70 will be
expected to live to the age of 81. So
when you calculate life expectancy it
must always be age specific.
It even becomes more complicated
because you must do this for each
calendar year. For example, a man of
age 40 today has a different life expec-
tancy than a man age 40 in 1950.
Taking into accout all these factors we
have found that the average life expec-
tancy at any age for a pipe coverer is
about 15% less than some one in the
general population. This is a result of
past asbestos exposure but it also will
be the case in thefP.ture unless some-
thing is done about work conditions.
Something has to be done because a
pipe coverer should be able to live his
full life span.
Significant Benefits
Ron Aldham: If I would quit
smoking and wear a mask would my
life expectancy become longer?
Dr. Selikoff: Yes. To stop smoking
will bring significant benefits. Firstly,
it will decrease your risk of having a
coronary. Secondly, within a few years
your risk of lung cancer will also de-
crease. Thirdly, it will reduce the pro-_
gression of asbestosis. Finally,.. '"
wearing a mask,will prevent any more .~;:.
dust from entering your lungs. There-
fore it can only help you to -stop ;.
smoking and to wear a respirator.
However, one thing that we have
found is that mesothelioma is not as-
sociated with smoking and often is not
associated with extensive asbestos ex-
posures. What is needed, at this time, is
considerable research by many sci-
entists in many centers to obtain a cure
for this disease.
Here, as well as in the area of dust
inactivation, your International is now
beginning to take steps to stimulate
(Continued on eighth page)
I . '
(Continued from seventh page)
scientific activity and to put pressure on
.. :. the American government and the
Canadian government to support scien-
tists to find answers to these questions.
-- :.
.:' ... Barney McDonald
Does Exercise Help?
Barney MacDonald: Do the fibers
that get into your lung cause scars if you
are more active? If you're active do
they do more scraping?
Dr. Selikoff: No. Physical activity
will have little effect upon the amount
of scarring that takes place. Most of the
fibers are within cells and there is no
scraping as such. In fact, chemical
processes, perhaps even more than
physical processes, seem to be impor-
tant in the production of lung scarring.
So you can dO'all the exercise you want
so long as you don't overdo it. It can
only be beneficial to you.
Unidentified Questioner: On the is-
sue of the 10 years it takes to get back to
normal if you stop smoking, will exer-
cise reduce that time?
Dr. Selikoff: I think it could help. if
you're short of breath because of scar-
ring though, don't try to do too much
because excessive exercise can put an
additional strain on your heart. It is
already doing extra work to pump
blood through scarred lungs.
What Type X-Rays?
Byron Geddes: Usually the X-rays
that are taken in these buses that come
around are on small films, about 2 or 3
inches in size. Are they good enough to
see the changes that can be produced by
asbestos?
Dr. Selikoff: No. 70mm X-rays are
not suitable for pipe coverers. What
you need is a regular 14 x 17 inch full
size X-ray.
John Beardwood: Are the results of
the X-rays that are taken by the
Province given to the employers?
Dr. J. E. CowIe, Ontario En-
vironmental Health Department: I
wouldjust like to say that we absolutely
do not use small X-ray films on pipe
coverers. All our mobile units are
equipped to take the standard 14 x 17
inch X-rays and this is what is used on
all asbestos workers.
Additionally, let me as~ure you that
we do not send confidential medical
information to any of the employers,
only to you or to your Doctor, if you
wish.
Larry Graham
Pulmonary Function
/'(1 easurements
Larry Graham: When we go for our
X-rays, we also have to blow into this
device and do it as hard as we can.
What is the purpose of this?
Dr. Selikoff: That instrument is de-
signed to show two things. Firstly, it
determines how much air you can take
into your lung. It measures what is
called your pulmonary vital capacity.
Secondly, by measuring how fast
you can blow the air out of your lungs,
it tells us something about your airway
passages, if they are obstructed or have
other problems. . brain. They act as a narcotic and affect
X-rays and pulmonary function
measurements are both important.
Often one is not enough, it doesn't tell
the whole story. Sometimes people
who have great difficulty breathing
have "normal" X-rays, and other
times people with no breathing
difficulty have terrible X-rays. We
have to look ~ the whole picture of
each individual.
Joe Mathews: The average M.D.
may not. be too familiar with our prob-
lems. Is there a place in Toronto we can
go for good diagnosis of asbestos
disease?
Dr. Selikoff: I refer that question to
Dr. CowIe.
Dr. CowIe: Our office is open to you
at anytime. On occasions we have even
had physicians, a pulmonary function
technician and an X-ray technician
available on Saturday. We would be
glad to help you in any way we can.
J~ Mathews
How Often a Check-Up?
Joe Mathews: Dr. Selikoff said that
it might be useful for people twenty or
thirty years in the trade to have a
check-up every 3 months or every 6
months. Could we arrange that through
your office?
Dr. CowIe: Yes.
Dr. Selikoff: If you will recall, the
suggestion of a 3 to 6 month ex-
amination interval was for those pipe
coverers who had 20 years in the trade
and who had a history of cigarette
smoking. Young fellows do not need
examinations nearly as often.
Bob Parsons: What is the effect of
the fumes from some of these
adhesives?
Dr. Selikoff: We ]:lave very little in-
formation on the long term effects of
these materials. However, many of the
adhesives can poison the nerves of the
you the same way as does alcohol. So
affected, men have a much greater
chance of accidents on the job or in
driving home from work.
How Do We Change The Law?
Unidentified Questioner: What can
be done to change the laws in Canada
so that we can get better conditions?
Dr Selikoff: That is a very good
question. I am sure Dr. COWIe can
answer it.
Dr. CowIe: There is only one way
you can change the law and that is to go
to the men that make the law. Go to
your local member of Parliament. Let
him know what your problems are.
That's where you are going to find the
solution.
'';'-

Environmental Sciences
INSULATION HYGIENE
laboratory
Ol.ll'lTSI'v.
~TM
~o 1l~1l J PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
°lOFt.\t.Q"
of The City University
of New York
Duncan Holaday of the Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program listens to comments of William
Carlisle of Local 42 on the suitability of disposable overalls.
Asbestos Workers Like
pisposable Overalls
Field trials by members of Local 42,
\Vilmington, Delaware, of the Interna-
tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers have
shovln that well made disposable over-
alls are the most acceptable and suitable
means of preventing asbestos contami-
nation of work clothes.
The trials were made on June 5, 1973
of garments made of E. 1. Dupont de
Nemours and Company's Tyvek ma-
terial. Tyvek is an extremely durable
synthetic material that can easily be
sewn into garments of any desired
style.
Through arrangements made by
Rodney Santa Barbara, Business
Agent of Local 42, wear tests were
conducted and worker interviews ob-
tainerl at a nearby power plant construc-
tion site. The overalls of the Tyvek
material were supplied through the
cooperation of Mr. H. Glenn White of
Dupont's -Textile Fihers Department.
The tests were conducted by Duncan
Holaday and Dr. William J. Nicholson
of the Insulation Industry Hygiene Re-
- ..... .
search Program.
The results of the trial indicated that
over 80% of the workers interviewed
preferred the use of the Tyvek overalls,
supplied by the employer, to the use of
any other type of work dothes that re-
quired laundering at home.
One problem encountered in these
tests, and one that confronts the use of
any overgarment, is that overalls can be
too hot to wear during summer months
or during work on or near hot lines. In
the Wilmington trials the temperature
reached 94° with an accompanying
high humidity: Under these conditions
most of the men found the overalls too
hot. However, these cond'itions were
extreme and during most of the year
temperatures would be more suitable
for the use of the overalls.
Disposable overalls have been dis-
cussed in prior issues of Insulation
Hygiene Progress Reports and they
have been widely used in some indus-
tries. However, there were drawbacks
in those which were available. They
(Conrinued on fourth page)
Irving J. Selikoff. M.D.. Program Director
Vol. 5 No.3 $-7 Fall 1973
Approved
Respirators
Highly Effective
Tests conducted by the Insulation
Industry Hygiene Research Program
on the three disposable respirators rec-
ommended for use by insulation work-
ers have demonstrated that all three are
highly effective in filtering asbestos
fibers.
The tests were conducted by generat-
ing a dust cloud of asbestos cement
containing over 50% chrysotile fiber in
an aerosol chamber at the Haskell
Laboratory of the E. 1. Dupont de
Nemours Company in Wilmington,
Delaware.
The asbestos concentration in the
chamber exceeded by several hundred
times those typically encountered in in-
sulation work. Air from this chamber
was drawn through sections of the filter
material cut from the following res-
pirators:
3 M Company Model 8710
Welsh Mfg. Co. Model 7165
American Optical Co. Model
R1050
In all cases the filter materials proved
to be at least 99.9% efficient.
Both optical microscopic and elec-
tron microscopic 'analysis were per-
formed on a sample of the air which
passed through the filters. These
analyses checked the effectiv~ness of
the filters for even the smallest of asbes-
tos fibers.
These tests conducted by the IIHRP
are important, as the Bureau of Mines
uses only silica and coal dust in their
approval tests. It has always been as-
sumed that the collection efficiency for
asbestos fibers would be as great as for
silica. We now know that it indeed is.
While we know the filters to be
(Conrinued on second page)
 Insulation Hygiene ,.
Progress Reports .~'.
'!!-
Vol. 5, No.3 Fall 1973
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program

Editor: W. J. 1'\icholson, Ph.D., Pub-

lished at the Environmental Sciences
Laboratory (Irving J. Selikoff, M.D.,
Director), Mount Sinai School of Medicine
of the City University of New '(ork, N.Y.
10029

Advisory Council of IIHRP

Irving J. Selikoff, M. D. Program Director

and Chairman

E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice Presi-

dent, American Cancer Society, New Mrs. Anne Mackler of the Environmental Sciences Laboratory of Mount Sinai School of Medicine
York, N.Y. collecting settled dust from the stairway near which asbestos contaminated work clothes were hung in
tl',;, huiU:::. Above her shoulder is located an air sampling unit.
Andrew Haas, General President, Interna-
tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers,
Washington, D.C. Household Contamination
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph. D. Vice President,
Research and Development, Johns-
is a Serious Problem
Manville Corporation, Denver, Colo.

PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
lation w,orkers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
assistance toward their universal
adoption.
Control of insulation dusts on the job rect association with asbestos products.
site is necessary to protect, not only Nevertheless, because of the rarity
insulation workers, but also members of such tumors in children, this particu-
of their families. lar case does give one pause. It was a
Special concern for the family mem- . similar single isolated case· of lung
bers of insulators has recently de- cancer described in the medical litera-
veloped because of the finding of a lung ture in 1935 that first pointed to the risk
tumor in the nine year old daughter of a of such disease in asbestos workers.
New Jersey Union member. The tumor
was localized and successfully re- Air Samples Collected
moved by surgery. Samples of the air and specimens of
settled dust from the room of the child'
Asbestos Found in Lung and elsewhere in the home were col-
Electron microscopic analysis at the lected by Mrs. Anne Mackler and Dr.
Environmental Sciences Laboratory of Arthur Rohl of the Environmental Sci-
Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the ences Laboratory. The analysis of
tissue removed from the lung showed these samples showed significant
significant amounts of chrysotile asbes- amounts of asbestos to be present in the.
tos and diatomaceous earth to be pres- child's bedroom and in the basement

.... (Continued from first page)

highly efficient in the respirators tested,
the face seals that can be obtained are
much less effective. These respirators
passed an approval schedule that re-
quired only 90% of the dust to be ex-
cl uded by the face seal. Your choice of
a respirator should thus be based on the
fit that can be achieved on your face and
comfort during use. You don't have to
worry about - fibers penetrating the
fil ter.
ent, much in excess of what is typically
found in a child of nine. Both chrysotile
and diatomaceous earth. are common
components of insulation material.
The existence of the tumor and the
finding of insulation material in the
lung in this isolated case does not dem-
onstrate that these fibers and particles found to be present, usually in concen-
necessarily caused the tumor.
Chrysotile asbestos, albeit in lower
amounts, is found in the lungs of many
individuals, children, as well as
adults,who have had no direct or indi-
play area near where the husband's
work clothes were hung and where
these clothes were laundered.
In a more extensive sampling pro-
gram of a variety of asbestos workers'
homes, including those of mill work-
ers, asbestos has universally been
trations much higher than those of the
above case. Chrysotile air concentra-
tions may range from 100 times to over
1000 times those found in general city
air.

,;
)
'. :". ~.
 High Dust
Levels Found
in Homes
While these home concentrations are
high, the dust levels are still much less
than those in occupational circum-
stances. -However, since the exposure
of people at home can be for longer
periods of time, elevated levels may be
important.
Children at Risk
Children may be especially at risk
from low level asbestos contamination.
The fibers that enter their lungs at an
early age can remain in their tissues to
do damage throughout their lifetime.
Moreover, the possibility cannot be
ruled out that tissues of children, espe-
cially infants, may be more sensitive
than those of adults.
Two reports in the medical literature
have also indicated the existence of a
health hazard to the family members of
asbestos workers. In a 1965 study of all
cases of mesothelioma found in the
pathology files of the London Hospital,
Dr. Muriel Newhouse found that 12%
(nine of 76) of the cases were in mem-·
bers of families of individuals who
worked with asbestos.
The usual history of these family
mesothelioma cases was that of a wife
who washed her husband's work
clothes. Similar results were found in
the United States by Drs. J. Lieben and
H. Pistawka who described three fam-
ily cases of mesothelioma in Pennsyl-
vania, one of which was in a three year
old child of an engineer who worked in
an insulation plant.
ChrysotiJe asbestos fibers (C) and a fragment of diatomaceous earth (DE) found in the tissue of an
insulation worker's daughter who had a lung tumor removed.
'w
j ~.
Chrysotile asbestos fibers found in the home air
of an asbestos worker. The fibers are magnified
7000 times here.
In each of the above studies cases
were also found in individuals who
simply lived in the neighborhood of
asbestos manufacturing facilities.
Because mesothelioma is such a rare
disease in the general population the
documentation of these cases has taken
on special significance. In the absence
of any direct or indirect asbestos ex-
posure, mesothelioma maybe the cause
of death in one in 10,000 deaths. In
insulation workers and asbestos factory
workers nearly one death in 15 is from
mesothelioma.
These data, the iarity of meso-
thelioma in the general population and
the strong association with asbestos ex-
posure, have allowed scientists to attri-
bute' these family and neighborhood
cases to a low, but unknown, level of
asbestos exposure.
While the information is absent on
the air concentrations at which asbestos
disease may occur, it is clear that min-
eral fiber do no good in human lungs.
Every precaution should be taken to
prevent their inhalation.
.;..
d~
;
;;
/ ..J i
Diatomaceous earth found in the settled dust of
the home of an insulator. The photograph is
magnified 7000 times.
At the present time the asbestos insu-
lation worker receives little help in his
attempts to prevent asbestos contami-
nation from being carried home. The
results of the survey of insulation
workerS on the health practices in the
industry show that approximately 40CjC
of the men work on job sites with no
facilities for clothes change available.
Between June 7, 1972 and December
6, 1972 only 25% of more than 5,000
Union members routinely had such
facilities. (See Table.)
Procedures Available
Procedures for preventing the unde-
sired movement of materials from the
job site to the home are well-known and
have been in use for many decades in
some industries. In gold and uranium
refineries, for example, very effective
decontamination procedures are used to
prevent dust from being carried home
on workers' clothes.
In some shipyards and asbestos pro-
duction plants in Great Britain a double
locker system is used. All street cloth-
ing (including shoes) is deposited in
one locker in a clean room and all work
clothes kept in a locker in a separate
room. Access to' the clean room and a
workman's street clothes is only
through a shower facility. Periodically
all contaminated work clothing is re-
moved from the dirty room and laun-
dered in special facilities.
These provisions are indeed effec-
tive but are not suitable on most con-
struction sites or. other transient opera-
tions. While less ideal measures must
be used, the most important item in
preventing spread of contamination is
to confine the dust to the job site. If it
(Continued on fourth page)
 ....
· ".
Jack Stevenson participating in the field trials of disposable overalls held in Wilmington, Delaware on
June 5.
(Continued from first page)
tore easily, if they were inexpensive, or
if durable, they were costly.
This problem no longer exists. A
variety of manufacturers make dispos-'
able overalls of Tyvek and typical costs
are about $1.50 per garment.
MoreQver, there was little problem
with the material tearing in the gar-
ments tested. Thus durable, disposable
overalls can be obtained at a cost ofless
than 2% of that of the employer's wage
costs. If uniformly made available by
contractors in an area, such costs can
simply be included in any contract es-
-'.
OF
Glenn White and Const2Ilce Eddy of E. 1. Dupont de Nemours and Company participating in the
laboratory test of the overall material.
timate.
Laboratory tests also indicated the
suitability of Tyvek overalls for insula-
tion work. Tests were conducted by
IIHRP and Dupont personnel at
Dupont's Haskell Laboratory for In-
dustrial Hygiene and Toxicology to
measure the penetration of asbestos
. fibers through Tyvek and other material
and to determine the adhesion of fibers
to the material.
The results of these laboratory tests
showed the Tyvek material to be rela-
tively resistant to the penetration of as-
bestos fibers from insulation material.
Moreover, in contrast to wool or cotton
garments, it was found that asbestos
fibers will not readily adhere to Tyvek
garments.
One disposable overall has been
tested and found suitable under appro-
priate temperature conditions. Others,
perhaps equally suitable, may also
exist. While not the perfect answer to
the problem of bringing asbestos and
other insulation dusts home on work
clothes, disposable overalls are the
most practical solution at this time.
What now must be accomplished is to
make their availability widespread.
As the temperature mounted to ?4° during the
field trials of the disposable overalls some soon
became indeed disposable.
(Continued from third page)
doesn't even reach the change area, it
isn't going any farther.
The best available way to accom-
plish this is for workmen to wear
coveralls which can be removed on the
job and disposed of with other construc-
tion waste. This practice, together with
the availability of change rooms and
strict attention to their clean up, will go
far towards eliminating household con-
tamination.
Asbestos Worker
Questionnaire Repiies
Facilities and supplies for clothes
change were available:
All the time (100%) .••.••..••..••....•... 1291
Usuaiiy (50-75% of the time ) ....•... 940
Occasionaiiy (1-49% of the time) .. 872
Never (0%) •..•...•••........•.•••........•..1964
 INSULATION HYGIENE
Environment.ef Sciences
Laboratory

O\J~TSt..,.

l "1\

~t~ O{OF~~Q"
of The City University
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEAR.CH PROGRAM
Irving J. Sellkoff, M.O~ Program Director
of New York
Vol. 5 No.4 Winter 1973

Physical Examinations Are Risks Present

in Spraying
Important for Workers Polyurethanes
Several inquiries from Asbestos Workers Locals have been received as to Polyurethane foams are used as in-
what type of physical e:w.mination is appropriate for insulators. One such sulating materials either as preformed
letter was written by William H. Duessel, Chairman ofthe Health and Safety shapes or by mixing the· ingredients at
Committee of Local 2. Because of the interest in the question, this issue the job-site. An increasing proportion
contains his letter and Dr. Selikoff s response to it. of these foams are applied by spraying
the material onto the surface im-
Dear Dr. Selikoff: mediately after mixing. Such opera-
Through talking to some of the members of our brother locals, it seems tions require strict controls to prevent
that all of the locals are taking different types of examinations. Could you serious acute or long-term injuries to
publish the minimum types of tests that should be taken for a complete and workers.
thorough examination and, if possible, explain the importance of taking the The most hazardous agents involved
examination? in production of polyurethane foams
I have heard a few different reasons for not taking the examination. One of are toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and
the strangest is that one of our members felt that by taking the examination, it diphenlymethane diisocyanate (MDI)
would stir up or activate the condition. Ifmany of our brothers felt this way, I of which TDI is the most widely used.
could see where it would be very difficult to persuade them to take the The present Threshold Limit Value
examination. (TL V) for both these compounds is 20
I want to thank you for all the assistance that you have given me and parts per billion. This value is so low
wishing you the best in everything that you undertake, I remain that of over 400 compounds for which
Sincerely yours, TL V s are listed, only two have lower
William H. Duessel, Chairman values. This concentration is well
Health and Safety Committee below the odor threshold, so the sense
Local 2, Pittsburgh of smell cannot be relied upon forwam-
ing. Moreover, the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health has
recommended an even lower standard
By Irving 1. Selikoff if the film is improperly made. Small for TDI of 5 parts per billion for an
Director, JIHRP films of a type sometimes taken by sur- eight-hour time-weighted exposure.
It is reasonable to expect that differ- vey units are inadequate. Regular fuII- Here, an excursion to 20 parts per bil-
ent Asbestos Workers' locals will have sized X-rays are essential. lion for no more than 20 minutes
different types of examinations. In part, The films should be kept on file in a is suggested.. (':I

this may be due to variation in facilities
available to them. In other instances,
locals may combine work-related ex-
aminations with those for general med-
ical care.
Nevertheless, as you suggest, ex-
aminations associated with work
hazards require a number of specific
tests. Our experiences indicate that the
following are needed:
A. Which tests should be included?
1. CheST X-ray
This should be of good quality s.ince
the type of scarring found in asbestos
workers is often fine and can be missed
designated facility, and each year's
films compared with those taken be-
fore. Sometimes such comparison is the
most important part of X-ray interpreta-
tion. All previous films should be ob-
tained, if possible.
Competent evaluation is, of course,
needed. Otherwise the X-rays don't
help much. How this is achieved will
vary in each case. Sometimes a
radiologist will undertake the responsi-
bility, either in his office, or in a hospi-
tal or clinic. We have also seen very
competent analysis by interested prac-
ticing internists or family physicians, or
(Continued on third page)
Acute effects that may be manifest
from TDI or MDI exposures are burn-
ing and irritation of the nose and throat,
severe bronchitis, and general chest
pain. Headaches, insomnia and acute
neurological or mental disturbances ..
may also occur. Long-term effects may
include an increasing sensitization to
the vapors, with a resulting propensity
to asthma like attacks and progressive
respiratory difficulty. The effects,
when severe, can even result in death.
The recommended TL Vs for TDI
and MDI are so low that during spray-
ing of polyurethane foams, effective
(Continued on fourth page)
 Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports Shipyard Health Conference
Vol. 5 No.4 Winter 1973 To Be Held in Los Angeles
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Health problems associated. with
Program shipbuilding, ship repair and ship dis-
mantling will be discussed at an Inter-
national Shipyard Health Conference.
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., Pub- to be held from December 13-15 in Los
lished at the Environmental Sciences Angeles, at the University of Southern
Laboratory (Irving J. Selikoff. M.D .• California School of Medicine. The
Director). Mount Sinai School of Medicine conference is being sponsored by the
of the City University of New York. N.Y. Society for Occupational and En-
10029 vironmental Health.
The Chairman of the conference will
... be Dr. John Goldsmith of the Califor-
nia State Department of Health. Other
participants include Dr. Hector Blejer,
Advisory Council of I1HRP
also of the California State Department
Irving J. Selikoff. M.D. Program Director of Health; Dr. Benjamin Ferris of the
and Chairman· Harvard School of Public Health; and
Rear Admiral Philip Geib and Captain
George Lawton of the United States
>" E. Cuyler Hammond. Sc.D .• Vice Presi-
Navy Medical Corps.
dent. American Cancer Society, New They' will be joined by colleagues
York. N.Y. from as far away as France, Australia,
government as the conference ex-
amines the varied problems of shipyard
Andrew Haas. General President, Interna-
health. The participation of experts
tional Association of Heat and Frost
from as far away as Japan, Australia,
Insulators and Asbestos Workers.
Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Washington, D.C.·
many of them representing government'
agencies in their home countries, will
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice President. assure the conference of a truly interna-
Research and Development, Johns- tional scope.
Manville Corporation, Denver. Colo. An entire session will be devoted to a
discussion of asbestos exposure and its
related problems, and among the
panelists for this session will be Drs.
Irving Selikoff and Ruth Lilis of the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Mr.
Duncan Holaday will represent the
IIHRP elsewhere in the program.
Mr. Webster Ay, of Local
20-IAHFIAW, has been very active in
the planning of the conference and will
be a member of several panels, as well.
Labor will be further represented by
members of Los Angeles area locals, as
the conference will present some excel-
lent opportunities for rank-and-file par-
ticipation, not only in the general ses-
sions. but in such smaller workshop
groups as "Labor's Role in Shipyard
Health" and "Education and Informa-
tion. "
Other features of the program in-
clude: descriptions of controlled proce-
dures in effect or using asbestos in
United States and other nations ship-
yards; a separate session devoted to the
problems of noise, inhalation of metal
fumes, heat stress and strain, marine
gas hazards and the psychiatric compli-
cations of injury; and a session devoted
to the health implications of recent
technological innovations in the indus-
try. The conference has received sup-
port from several sources inclUding the
Health Hazard Fund of the Asbestos
Workers Union.

PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
.""!;: 1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation. advice and Health problems associated with asbestos exposure in shipbuilding ant! ship repairing operations will
assistance toward their universal be a major topic of discussion at the International Shipyard Health Conference. Here a member of
adoption. Local 62 is shown applying insulation in an engine room (photo courtesy of Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard).

.- .,.
'.
 Several Tests
Useful for
Insulators
(Continued from first page)
city or state (or provincial, in Canada)
physicians, and others.
A ·single X-ray, ("postero-
anterior") usually suffices. Some-
times, additional views ("lateral",
"oblique") or special X-rays (such as
"tomograms") are utilized, but these
are suggested infrequentl y.
To summarize:
-A single X-ray
-Save all X-rays for comparison
-Competent evaluation
2. A careful medical history
A skilled physician can, often with
only a relatively few questions, ascer-
tain whether important symptoms are.
present, and require more extended
testing. Examinations which do not in-
clude a physician's review are inap-
propriate jar asbestos workers.
Questions are included regarding gen-
eral health, smoking, and symptoms
likely to be associated with adverse ex-
posures. We have developed a suitable
questionnaire for this purpose and it is
available for use by other physicians.
The questions should include details
of work history, especially when work
was first begun, and those related to
smoking habits. The answers to these
questions provide much guidance.
3. Physical examinations
This will vary, as noted above. At
the least, it should include lungs,
mouth, fingers, neck glands, blood
pressure, and, if possible, abdomen.
When the hands are looked at, the
physician will also be generaIIy able to
spot any early signs of rheumatoid ar-
thritis.
Lungs are, of course, most impor-
tant, not only for sounds related to dust
exposure (fine crackles called "dIes")
but for effects of cigarette smoking
which may add additional burdens.
"Finger clubbing"-thickening of
the fingertips-should be looked for.
\Vhile in itself not serious, this some-
times gives a physician a clue to other
things. It is fairly common, and gener-
ally not of serious import.
Enlarged glands, sores in the mouth,
arthritis, or abdominal changes are not
often seen.
4. Laboratory tests
Whatever their pertinence for gen-
eral medical care, we have so far found
little value in the extended "batteries of
........ ,:-.,
In the assessment of an Asbestos Worker's health there is no substitute for the qualified physician.
blood tests" or "automated laboratory
blood tests" that are often offered to
groups of asbestos workers concerned
with work hazard problems.
Two basic tests have proven useful: a
sjmple blood count to ascertain if
anemia is present (there could be un-
suspected internal bleeding) and a
routine urine test.
5. Lung function tests
There are many sophisticated and
complicated tests available. In general,
they are not required for routine surveil-
lance and examination and should be
reserved for research purposes or for
more extended study in special cases.
Simple, standard tests as "vital
capacity" or "forced expiratory vol-
umes" in specific time sequences give
enough information, in the very large
majority of instances. They are easy to
do, take little time, are reliable and in-
expensive.
Records of results should be kept,
since very often changes in lung func-
tion over periods of time are more
significant than the actual levels meas-
ured.
B. How often should examinations be
made?
There is a tendency to recommend
"annual examinations." In general,
this is not a bad idea.
But there are exceptions. We see few
changes of consequence in the first ten
years after starting work and examina-
tions every two or three years will suf-
fice. This will serve to identify the un-
usual person who, because of poorly
understood individual reaction, shows
abnormality much earlier than other
people. He should leave the trade and
have special care from "then on. Such
instances, it may be said, are very un-
usual, but the examination schedule
should insure that they are found.
From 10 to 20 years from onset of
work, once-a-year examinations are
adequate, as they continue to be for
people with no history of cigarette
/~
..
"
~-
-
smoking even after that point.
Cigarette smokers-not pipe or cigar
smokers-are another matter. After 15
years of work, it is probably better that
they be examined, especially X-rayed,
every six months, according to our
most recent data.
In addition to scheduled examina-
tions, any unusual symptoms should
lead to an interval study as well. Impor-
tant symptoms include chest pain,
soreness or discomfort; abdominal dis-
comfort, indigestion or change in
bowel habits; variations in cough or any
difficulty in breathing; sores or similar
lesions which do not heal, or any swell-
ing which persists.
Indeed, it is better to check out any
change from normal health, even such
indefinite symptoms as unexplained
weakness, easy fatigue, weight loss,
inadequate energy. Very often, the lat-
ter are found to be due to tension, worry
or nervousness. However, a nervous
man or one under pressure can also
have something physically wrong with
him and it is just as well to have an
examination. In such circumstances,
one might add, a general medical sur-
vey is often in order, in addition to
examinations aimed at possible work-
related problems.
C. Retired members
Leaving the trade either·temporarily
or permanently is no reason to omit the
examinations described above. All
pipecoverers should plan to remain
under medical surveillance for the rest
of their lives, whether or not they con-
tinue insulation work.
D. Who should do the examinations?
Each local should select a local
physician or medical facility. The key
ingredients are concern, competence,
continued interest, good record keep-
ing, adequate equipment, and
confidence. Experience with Asbestos
Workers' problems, if not already at
(Collfinued 011 fourth page)
 Protection
Required During
Foam Spraying
(Continued from first page)
personal protection is absolutely neces-
sary. The NIOSH criteria document
specifies the respirators which are re-
quired for various situations. A sum-
mary of these recommendations fol-
·r lows:
1. Workers applying materials con-
taining TDI by spray, pour or froth
operations shall wear Type C
continuous-flow, supplied-air, posi-
tive-pressure impervious hoods (ap-
proved under 30CFR12). All others
within 10 f~t of the operation shall also
wear such equipment-
2. Full-face gas masks with, an or-
ganic vapor cartridge and a particulate
filter (30CFR13) may be worn at dis-
tances greater than 10 feet if it has been
shown that the atmospheric concentra-
tion of TDI does not exceed 100 times
the time-weighted average for continu-
ous work or 100 times the ceiling value
for work of 20 minutes or more.
3. For emergency use where the
concentration may exceed 1000 times
the time-weighted average, self-
contained breathing apparatus
(30CFRll) is recommended.
Full-facepiece respirators or imper-
vious hoods are recommended both be-
cause of the high degree of protection
required and the irritating action ofTDI
on the eyes.
If adequate protection is to be ob-
o tained with all these respirators, the
wearers must be instructed in their use
and the devices fitted to each wearer to
insure that a proper facepiece seal ex-
ists. The devices must be regularly
cleaned, inspected and maintained. If
not, valves will become defective and
leak, and face pieces will develop
cracks and pinholes. Of vital impor-
tance, canisters must be replaced regu-
larly. Remember, the odor threshold
for TDI is below the ceiling value. Do
not wait until you smell the vapor be-
fore changing canisters.
Where there is any likelihood of skin
contact with liquid TDI, impervious
protective clothing is required. It is
recommended that these clothes be
cleaned inside and out after each use.
Other workers within 10 feet of spray
operations, or at greater distances when
there is the possibility of spray drift,
should also be equipped with impervi-
Confidentiality of Medical
Records Must Be Maintained
(Continued from third page)
hand, can rapidly be gained. Personal
access to the physician helps consider-
ably. Further, the physician or facility
responsible for the examination should
be prepared to share the results and
maintain contact with workers' per-
sonal physicians.
Select the proper local physicians or
facilities and stick to them; they will be
valuable resources for health care.
E. Biopsy
The question is often asked whether
lung biopsy is necessary to be sure of
the nature and cause of lung scarring
that may be present. Usually, it is not.
The X-ray changes in insulation work-
ers' films are generally sufficiently
characteristic to confidently establish
the diagnosis. Moreover, biopsy is not
without risk. We have seen two deaths
in the· past four years as a result of
biopsy procedures.
This is not to say that circumstances
may not arise in which biopsy is
needed, as when there is a suspicion of
ous clothing, gloves and footwear.
It is considered that these precau-
tionary measures will protect workers
who have not become sensitized. Indi-
viduals who have become sensitized
cannot be exposed to any concentration
ofTDI; they should not even be in the
vicinity where it is being used.
In addition to polyurethane plastics
which are formed at the job-site, pre-
formed shapes are also used for insula-
tion. In these materials the isocyanate'
has reacted with the other components
and it is expected that no toxic vapors
should be released when the blocks are
cut.
Health hazards may, nonetheless,
exist from exposures to the dust. No
studies have been reported of the effects
on humans of exposures to these
polyurethane dusts. However, one
series of animal experiments has shown
that rats exposed to polyurethane dusts
developed severe emphysema. Dust
control measures similar to those rec-
ommended for use with materials con-
taining asbestos should therefore be
used. Approved, properly fitted dust
respirators would give adequate protec-
tion.
:.' . :.:.
a lung cancer or other tumor; that is
another matter.
F. Confidentiality
The results of the examinations
should be a confidential matter between
the examining physician and the asbes-
tos worker. At the latter's request, the
results may also be made available to
his personal physician.
On the other hand, there are good
reasons why these personal results
should not be given to the employer or,
for that matter, to-the Union local. If
this possibility exists-that employers
or others will know the findings-many
workers will avoid examinations, to
their potential detriment.
This is not to say that appropriate
arrangements cannot be made to pro-
vide statistical data reflecting findings
in a whole group of men, to help guide
work practices. But individual findings
should be confidential, known only to
the workers and those responsible for
their medical care and continuing sur-
veillance.
G. Disadvantages of periodic exami-
nations
Fears that the above examinations
will activate problems which may be
present are unfounded. One exception
has been mentioned, that caution is in
order before a lung biopsy is made.
Another possible disadvantage is
that minor changes on X-ray or lung
function tests will be given exaggerated
importance and lead to unwarranted
concern. Some X-ray changes are, for
example, compatible with a long, nor-
mal life. The test results are only part of
a whole picture. Instances are seen of
fairly exte.nsive X-ray abnormality
without any significant disability. (The
reverse is, of course, also found.) Nor
do such X-ray changes as localized,
limited scarring, pleural fibrosis or
pleural calcification necessarily por-
tend any coming disaster. Each worker
is a law unto himself and all the findings
have to be evaluated together.
While it is unwise to ignore findings,
at least as a guide to necessary precau-
tions, it is equally wrong to exaggerate
a situation. The best guarantee for a
balanced judgment rests with capable
physicians or medical facilities as out-
lined before.
.tp
 "'~. .". .'

INSULATION HYGIENE
Environmental Sciences
Laboratory

O\l1'lTSiIy
(J~ "'f\

~T~ O(OFt,,~Q"

of The City University

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff. M.D., Program Director
at New York
VetS No.1 l~ Spring 1975

The Asbestos Exposure of Insulation Workmen

Extensive information has been de-
veloped on the mortality experience of
insulation workers. It would, thus, be
of considerable value to have quantita-
tive information on the asbestos dust
levels to which these workers were ex-
posed. Because of the long lapse period
between exposure and clinical appear-
ance of disease, the dust estimates of
greatest concern are those of 20,30,40
or more years ago.
While historical data are scant and
fragmentary, insulation work practices
have changed relatively little, prior to
1970, either in the U. S. or abroad.
Thus, measurements taken prior to
1970 will also provide data of use in
assessing earlier exposure.
United States Data
The only early work of note is the
1945 study of Fleischer and his col-
leagues 1 who reported asbestos dust
levels during insulation application in
four U.S. shipyards. In this study, dust
levels were assessed using a konimeter
(an instrument widely used at the time
but no longer employed), and both total
ASBESTOS STANDARD TO BE REVIEWED
On December 7, 1971 an Asbestos Standard was promulgated that
prohibited workmen's eight-hour average asbestos exposures to exceed 5
fibers per milliliter (f/mI) of air. A milliliter is about a thimbleful of air and
only fibers longer than five microns (about 1125,000 of an inch) are to be
counted. This level is mandated to go to 2 flml during June, 1976.
Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals ordered portions of the current
U. S. standard to be reviewed by the Department of Labor. Of interest to
insulators, the court specifically stated that in those industries where a dust
level of 2 flml was feasible, it should be imptemented before 1976.
Because of this pending review of the standard, a summary of all
research 01) the asbestos exposure of insulation workers has been prepared
for submission to the Dept. of Labor by the Insulation Industry Hygiene
Research Program. Because of the importance of achieving a safe U.S.
Asbestos Standard and the interest of asbestos workers in this goal, we are
publishing the full report in this issue.
dust levels and fiber levels were re- at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard
corded. This study gains importance in (Local 20, IAHFIA W). However, de-
that one of the yards studied by tailed numerical data on dust concentra-
Fleischer was resurveyed during 1965 tions are only given for particles. If
and 1966 by personnel of the Depart- tIbers were present, but the count re-
ment of Industrial Hygiene, Harvard vealed less than 1 million particles per
School of Public Health 2 •3 and a com- cubic foot (mppef), they were reported
parison of levels is possible. only as a trace., Thus, no average fiber
During 1964, additional data were concentrations can be derived from this
published by Marr 4 on exposure levels study. (Continued all page 2)

TABLE I
Shipyard asbestos fiber .concentrations by Konimeter count-1945, 1965-66
A B C (1945) C (1965-66) D
fiber conc. fiber COnc. fiber conc. fiber conc. fiber conc.
Yzrd MPPCF .f/m! MPPCF flm! MPPCF f/m! MPPCF f/m! MPPCF f/m!

Shop Acti';ity
No. of men exposed (1945) 84 50 51 8
Layout and cutting 0.35 12.4 0.23 8.1 2.2 78 1.76 62 0.63 22
Sewing and fabrication 0.03 1.1 0.1 3.5 0.62 22 0.27 9.5 0.03 1.1
General room air 0.08 2.8 0.01 0.4 0.8 28 0.3 10.6 0.02 0.7
The following shop activities were done at infrequent intervals and involved only one or, at most, two men:
Band saw cutting 0.12 4.2 3.0 106 6.19 218 0.7 24.7
Mixing cement 0.2 7.0 1.7 60 3.1 109 0.23 8.1 0.01 0.4
Scrap grinding 0.47 16.6
Aboard Ship
No. of men exposed (1945) 467 700 123 160
A vg. exposure, all activities 0.02 0.7 2.8 98 1.1 39 0.17 6.0 0.03 1.1
Time-Weighted Average Exposure 1.1 90 35 1.1
(All fibers visible)
 Average Expos~res Low
1945 Results Available
Table I lists the fiber exposure data
.obt?,ined from over 200 dust counts by
Fleischer in 1945 and also those ob-
tained by Murphy 3 during 1965 and
1966. Using data supplied on the
number of individuals engaged in ,the
various work actlVJtIeS, a time-
weighted (actually man-weighted) av-
erage asbestos exposure is calculated.
A detailed analysis of the results,
however, presents difficulties. In each
yard, a worker's average exposure was
_ •.1I' dominated by insulation activities
~,
aboard ship. For such activities, the
average asbestos dust levels reported in
.. Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 6 No.1 Spring 1975
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program
Editor: W. J .. Nicholson, Ph.D., Pub-
lished at the Environmental Sciences
Laboratory (Irving J. Selikoff, M.D.,
Director), Mount Sinai School of Medicine
of the City University of New York, N.Y.
10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving 1. Selikoff, M.D. Program Director
and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice Presi-
dent, American Cancer Society, New
York, N.Y.
Andrew Haas, General President, Interna·
tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers,
Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D. Vice President,
Research and Development, Johns-
Manville Corporation, Denver, Colo.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
.;. "
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
" RESEARCH PROGRAM
..--
.:
1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure ofinsu-
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageousI'y and to
offer cooperation, advice and
assistance toward their universal
adoption.
the different shipyards varied by nearly
orie hundred times .
It should be recognized that these
fiber counts represent all fibers enu-
merated in the field of view of a koni-
meter. These would include fibers
perhaps as short as 1.5 microns.
Supplementary data5 on the size dis-
tribution of amosite aerosols in ship-
yards suggest that this overestimates
the number of fibers longer than five
::Y..!srons by a factor of two.
Taking this factor into account, the
average of the eight-hour concentra-
tions of fibers longer than five microns
in the four U.S. shipyards studied by
Fleischer in 1945 would be from 15 to
20 fibers per milliliter (f/mI). It must be
emphasized, however, that such aver-
ages are highly subjective and depend
strongly upon the vagaries of the par-
ticular work practices selected for sam-
pling and conditions present at that
time.
Similar considerations would yield a
value of 4 flml for the shipyard survey
by Murphy in 1965-66.
New Techniques Used
The first research that quantified as-
bestos insulation exposures using
membrane filter techniques was that of
Balzer and Cooper published in 1968 6
and extended in a report at the Dresden
Conference on the Biological Effects
of Asbestos in 1969. i
Their initial publication, however,
enumerated fiber concentrations in
marine and commercial insulation
work in terms of all visible 'fibers, in-
cluding those shorter than five microns.
The later subsequent publication also
provided data on fiber concentrations
longer than five microns. Table 2
summarizes these results.
Using the information provided on
TABLE II
Asbestos fiber concentrations by membrane filter techniques
Percentage
Job of work with
Classification asbestos Lengths
Prefabrication 10%
Application 40%
Mixing 5%
Finishing 30%
Tearing Out 10%
General 5%
Time-Weighted Average Exposure
dust concentrations and the percentage
oftime a worker is engaged in a particu-
larpractice, a time-weighted average of
2.7 flml was obtained for exposures
during asbestos insulation work in light
and heavy construction, and 6.6 flml in
marine construction and repair.
Cooper and Balzer noted that at the
time of their study, approximately 55%
of the work time of insulation workers
was spent using materials other than
asbestos. Thus, eight-hour time-
weighted average exposures for asbes-
tos workers during 1968 in the western
United States would have averaged less
than 1.5 flml in light and hea~y con-
struction. Moreover, it is noteworthy
that Cooper and Balzer state their sam-
ples were' "deliberately taken under
conditions where the highest dust con-
centrations representative of a particu-
lar job were being developed. "
Union Cooperation Obtained
The environmental evaluation of in-
sulation work that was undertaken by
the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
under the auspices of the Insulation In-
dustry Hygiene Research Program 5 re-
vealed asbestos air concentrations
somewhat higher than those measured
by Balzer and Cooper. Again using in-
formation supplied by union members
and from observation of work prac-
tices, estimates were made of the per-
centage oftime workmen were engaged
in various activities in commercial and
industrial construction.
The information on measured asbes-
tos air concentrations obtained during
these work activities is shown in Table
3. They were used as indicated to arrive
at the estimated time-weighted average
exposure of about 6 flml for insulators
when working with asbestos.
On the average, in the eastern United
Light and Heavy Marine Construction
Industrial
F1bersfcc
and Repair
F1berslcc
mean mean
All Length All Length
> 5p. Lengths > 5p.
10.1 6.6 30.4 20.0
12.4 8.0 24.8 16.8
2.4 1.6 10.6 7.1
2.7 1.8 1.8 1.2
12.8 8".4 31.5 20.2
0.8 .5 .2 0.1
4.1 2.7 9.9 6.6
1·
 IIHRP Results Reported
States during the 1960's, over half of
the work activities of these men were
with materials other than asbestos.
Thus, the over eight-hour time-
weighted average asbestos exposure
was approximately 3 flml.
In the research that led to these data,
it was reported that peak exposures
could be extremely high. It was not
uncommon, for example, for two to
five-minute concentrations of asbestos
to range between 50 flml and 100'f/m!
during the mixing of cement. This mix-
ing, however, would consume only a
few minutes time and be done perhaps
once an hour. Thus', exposures meas-
ured over that hour, including the mix-
ing, would seldom average over 5 flml.
Peak High, Average Low
Similar experiences were subse-
quently reported by Cooper8 at Lyon
who stated that, "Peak concentrations
may be high for brief periods, while
time-weighted averages are often de-
ceptively low."
In a continuation of the work of the
Department of Industrial Hygiene of
Harvard University in assessing asbes-
tos exposure in Naval Shipyards, Ferris
et at:! reported on the results obtained
by J. Lynch and W. Burgess from 81
TABLE III
Asbestos concentrations during various wor* practices
Measured FIber
Concentration
(greater than
Type of Work
Mixing and Applying Cement and
~ ..poth Covering to Insulation
Material
Good Ventilation
Poor Ventilation
Cutting and Applying Insulation
Block or Sections of Pipe
Covering
Good Ventilation
Poor Ventilation
Pre-Fabrication work including
shipyard asbestos air samples taken
during 1969 . Using fiber counting
techniques they determined a mean as-
bestos concentration of 0.3 flml in land
fabrication shops and 2.9 f/m! in ship-
board installation work.
3 Jlml Exposure
Three research programs in the
United States point to the conclusion
that the time-weighted average expo-
sure of insulators between 1965 and
1969 was less than 3 fibers longer than
five microns per milliliter.
We have direct information on asbes-
tos fiber concentrations, measured
using the currently prescribed analysis
procedures, during recent years only.
Insulation materials have changed from
earlier years. Fibrous glass has found
exten~ive use while work with cork is
seldom seen today. Moreover, changes
in the asbestos composition of insula-
tion products have taken place. Pipe
covering and insulation block may have
had twice the asbestos content in past
years as exists today.
During this' period, however, work
practices were virtually identical to
those of past years and during the
period of those measurements, few
controls of significance were in use.
Percentage of
TIme Practice
(f/mI) Occurs When Column One
Asbestos is times
5 microns) Used Column Two
2.5 17.5 44
4.6 17.5 81
5.2 20 104
11.5 20 230
Insulators StilI Exposed to
Asbestos
While much of new insulation
material contains no asbestos,
pipe-coverers may still be exposed
to high asbestos concentrations dur-
ing removal and demolition. In such
work, safe procedures and personal
protective equipment must be used.
Thus, obtaining an effective and
safe Asbestos Standard remains of
paramount importance.
Thus, dust concentrations measured
under these conditions have relevance
for the estimate of levels Elf past years.
Considering the possible doubling of
asbestos content of insulation materials
and considering that workers may have
used asbestos materials more often in
the past 'than now, the data from these
three studies would suggest that the
upper limit on insulator'S exposures in
the United States during past years
would be about 10 f/m!.
British Data
At the Devonport Naval Dockyard
in Plymouth, England, extensive mea-
surements of asbestos dust concentra-
tions during the application and re-
moval of insulation aboard ship have
been reported by Harries. 10 These are
listed in Table 4. During the applica-
tion of insulation material, fiber con-
centrations from 2.1 to 22.4 flml were
found, not unlike those found in U.S.
studies.
However, during the removal ofpipe
and machinery insulation, mean dust
concentration in various compartments
ranged from 88 to 257 f/m!, and in the
removal of sprayed croci do lite asbes-
tos, fiber concentrations ranged from
20 to 500 f/m!, with short-term breath-
ing zone samples showing concentra-
tions ex'ceeding 1000 f/m!. Moreover,
the spread of asbestos from the site of
removal can be extensive. Concentra-
tions of 30 f/m! were found at hatchway
openings to decks from the area of
crocidolite stripping.
High Dust During Ripout ;.

Cutting Materials for later use 7.6 10 7,6 Additionally, short-term fiber con-
535 centrations measured during the variety
Time-weighted average = 535/85 = 6.3 flml of specific application and removal
techniques are reported. High levels, .
The above practices, which occupy 85% of the work time in asbestos insulation work, give rise to a time-weighted exceeding 200 flml, occurred while
average exposure of 6.3 f/m!. As the majority of the other activities of insulation work (supervision. collection of mixing asbestos cement. The cleaning
materials. movement and installation of equipmont. etc.) are relatively clean, the overall exposure may be lower. (In
the U.S .. sweeping and dusty cleanup are done by members of the Laborers Union.) of debris (I55 f/ml) and the sawing (55
In a review of work activities in commercial and industrial construction. it was found that little removal of insulation f/ml), fitting (43 f/ml) , or removing (52
was conducted and asbestos spray applications were very rarely undertaken by insulators. (Asbestos workers applied f/ml) of calcium silicate sections also
spray insulations only to powerhouSi! turbines.) It is estimated that less than two or three percent of nonmarine produced high dust concentrations.
insulation worx by members of the Asbestos WOrXers Union is in these continuously dusty operations. Even if
average exposures here were 50 f/ml and the men wore no respirators, their overall average eXfX>sure would be A subsequent publication by Har-
increased only to 7 flml when working with asbestos. ries l l of long-term area sampling in var-
 ·Adequacy of Standard Quest!oned
ious circumstances indicated a mean'
concentration of 226 f/m! during the
removal of spray; of 152 flml during the
removal of pipe insulation; and of 8.9
flml during the application of pipe lag-
ging.
As with the Mount Sinai research
·and the Balzer-Cooper study, short-
term dust concentrations during spe-
cific insulation practices can be ex-
tremely high, while samples taken over
long peiiods of time yield concentra-
tions that are relatively low when com-
pared with current and past asbestos
stan·dards.
Summary
, -. Studies on asbestos concentrations
from 1965 through 1971 by five differ-
ent research groups in two countries are
summarized in Table 5, along with es-
timates made of earlier insulation as-
bestos exposures. They indicate that
recent average exposures of insulation
workers to asbestos are from 3 to 9 f/m!
when working with asbestos.
As asbestos workers in the United
States in the period these measurements
were taken used asbestos materials in
their work less than 50% of the time,
their eight-hour average exposure to
asbestos was less than 3 f/ml. It is
noteworthy that these exposures
existed prior to the implementation of
the current 5 flml standards in the U.S.
As extensive substitution of non-
asbestos materials has subsequently
taken place in insulation work, current
exposures are now considerably lower.
The estimate of from 10 to 15 flml
obtained for past exposures in non-
marine insulations work does not offer
much confidence that 5 flml, or even 2
flmI, is sufficient to protect asbestos
workmen. Forty percent of insulators'
deaths can be attributed to their past
occupational exposure to asbestos at
such levels. A standard set at two, or
eVen five times lower, is unlikely to
offer significant protection to asbestos
workmen.
Asbestos Workers Have High
Peak but Low Average Asbestos
Exposures
The high peak exposures of asbes-
tos workers measured by different
groups can be deceptive. These
often are of short term and may in-
volve few men. Average exposures
have universally been found to be
low, usually less than current stand-
ards. This result leads to two con-
clusions: 1) Current standards may
be inadequate to protect workers,
and 2) Easily accomplished control
of peak exposures can significantly
reduce the long-term average expo-
sures.

TABLE IV
.» Asbestos dust concentrations during the fabrication, application and removal of insulation materials
General Atmosphere Breathing Zone

No. of Mean No. of Mean

Location samples fibers/cm' Range samples fibers/em' Range

Application of pipe and .machinery

insulation:
Boiler rooms 17 22.4 1-61 14 16.8 0.1-68
Engine rooms 28 2.1 0.1-14 16 7.3 0.04-40
Accumulator room 5 16.5 2.5-46 17 9.6 1 -47
Mattress fabrication:
Old shop 12 12.7 0-126 15 1.5 0- 7
New shop 11 16.3 2-83 25 3.7 0-17
Removal of pipe and machinery
insulation:
Boiler room 153 171 0.04-1062 20 97 25-220
Engine room 45 88 0.16-3021 25 91 2-490
Brick stowage space 13 257 9-592 ---
Removal of asbestos acoustic panels: 6 413.5 30-684 6 131 48-271
J

TABLE V REFERENCES Health Series No. 27.27-47. Geneva (1972).

6. Balzer,J. L. and Cooper, W. C.: The Work Envi·
Summary of average asbestos air ronment of InSUlating Workers, American Industrial
concentrations during insulation I. Fleischer. W. E., Viles, F. J. Jr .. Gade. R. L. and Hygiene As"?,,iation Journal 29, 222-227 (1968).
work Drinker, P.: A Health Survey of Pipe Covering 7. Cooper, W, C. and Balzer. J. L.: Evaluation and
Operations in Constructing Naval Vessels. Journal of control of asbestos exposures in the insulating trade,
A-...
Fiber Coacm1nItkM::I Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 28, 9-16 (1946). International Konferenz tiber die biologischen Wir-
Up,t and Jk.ry M.riDC 2. Murphy, R. L. H., Jr., Ferris, B. G •• Jr.. kungen des Asbestos, Dresden, 22-24 April. 1968.
Comt:nw;r:k.a Work
Burgess. W. A. et a1.: Effects of Low Concentrations of Deutsches Zentralinstitute fur Arbeitsmedizin, pp 151-
Asbestos: Clinical. Environmental. Radiologic and 160, Holstein and Anspach. eds .. Berlin.
Mount Sinai Epidemiologic Observations in Shipyard Pipe Coverers 8. Cooper, W. C. Asbestos in, the Manufacture of
(IIHRP) 6.3 and Controls. New England Journal of Medicine 285, Insulation Materials Biological Effects of Asbestos.
Balzer-Cooper 2.7 6.6 1271·1278 (1971). IARC Lyon, France. pp 175-178.
Murphy, Harvard 8.0* 3. Murphy. R. L. H., Jr.: Asbestosis in Pipe Cov- 9. Ferris. B. G., Jr., Ranadive. M. V,. Peters. J. M.
B urgess-Lynch 2.9 erers Engaged in New Ship Construction. Thesis, Har- et al: Prevalence of Chronic Respiratory Disease--
8.8 vard School of Public Health. (1968). Asbestosis in Ship Repair Workers. Archives of En-
Harries
4. Marr. W. T.: Asbestos Exposure During Naval vironmental Health 23, 220·225 (1971).
Estimates of early exposures
Vessel Overhaul. American Industrial Hygiene Associ- 10. Harries. P. G.: Asbestos Dust Concentrations In
Fleischer 15-20 ation Journal 25. 264-268 (1964). Ship Repairing: A Practical Approach to Improving
Mount Sinai 10-15 5. Nicholson. W. J .. Holaday. D. A. and Heimann. Asbestos Hygiene in Naval Dockyards. Annals of Oc-
H.: Direct and Indirect Occupational Exposure to Insu- cupational Hygiene]4, 241-254 (1971)
These- coocena .&tJons were thos.c measured or estiJll2.ted. lation Dusts in United States Shipyards, Proceeding of 11. Harries. P. G.: A Comparison of Mass and Fibre
for work-en while u.<;mg a..s.bestos. Eight·hour average
e~~ures. consldenng the use of othcrmatc:ri.als. would the International Symposium on Safety and Health in Concentrations of Asbestos Dust in Shipyard Insulation
be ~ httle as half the above values. ShipbUilding and Ship Repairing. Helsinki. 30 August Processes; Annals of Occupational Hygiene 14, 234-
*Fiber count IPcludo .all visible fibers. to 2 September, 1971. ILO Occupational Safety and 240 (1971).
 .... ;

Environmental Science.
Laboratory

O\JI'IT 1/.... INSULATION HYGIENE

~l~a
at aF""~O
"c.;

of The City University

PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Sellkoff, M.D., Program Director
of New York.
Vol. 6 No.2 ..e--7 Summer 1974

Court of Appeals Orders

Review of Asbestos Standard
In a historic decision on April 15,
1974, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia ordered the Sec-
retary of Labor to review portions of the
Asbestos Standard promulgated on
June 7, 1972. The ruling, written by
Circuit Judge McGowen, was in re-
sponse to a petition flied by the AFL-
CIO urging reversal of the existing
standard.
The Court fuling, which was
rendered in a forty-on; page decision,
contains the following provisions ap-
plicable to insulation work:
1. In those industries where a dust
level of two fibers/ml is feasible, it
should be implemented before 1976.
Here, the court took note of tes-
timony of Duncan Holaday of the
I.LH.R.P., industry witnesses and
others that a two fiber standard Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Director of the Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program, answers questions
could be.implemented in commercial regarding health effects of asbestos in discussions with Local 93 members David Patterson, Mario Di
Rocco, Richard Y ounkman, Thomas Hughes, Thomas Smith, William Frazier, Edward Cisek and Mike
and industrial insulation work within Harnsworth.
two years (of April, 1972). Walter Hanna, Business Agent of Local 93, pro-

(Continued on fourth page)

vides Dr. Henry Anderson of Mount Sinai with
details of his past medical history'.
Local 93 Exams
Show Continuing
Shipyard Problems
Examinations ofLoca193 (Philadel-
phia Naval Shipyard) of the Interna-
tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers con-
."
ducted by staff physicians of the Mount
Sinai School of Medicine reveal asbes-
tos problems still exist in shipyard
work.
While much insulation material now
has no asbestos content and the use of
asbestos is required to be much better
controlled, asbestos material in use by
other trades poses a continuing prob-
lem. Here, asbestos cement and dust
(Continued on third page)

Review of Asbestos Standard Considered
(Continued from first page)
2. The provision that dust monitor-
ing records be 'maintained for only
three years was deemed inadequate
in view ofthe need for such informa-
tion in assessing the health effects of
asbestos at different exposure levels.
Each of the above aspects of tQe
standard was explicitly remanded to the
Secretary of Labor for reconsideration
and modification.
.:. '7 ; Furthermore, the Court ruled that
certain provisions of the standard be
interpreted in a manner to provide
greater protection for insulators and
other asbestos workers. It was specifi-
cally stated that the engineering con-
trols and other dust control procedures
mentioned in the standard be applied
before dust concentrations are shown to
be excessive.
It is not necessary that a dust count
show levels above five fibers/rnl before
such items as in-bag mixing of cement,
exhaust ventilation on all hand-
operated or power-operated tools be
utilized. The interpretation of the
three-judge court is that these are now
mandatory any time asbestos even
might be released in excess of the ex-
posure limits.
With respect to monitoring, the
judges ruled that monitoring of work-
places must be continued periodically
to assure that compliance with the
standard is maintained even though ini-
tial dust counts showed levels lower
than five fibers/ml.
Two principal contentions of the
AFL-CIO in its suit were based upon
the provisions in the Occupational
Safety and Health Act that "The Sec-
retary (of Labor) ... shall set the stand-
ard which most adequately assures, to
the extent feasible, on the basis of the
'r best available evidence, that no em-
... ployee will suffer material impairment
of health or functional capacity . . ."
'~. and that the National Institute of Occu-
pational Safety and Health shall de-
velop criteria documents that describe
such safe levels of exposure.
The position of the AFL-CIO was:
1. that the Department of Labor must
accept the recommendations of the Na-
tional Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health as to what constitutes safe
exposure limits ariti. can orily take into
account the feasibility of implementa-
tion in setting a standard, and 2. that the
economi-c effect on an industry cannot
.. ". ~".
be considered in determining the feasi-
bility of a health standard.
Each of these contentions was re-
jected by the Court as too restrictive or
not consistent with procedures other-
wise specified in the Occupational
Safety and Health Act.
In the latter instance, however,
Judge McGowen ruled that economic
considerations of laggard employers
ca.'1!?nr be used to delay implementation
of a standard which is feasible for the
rest of the industry.
The Court also rejected the position
of labor that medical records be sup-
plied orily to a physician of the
employee's choosing or to NIOSH.
Thus the stalemate on employer-
sponsored medical examinations for in-
sulators remains. However, the posi-
tion of the Department of Labor in t..~is
matter is that while the employer must
offer such examinations, it is not
required that an Asbestos Worker take
them.
The judges also ruled that the
specification of the present labeling
provisions on asbestos products fell
within the scope of the Secretary of
Labor and need not be reviewed. In
summary: While not granting all points
in the AFL- CIO suit, the Circuit Court
upheld in principle a major contention
of labor on several items-that ex-
posure be reduced to the lowest feasible
levels as rapidly as possible.
The ruling of the Appeals Court
comes at a time of increasing pressure
on the Department of Labor for a re-
view of the current Asbestos Standard.
Since the Department of Labor hear-
ings were held on the standard, addi-
tional significant information on the
scope of asbestos health effects has ap-
peared which must be carefully con-
sidered and evaluated.
In their recommendation that a two-
fiber standard be implemented within
two years, NIOSH gave considerable
weight to the. existing British standard
and the data that supported it. That
standard, proposed by a ~ommittee of
the British Occupational Hygiene So-
ciety and adopted by the British Factory
Inspectorate, was based on the view
that a lifetime work exposure of two
fibers/rnl would give rise to no more
than a 1% risk that an individual would
develop critical signs of asbestosis.
Parenthetically, the committee noted
that these data were inadequate to set a
level that would protect workers against
cancer.
In proposing their standard, the
British committee relied on the only
substantive evidence existing at that
time (1966-67) relating asbestos dis-
ease to exposure levels. That was data
supplied to them on dust counts and
clinical signs of asbestosis in the cur-
rent work force of a large British asbes-
tos textile factory.
Unfortunately, at the time of review
only 13 individuals in the study group
had longer than 30 years from first ex-
posure to asbestos, and the majority had
less than 20 years. As asbestos-
associated disease seldom appears be-
fore 20 years and often after 30 years,
this was a limitation of the B 0 HS study
and was recognized as such by the
committee.
Recently, new data have been pub-
lished, involving many of the same in-
dividuals in the initial British study,
suggesting that more asbestos-
associated disease may be present than
originally was thought to be the case.
This increase could be the result both of
the greater time for the disease to de-
. velop in the population and of the use of
the recently developed ILO/UC stand-
ard classification procedure to identify
X-ray evidence of asbestosis.
At the International Conference on
the Biological Effects of Asbestos,
held during October, 1972 in Lyon,
France, it was announced that a review
of the British standard would be con-
sidered.
Additionally, new information is
being developed in the United States to
identify groups, exposed at levels lower
than the current Asbestos Standard, in
which asbestos disease has been found.
Furthermore, data published since the
hearings on the Asbestos Standard sub-
stantiate that presented by 1.1. H. R. P.
personnel that insulation workers' ex-
posures are, on a' time-weighted aver-
age, considerably lower than five
fibers/ml, thus raising serious questions
over the efficiency of the current
standard.
Prior to the Court of Appeals deci-
sion, the Department of Labor was
considering changes that might be in-
corporated in a revised standard, par-
ticularly the feasibility of placing great-
er reliance on specified work practices
rather than on periodic monitoring to
assure a safe workplace.
·;".
 --: ,; .
Environment!!1 Sciences
Laboratory
O\l~T511y INSULATION HYGIENE
~T~Col OF",,~5~"
of The City University
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of New Yarl<
The International Agency for Research on
Cancer of the World Health Organization has
just issued it"s Scientific Publication No.8,
Biological Effects of Asbestos, consisting of the
Proceedings· of a Working Conference held at
the Agency's Headquarters in Lyon, France,
October 2-6., 1972. In view of the considerable
Cancer risk of insulation workers in the United States
1. J. SELIKOFF, E. C. HAMMOND & H. SEIDMAN
In 1963, information became available which in-
dicated that asbestos insulation workers employed
in the construction industry were subject to a sig-
nificant cancer hazard associated with their work
(Selikoff et ai., 1964).. Studying the mortality ex-
perience of the 632 members on the rolls of the New
York-New Jersey branches of the insulation workers'
union on 1 January 1943, for the 20-year period end-
ing 31 December 1962, it was found that death from
cancer was almost three times as frequent as ex-
pected. The death rate from cancer of the bronchus
and pleura was 6.8 times as high as that for the gen-
eral US white male population, both age and d~te
being taken into consideration; and cancer of
stomach, colon and rectum was found to be three
times as common. Attention was called to' the
occurrence of pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas
(Selikoff et ai., 1965a).
These studies were subsequently extended to in-
vestigate the interrelationships between asbestos
exposure and cigarette smoking in the production
of lung cancer, the significance of mesothelioma
(Selikoff et ai., 1970) and to obtain further evidence
~ From the Environmental Cancer Research Project of the
American Cancer Society and the Mount Sinai School of
Medicine of the City University of New York.
Irving J. Sellkatf. M.. o' l Program Director
VoL.5, No.3 -S--7 Fall 1974
interest in the health problems associated with
insulation work, we are devoting this entire
issu~ to the publication qf a paper from the
IARC volume by Dr. Irving Selikofj, Dr. E.
Cuyler Hammond and Mr. Herbert Seidman
which treats ·the problem of cancer risk as-
sociated with insulation work.
1
on the possible relationship between asbestos ex-
posure and the occurrence of gastro-intestinal cancer.
The data were insufficient, however, to resolve. a
number of questions which are important for a full
evaluation of the problem and to provide guidance
for the establishment of needed administrative and
industrial cOI).trol measures. To obtain such ad-
ditional information, We have continued and
widened our ·investigations.
CURRENT STUDIES
Using approaches and methods previously re-
ported (Selikoff et ai., 1964; Selikoff et ai., 1965b),
we have studied the experiences of three cohorts of
workers exposed to asbestos insulation materials.
1. New York-New Jersey cohort. We have con-
tinued our surveillance of the New York-New Jersey
insulation workers. By 31 December 1962, 262
had died; thus, 370 were still alive on 1 January 1963.
Eachbas been followed up until 31 December 1971.
Two additional groups of workers have been
investigated:
2. In one study, we registered the entire member-
ship of the insulation workers union -in the United
States and Canada 2 on 1 January 1967 (17,800;
including members of the New_.York-~ew Jersey
/

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 6, No.2 Summer 1974
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program
.~
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., Published at
the Efl\'ironmental Sciences Laboratory (Irving].
Selikoff, M,D., Director). Mount Sinai School
of Medicine of the City University of New York,
N.Y. 10029
Advisory Council of IlHRP
Irving J, Selikoff, M.O .• Program Director and
Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice. Pr~sident,
American Cancer Society, New York, N.Y.
Andrew Haas. General President, International
Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and As-
bestos Workers, Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D .• Vice President, Re-
search and Development, Johns-Manville Cor-
poration. Denver. Colo.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY. HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
"
L To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
assistance toward their universal
adoption.
Dust Control Important
itl Alaskan Pipeline Work
Asbestos Workers from all parts of
the United States will soon begin work
insulating approximately 400 miles of
the 48-inch diameter Alaskan pipeline.
Additional insulation work will be re-
quired in pumping stations and tank
!P.!::".,. The work will commence this
summer and continue for three years.
. The insulation material to be used on the "low" group was exposed to about
the pipe will either be fibrous glass or . one-third and the "high" group to
rigid polyurethane foam. Little or no
asbestos-containing materials are calied
for in the specifications.
While asbestos is not to be used, each
of the two materials contemplated for
use has been shown to produce cancer
in animals. Because of the remoteness
of operations, the extreme weather and
working conditions, and the urgency to
complete the job, special efforts are
pianned to assure that adequate precau-
tions are taken to protect the health of
insulators.
All of the procedures appropriate for polyurethane insulating materials must
dust control in asbestos work should be
applied here--exhaust ventilation on
all portable and stationary power tools,
down draft cutting tables for hand saws,
adequate clean-up procedures in fabri-
cation shops, and use of disposable
respirators, if warranted. . mesothelioma when implanted into the
The possibility that dust from
polyurethane foam insulation might be
hazardous was discussed previously in
Vol. 4, No.2 ofIHRP. In view of the
possible extensive use of this material
for insulating the pipeline, it is appro-
priate to review the available informa-
tion on its possible health effects.
Workers who are sawing or abrading
this material may be exposed to plastic
dusts, dust from added fire retardants,
dust from reinforcing materials, gases
from unreacted TDI or MDI (See Vol.
5, No.4) trapped in the insulation, and
a mixture of decomposition products
produced by heat from cutting or abrad-
ing operations.
No studies have been reported on
effects on humans exposed to dusts
from polyurethane insulation. How-
ever, the Institute of Environmental
Medicine at New York University has
conducted animal experiments which
were designed to duplicate conditions
of use.
Two groups of rats were exposed for
30 days to dusts and gases produced by
grinding polyurethane insulation. For
the low exposure group, the atmos-
pheric concentration of dust was 3.6
milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3)
and for the higher group it \vas 20
mg/m 3 • The Threshold Limit Value for
"nuisance dusts" is 10 mg/m 3. Thus,
about twice the dust concentration
which 1S considen!d acceptable for long
term, daily, occupational exposures.
Considering the brief exposure time
and the relatively low dust concentra-
tions, the effects on the animals were
disturbing. One rat out of 39 in the
lower exposure group and 9 out of 45 in
the higher group developed em-
physema. In addition, one lung cancer
was found in each group, and one liver
cancer in the "low" group.
The investigators concluded that
be considered a serious industrial health
hazard.
In a 1972 publication by Dr. Mearl
Stanton of the National Cancer Institute
it was shown that fibrous glass and
other inorganic fibers could produce
pleura of rats. Subsequent investiga-
tions by the N. C.r. scientists have con-
fInned these results and a detailed de-
scription of their work was presented at
the Lyon, France, Conference on the
Biological Effects of Asbestos.
They concluded that the car-
cinogenicity of asbestos and fibrous
glass (in their animal experiments) ap-
peared primarily, related to the struc-
tural shape of the materials, rather than
to their physiochemical properties.
Of special concern here are fibers of
a diameter less than 3-5 microns that
may be inhaled and deposited in the
lower spaces of the lung.
In commenting on the use of either of
these materials on the Alaskan
pipeline, Dr. SelikQff, Director of the
LI.H.R.P., stated, "We have learned
the techniques and engineering controls
that will allow asbestos to be used
safely. These should be applied with
equal vigor to the use of rigid
polyurethane and fibrous glass."
 . --: ..:

As bestos Dust
Does Not Respect
Jurisdictional Lines
Local 93 Exams
(Colllillued frolll jirsT page)
released d uriTIg application of fire brick
and other materials in boiler insulation
by members of the Boilermakers Union
may expose a variety of trades, includ-
ing insulators. Local 93 members re-
port this to be one of their most signifi-
cant sources of exposure.
Asbestos dust in shipyard air cer-
tainly does not obey jurisdictionil craft
lines. In a_British paper all the inci-
dence of mesothelioma in shipyard
workers, it was stated by Dr.F. Whit-
well that,} 'the exact nature of their
Mario Di Rocco is examined by Dr. AIf Fisch-
hein of Mount Sinai.
Frances Perez and Janet Kaffenburgh
assist in the Local 93 examinations.

DeathS-Local 93, IAHFIAW

Jan. 1, 1967--Dec. 31,1973

Total deaths-all causes .............. 18

.i
Total cancer ..........................10

Lung cancer .................... .4

Pleural mesothelioma ...... 2
Cancer stomach, colon ....2
All other cancers .............. 2

Asbestosis .............................. .4

All other causes ..................... .4

work was much leSs important than the

fact that they worked in shipyards."
A letter has recently been sent by
Waiter Hanna, Business Agent of
Local 93, to Michael Wood, Assistant
to the President of the Boilermakers,
alerting that union to the possible risks
associated with their shipyard asbestos
exposure.
The concern of. Local 93 members
for possible effects of their asbestos ex-
posure is real, A review of the records
of this Local reveals that more than half
of the deaths of their members during
seven years have been from cancer, and
an additional 22% from asbestosis.
(See Table).
Joan Oswald draws blood from William F=ier
for laboratory analysis.
 Review of Asbestos Standard Considered
(Continued from first page)
2. The provision that dust monitor-
ing records be 'maintained for only
three years was deemed inadequate
in view ofthe need for stiCh informa-
tion in assessing the health effects of
asbestos at different exposure levels.
Each of the above aspects of t1!e
standard was explicitly remanded to the
Secretary of Labor for reconsideration
and modification.
Furthermore, the Court ruled that
certain prov!sions of the standard be
interpreted in a manner to provide
greater protection for insulators and
other asbestos workers. It was specifi-
cally stated that the engineering con-
trols and other dust control procedures
mentioned in the standard be applied
before dust concentrations are shown to
be excessive.
It is not necessary that a dust count
show levels above five fiberslrnl before
such items as in-bag mixing of cement,
exhaust ventilation on all hand-
operated or power-operated tools be
utilized. The interpretation of the
three-judge court is that these are now
mandatory any time asbestos even
might be released in excess of the ex-
posure limits.
With respect to monitoring, the
judges ruled that monitoring of work-
places must be continued periodically
to aSS1.).re that compliance with the
standard is maintained even though ini-
tial dust counts showed levels lower
than five fibers/m!.
Two principal contentions of the
AFL-CIO in its suit were based upon
the provisions in the Occupational
Safety and Health Act that "The Sec-
retary (of Labor) ... shall set the stand-
ard which most adequately assures, to
the extent feasible, on the basis of the
best available evidence, that no em-
ployee will suffer material impairment
of health or functional capacity . . ."
'" and that the National Institute of Occu-
pational Safety and Health shall de-
velop criteria documents that describe
such safe levels of ~xposure,
The position of the AFL-CIO was:
1. that the Department of Labor must
accept the recommendations of the Na-
tional Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health as to what constitutes safe
exposure limits and can only take into
account the feasibility of implementa-
tion in setting a standard, and 2. that the
economic effect on an .:ldustry cannot
be considered in determining the feasi-
bility of a health standard.
Each of these contentions was re-
jected by the Court as too restrictive or
not consistent with procedures other-
wise specifled in the Occupational
Safety and Health Act.
In the latter instance, however,
Judge McGowen ruled that economic
considerations of laggard employers
=~m,"!"r be used to delay implementation
of a standard which is feasible for the
rest of the industry.
The Court also rejected the position
of labor that medical records be sup-
plied only to a physician of the
employee's choosing or to NIOSH.
Thus the stalemate on employer-
sponsored medical examinations for in-
sulators remajns. However, the posi-
tion of the Department 0 f Labor in !"'lis
matter is that whire the employer must
offer such examinations, it is not
required that an Asbestos Worker take
them.
The judges also ruled that the
specification of the present labeling
provisions on asbestos products fell
within the scope of the Secretary of
Labor and need not be reviewed. In
summary: While not granting all points
in the AFL- ClO suit, the Circuit Court
upheld in principle a major contention
of labor on several items-that ex-
posure be reduced to the lowest feasible
levels as rapidly as possible.
The ruling of the Appeals Court
comes at a time of increasing pressure
on the Department of Labor for a re-
view of the current Asbestos Standard.
Since the Department of Labor hear-
ings were held on the standard, addi-
tional significant information on the
scope of asbestos health effects has ap-
peared which must be carefully con-
sidered and evaluated.
In their recommendation that a two-
fiber standard be implemented within
two years, NIOSH gave considerable
weight to the. existing British standard
and the data that supported it. That
standard, -proposed by a ~ommittee of
the British Occupational Hygiene So-
ciety and adopted by the British Factory
Inspectorate, . was based on the view
that a lifetime work exposure of two
fibers/ml would give rise to no more
than a 1% risk that an individual would
develop critical signs of asbestosis.
Parenthetically, the committee noted
that these data were inadequate to set a
level that would protect workers against
cancer.
In proposing their standard, the
British committee relied on the only
substantive evidence existing at that
time (1966-67) relating asbestos dis-
ease to exposure levels. That was data
supplied to them on dust counts and
clinical signs of asbestosis in the cur-
rent work force of a large British asbes-
tos textile factory.
. Unfortunately, at the time of review
only 13 individuals in the study group
had longer than 30 years from first ex-
posure to asbestos, and the majority had
less than 20 years. As asbestos-
associated disease seldom appears be-
fore 20 years and often after 30 years,
this was a limitation of the B 0 HS study
and was recognized as such by the
committee.
Recently, new data have been pub-
lished, involving many of the same in-
dividuals in the initial British study,
suggesting that more asbestos-
associated disease may be present than
originally was thought to be the case.
This increase could be the result both of
the greater time for the disease to de-
velop in the population and ofthe use of
the recently developed ILO/UC stand-
ard classification procedure to identify
X-ray evidence of asbestosis.
At the International Conference on
the Biological Effects of Asbestos,
held during October, 1972 in Lyon,
France, it was announced that a review
of the British standard would be con-
sidered.
Additionally, new information is
being developed in the United States to
identify groups, exposed at levels lower
than the current Asbestos Standard, in
which asbestos disease has been found.
Furthermore, data published since the
hearings on the Asbestos Standard sub-
stantiate that presented by 1.1. H. R. P.
personnel that insulation workers' ex-
posures are, on a'time-weighted aver-
age, considerably lower than five
fibers/ml, thus raising serious questions
over the efficiency of the current
standard.
Prior to the Court of Appeals deci- '
sion, the Department of Labor was
considering changes that might be in-
corporated in a revised standard, par-
ticularly the feasibility of placing great-
er reliance on specified work practices
rather than on periodic monitoring to
assure a safe workplace.
IU
 INSULATION HYGIENE
Envir-cnmenul Scienc.s
Laboratory
OI.lNT lily
~l~rL
" { OF",,~Q
"C;
<>f Tht CIty Univel"$ity
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGiENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of Nt... York
The International Agency for Research on
Cancer of the World Health Organization has
just issued it's Scientific Publication No.8,
Biological Effects of Asbestos, consisting of the
Proceedings of a Working Conference held at
the Agency'sBeadquorters in Lyon, France,
October 2-6,.1972. In view of the considerable
Cancer risk of insulation workers in the United States
1. J. SELIKOFF, E. C. HAMMOND & H. SEIDMAN
In 1963, information became available which in-
dicated that asbestos insulation workers employed
in the construction industry were subject to a sig-
nificant cancer hazard associated with their work
(Selikoff et aI., 1964). Studying the mortality ex-
perience of the 632 members on the rolls of the New
York-New Jersey branches of the insulation workers'
union on 1 January 1943, for the 20-year period end-
ing 31 December 1962, it was found that death from
cancer was almost three times as frequent as ex-
pected. The death rate from cancer of the bronchus
and pleura was 6.8 times as high as that for the gen-
eral US white male population, both age and date
being taken into consideration; and cancer of
stomach, colon and rectum was found to be three
times as common. Attention was called to' the
occurrence' of pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas
(Selikoff et aL, 1965a).
These studies were subsequently extended to in-
vestigate the interrelationships between asbestos
exposure and cigarette smoking in the production
of lung cancer, the significance of mesothelioma
(SeIikoff et aI., 1970) and to obtain further evidence
1 From the Environmental Cancer Research Project of the
American Cancer Society and the Mount Sinai School of
Medicine of the City Universj'j of New York.
Irving J. Sellkotf.
VOI..6, No.3 -6-7 Fall 1974
interest in the health problems associated with
insulation work, we are devoting this entire
iSSUE{ to the publication qf a paper from the
IABC volume by Dr. Irving Selikoff, Dr. E.
Cuyler Hammond and Mr. Herbert Seidman
which treats "the problem of cancer risk as-
sociated with insulation work.
1
on the possible relationship between asbestos ex-
posure and the occurrence of gastro-intestinal cancer.
The data were insufficient, however, to resolve a
number of questions which are important for a full
evaluation of the problem and to provide guidance
for the establishment of needed administrative and
industrial cOI}trol measures. To obtain such ad-
ditional information, we have continued and
widened our investigations.
CURRENT STUDIES
Using approaches and methods previously re-
ported (Selikoff et aI., 1964; Selikoff et at., 1965b),
we have studied the experiences of three cohorts of
workers exposed to asbestos insulation materials.
1. New York-New Jersey cohort. We have con-
tinued our surveillance of the New York-New Jersey
insulation workers. By 31 December 196.2, 262
had died; thus, 370 were still alive on 1 January 1963.
Each has been followed up until 31 December 1971.
Two additional groups of workers have been
investigated:
2. In one study, we registered the entire member-
ship of the insulation workers union in the United
States and Canada 2 on 1 January 1967 (17,800;
including members of the New York-New Jersey
 ...... ,;..:

locals mentioned above), and recorded many charac-
teristics for each man including date of birth and
onset of insulation work. Each man has since been
observed until 31 De{::ember 1971.
3. A third group consisted of the entire workforce
(1941-45) of a factory in an eastern Us city which
manufactured amosite asbestos insulation materials
(including insulating block and pipe covering, and
asbestos mattresses), for use by insulation workers
in the construction industry, especially in ship con-'
struction and repair.. The plant opened its doors in
June 1941 and remained in business until November
1954. Very few of the production workers studied
by us had had any prior occupational exposure to
asbestos. Between 1941 and the end of 1945 a total
~f 933 men were hired; of these, some worked for as
little as one day, while others worked until 1954 when
the plant closed. Results of physiological studies
of men in this plant have been report~d (Bader et aI.,
1961). Recently, we have traced the entire group up
until 31 December 1971 in order to evaluate the
cancer risk among them. Eight hundred and seventy-
seven (94%) were fully traced, and the remainder
were partially traced for varying periods; We have
analysed their mortality experience in relation to the
duration of employment, age at onset of employ-
ment and lapsed period from onset of employment.
FINDINGS IN INSULATION WORKERS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The experiences of the two cohorts of insulation
workers in the construction industry (New York-New
Jersey and US-Canada cohorts) amply confirm the
~.International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators
and Asbestos Workers, AFL-CIO.
can.cer risk first identified in 1963. By 31 December
1971, 430 of'the original 632 (New York-New
Jersey cohort) had died, 421 after reaching 20 years
from onset of employment. One hundred and
eighty-nine (45% of the 421 total deaths) died of
cancer, whereas 47.2 such deaths had been expected
(Table 1).
The average age of the insulation workers through-
out the United States and Canada (US-Canada
cohort) was much lower, and they therefore had
considerably less work experience than that of the
New York-New Jersey cohort (Hammond & Seli-
koff 1). Nevertheless, the excess of cancer deaths was
very much the same, these deaths occurring among
the older men who had longer work experience.
Relatively few deaths were found among the younger
men, despite the large number in the cohort. 144.09
cancer deaths were expected and 459 occurred,
representing 41 % of the total of 1092 deaths observed
in the period 1967-71 (Table 2).
Lung cancer
Bronchogenic carcinoma was found to be a
leading cause of death among asbestos insulation
workers, accounting for approximately 45% of fatal
neoplasms. In the first two series reported, it was
responsible for 20% of all deaths and was almost
three times as common as were pleural and peritoneal
mesothelioma. Recent histological studies of tu-
mours from these patients show the distribution of
cell types to be that of lung cancer found in the
general population (Kannerstein & Churg, 1972),
and our clinical experience indicates that their prog-
nosis was equally poor. These findings stress the
urgency of preventive measures, such as dust con~rol

Advisory Council of IIHRP

"
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director and PURPOSES OF THE
- "';' ~
Insulation Hygiene. Chairman INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
Progress' Reports E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice President,
American Cancer Society, New York, N.Y. RESEARCH PROGRAM

• $
--
., ,
Andrew Haas, General President, International 1. To develop improved, methods
Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and As· for minimizing exposure of insu-
bestos Workers, Washington, D.C. lation workers to dusts and fumes
Fall 1974 encountered in their work.
Vol. 6, No.3 Fred L. Pundsack, Ph.D., Vice President, Re-
from the search and Development, Johns· Manville Cor- 2. To disseminate knowledge of
Poration, Denver, Colo. these improved methods of dust
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., Published at offer cooperation, advice and
the Environmental Sciences Laboratory (Irving J.
Selikoff. M.D., Director), Mount Sinai School assistance toward their universal
of Medicine of the City University of New York, adoption.
N.Y. 10029

I
 '." .--

Table 1 a. Expected b and observed number of deaths among 623 'New York-New Jersey asbestos insulation workers
1 January 1943-31 December 1971, twenty or more years after onset of first exposure to asbestos

1943-51 1952-61 1962-71 Total, 1943-71

Expected Observed Expected Observed Expected Observed Expected Observed

Total cancer: all sites 11.3 28 18.3 57 17.6 104 47.2 189
Lung cancer 1.5 13 3.5 23 5.1 48 10.1 84
Pleural mesothelioma n.a. e 1 n.a .. 2 n.a. 5 n.a. 8
Peritoneal mesothelioma n.a. 1 n.a. 3 n.a. 20 n.a. 24
Cancer of stomach, colon, rectum,
oesophagus 4.1 7 5.0 18 3.9 16 13.0 41
Cancer all other sites 5.7 6 9.8 11 8.6 15 24.1 32 '"
Asbestosis n.". 1 n.a. 10 n.a. 22 n.a. 33
All other causes
Total all causes
65.1
76.4
44
73
89.4
107.7
94
161
78.3
95.9
61
187
232.8
280.0
199
421
.
Person-years of observation 3726 . 4406 2898 11,030

a 632 members were on the union's rolls on 1 January 1943. Nine died before reaching 20 yeats from first employment. All others entered
these calculations upon reaching the 20-year from onset of first exposure point.
b Expected rates are based upon age-specific death rate data of the US National Office of Vital Statistics from 1949-67. Rates were extra-
polated 1943-48 from rates for 1949-55, and for 1968-71 from rates for 1961-67.
e US death rates not available, but these are rare causes of death in the general population.

and the avoidance of cigarette smoking (Selikoff
et aI., 1968; Hammond & SelikofP).
Gastro-intestinal cancer
In our initial reports (Selikoff et ai., 1964; Ham-
mond et al., 1965) attention was called to the then
unexpected finding of a moderate .excess of gastro-
intestinal cancer among New York insulation
workers. Nevertheless, relatively few deaths were
studied and :firm conclusions were not considered
warranted. We have now collected additional data,
and these give the same indication very much at the
same level of excess, i.e., at two or three times ex-
pected deaths (Tables 1 & 2). These findings were
made for cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, and of
the colon and rectum. A similar excess has been
found among insulation workers in Belfast (Elmes &
Simpson, 1971). Taken together, these experiences
,
;v. r
suggest that the increase is real. While they are not
. f
responsible for a major proportion of excess deaths
vation that fibres and fibrils may be found in many
organs, admits the possibility that a neoplastic effect
exists for sites other than those heretofore identified.
Examination of this hypothesis is hampered by the
infrequency of some such tumours in general and by
the as yet inadequate number of observations avail-
able. We do not at present find it useful, therefore,
to comment on this question, although we have been
particularly interested in cancer of pancreas, brain
and oro-pharynx, in genito-urinary canceJ;", and
lymphoma and leukaemia.
RISK WITH FAGrORY EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS
INSULATION MATERIALS
. In 1964, Smith (1965) called attention to the multi-
plicity of materials to which insulation workers were
exposed. It seemed justified to seek evidence. on
whether asoostos insulation materials per se were ,=- ~:

(lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis account
for more), the incidence of gastro-intestinal cancer is
nevertheless substantial: in the New York-New
Jersey group 13.0 deaths were expected and 41
occurred; and in' the US-Canada survey, 27.3 were
expected and 55 occurred. Moreover the finding
may be of considerable theoretical importance, in
View of the dearth of useful hypotheses concerning
the etiology of gastro-intestinal cancer in general,
and of cancer of the colon and rectum in particular.
Other neoplasms
The knowledge that a number of tissues are subject
to asbestos-induced cancer, coupled with the obser-
specifically related to various di~es. If not, in- ~...
vestigation of other insulation materials would be a
required. We therefore studied the work force of •;i.
the insulation materials factory noted above, in
which exposure was only to asbestos insulation, and
not to other insulation materials used in the con-
struction industry (e.g., fibrous glass, calcined diato-
maceous earth, rock wool, etc.)
Four hundred and eighty-four deaths are known
to have occurred among the 877 men fully traced up
t6 31 December 1971. The distribution of deaths
strongly resembled that seen among insulation wor-
kers who install such materials, despite the fact that
observation of this cohort has reached only 25-30
 . ~.' ,

Table 2. Expected" and observed deaths among 17,800 asbestos insulation workers in the United States and Canada
1 January 1967-31 December 1971

Distribution by duration from onset of exposure

Total
Less than 20 years 20 years and more
Expected Observed Expected Observed Expected Observed
Total deaths 805.63 1092 178.94 211 626.69 881
Ca ncer : all sites 144.09 459 26.31 51 117.78 408
Lung cancer 44.42 213 7.03 22 37.39 191
Pleural mesothelioma n.a. b 26 n.a. 2 n.a. 24
Peritoneal mesothelioma n.a. 51 n.a. 3 n.a. 48
Cancer of stomach 6.62 16 0.97 1 5.65 15
Cancer of colon, rectum 17.51 26 2.51 3 15.00 23
Cancer of oesophagus 3.21 13 0.44 1 2.77 12
All other cancers 72.33 114 15.36 19 56.97 95
Asbestosis n.a. 78 n.a. 5 n.a. 73
'.~
'" . All other causes 661.54 555 152.63 155 508.91 400

N umber of men 17,800 12.681 5,119

Person-years of observation 86,300 62.673 23,627
-.
" Expected deaths are based upon age-specific death rate data of the US National Office of Vital Statistics. Rates for 1968-71 were extra-
polated from rates for 1961-67.
b US death rates not available, but these are rare causes of death in the general population.

years from onset. Thus, lung cancer accounted for
73 deaths, although only 11.41 were expected; and
gastro-intestinal cancer for 26, with 12.86 expected
(including oesophagus). Mesothelioma caused
seven deaths, and asbestosis 27 (Table 3). .
These data indicate that asbestos insulation ma-
terials are capabJe of causing the disease patterns
seen among insulation workers; there is no need to
invoke the influence of other insulation materials.
EPIDEMIOLOGIC VARIABLES
Lapsed period from onset of exposure
It has long been inferred, on the basis of rather
limited data, that asbestos cancer largely occurs
more than twenty years from onset of exposure.
Experiences in the cohorts studied indicate that
lung cancer may occur in considerable excess as early
as 10-14 years from onset, with 0.65 expected deaths
versus 10 observed among those working in the
amosite factory for more than one year (Table 5b).
Moreover, death rates for lung cancer were signifi-
cantly increased in the US-Canada insulation wor-
kers cohort 15-19 years from onset (4.86 deaths were
expected an<;l 18 occurred) (Table 4).
On the other hand, in terms of numbers, most
deaths from lung cancer occurred among insulation
workers 30-39 years from onset of exposure, or

Table 3. Expected" and observed deaths among 933 b amosite asbestos factory workers first employed 1941-45, and
observed to 31 December 1971
, c

Before 1952 1952-61 1962-71 Total,1941-71

" "

.
.• ."
~
'

Total deaths
Expected

69.98
Observed

88
Expected

108.27
Observed

146
Expected

121.24
Observed

250
Expected

299.49
Observed

484
,.$ .~
Total cancer: all sites 9.81 15 18.72 44 21.63 84 50.16 143
Lung cancer 1.49 3 3.71 23 6.21 47 11.41 73
.-.•. Pleural mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Cancer of stomach
n.a. C
n.a.
1.45
1
0
3
n.a.
n.a .
1.84
0
0
4
n.a.
n.a.
1.29
2
4
4
n.a.
n.a.
4.58
3
4
11
Cancer of colon. rectum 1.56 2 2.61 5 2.88 8 7.05 15
Cancer of oesophagus 0.27 0 0.45 0 0.51 0 1.23 0
All other cancers 5.04 6 10.11 12 10.74 19 25.89 37
Asbestosis n.a. 3 n.a. 7 n.a. 17 n.a. 27
All other causes 60.17 70 89.55 95 99.61 149 249.33 314

a Expected rates are based upon age-specific death rate data of the US National Office of Vital Statistics from 1949-67. Rates were extra-
polated for 1941-48 from rates for 1949-55. and for 1968-71 from rates for 1961-67.
b 933 men were employed. In 5 cases, ages were not known and these men have been excluded from these calculations. 877 men were
traced to death or to 31 December 1971. 51 men were partially traced and remain in the calculations until lost to observation.
C US death rates not available. but these are rare causes of death in the general population.
 later. Therefore, it' would be difficult to evaluate Table 4. Deaths from lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma
among 17,800 asbestos insulation workers in the US and
fully the effects of asbestos exposure unless observa- Canada; 1 January 1967-31 December 1971 : relation to
tion was possible for at least 40 years from the onset elapsed period from onset of work exposure
of work exposure. Lung cancer Pleural
Years from mesothelioma
Age at onset onset
Expected Observed Ratio Observed
A number of methodological difficulties are en- deaths" deaths deaths
countered in studying the effect of age at onset on <10 0.48 0 - 0
10-14 1.69 4 2.4 0
lung cancer rates. Not the least are the secular 15-19 4.86 18 3.7 2
changes in cigarette smoking habits in the past 50 20-24 7.55 25 3.3 4 ;;..
25-29 8.50 41 4.8 7 ...
years (Hammond, 1966), and the concurrent in- 30-34 6,24 44 7.1 4
creases in lung cancer death rates in the general 35-39 3.53 23 6.5 1
40-44 4.04 24 5.9 3
popUlation, which must be taken into account. 45-49 3.72 17 4.6 4 . -•
With these in mind, there seem to b~ no striking 50+ 3.81 17 4.5 1

variations in the incidence of lung cancer as a result Total 44.42 213 4.8 26
of differences in age at which asbestos work exposure " Expected deaths are based upon age-specific death rate data of
first began (Table 6). the US National Office of Vital Statistics. Rates for 1968-71 were
extrapolated from data for 1961-67.

Table 5a. Age at onset of employment, 1941-45, of 933 workers in an amosite asbestos insu-
lation factory
Duration of employment

Age at employment Total <3 months 3-11 months 1 + years

15-19 94" 42 30 21
20-24 114 35 34 45
25-29 120 28 48 44
30-34 114 32 40 42
35-39 106 27 40 39
40-44 101 30 38 33
45-49 83 29 21 33
50-54 90 26 27 37
55-59 55 14 21 20
60-64 30 6 12 12
65-69 16 6 4 6
70-74
75-79
4
1 -
1
-
3 -1
Unknown 5 2 3 -
Total 933" 278 321 333
" Includes one man with unknown length of employment.

Table 5b. Lung cancer among 3.26 amosite asbestos workers employed for 1 year or more starting 1941-45, and observed to
31 December 1971." Expected and observed deaths b
Attained ages
Attained years from
first employment Total <40 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
Exp. Obs. EXp. Obs. EXp. Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Obs. Exp. Obs. ;"

--- ------= - - - - - -- - -- - = --- --- ,..

1-9 0.68 2 0.02 0 0.09 0 0.30 2 0.22 0 0.05 0 - - .'
- - -- - -
10-14 0.65 10 0.02 0 0.07 0 0.19 4 0.29 5 0.08 1 -
------
-
15-19 0.72 11 0.01 ·0 0.07 0 0.20 3 0.26 4 0.17 4 0.01 0

20-24 1.03 8 - - 0.10 2 0.29 5 0.39 1 0.22 0 0.03 0

25-29 1.01 14 - - 0.06 1 0.27 4 0.37 7 0.26 6 0.05 0

4.09 45 0.05 0 0.39 3 1.25 18 1.53 17 0.78 11 0.09 0

" Seven were omitted, four because of prior occupational exposure to asb.estos and three who had not been traced after the first year.
Five were partially traced and remained in the calculations only to the date of last observation. All others entered the calculations after first
year from onset.
b Expected rates are based upon age-specific death rate data of the US National Office of Vital Statistics from 1949-67. Rates were
extrapolated for 1941-48 from rates for 1949-55. and for 1968-71 from rates for 1961-67.

f
 Duration of exposure
Table 6. Expected and observed deaths of lung cancer In on!! cohort, it was possible to study the effect of
among 17,800 asbestos insulation workers, 1 January 1967-
31 December 1971 ; distribution by age at onset of exposure differences in length of exposure. While all the in-
sulation materials factory employees started work
between 1941 and 1945, approximately one-third of
Deaths of lung cancer
Age at onset of these worked for less than three months, another
exposurll Expected" Observed Ratio third for three to eleven months, and the remaining
<25 18.19 102 5.61 third for a year or more (Table 5a). All worked in
25-34 15.20 66 4.34 the same factory and had similar exposure to the
35-44 8.78 38 4.33
45+ 2.25 7 3.11 same asbestos starting at the same point in time.
The only significant variable was duration of expo-
" Expected deaths are based uPon age-specific death rate data of
sure. All were traced to the end of 1971.
the US National Office of Vital Statistics. Rates for 1968-71 were Our findings indicate that duration of exposure,
extrapolated from rates for 1961-67.
and thus presumably total dose, has an important
"' influence on lung cancer rates. Those with less

Table 7. Expected and observed deaths of lung cancer among 876 amosite asbestos factory workers, first
employed 194145, and observed to 31 December 1971." Distribution by duration of employment

":i" .•
Duration of Person·years Deaths of lung cancer
employment Number of men of observation
Expected ° Observed Ratio

<3 months 256 5,869 3.55 13 3.66

3-11 months 294 6,158 3.58 15 4.19
1 + years 326 6,912 4.09 45 11.00

Total 876 18,939 11.22 73 6.51

" This table excludes 57 men. Ten died during first year of employment, 39 could not be traced aher the first year,
7 had prior occupational exposure to asbestos and 1 had employment of uncertain duration. Seventeen men ofthe 876
were partially traced and remained in the calculations until lost to observation. "
b Expected rates are based upon age-specific death rate data of the US National Office of Vital Statistics, 1949-67.
Rates Were extrapolated for 1941~ from rates for 1949-55, and for 1968-71 from rates for 1961-67.

Table 8. Mortality experience of 337 asbestos insulation workers 1 January 1963-31 December 1971, analysed by dura~
tion of shipyard employment

Shipyard employment

Cause of death None (98) Up to two years (118) Three or more years (121)
Observed Expected" Observed Expected Observed Expected

Tota"! cancer: ali sites 25 3.8 28 4.8 29 5.8

Lung cancer 11 1.2 9 1.4 17 1.6
Pleural mesothelioma 2 n.a.o 2 n.a. 0 n.a.
Peritoneal mesothelioma 6 n.a. 6 n.a. 4 n.a.
Cancer of stomach, colon, rectum, oeso-
phagus 3 0.8 2 1.0 5 1.3
Cancer all other sites 3 1.8 9 2.4 2 2.9
Asbestosis 4 n.a. 11 n.a. 5 n.a.
All other causes 8 16.2 18 20.3 21 26.6
Total deaths 37 20.0 57 25.1 55 32.4

a Expected deaths are based upon age-specific death rate data of the US National Office of Vital Statistics. Rates for 1968-1971 were
extrapolated from rates for 1961-1967.
b US death rates not available, but these are rare causes of death in the general population.

." /. .:i
 Table 9. Expected a and observed deaths among asbestos insulation workers in shipyard and construction
industry work, 1 January 1967-31 Qecerriber 1971

Workmen registered in union locals

in south-west, mid-west and Workmen registered in shipyard
central states locals

Expected Observed Expected Observed

Total deaths 316.28 446 39.56 34

Total cancer: all sites 56.34 172 7.91 16
Lung cancer 17.47 79 2.67 9
Pleural mesothelioma n.a. b 10 n.a. 2
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Cancer of stomach
n.a.
2.56
13
6
n.a.
0.36
1
0 .. "
Cancer of colon, rectum 6.75 12 0.98 0
Cancer of oesophagus 1.26 6 0.20 1
i'
All other cancers 28.30 46 3.70 3 ~
~bestosis n.a. 26 n.a. 3
All other causes 259.94 248 31.65 15
Number of men 7,289 462
Person-years of observation 35,310 2,244

a Expected deaths are based upon age-specific death rate data ofthe US National Office of Vital Statistics. Rates for
1968-71 were extrapolated from rates for 1961-67.
b US death rates not available, but these are rare causes of death in the general population.

than three months of work showed a definite increase
in lung cancer risk (13 observed versus 3.55 expected),
and those with three to eleven months' exposure
much the same increase; while workers employed for
one year or over had a much more substantial in-
crease (45 observed, 4.09 expected) (Table 7).
" able to obtain histories of shipyard employment by
Fibre type
Croci do lite was not used for insulation work in
the United States during the period covered by our
study. Indeed, very little crocidolite was imported
into the:United States until after the Second World
War (Selikoff tit al., 1970). Thus, exposure to this
fibre carinot explain the cancer risk observed.
Both 'chrysotile and amosite have been used in
insulation materials in the US, the former since the
turn of the century (Selikoff et al., 1965b) and the
latter since the mid-1930's (Selikoff et ai., 1972).
Amosite has been used principally in ship insulation
and chrysotile in general construction and industrial
work, although it is also found in some shipyard
materials.
It is difficult to compare the relative disease poten-
tial of the two varieties of fibres in insulation work,
since cohorts which differ in this respect may also
differ in other respects, including type and intensity
of exposure, duration of exposure and lapsed period
from onset of exposure. Nevertheless, two sets of
observations are available which may be of interest.
We have compared the mortality experience of insu-
lation workers in the New York-New Jersey group :':
according to their duration of shipyard employment
(ship insulation being fairly important in the New
York harbour area, especially between 1939 and
1945). Of the 370 men in the union on 1 January
1963 who were survivors of the 1943 cohort, we were
personal interview from 337. The results indicate
that the mortality experience in men with shipyard
employment, with its greater potential 'for amosite
exposure, did not differ substantially from that of
men in the same union, at the same period of time,
without such employment (Table 8).
In the US-Canada survey, each union member
was registered in a specific union local, several of
which were engaged entirely in shipyard work.
Others, in the central and mid-western parts of the
country, had no such experience. This is not to
;;.
say that individual members of these locals did not, '-
in the past, do some shipyard work, but it is unlikely",- :
to have constituted a major part of their work- ~
history.
;;
We have analysed the mortality experience of men
. in the two groups of locals between 1967 and 1971.
, There does not seem to have been any significant.
difference between them (Table 9). At least as re-
flected in these two sets of data, construction indus-
try insulation work, with its preponderance of
chrysotile exposure, was no more or less hazardous
than was shipyard work, with its wider use of amosite
materials.
 SUMMARY
A serious cancer risk has been demonstrated among
asbestos insulation workers in the United States. Ap-
proximately one death in five, an extraordinary incidence,
has been the result of lung cancer. Gastro-intestinal
cancer was more than doubled in incidence, and meso-
thelioma w~ responsible for 7% of all deaths. .
An increased incidence of lung cancer was seen as little
as 10-14 years from the onset of work exposure; we sus-
pect that this tends to be associated with more intense
'.';
exposure, as among factory workers. However, the
greater increase occurred 30-45 years from onset, especi-
ally among the less intensely exposed insulation workers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to express our indebtedness to the skilful
assistance of our staffs. We are particularly grateful to
Mrs Janet S. Kaffenburgh, Mrs Selma Annenberg, Mrs
Frances Perez, Mrs Dorothy Perron, Mrs Shirley Levine,
Mrs Rayla Margoles and Mr Charles V. NolRn for the
successful tracing of the subjects in these epidemiological
. . studies, and to Mr Lawrence Garfinkel and Mrs Doris
REFERENCES
Bader, M. E., Bader, R. A. & Selikoff, 1. J. (1961) Pul-
monary function in asbestosis of the lung. An alveo-
lar-capillary block syndrome. American Journal of
Medicine, 30, 235-242
Elmes, P. C. & Simpson, M. J. C. (1971) Insulation wor-
kers in Belfast. 3. Mortality 1940-1966. British
Journal of Industrial Medicine, 28,226-236
Hammond, E. C. (1966) Smoking in relation to the death
rates of one million men and women. In: Epidemio-
logical Study of Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases,
Bethesda, National Cancer Institute Monograph 19,
pp. 127-204
Hammond, E. C., Selikoff, 1. J. & Churg, J. (1965) Neo-
plasia among insulation workers in the United States
with special reference to intra-abdominal neoplasia.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 132,
519-525
Kannerstein, M. & Churg, J. (I972) Pathology of car-
cinoma of the lung associated with asbestos exposure.
D. ;:
~.
Cancer, 30, 14-21
Selikoff, 1. J., Churg, J. & Hammond, E. C. (1964)
Asbestos exposure and neoplasia. Journal of the Ameri-
can Medical Association, 188, 22-26
It would be aifficult to evaluate fully the effects of asbestos
exposure without observation for at least 40 years from
onset of exposure.
Data have been presented indicating that these risks
are associated with the asbestos insulation materials
per se.
We were not able to find evidence that the use of
chrysotile in insulation work was associated with a greater
risk than was amosite, or vice versa. We have no know-
ledge of the comparative effect which crocidolite might
have; it was not used in US insulation work.
Fleisher for their devoted help in many aspects of the
work.
This work was supported in part by US Department
of Health, Education and Welfare research grants OR
00320 and ES 00358, and by research grant U 1272 of the
Health Research Council of the City of New York, to the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine .
SeIi k off, 1. J., Churg, J. & Hammond, E. C. (1965a)
Relation between exposure to asbestos and meso-
thelioma. New England Journal of Medicine, 272, 560-
565
Selikoff, 1. J., Churg, J. & Hammond, E. C. (1965b) The
occurrence of asbestosis among insulation workers in
the United States. Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences, 132, 139-155
Selikoff, 1. J., Hammond, E. C. & Churg, J. (1968) Asbes-
tos exposure, smoking and neoplasia. Journal of the
American Medical Association, 204, 106-112
Selikoff, 1. J., Hammond, E. C. & Churg, J. (1970) Mor-
tality experiences of asbestos insulation workers. In:
Shapiro, H. A., ed., Pneumoconiosis. Proceedings of
the International Conference, Johannesburg, 1969, Cape
Town, Oxford University Press, pp. 180-186
Selikoff, 1. J., Hammond, E. C. & Churg, J. (1972) Car-
cinogenicity of amosite asbestos. Archives of En-
vironmental Health (Chicago) (in press)
Smith, K. W. (1965) Trends in the health of the asbestos
worker. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,
132, 685-690
 INSULATION HYGIENE
Environmental Sciences
Laboratory
O\l1'l T s/..."
~l~°O{ OF t-At.<:J'c..;
of The City University
PROGR-ESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEAR.CH PROGRAM
of New York
":'.
Congress Proposes National
Workers' Compensation Act
An important piece of legislation
that has great significance for asbestos
workers, as well as for all working men
and women in the United States, is now
pending before Congress. The prop-
osed legislation would do much to cor-
rect the inequities that now exist among
the different State compensation sys-
tems and would generally extend the
scope of benefits for which workers and
their families are eligible.
The official title of the bill is the
National Workers' Compensation Act
of 1973. In the Senate, where it is spon-
sored by Senators Jacob Javits of New
York and Harrison Williams J r. of New
Jersey, it is referred to as S 2008; in the
House, sponsored by Representatives
Carl Perkins, Chairman of the House
Labor Committee and Dominic
Daniels, of New Jersey, it is referred to
as R. 8771.
The purpose of the bill is not to re-
move compensation from State control,
but to set minimum Federal standards
of compensation to be met by all the
States in the administration of their own
:,', programs. Twenty-eight States still
have maximum weekly benefits below
the poverty level. Statutes of limitation
are very unfair and many State Work-
men's Compensation Acts are actually
deteriorating, instead of improving.
The failure of the States to improve and
modernize their individual programs is
evidence of the need for Federal direc-
tion.
The authors of the bill recognize that
recent legislation-in particular the
Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and
the Longshoremen and Harbor Work-
ers' Compensation Act-has gone a
long way in extending improved cover-
age to specific groups of workers. Yet
over 15 million workers are today de-
nied compensation coverage because of
100phQles in State laws or because their
employers simply do not comply with
existing laws. The current bill would
provide compulsory coverage for all
workers employed by public and pri-
vate employers who are not presently
covered by other Federal regulations.
All injuries and diseases which are re-
lated to employment would be com-
pensable.
Asbestos Workers Included
In defining occupational disease, the
bill specifically refers to asbestosis,
lung cancer and mesothelioma., as well
as eight other dust-related respiratory'
diseases. The bill also provides for the
inclusion of additional occupational
diseases as they become recognized.
The IAHFIA W has been working to
convince both State and Federal legis-
lators of the importance of this legisla-
tion. Roy Steinfurth, Director of the
Insulators' Health Hazard Program,
testified on behalf of S. 2008 in Min-
neapolis, Minnesota, with Vice-
Presidents Duane Fox and Robert Scott
and officers oflocals in Minnesota, Il-
linois, Wisconsin and Missouri also
participating. Additional hearings have
been held in W'ashington, California,
New York, Florida and Texas.
State Bills Passed
Two states have recently become ex-
ceptions to the decline of State Work-
men's Compensation systems. In
Ohio, the IAHFIA W was active in
passing legislation that increased com-
pensation benefits and specifically pro-
vided for the addition of asbestos-
related illness into the Ohio Work-
men's Compensation Act. Roy Stein-
furth's office provided substantive
Irving J. Sellkoff, M.D., Program DIrector
Vol. 6 No.4 Winter 1974
suggestions, and Representative
Leonard Camera consulted with him in
writing this legislation.
In New York, a difficult four-year
campaign ended successfully in the
passage of a bill for Workmen's Com-
pensation for Partial Disability from
Silicosis or Other Dust Diseases. Pre-
viously, only total disability from dust
diseases was compensable. New York
State IAHFIA W Locals led by Interna-
tional Vice-President Jack Novak and
William Urquhart of Local 26 worked
very hard for passage of this legisla-
tion. Roy Steinfurth also testified at
hearings in its support.
Important Labor backing came also
from George Perkel, Research Direc-
tor of the Textile Workers Union of
America; Frank Schonfeld, then
Secretary-Treasurer of District Coun-
cil 9, International Brotherhood of
Painters and Allied Trades; John Al-
farone, President of Local 1974,
Drywall Tapers and Pointers Union;
and Ed Cross, Secretary-Treasurer of
Local 147 of the Compressed Air and
Tunnel Workers, who led the Labor
effort on behalf of this bill. Dr. Irving
J. Selikoff provided 'much of the medi-
cal and technical data that led to the
bill's passage. ; ,
The Federal bill is currently in com-
mittee and will probably be rein-
troduced for debate in early January,
1975. In his remarks introducing the
bill, Senator Williams stated, "The
employer and society in general benefit
from the worker's labor and they, not
the worker, should bear the cost of
human suffering-that is the unfortunate
but concomitant cost of modern indust-
rial production."
Mr. Steinfurth has said, "Asbestos
(Continued on page 2)

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 6, No.4 Winter 1974
from the"
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program
Editor: W. J. ;-';icholson, Ph.D., Publbhed at
the En I"ironmental Sciences Laboratory (Irving J.
Selikoff. M.D .• Director). Mount Sinai School
of !-.1edicine of the Cit)" University of New York.
N.Y. 10029
Advisory Council of I1HRP
Irving J. Selikoff.-M.D., Program Director and
Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond. Sc.D .• Vice President,
American Cancer Society, New York. N.Y.
Andrew Haas, General President, International
Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and As-
beStoS Workers, Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack. Ph.D., Vice President, Re-
search and Development, Johns-Manville Cor-
poration. Denver, Colo.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
latiofl"workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
.-.; assistance toward their universal
.. adoption.
(Continued from firs! page)
workers and their families do not have
to be convinced of this. but there are
Senators and Congressmen who do.
Opposition to this urgently needed
legislation from some employers is
powerful. To assure passage of the Na-
tional Workers Compensation Act it is
essential that workers. their families
and friends demonstrate their support
for this legislation to their elected
representatives. ,.
~-:----
Provisions of the National'
Workers' Compensation Act
:\1inimum Standards
I) Compen!-ution. medical benefits.
rehabilitation services. and other be-
nefits provided under the la\\ shall be
provided by each employer for disabil-
ity or death to his emp(oyees caused by
any injury arising out of and in the
course of their employment. An injury
shall be deemed to have arisen out of
and in the course of employment if
work-related factors were a contribut-
ing cause of the injury.
2) The standards applied under the
State law for determining the existence
of total or partial disability or death due
to any disease arising out of or in the
course of employment shall be substan-
[ially equivalent to the standards, if
any. issued by the Secretary of Health,
Education and Welfare for such disease
under this Act. or the Coal .l\'fine
Health and Safety Act of 1969.
" 3) The total amount of compensa-
tion payable for death or total disability
shall not be subject to a time or dollar
maximum limitation. nor shall there be
a time or dollar limit for the type or
extent of medical care or rehabilitation
services.
4) Totally disabled workers must be
paid not less than 667:lCJc of their aver-
age weekly wage, subject to a
maximum of no less than 100Ck of
statewide average weekly wages during
1975 and rising to no less than 200Ck of
statewide average weekly wages be-
ginning January 1,1978. "
5) Minimum weekly compensation
benefits for total disability shall be at
least 50Ck of the statewide average
weekly wage or of the injured
employee's actual weekly wage.
whichever is less. In case of peath, such
benefits shall be at least 509(- of the
statewide average weekly wage.
6) Death" benefits payable to wid-
ower or widow for life or until remar-
riage with at least two years' benefits
payable on remarriage and to children
till at least age 18.23 if a student, orfor
life if child is physically or mentally
incapable of self-support.
7) Waiting period of not more than 3
days with retroactive benefits paid after
"14 days.
8) Appropriate periodic adjust-
ments of benefits for those alreadv re-
ceiving benefits to reflect the inc;ease
in statewide average weekly wages and
bc:nefit levels.
......
9) Initial choice of a physician from
those approved by the State Compensa-
tion Agency.
10) Attorney's fees, regulated by
the State agency, are to be added to an
a\vard if a claimant has been successful
in formal adjudicatory proceedings.
11) Provisions shall be made for
protection of benefits if insurance car-
riers become insolvent or if any
employer orcarrierfails to comply with
State law.
State Plans
Each State, having been furnished
by the Secretary of Labor with the
necessary criteria, shall submit to him
an adequate plan meeting the require-
ments of the Act. The State..plans must
meet the minimum Federal standards
described above, provide for the adop-
tion of additional minimum standards
promulgated by the Secretary. The
Secretary is to review State plans every
three years to determine if they con-
tinue to meet the Federal Standards.
New Standards
New Federal standards would be
promulgated by the Secretary of Labor
following a recommendation from the
Advisory Commission. Proposed
standards must appear in the Federal
Rt;"gister and be considered at a public
hearing before the Secretary can rule on
them.
Employment Related Diseases
This section authorizes and directs
the Secretary of Health Education and
Welfare to establish a schedule of work
related diseas.e with standards for de-
termining whether a disease arose out
of or in the course of employment and
whether death or disability was due to
such disease. Such standards may in-
clude reasonable presumptions. In de-
veloping this schedule, the Secretary of
HEW shall consult the Director of
NIOSH and employer and employee
groups appropriate to new diseases.
Advisory Commission
The Federal 'Yorkers Compensation
Advisory Commission shall consist of
five members appointed by the Presi-
dent with the advice and consent of the
Senate. There shall be one representa-
tive of labor, one of business and three
from the general public.
,....
"ij """
 ::"tct'~fe4 ~ 7.!
:"f::.e 7 , ;'.! Workmen's Compensation Under State Laws, January 1, 1974
I'ermanent Total Diubillty Duth hnt1!U
',\ "'':!a~s pai";'le~: to w.cow until d€:!t1 or re;.,arnaoe·----"-=="--';;:s:-:::en':-iefi""'t'F;Li=::;mi2ta~tiQ:-:-n:-s- SurvIvors Benefits
:. m~a's paYi.1e-,t to ChllOren untIl age specIfied. -
'II In~II .. .Jh':" .. p..· .. 1.I1 lunJ mJ m:.J(~ lunJ We.lIly Funeral Payment in MaxImum
Ilr ....•...
Benefit Duration Allowance Cases of Ho Weekly Benefit lImItations
JUrisdiction Allowed (In Weeks) Amount All Cases Dependency Benefit Time Amount
____ Alabama 1 __
$ 75 650 $37,500 $1,000 $ 100 SIF* $ 75 500 weeks $37,500
_______ Alaska ___ 114 Duration of disability 1,000 10,000 SIF 175 W, C-19 20,000
___ ._____ Arizona ___ ISO Duration of disability 800 1,150 SIF 80.77 -153.85 W, C-18 No limit
_._ Arkans.ps - - 1 66.50 Duration of disability 750 500 SIF 66.50 W, C-18 No limit
__ California' _ _ Reduced benefit 40,000
70 621 for life 1,000 No payment 119 45,000
___ Colorado _ _ 84 Duration of disability 1,000 6,250 SIF 84-99 312 weeks 26,208
30,888
__ Connecticut _ _ 112-168 Duration of disability 1,000 No payment 112-158 W, C-18 No limit 2
_________ Delaware _ _ 75 DUrat:::m of disability 700 No payment 56-90 400 weeks No limit
_ District of Columbia _ 211 Duration of disability 1,000 5,000 SIF 211 W, C-23 No limit ~

___..___ .. _ Florida ........ ___ 80 DUration of disability 1,000 No payment 3D W, C-18 25,000
___ GeorgIa ___ 65 400 750 No payment 65 400 weeks 25,000
...___.._. Hawaii ___ 112 Duration of disability 1,500 8,775 SIF 84-112 W, C-22 35,100
Reduced benefit
- - - Idaho ---- 117-163 52 for life 750 No payment 78 500 weeks
After $24,624---;34,485 paid 24,624
1Ilinois 81-97 reduced benefit for life 1,425 400 SIF 81-97 W, C-19 34,485
____.. Indiana ____ 60-75 500 30,000 1,500 No payment 50 500 weeks 30,000
___ .. Iowa ____ 91 Duration of disability 1,000 100 SIF 91 W, C-25 No limit
____.._. Kansas ___ 56 415 23,240 750 500 SIF 56-75 W, C-21 18,500
25,000
___ Kentucky _ _ 84 Duration of disability 1,500 No payment 84 W, C-21 No limit
____.. Louisiana _ _ 65 500 1,000 No payment 65 500 weeks
______ Maine ___ 83 DUration of disability 1,000 1,500 SIF 83 W, C-18 No limit
._____ Maryland _ _ 96.80 750 550 SIF 96.80 W, C-25 45,000
$6 for each dependent 45+6 for No limit unless W
___ Massachusetts __ 90+ Duration of disability 1,000 1,000 SIF each child W, C-18 self supporting
.___ ._ Michigan _ _ 93-122 Duration of disability 1,500 No payment 93-115 500 weeks
"-- Minnesota - - 100 Duration of disability 1,000 5,000 SIF 100 W, C-19 40,000
- Mississippi - - 1 63 450 21,000 SOO 500 SIF 63 450 weeks 21,000
$50 weekly
_ _ Missouri _ _ 50 300 for life 800 No payment 70 W, C-21 22,500
_. __ Montana _ _ 131 Duration of disability 500 500 SIF 131 W, C-22 No limit
_._. Nebraska _ _ 80 Duration of disability 1,000 No payment 80 W, C-25 No limit
- Nevada 106 Duration of disability 650 No payment 106 W, C-18 No limit
__ New Hampshire _ 115 Duration of disability 1,000 500 SIF 115 341 weeks 39,215
Soard may After 450 wks. any
___ New Jersey _ _ 112 450 extend 750 No payment 112 W, C-1S earnings deducted
__ New Mexico' _ 75 500 37,500 1,500 1,000 75 500 weeks 37,500
_ _ New York _ _ 80 DUration of disability 750 500 SIF 48-80 W, C-18 No limit
Soard may waive
_ North Carolina _ 80 400 lim. In some cases 500 No payment 80 350 weeks 32,500
$5 for each child 44+7 for
_ North Dakota _ 74+ Duration of disability 750 No payment each child W, C-1S No limit
____.... Ohio __._ _ 110 Duration of disability 1,200 No payment 110 W, C-18 No limit
___. Oklahoma _ _ 14,000
50 500 None 1,000 Lump sum payment 25,000
__... Oregon 104-129 DUration of disability 1,000 No payment 78-157 W, C-23 No limit
__.___ . Pennsylvania .__ . 106 Duration of disability 750 No payment· 106 W, C-18 No limit
__ Puerto Rico _ _ 31 Duration of disability 300 No payment 31 W:C-25 No limit
~~. tor eac~~epen~~nt 82+I:i.t.or
'.' ' . _ Rhode Island _ 82+ Duration of disability 1,800 750 SIF each child 500 weeks
__.. South Carolina _ 63 25,000 400 No payment 63 350 weeks 25,000
_ South Dakota __ 54 Duration of disability 1,000 500 SIF 5plus
years wages $10,000-$35,000 to W
50 monthly for each C until IS
Thereafter $15
- - Tennessee - - 62 400 weekly to $25,000 750 100 SIF 62 W, C-18 25,000
Texas' 70 401 500 17,540 SIF 70 W, C-25
27,768
.__ Utah 89-109 312 1,000 15,500 SIF 8S-109 312 weeks 34,008
___ Vermont _ _ 81 330 500 500 SIF 81 W, C-18 No limit
32,000
- - Virginia - - 80 Duration of disability 800 500 80 SOD weeks 40,000
__ Washington _ _ 121 Duration of disability 800 10,000 SIF 121 W, C-19 No limit
___ West Virginia __ S2 Duration of disability 1,200 No payment 37+12 for
each child W, C-22 No limit
- - Wisconsin - - 90 Duration of disability 750 11,000 SIF 54 400 weeks 25,714
_ _ Wyoming _ _ 43-62 17 ,500-27 ,500 600 500 SIF 43-62 W, C-18 13,000
23000
 ,.

Three Books on Occupational

Health Published
Three books have recently been pub- tom apart by a mine explosion.
lished that may be of particular interest Both Brodeur and Scott are angry
tQ asbestos workers and to others in- writers. Their works present one side, a
terested in the field of occupational shocking and dismaying view of cur·
health. rent working conditions in America.
~.

Two are strongly worded indict-
ments of working conditions in the Un-
ited States. Details are given of in-
.. , adequate government regulations and
....
enforcement, of managements more
concerned with profit than with work-
ers' health and safety, and of question-
able conduct among industry-
supported physicians and scientists.
The third book is a compilation of
the hazards of a variety of industrial
materials and some information on
their control. It is unique in that it i!> .
written especially for the worker and
not the professional researcher.
"Expendable Americans" by Paul
Brodeur, originally serialized in the
New Yorker magazine, is largely de-
voted to conditions in the American
'asbestos industry. Names, places and
details are given of government and
industry cover-ups of intolerable work-
ing conditions. Mr. Brodeur focuses on
a "government-industry-medical com-
plex" that has existed and operated for
years to the disadvantage of workers.
A striking example of this complex
in action is the case of a Texas asbestos
factory with dust concentrations that
would rival those of the worst factories
of the early 1900's. Dust levels of 190
fibers/cc were measured, nearly 40
times the current standard. No effective
ventilation existed and respirators were
seidom worn by workers. Forthese vio-
lations, termed "nonserious," the
company was fined $210 by the De-
partment of Labor's Dallas adminis-
trators.
A significant portion of the book is
devoted to the background of research,
testimony and acti.;Ities on the part 'of
industry, government and labor that led
to the current U. S. asbestos standard.
These details are particularly timely in
view of the current Court-mandated
reopening of tha.t standard.
While Brodeur concentrates on the
For lhis, their books will be faulted.
Only books such as these, however,
will arouse the public, and indUStry as
well, to bring about meaningful
change.
"Work is Dangerous to Your
Health" by Drs. Jeanne Stellman and
Susan Daum is an excellent practical
guide for workers and the general pub-
lic. The book includes sections on body
function and physiology and how the
body may be affected by various occu-
pational exposures. Chapters on noise
and vibration, heat and cold, radia-
tion, chemical exposures~and welding
make up most of the book.
Of special importance for workers
are chapters on controlling pollution in
the workplace and on measurement and
monitoring. While not intended as a
ventilatio; engineering guide, the in-
formation is useful to workers in help-
ing them to recognize and understand
what appropriate industrial hygiene
measures should be.
By WILLIAM J. NICHOLSON
Expendab/~ AmrriC'ans. By Paul Brodeur. New York. The
Viking Press.
Afllsrle and Blood. B... R~hel Scon. ~ew York. E. P. Dutton
and Co. .
Work Is Dang~roluto Your Health. By J~nne Stellman and
Susan Daum. Nev.: York. Pantheon Books.

asbestos industry, Rachel Scott, in

"Muscle and Blood," confronts the
full spectrum of American industry.
Examples of human tragedy and corpo-
rate indifference and neglect are
documented in steel production, the
-~
..
' ~
auto industry, chemical manufactur-
~
• • •
' .
.1: ing, mining, and other industries.
, ,.:.' Miss Scott is concerned with the
....\ .
human cost ofIndustry' s attitudes-her
focus is on people, on the victims and
on those she holds responsible. In a
series of individual vignettes she por-
trays, among others, the research direc-
tor of an industrial laboratory who
selects and alters his data; an equivocat-
ing School of Public Health professor
who is simultaneously holding a lucra-
tive industrial consultantship; an asbes-

BfJlIII tos worker slowly dying of an irreversi-

ble cancer; a tunnel worker suffering
the choking death of silicosis while still
in his teens: and the tragedy of a family
 Environmental Sciences'

l
Laboratory

O\ll'lT 5J-'f.
-1\ INSULATION HYGIENE
~T~ Q
o( OF .....t. "

of The City University

PRO'GRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Director
of New Yor):
Vol. 1 No. 1 ,~ Spring 1975

The Asbestos P,xposure of-Insulation Workmen

Extensive Information has been de-
veloped on the mortality experience of
insulation workers. It would, thus, be
of considerable value to have quantita-
tive information on the asbestos dust
levels to which these workers were ex-
posed. Because of the long lapse period
between exposure and clinical appear-
ance of disease, the dust estimates of
greatest concern are those of 20,30,40
or more years ago..
While historical data are scant and
fragmentary, insulation work practices
have ch;mged relatively little, prior to
1970, either in the U.S. or abroad.
Thus, measurements taken prior to
1970 will also provide data of use in
assessing earlier exposure.'
United States Data
The only early work of note is the
1945 study of Fleischer and his col-
. ;~.' leagues 1 who reported asbestos dust
levels during insulation application in
four U.S. shipyards. In this study, dust
levels were assessed using a konimeter"
." " (an instrument widely used at the time
but no longer employed), and both total
ASBESTOS STANDARD TO BE REVIEWED
On December 7, 1971 an Asbestos Standard was promulgated that
prohibited workmen's eight-hour average asbestos exposures to exceed 5
fibers per milliliter (f/ml) of air. A milliliter is about a thimbleful of air and
. only fibers longer than five microns (about 1125,000 of an inch) are to be
counted. This level is mandated to go to 2 flml during June, 1976.
Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals ordered portions of the current
U. S. standard to be reviewed by the pepartrnent of Labor. Of interest to
insulators, the court specifically stated that in those industries where a dust
level of 2 flml was feasible, it shOUld be imp"remented before 1976.
Because of this pending review of the standard, a summary of all
research on the asbestos exposure of insulation workers has been prepared
for submission to the Dept. of Labor by the Insulation Industry Hygiene
Research Program. Because of the importance of achieving a safe U.S.
Asbestos Standard and the interest of asbestos workers in this goal, we are
publishing the full report in this issue.
dust levels and fiber levels were re- at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard
corded. This study gains importance in (Local 20, IAHFIAW). However, de-
that one of the yards studied by tailed numerical data on dust concentra-
Fleischer was resurveyed during 1965 tions are only given for particles. If
and 1966 by personnel of the Depart- tlbers were present, but the count re-
ment of Industrial Hygiene, Harvard vealed less than 1 million particles per
School of Public Health 2 ,3 and a com- cubic foot (mppcf), they were reported
parison of levels is possible. only as a trace. Thus, no average fiber
During 1964, additional data were concentrations can be derived from this
published by Marr 4 on exposure levels study. (Continued Oil page 2)

TABLE I
Shipyard asbestos fiber concentrations by Konimeter count-1945, 1965-66
A B C (1945) C (1965-66) D
fiber cone. fib<or cone. fib<or cone. fiber cone. fiber cone.
Yard MPPCF flmJ MPPCF flmJ MPPCF flmJ MPPCF flmJ MPPCF flmJ

Shop Activity
No. of men exposed (1945) 84 50 51 8
Layout and cutting 0.35 12.4 .0.23 8.1 2.2 78 1. 76 62 0.63 22
Sewing and fabrication O.O~ 1.1 0.1 3.5 0.62 22 0.27 9.5 0.03 1.1
General room air 0.08 2.8 0.01 0.4 0.8 28 0.3 10.6 0.02 0.7
The following shop activities were done at infrequent intervals and.involved only one or, at most, two men:
Band saw cutting 0.12 4.2 3.0 106 6.19 218 0.7 24.7
Mixing cement 0.2 7.0 1.7 60 3.1 109 0.23 8.1 0.01 0.4
Scrap grinding 0.47 16.6
Aboard Ship
No. of men exposed (1945) 467 700 123 160
A vg. exposure, all activities 0.02" 0.7 2.8 98 1.1 39 0.17 . 6.0 0.03 1.1
Time-Weighted Average Exposure 1.1 90 35 1.1
(All fibers visible)
 Average Expo?ures Low
1945 Results Available
Table J lists the fiber exposure data
oQtained from over 200 dust counts by
Fleischer in 1945 and also those ob-
tained by Murphy 3 during 1965 and
1966. Using data supplied on the
number of individuals engaged in the
various work activities, a time-
weighted (actually man-weighted) av-
erage asbestos exposure is calculated.
. .. ~ ' A detailed analysis of the results,
however, presents difficulties. In each
yard, a worker's average exposure wa.:;
dominated by insulation activities
... ,
aboard ,ship. For such activities, the
average asbestos dust levels reported in
Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 6 No.1 Spring 1975
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., Pub-
lished at the Environmental Sciences
Laboratory (Irving J. Selikoff, M. D.,
Director), Mount Sinai School of Medicine
of the City University of New York, N.Y.
10029
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D. Program Director
and Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice Presi-
dent, American Cancer Society, New
York, N.Y.
Andrew Haas, General President, Interna-
tional Association of Heat and Frost
Insulators and Asbestos Workers,
Washington, D.C.
Fred L. Pundsack, Ph. D. Vice President,
Research and Development, Johns-
, Manville Corporation, Denver, Colo.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved methods
", . for minimizing exposure of insu-
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
Z. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
assistance toward their universal
adoption.
the different shipyards varied by nearly
one hundred times.
It should be recognized that these
fiber counts represent all fibers enu-
merated in the field of view of a koni-
meter. These would include fibers
perhaps as short as 1.5 microns.
Supplementary data S on the size dis-
tribution of amosite aerosols in ship-
yards suggest that this overestimates
the number of fibers longer than five
:r..icrons by a factor of t\\;-'o.
Taking this factor into account, the
average of the eight-hour concentra-
tions of fibers longer than five microns
in the four U.S. ~hipyards studied by
Fleischer in 1945 would be from 15 to
20 fibers per milliliter Cf/ml). It must be
emphasized, however, that such aver-
ages are highly subjective and depend
strongly upon the vagaries of the par-
ticular work practices selected for sam-
pling and conditions present at that
time.
Similar considerations would yield a
value of 4 flml for the shipyard survey
by Murphy in 1965-66.
New Techniques Used
The first research that quantified as-
bestos insulation exposures using
membrane filter techniques was that of
Balzer and Cooper published in 1968 6
and extended in a report at the Dresden
Conference on the Biological Effects
of Asbestos in 1969. 7
Their initial publication, however,
enumerated fiber concentrations in
marine and commercial insulation
work in terms of all visible fibers, in-
cluding those shorter than five microns.
The later subsequent pUblication also
provided data on fiber concentrations
longer than five microns. Table 2
summarizes these results.
Using the information provided on
TABLE II
Asbestos fiber concentrations by membrane filter techniques
Percentage
Job of work with
Classification asbestos
Prefabrication lO9'c
Application 40%
Mixing 5%
Finishing 30O/C
Tearing Out 10O/C
General 5%
Time-Weighted Average Exposure
dust concentrations and the percentage
of time a worker is engaged in a particu-
lar practice, a time-weighted average of
2.7 flml was obtained for exposures
during asbestos insulation work in light
and heavy construction, and 6.6 flml in
marine construction and repair.
Cooper and Balzer noted that at the
time of their study, approximately 55%
of the work time of insulation workers
was spent using materials other than
asbestos. Thus, eight-hour time-
weighted average exposures for asbes-
tos workers during 1968 in the western
United States would have averaged less
than 1.5 f/mJ in light and hea~y con-
struction. Moreover, it is noteworthy
that Cooper and Balzer state their sam-
ples were "deliberately taken under
conditions where the highest dust con-
centrations representative of a particu-
lar job were being developed."
Union Cooperation Obtained
The environmental evaluation of in-
sulation work that was undertaken by
the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
under the auspices of the Insulation In-
dustry Hygiene Research ProgramS re-
vealed asbestos air concentrations
somewhat higher than those measured
by Balzer and Cooper. Again using in-
formation supplied by union members
and from observation of work prac-
tices, estimates were made of the per-
centage oftime workmen were engaged
in various activities in commercial and
industrial construction.
The information on measured asbes-
tos air concentrations obtained during
these work activities is shown in Table
3. They were used as indicated to arrive
at the estimated time-weighted average
exposure of about 6 flml for insuJato-;'s
when working with asbestos.
On the average, in the eastern United
Light and Heavy Marine Construction
Industrial and Repair
Fibers/cc Fibers/cc
mean mean
All Length All Length
Lengths > 5J.L Lengths > 5J.L
10.1 6.6 30.4 20.0
12.4 8.0 24.8 16.8
2.4 1.6 10.6 7.1
2.7 1.8 1.8 1.2
12.8 8.4 31.5 20.2
0.8 .5 .2 0.1
4.1 2.7 9.9 6.6
 IIHRP Results Reported Insulators Still Exposed to
Asbestos
States during the 1960's, over half of shipyard asbestos air samples taken While much of new insulation
the work activiti(,:s of these men were during 1969. Using fiber counting material contains no asbestos,
with materials other than asbestos. techniques they determined a mean as- pipe-coverers may still be exposed
Thus, the over eight-hour time- bestos concentration of 0.3 flml in land to high asbestos concentrations dur-
weighted average asbestos exposure fabrication shops and 2.9 f/ml in ship- ing removal and demolition. In such
was approximately 3 f/ml. board installation work. work, safe procedures and personal
In the research that led to these data, protective equipment must be used.
3 Jlml Exposure Thus, obtaining an effective and
it was reported that peak exposures
could be extremely high. It was not Three research programs in the safe Asbestos Standard remains of
... :, United States point to the conclusion paramount importance.
uncommon, for example, for two to
five-minute concentrations of asl:lestos that the time-weighted average expo-
• o.
to range between 50 flml and 100 flml sure of insulators between 1965 and Thus, dust concentrations measured
during the mixing of cement. This mix- 1969 was less than 3 fibers longer than under these conditions have relevance
ing, however, would consume only a five microns per milliliter. for the estimate of levels of past years.
few minutes time and be done perhaps We have direct informaticlfi on asbes- Considering the possible doubling of
once an hour. Thus, exposures meas- tos fiber concentrations, measured asbestos content of insulation materials
ured over that hour, including the mix- using the currently prescribed analysis and considering that workers may have
ing, would seldom average over 5 f/ml. procedures, during recent years only. used asbestos materials more often in
Insulation materials have changed from the past than now, the data from these
Peak High, Average Low earlier years. Fibrous glass has found three studies would suggest that the
Similar experiences were subse- extelisivc use while work with cork is upper limit on insulator's exposures in
quently reported by Coopers at Lyon seldom seen today. Moreover, changes the United States during past years
who stated that, "Peak concentrations in the asbestos composition of insula- would be about 10 f/ml.
may be high for brief periods, while tion products have taken place. Pipe
British Data
time-weighted averages are often de- covering and insulation block may have
ceptively low." had twice the asbestos content in past At the Devonport Naval Dockyard
In a continuation of the work of the years as exists today. in Plymouth, England, extensive mea-
Department of Industrial Hygiene of During this period, however, work surements of asbestos dust concentra-
Harvard University in assessing asbes- practices were virtually identical to tions during the application and re-
tos exposure in Naval Shipyards, Ferris those of past years and during the moval of insulation aboard ship have
et al 9 reported on the results obtained period of those measurements, few been reported by Harries. 10 These are
by J. Lynch and W. Burgess from 81 controls of significance were in use. listed in Table 4. During the applica-
tion of insulation material, fiber con-
TABLE III centrations from 2.1 to 22.4 flml were
found, not unlike those found in U.s-.
Asbestos concentrations during various work practices studies.
Measured Fiber Percentage of However, during the removal of pipe
Concentraticm Time Practice
(f/ml) Occurs When Column One and machinery insulation, mean dust
(greater than Asbestos is times concentration in various compartments
Type of Work 5 microns) Used Column Two ranged from 88 to 257 flml, and in the
removal of sprayed crocidolite asbes-
Mixing and Applying Cement and tos, fiber concentrations ranged from
Cloth Covering to Insulation 20 to 500 flml, with short-term breath-
Material ing zone samples showing concentra-
Good Ventilation 2.5 17.5 44 tions exceeding 1000 f/ml. Moreover,
Poor Ventilation 4.6 17.5 81 the spread of asbestos from the site of
Cutting and Applying Insulation removal can be extensive. Concentra-
Block or Sections of Pipe tions of 30 flml were found at hatchway
Covering openings to decks from the area of
Good Ventilation 5.2 20 104 crocidolite stripping.
Poor Ventilation
Pre-Fabrication work including
n.5 20 230
High Dust During Ripout " .
Cutting Materials for later use ~ 7.6 10 76 Additionally, short-term fiber con-
535 centrations measured during the variety
Time-weighted average = 535/85 6.3 flml of specific application and removal
techniques are reported. High levels,
The above practices. which occupy 85% of the work time in asbestos insulation work. give rise to a time.weighted exceeding 200 flml, occurred while
average exposure of 6.3 f/ml. As the majority of the other activities of insulation work (supervision. collection of mixing asbestos cement. The cleaning
materials. movement and installation of equipment. etc.) are relatively clean. the overall exposure may be lower. (In
the C.S .• sweeping and dusty cleanup are done by members of the Laborers Union.) of debris (155 f/ml) and the sawing (55
In a review of work activities in commercicl and industrial consrruction. it was found that little removal of insulation
f/ml), fitting (43 f/ml), or removing (52
was conducted and asbesto. spray applications were very rarely undertaken by insulators. (Asbestos workers applied f/ml) of calcium silicate sections also
spray insulations only to powerhouse turbines.) It is estimated that less than two or three percent of nonmarine produced high dust concentrations.
inloUlation work by member!. of the Asbestos Workers Union is in these continuously dusty operations. Even if
average exposures here were 50 flml and the men wore no respirators. their overall average exposure would be
A subsequent publication by Har-
increa,ed only to 7 flml when working with asbestos. ries 11 of long-term area sampling in var-
 Adequacy of Standard Questioned
jous circumstances indicated a mean
concentration of 226 flml during the
. removal of spray; of 152 flml during the
removal of pipe insulation; and of 8.9
flml during the application of pipe lag-
ging.
As with the Mount Sinai research
and the Balzer-Cooper study, short-
t~rm dust concentrations during spe-
cific insulation practices can be ex-
tremely high, while samples taken over
''':, .;. long periods of time yield concentra-
. . ,
•• ..-':1,
tions that are relatively low when com-
pared with current and past asbestos
standards.
Summary
Studies on asbestos concentrations
from 1965 through 1971 by five differ-
ent research groups in two countries are
summarized in Table 5, along with es-
,,~
timates made of earlier insulation as-
bestos exposures. They indicate that
recent average exposures of insulation
workers to asbestos are from 3 to 9 flml
when working with asbestos.
As asbestos workers in the United
States in the period these measurements
were taken used asbestos materials in
their work less than 50% of the time,
their eight-hour average exposure to
asbestos was less than 3 f/mL It is
noteworthy that these exposures
existed prior to the implementation of
the current 5 flml standards in the U.S.
As extensive substitution of non-
asbestos materials has subsequently
taken place in insulation work, current
exposures are now consid~rably lower.
The estimate of from 10 to 15 flml
obtained for past exposures in non-
marine insulations work does not offer
much confidence that 5 f/ml, or even 2
flml, is sufficient to protect asbestos
workmen. Forty percent of insulators'
deaths can be attributed to their past
occupational exposure to asbestos at
such levels. A standard 'set at two, or
even five times lower, is unlikely to
offer significant protection to asbestos
workmen.
Asbestos Workers Have High
Peak but Low Average Asbestos
Exposures
The high peak exposures of asbes-
tos workers measured by different
groups can be deceptive. These
often are of short term and may in-
volve few men. Average exposures
have universally been found to be
low, usually less than current stand-
ards. This result leads to two con-
clusions: 1) Current standards may
be inadequate to protect workers,
and 2) Easily accomplished control
of peak exposures can significantly
reduce the long-term average expo-
sures.

TABLE IV
Asbestos dust concentrations during the fabrication, application and removal of insulation materials
~. Geneml Atmosphere Breathing Zone

No. of Mean No. of Mean

Location samples 'fibers! em' Range samples fibers/em' Range

Application of pipe and .machinery

instIlation:
Boiler rooms 17 22.4 1-61 14 16.8 0.1-68
Engine rooms 28 2.1 0.1-14 16 7.3 0.04-40
Accumulator room 5 16.5 2.5-46 17 9.6 1 -47
Mattress fabrication:
Old shop 12 12.7 0-126 15 1.5 0- 7
New shop 11 16.3 2-83 25 3.7 0-17
Removal of pipe and machinery
insulation:
Boiler room 153 171 0.04-1062 20 97 25-220
Engine room 45 88 0.16-3021 25 91 2-490
Brick stowage space 13 257 9-592
Removal of asbestos acoustic panels: 6 413.5 30-684 6 131 48-271

TABLE V REFERENCES Health Series No. 27. 2747. Geneva (1972).

':"1••
6. Balzer,1. L. and Cooper, W. C.: The Work Envi·
Summary of average asbestos air ronment of Insulating Workers. American Indusnial
concentrations during insulation 1. Fleischer, W. E., Viles. F. J. Jr.. Gade, R. L. and Hygiene Association Journal 29, 222·227 (1968).
" .. work Drinkerr P.: A Health Survey of Pipe Covering
Operations in Constructing Naval Vessels. Journal of
7. Cooper, yv. C. and Balzer, J. L.: Evaluation and
control of asbestos exposures in the insulating trade.
Aft....
Fl..... c:-.mn ... Industrial Hygiene aod Toxicology 28. 9·16 (1946). International Konferenz Uber die biologischen Wir·
Ll:Pt -.d &:...,- Mari.nc 2. Murphy, R. L. H., Jr., Ferris, B. G., Jr., kungen des Asbestos, Dresden, 22·24 April. 1968.
~Group ~ WIH"k
~.11 .. Burgess, W. A. etal.: Effects of Low Concentrations of Deutsches Zentralinstirute fur Arbeitsmedizin, pp 15 I·
Asbestos: Clinical, Environmental, Radiologic and 160. Holstein and Anspach. eds., Berlin.
Mount Sinai Epidemiologic Observations in Shipyard Pipe Coverers 8. Cooper. W. C. Asbestos in, the Manufacrure of
(IIHRP) 6.3 and Controls. New England Journal of Medicine 285. Insulation Materials Biological Effects of Asbestos,
Balzer· Cooper 2.7 6.6 1271·1278 (1971). IARC Lyon, France, pp 175·178.
Murphy. Harvard 8.0* 3. Murphy, R. L. H., Jr.: Asbestosis in Pipe Cov· 9. Ferris, B. G.,Jr., Ranadive, M. V .. Peters.;' M.
B urgess· Lynch 2.9 erers Engaged in New Ship Consrruction. Thesis. Har· et al: Prevalence of Chronic Respiratory Disease-
8.8 vard School of Public Health, (1968). Asbestosis in Ship Repair Workers. Archives of En·
Harries
4. Marr, W. T.: Asbestos Exposure During Naval vironmental Health23. 220·225 (1971).
Estimates of early exposures
Vessel Overhaul. American Iodustrial Hygiene Associ· 10. Harries, P. G.: Asbestos Dust Concentrations In
Fleischer 15·20 ation Journal 25, 264-268 (1964). Ship Repairing: A Practical Approach to Improving
Mount Sinai 10·15 5. Nicholson, W. I., Holaday, D. A. and Heimann, Asbestos Hygiene in Naval Dockyards. Annals of Oc·
H.: Direct and Indirect Occupational Exposure to Insu· cupational Hygiene 14. 241·254 (1971)
These concenIf2.tions Wctt those meuured or estimated
for "oO..etS whde u!'.ing asbestos. Eight·hour llvcra.ge
lation Dusts in United States Shipy:mIs. Proceeding of I I. Harries, P. G.: A Comparison of Mass and Fibre
exposu~s. c01l!>idenng the use of other materials. would the International Symposium on Safety and Health in Concentrations of Asbestos Dust in Shipyard Insulation
be as lit:le as h.llf the: Wove ..·.l.lues.. Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing. Helsinki, 30 August Processes; Annals of Occupational Hygiene 14, 234-
• Fibc::r count includes all visible: fiben.. to 2 September, 1971. ILO Occupational Safety and 240 (1971).
 Environmental Sciences
Laboratory
OIlt'TSt,y INSULATION HYGIENE'
~T~
">0 lr~l1 c
O{OFt...~Q"
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of The City University
of New York
Inadequate change and shower facilities can lead
toextt!nsive amounts of asbestos and other dusts
being brought home to contaminate workers'
Asbestos Disease C3.11 .Spread
'. to Workers' FamilIes
A widening spectrum of asbestos
disease has been found by Dr. Henry
Anderson and other scientists of the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In a
study just completed of 326 family con-
tacts of fonner asbestos factory work-
ers, it has been found that 35% had
X-ray abnonnalities characteristic of
asbestos exposure. These data were
presented by Dr. Anderson on March
24th to the Conference on Occupa-
tional Carcinogenesis' held at the New
York Ac'!demy of Sciences.
The family members potentially af-
fected included all in the household; it
was not simply the wife of the worker,
who would shake dust from her hus-
band's clothes before washing them.
Affected were children, brothers, and
sisters. as well as wives. It would ap-
pear that the dust had been present
throughout the household. brought
households. Here, the only change facilities on
this construction site is an open trailer.
home on the clothes of the factory
workers.
The workers were employed at a fac-
tory that manufactured amosite insula-
tion material, often for use in Naval
ships, but also widely used in power
plants and industrial insulation. It oper-
ated from 1941 through 1954. Many of
the workers whose families later devel-
oped signs of asbestos exposure were
employed for relatively short periods of
time.
The dust exposures to the family
members. however. could have been
longer. Asbestos. once in the house. is
difficult to remove. and exposures
could continue long after cessation of
the husband's or father's employment.
In other studies by Mount Sinai re-
search workers. asbestos dust has been
found still present in households of
cominlled 011 page 4
~
r.::
~
.'.
::i
Irving J. Selikoff, M.D., Program Dlredor
Vol. 7 No 2 n~n Summer 1975
-
-
-
-
" -
Identification "
"' ,"-
System for ~
..
j ••
.
Adhesives-Solvents f.
or.
t=
It is now possible to report that prog- ~'
ress is being made on the development
of an identification system for hazard- .~
ous materials, including adhesive ce- <> "
F
::,.
ment, sealants, and similar products r'
r.:,.
used in applying insulation materials. j.
The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration has an advisory com-
r
mittee which has developed the basic
principles of an identification system.
This committee, under the direction of
Roy Resnick, has met with Roy Stein-
furth, Administrator of the Insulators'
!,r·
i
t
Health Hazards Program, and Duncan i
A. Holaday, of the Mount Sinai School
of Medicine , to review the special prob-
lems associated with the use of adhe-
sives in the insulation industry.
Hazards Identified
The OSHA committee has decided
on the basic principles of an identifica-
tion system which will be applicable to
a variety of industrial products. Signal
words, such as "Danger," "Cau-
tion," and "Warning" will be used to
show degree of hazard. The principal
types of hazards will be identified by
words such as "Flammable" or
"Health Hazard" and statements list-
ing additional infonnation needed for
protection will also be required.
Some identification of the principal
. component will also be given. Particu-
larly hazardous substances. such as
wood alcohol. benzene. xylene. and
toluene will be required to be named if
they compose more than stated percen-
tages of the product. Altogether. this
could mean that labels on industrial
products would be as infonnative as
those now required on products in-
tended for household use.
This would indeed be an improve-
ment over the present situation. Cur-
COlltilllled on page 3

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 7 No.2 Summer 1975
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research
Program
Editor: W. J. Kicholson. Ph.D •• Publbhcd at
th~ En\ironmental Science, Laboratllry (Irving].
Sdikt1ff. M.D .. Directorl. Mount Sinai School
l1f Medicine of the City University orNew York.
:-.i.Y. 10029
t continuous flow or pressure-demand
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff. M.D •• Program Director and
Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond. Sc.D.. Vice President.
American Cancer Society. New York. N.Y.
Andrew Haas. General President. International
Association of Heal and Frost Insulators and As-
bestos Workers. Washington, D.C.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved methods
for minimizing exposure of insu-
,~ ...
~
lation workers to dusts and fumes
encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they. may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and
assistance toward their universal
adoption.
- , ....:-..,-
Self- Contained
Supplied-Air Respirator Available
The removal of old asbestos-
containing material continues to be a
major source of exposure to insulation
workers. While rip-out is only done oc-
casionally. the dust concentrations dur-
ing this procedure can be so high that
special respiratory protection must be
used. Often. asbestos fiber concentra-
tions exceed 100 fibers per millil iter. 20
times the current standard.
According to the OSHA Asbestos
Standard. employees engaged in the
removal or demolition of pipes. struc-
tures, or equipment covered or insu-
lated with asbestos must use type .. e"
supplied-air respirators. In addition.
special coveralls. gloves. and shoe
coverings are to be employed to prevent
contamination of clothing by asbestos
fibers.
On jobs where externally supplied
air from tanks or compressors is availa-
ble, a variety of hoods may be obtai.ned
for connection to the air source. Often.
however, a supply of breathable air is
not readily available, or the use of a
long air hose may give rise to safety
risks.
Battery-Powered Unir Available
Additionally, if air is supplied by
compressors, provisions must be made
to remove oil and water mists and to
insure that carbon monoxide does not
get into the system through improper
placement of the air intake.
In such circumstances, a battery-
powered air cleaner and hood have spe-
cial utility. One model, available in the
The face piece of a self-contained supplied. air
respirator. It will operate for four hours using a
rechargeable battery.
--~ .._-.., - - ............. -.. -----
last year and manufw:tured by the 3-M
Occupational Health and Safety Pro-
ducts Division. will operate for over
four hours and provide protection in the
dustiest of environments during rc-
moval of asbestos material. The res-
piratorweighs only 10 pounds. There is
no resistance to breathing. no conden-
sation of moisture. and face fit is not of
_.
particular importance. ~
, ..
Maintenance Important
The respirator should. however. be
checked periodically by personnel
familiar with its operation. Any re-
placement parts required should be
those of the manufacturer. and their in-
structions for servicing and repair
should be fo 1I0wed carefully.
Other supplied-air breathing devices
are available in which cylinders ofoxy-
gen or of compressed air are carried by
the worker. Several approved types
exist but they are more complicated to
use and more cumbersome than the
previously described battery-powered
air filtering unit. Moreover, those using
compressed air have a maximum use
time of only 30 minutes before a new
cylinder must be obtained. Those using
oxygen havc a longer operating time.
but require chemical filtering of
exhaled air.
The half-face dust respirators com-
monly available on job sites are not
suitable for use during removal of as-
bestos insulation materials. The use of
such respirators is limited to conditions
in which dust concentrations are less
than ten times the existing standard.
A diagram of the battery pack, fan motor, and
filter of the respirator. It weighs 10 pounds.
.(je ..
 .':';.lI
·::.. -.

Conference
Held on
Labels Necessary
Occupational for Hazardous
Cancer Materials
continued from page J
In the recently conduded New York A paper by Dr. Robert Morgan, of
;'.' Academy of Sciences Conference on the University of Toronto, related rently, many labels give inadeLJuate in-
Occupational Carcinogenesis, a variety cancer of the larynx with asbestos ex- formation, or none at aIL on what
of research studies were presented con- posure. This cancer, as lung cancer, is hazards might be involved or what pre-
. ....
cerning the health of asbestos workers .also strongly related to cigarette smok- cautions should be followed.
Of prime importance was the presenta- ing. Similar data have been found
tion on the presence of asbestos diseaseamong insulation workers, where a
in the family members of workers dis- threefold increase in laryngeal cancer Procedure Guides Necessary
cussed in the lead article of this issue.
has been found in research of Dr. Irving
J. Selikoff of the Mount Sinai School of The advisory committee has very
Ashestos -Like Exposure Studied, Medicine. important additional tasks. These in-
Among other studies were a report Participants at the conference not clude the preparation of use guides and
on the morbidity and mortality among only ,,011i>idered causes of occupational training materials which will describe 'r
hard rock miners exposed to an asbes- cancer, but some also offered sug- actions to be taken and procedures to be
tiform mineral. Here, a study by the gestions for medical surveillance followed when certain statements ap-
National Institute for Occupational and treatment. Several researchers dis- pear on the labels.
Safety and Health investigated the cussed the usefulness of sputum cytol- For example, how should products
health of underground metal miners ogy, in which cells coughed up from the labeled "Danger-Extremely Flam-
with exposure to a fibrous mineral vir- lung are screened for indications of mable" be stored and applied? What
tually identical to amosite asbestos, a possible cancer. action is called for when the words
material used extensively in marine in- "use only with adequate ventilation"
sulation and also fonnerly in much pipe More Effective Surgery Possible appear on the label?
covering and asbestos block. Studies of former asbestos workers , The Occupational Safety and Health
In an analysis of 70 deaths, a and of uranium miners suggest that lung Act places the responsibility on the
threefold increase in lung cancer was cancer can be detected in its very early employer for protecting his employees,
found. Additionally, a review of chest stages, offering the hope for more ef- but it is obvious that many small
X-rays showed pulmonary fibrosis to fective surgery. Needless to say, how- employers need assistance in deciding
be present in the group of workers, even ever, the best prevention for asbestos what protective measures are required
though the fiber concentrations that cancer is to not breathe the fibers in the for various situations. Workmen will
were measured in the mine were only first place. also need instructions on how to trans-
0.24 fibers per milliliter, one-twentieth Finally, a review of the suitability of late labels into protective action.
of the current'U.S. Asbestos Standard. the current U.S. Asbestos Standard
was presented "by Dr. William Nichol-
Fibrous Glass Analysis
son of the Insulation Hygiene Research
A second report by scientists from No Serious Objections l:;xpecfea
Program. In his presentation, he dis-
NIOSH also is of interest to insulation cussed the factors that limited the cur- It is probable that the larger manufac-
workers. David L Bayliss presented rent standard's effectiveness for pro- turers will not have serious objections
data on deaths among fibrous glass pro- tectjng asbestos workers and urged that to an identification system; indeed.
duction workers. No unusual mortality as technology is developed, it be im- they now comply with similar regula-
was found in the large majority of mediately implemented in the asbestos tions for household products. Small
workers. This was to be expected, as industry to reduce asbestos exposure to manufacturers may find preparing the
these workers had been exposed pre- the lowest feasible level, as rapidly as Materials Hazards Data Sheets a large
dominantly to large diameter fibers possible. task and also may object to disclosure
which would not be, carried into the The conference marked the two hun- of the composition of their products.
deeper segments of the lungs. dredth anniversary of the first research As the system will probably not call
However. it was suggested that one paper publisbed on occupaf-mal car- for specific identification of low-hazard
group of workers, exposed in the past to cinogenesis, that by Percival! Pott on compounds but only a statement such
thinner fibers. could have an increased scrotal cancer-in chimney sweeps. In as "Petroleum Distillate" or "Alco-
risk of respiratory cancer. This is of his opening remarks, the conference hols". it seems these objections could
special importance as these small co-chainnan, Dr. Joseph K. Wagoner be resolved.
diameter fibers are now ofter used in- ofNIOSH, decried the slow progress in It is anticipated that the advisory
stead of asbestos in high temperature controlling occupational cancers in committee report will be completed by
insulation material. modem industry. continued on page 4

Dust Brought Home Can. Affect Family
. ..,.
-"':;;
Two asbestos workers cutting block. Relatively little dust is dispersed into the air •..
Asbestos Disease Can Spread
to Workers' Families
continued from page I
these fonner factory workers 20 years
after closure of the plant.
Mesothelioma, a cancer often linked
to asbestos exposure, has also been
found among these family members.
Of 252 deaths so far identified among
household contacts of these fonner
workers, two have been from pleural
mesothelioma. Additionally, two other
mesothelioma cases have been iden-
tified in living members of this group.
These cases have the following his-
tories:
A. c.: The 40-year-old son of a man
who worked from 1945 through 1948
in the plant. when the son was 11
years old.
B.P.: The 41-year-old daughter of
the plant's chief engineer.
I.Y.: The 42-year-old daughter of a
man who had worked in the plant for
five years. The family lived near the
plant and the daughter used to bring
. ~
her father lunch every day, when she
. " was 10 years old.
L.N.: A 32-year-old woman who, at
the age of 13, lived fn the home of her
brother-in-law while he worked at
the plant for six months. Prior to
that. she lived one-half mile from the
plant and played frequently in the
hnmes of friends whose fathers
worked in the plant.
The results of this study dramatize
the need for stringent dust control and
deunup in situations where asbestos is
used. It abn heightens the importance
: ....
of individual worker hygiene and
demonstrates the need for adequate
changing facilities and showers. Under
no circumstances should dusty clothes
be brought into the home. even to be put
into the washing machine. They should
be washed separately, preferably by a
commercial industrial laundry service
equipped to handle asbestos contami-
nated work clothes.
For family contacts who suspect they
have been exposed to considerable
household contamination, medical sur-
veillance is in order. The family physi-
cian should be told the exposure history
so that X-ray and chest examinations
and subsequent medical problems can
be closely monitored for possible
symptoms of past asbestos exposure at
home.
This current report by Dr. Anderson
is only the most recent in a series of
scientific publications that show family
and environmental asbestos risk. As
early as 1960, scientists reported cases
of mesothelioma in individuals who
had had no prior occupational exposure
to asbestos. . use .
Later, mesothelioma cases were re-
ported in individuals whose only identi-
fiable asbestos exposure was associated
with their having lived within one-half
mile of an asbestos manufacturing facil-
ity or in households of asbestos work-
ers. Dr. Anderson's findings show that
such problems may turn out to be quite·
common and that more persons than
suspected may be at risk from asbestos
exposure, and require appropriate sur-
veillance.
-'--',' ... . ...:;.-.:._-----;----
~:.:.
t'
... but much is falling on their clothes and shoes
and may be carried home.
Label Report
Available Soon
continued from page 3
June 15. 1975. FoIlov,:ing this report.
proposed regulations would be pre-
pared, published in the Federal Regis-
ter, comments received, revised ree:ula-
tions prepared, and hearings held.
After the hearings. final regulations
would be drawn up and promulgated.
The full process could well take a year.
However, when the committee re-
port becomes available, further discus-
sions will be held between representa-
tives of the insulators and OSHA, to
detennine which of the recommenda-
tions can be implemented without wait-
ing for regulations to be promulgated.
This situation is not limited to pro-
ducts used by insulators, but is wide-
spread throughout the construction in-
dustry. Members of the International
Brotherhood of Painters and Allied
Trades, especially, have need of
adequate labeling of the products they
Progress is being made but much still
needs to be done to insure that when
regulations are adopted, they will be
effective. Here, the Asbestos Workers,
Painters, and other affected union
members should review the published
recommendations to verify that the
proposed labeling is adequate for the
materials they use and the instructional
materials supplied for the use of
hazardous materials are clearly written
and understandable.

Environmental Sciences
Laboratory
O\lI'lTSI..y
INSULATION HYGIENE
~l~ o{ Of ",,-;S>"
of The City University
of New York
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
New Asbestos Standard Proposed
Cancer Risk Specifically Considered
'.
On October 9;1975, the Department
of Labor propo~ed a new standard for
occupational exposure to asbestos. The
proposed standard would, among other
things, lower the permissible asbestos
exposure to 500,000 fibers per cubic
meter of air (0.5 asbestos fibers per
cubic centimeter) for an eight-hour,
time-weighted average exposure, and
likewise reduce the permissible ceiling
exposure to five million asbestos fibers
per cubic meter (5 f/m 3 ) for any period
not exceeding 15 minutes. The pro-
posal would reduce to one-tenth the
current U.S. time-weighted average
exposure standard of 5 f/ml. A reduc-
tion to 2 flml on July 1, 1976 is already
mandated in the current standard ..
Special Provisions for Construction
c·
The standard, as revised, would
apply to all workplaces where occupa-
tional exposur~ to asbestos occurs, but
would exclude. the construction indu:;-
try at this time,However, the Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Administra-
tion (OSHA)· plans to soon put forth
special regulations for this segment of
the asbestos industry.
In the proposed rules published by
the Secretary of Labor, it is stated that,
"It is OSHA's intention to develop and
propose a separate revision to the exist-
ing asbestos standard for the construc-
tion industry_Approximately three-
fourths of all asbestos products in 1972
were used in the construction industry.
In addition, the uniqueness of the con-
struction industry itself (viz., the mul-
tiplicity of non-fixed workplaces, and
the utilization of highly transient work
forces) strongly suggests separate
treatment. These structural differences
were reflected in the 17-18 September
1975 deliberations of the OSHA Ad-
visory Committee on Construction
Safety and Health.
.. Although OSHA believes that
health hazards faced by employees in
-.'
the construction industry with regard to
occupational exposure to asbestos are
similar to those faced by their counter-
parts in other covered employments,
OSH A recognizes that alternative ad-
ministrative and engineering controls
may be more appropriate and feasible
for the construction industry. Therefore
OSHA intends to consult with the Con-
struction Advisory Committee in order
to further explore su'ch alternatives.
Upon publication of the proposal to re-
vise the existing asbestos standard for
the construction industry, OSHA will
consider the possibility of consolidated
hearings on that proposal and the pro-
posal contained herein for all other cov-
ered employments. "
This recognition that the construc-
tion industry is unique is highly desira-
ble. Earlier data on the effectiveness of
monitoring in the construction industry
(see Insulation Hygiene Progress Re-
ports, Summer 1973), have shown that
few dust counts are ever taken in this
segment of the industry. Thus, spec-
ification of procedures is of much
greater importance here. Individual
workers must be able to judge whether
or not they are working in a safe envi-
ronment on the basis of materials and
methods rather than dust counts.
As much of insulation is now
asbestos-free, work practices for in-
stallation of new material can be de-
veloped that would lead to a time-
weighted average exposure less than
that proposed in the new standard. With
care, even rip-out can be done safely,
but ~pecial precautions must be taken.
Wetting techniques have now been de-
veloped that would allow removal of
asbestos to be accomplished within the
proposed regulations.
Millions of Workers Exposed
In the preamble to the standard,
OSHA estimates that millions of work-
ers are occupationally exposed to asbes-
Irving J. Sellkotf. M.D., Program Director
Vol. 7 No.3 and 4 Winter "\975
tos. They state, "An estimated 50,000
workers are involved in the manufac-
ture of asbestos-containing products.
However, this figure does not include
secondary manufacture of products .'
which contain asbestos, such as electri-
calor thermal insulation, or products
which include previously manufactured
components containing asbestos.
"There are approximately 40,000
field insulation workers in the United
States who are exposed to asbestos
dust. The activities of these workers is
estimated to cause secondary exposures
to approximately three to five million
other buildings construction and ship-
yard workers. However, since the dust
exposure to the individual worker is
extremely variable, and the number of
asbestos workers at anyone location is
small, the primary and secondary as-
bestos dust exposures to all workers
have never been satisfactorily esti-
mated."
Cancer-producing Substance
The impetus behind the new pro-
posal is the acknowledgement ·by
OSHA of the cancer-producing prop-
erties of asbestos. The current United
States standard was based to a large
extent on one developed earlier in-Great
Britain and put into effect in 1970. That
standard, in turn, was designed solely
to protect against lung scarring (asbes-
tosis). Cancer was recognized as an oc-
..
cupational hazard from exposure to as-
bestos but the British committee de-
veloping their standard stated that since
a quantitative relationship between as-
bestos exposure and cancer risk was not
known, it was not possible at that time
to specify an air concentration which
was known to be free of risk in this
respect. It was hoped by the British,
and by the United States agencies, that
application of control measures that
would protect against asbestosis would
Continued on page 3

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
Vol. 7 No.3 and 4 Winter 1975
from the
Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Pr0-
gram
Editor: W. J. Nicholson, Ph.D., published at
the Environmental Sciences Laboratory (IrvingJ.
Selikoff. M.D .. Director). Mount Sinai School
of Medicine of the City University of New York.
N.Y. 10029
.r.,
Ad~isory Council of IlllRP
IrvingJ. Selikoff, M.D., Program Directorand
Chainnan
E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., Vice President,
American Cancer Society. New York. N.Y.
Andrew Haas. General President, International
Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and As·
bestos Workers. Washington, D.C.
PURPOSES OF THE
INSULATION
INDUSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved meth-
ods for minimizing exposure of
" . insulation workers to dusts and
fumes encountered in their work.
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation. advice and as-
sistance toward their universal
adoption.
Asbestos Risk Exists
from Use of Taping Compounds
In spite of the introduction of
asbestos-free insulation materials and
the existing bans on the use of asbes-
tos-containing spray frreproofrng, a
serious asbestos hazard remains in the
construction industry, with members of
the Painters Brotherhood of the Build-
ing and Construction Trades Depart-
ment being at greatest risk. Wallboard
finishing compounds and spackle have
been found to contain significant
amounts of chrysotile asbestos, which
is released into the air as dust either
during the dry mixing of these com-
pounds or during sanding.
Drywall taping compounds came
into widespread use shortly after World
War II. Until fairly recently, most of
the material used was mixed at the con-
struction site, raising large clouds of
dust. In the past few years, many con-
tractors have switched to premixed
compounds, thereby eliminating one
major source of asbestos dust. This
practice, though, depends entirely on
the contractor and what he supplies;
several tapers interviewed recently by
Mount Sinai personnel said they still
had occasion to use the dry-mix brands.
Sanding can be Dangerous
The problem that remains, even
when ready-mixed compounds are
used, is that of the dust produced when
the dried compound is sanded, prior to
painting. In some areas of the country,
tapers, or their apprentices, stay and do
their own sanding; in others, the paint-
ers are left to finish the job, often sand-
ing while other men are working in the
same room. Sanding is done either by
hand or with a pole.
Mixing of asbestos containing spackle material.
Dust concentrations during this process can ex-
The Environmental Sciences Lab-
oratory took air samples at seiected job
sites in New York City while tapers
were at work. Permnal samples taken
during pole sanding ranged from 1.2
fibers per milliliter (f/ml) to 19.3 f/ml;
in an adjacent room, at a distance of 25
feet from the sander, a level of 8.8 f/ml
was found. Levels for hand sanding
ranged from 1.3 to 16.9 f/ml in the
breathing zone of the workers, and a
high of 7.1 flml was obtained in an
adjacent room, at a distance of 15 feet.
During dry mixing, a breathing zone
sample was found to contain 59 f/ml,
though after a IS-minute lapse the level
went down to 0.5 f/ml.
The sweeping offIoors after sanding
was also found to stir up considerable
quantities of settled dust. Thirty-frve
minutes after sweeping at the site ofthe
sanding, a fiber concentration of 26.4
f/ml was obtained. The current U.S.
standard in industry is an average not to
exceed 5 flml, mandated to go to 2 f/ml
in July, 1976. The Department of
Labor has recently initiated procedures
to have the standard lowered to 0.5
f/ml.
The results of this sampling, espe-
cially when contrasted with the current
standard in industry, emphasize the im-
portance of both respiratory protection
and careful cleanup in order to reduce
the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. A
respirator should be worn by sanders
and by any .other workers who must be
in adjacent areas While this work is in
progress. If possible, other workers.
should wait to allow the dust to settle
and be removed before proceeding with
Continued on page 4
TI ~~
.- ~T: ....
ten times.
i.
 New Infonnation on Health Effects Reviewed
Continued from page 1
also protect against the various asbestos
cancers.
Important new information has been
forthcoming subsequent to the promul-
gation of the current U.S. standard.
This has included data obtained by Drs.
Irving J. Selikoff and E. Cuyler Ham-
mond on the mortality experience of all .
insulation workers in the United' States.
... This large research project showed un-
equivocally the high risk of lung cancer
. '~ , and mesothelioml!. experienced by as-
bestos workers, .apd in addition, dem-
onstrated that ga~tro-intestinal cancer
was also increas«d..·in incidence among
t, asbestos workers·, As data from this
lari~ study were reviewed, it was sug-
gested that the risk of developing
cancer of the larynx, oropharynx, or
~;'.;_. esophagus was also increased from as-
bestos exposure. Rese;:uch with the In-
ternational Association of Heat and
Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers
was quoted many times by the Depart-
ment of Labor. Further studies of other
large groups of workers occupationally
exposed to asbestos in factory employ-
ment or mining and milling also indi-
cated excess carcinogenic risk.
NeH' Information
The Department of Labor particu-
larly noted information forthcoming
from the British Textile mill whose
workers' health experience served as
basis for the clIrrent British standard.
.. "Of significancimportance, new data
have recently been made available con-
cerning the cancer risk of workers at the
textile mill reviewed for the British
standard. including those workers first
~.' . employed after 1933. It was found th!lt
there was excess mortality from lung
cancer among those workers who en-
tered scheduled areas airet 1 January
1933. There was clear evidence of
some excess of lung cancer and res-
piratory deaths among those IlI'St ex-
posed between 1933 and 1950. Equally
important was the finding that there still
appears to be an excess of deaths due to
lung cancer after 15 or more years' ex-
posure even among those first exposed
in 1951 and subsequently. Indeed, it is
known that mesothelioma deaths have
occurred among the specific group of
290 workers whose experience prior to
1966 had led to the development of the
current standard, as detailed above."
Additionally, they noted the increase
occurrence of mesothe!iorna in workers
only indirectly exposed to asbestos.
where it appears that average exposure
levels would often be considerably less
than the projected 2 f/rnl standard.
Shipbuilding Data lmponant
H Of considerable industrial impor-
tance has been the recent description of
asbestos disease among shipbuilding
and ship repair workers, few of whom
actually work with asbestos, but many
of whom were, in the past, inadver-
tently exposed to the asbestos dust re-
suIting from the use of asbestos prod-
ucts by a relatively few of their work
mates. In 1968, Harries of the Royal
Navy reported cases of mesothelioma
among shipyard workers at the Royal
Navy dockyard in Devonport, in trades
which did not directly involve workers
exposure to asbestos, but in which there
had been occasional opportunity for
exposure merely by virtue of working
in the same areas. This original finding
has been widely confirmed and numer-
ous cases of mesothelioma have since
been reported in former shipyard work-
ers. Studies of populations of current
shipyard workers have shown much
radiological evidence of asbestos ab-
normalities among workers in trades
only indirectly exposed to asbestos in
the yards."
«Further, evidence has indicated
that asbestos also acts as a lung car-
cinogen at levels much below those
which will produce asbestosis. Two
surveys of shipyard workers who had
x-ray evidence of pleural plaques, but
generally not of pulmonary fibrosis,
showed a 2.5-fold excess risk of death
from lung cancer and high risk of
mesothelioma. "
Finally, a recent study by NIOSH
was reviewed which showed that the
mortality experience of underground
metal miners exposed to asbestiform
minerals produced a threefold in-
creased risk of bronchogenic carcinoma
in workers. Fiber concentrations in the
mine average 0.24 f/ml.
In discussing considerations applic-
able to standards for carcinogens,
OSHA stated that, "In the case of as-
bestos, we are dealing with a substance
that poses a range of health risks to the
working population. These include the
threat of cancer, as wen as asbestosis.
In considering the controversial issue .of
carcinogenicity, OSHA is relying upon
"not only the new data reviewed above,
but the leading scientific principles and
options believed to reflect the research
conclusions 0; international cancer ex-
perts, which were developed since or
not known to OS HA at the time that the
original standard was promulgated.
"A. THE LATENCY CAReI-
NOGENIC EFFECTS
"In humans, the latency period for t:
chemical carcinogens may well extend 'j;
between 20 to 40 or more years.
Analogous periods exist for test ani-
mals. This means that the disease may
=
undergo a long development before a
'"
tumor is actually detected. At that
point, it has reached a stage where re-
moval of the worker from the work-
place may be of no avail and where
treatment may be extremely difficult, if
not futile. Prudent policy would there-
fore seem to indicate that every reason-
able measure should be taken to elimi-
nate human exposure to chemical com-
pounds as soon as their carcinogenic
nature is identified.
"B. VARIABILITY IN INDIVID-
UAL SUSCEPTIBILITY IN RELA-
TION TO THE CONCEPT OF A
THRESHOLD
"Cancer development may be influ-
enced by such factors as the differing
susceptibility of various body organs.
In animal studies, it has been found that
individual variability in a response to
carcinogens is great depending upon
factors such as age, sex, hormonal
status, diet, and genetic factors. Thus,
in the working population, certain
groups, such as those already biologi-
cally compromised, may be more sus-
ceptible than other groups.
"C. A 'THRESHOLD' LIMIT
"Because of the variability of indi-
vidual response to carcinogens and
other factors, the concept of a no effect ...
or threshold level may have little real Ii
significance on the basis of existing ,.r
knowledge. While some level, below ;
~
which exposure to a carcinogen does
~'
not cause cancer, may conceivably
exist for anyone individual, other indi-
viduals in the working population may
have cancer induced by doses so low as
to be effectively zero. This is not to say
that researchers will never find a
threshold level for a carcinogenic sub-
stance, but it does mean that the
threshold concept for carcinogens is, at
present, more a matter of responsible
regulatory policy than a precise. scien-
·tific determination.
"These theoretical concepts have a
Continued on page 4
 Sanding of
Spackle Material
Should be Limited
Continued from page 2
their own trades. The area should be
cleaned. preferably with a vacuum, as
soon as the dust has settled. If no vac-
uum is available, the floor should be
dampened prior to sweeping, and the
sweeper should wear a mask.
Health Effects Seen
Simply because sanding is only a
small part.of this construction acti vity is
no reason to minimize the importance
of the problem. Although exposure du-
ration may be short, the cumulative ef-
fect of repeated short-term exposures to
measurable conc~ntrations of asbestos
fibers can be serious. In the course of a
medical study of 69 drywall tapers be-
longing to Local 1974 of the Drywall
Tapers and Painters of Greater New
York, two-thirds of whom had had an
exposure of ten years duration or longer
and 61 of whom were smokers or ex-
smokers, X-ray abnormalities charac-
teristic of asbestos exposure were found
in 37 out of 63 films. There is a close
similarity between these findings and
those among insulators.
At least one brand of commercial
wallboard finishing. compound is cur-
rently available containing no asbestos.
It is likely that, as the negative aspects
of asbestos-containing compounds: be-
come more widely known, other man-
ufacturers will develop new formula-
tions that are free of asbestos. Until
then, only premixed materials should
be used and the sanding of dry material
eliminated or reduced as much as pos-
sible.
'.
Sanding of dried spackle material with a pole
sander. Dust concentrations here often exceed the
current asbestos standard.
Comments Solicited on PrO};X)sal
Continued from page 3
bearing on the asbestos issue, particu-
larly as to the question of the existence,
or nonexistence, of a threshold level of
carcinogenic effect. A no effect level
theoretically may exist, but it has not
been demonstrated.
"In previous rulemaking proceed-
ings, OSHA has considered these is-
sues and determined that in the absence
of evidence to establish a safe level on
the basis of present knowledge, em-
ployee exposure must be reduced as
low as feasible."
In a further discussion of the major
provisions of the proposed standard,
OSHA explicitly recognized that,
"since the promulgation of the current
standard, several distinguished indi-
viduals and many agencies, both public
and private, have made valuable con-
tributions to the field of toxic sub-
stances generally, and asbestos spe-
cifically.
H Exposure Levels. Recently, the
National Institute' for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) has in-
formed OSHA that it is currently re-
viewing data which may provide signif-
icant information with respect to the
margin of safety afforded by the exist-
ing asbestos exposure limits. In a
memorandum dated 29 September
1975 to the Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Labor for OSHA, the Director of
NIOSH stated:
Mulriple and consistent epidemio-
logical studies leave virtually no doubt
that asbestos is carcinogenic to man.
<, OSHA also believes sufficient
medieal and scientific evidence has
now been accumulated to warrant the
designation of asbestos as a human car-
cinogen. Therefore, it is incumbent
upon OSHA to propose the establish-
ment of safeguards to protect the lives
of affected workers.
No Safe Level for a Carcinogen
"OS HA deems it appropriate to
propose that the 8-hour exposure limit
(TW A) be lowered to 500,000 asbestos
fibers per cubic meter (0.5 asbestos fib-
ers per cubic centimeter), and that the
ceiling exposure limit be 5,000,000 as-
bestos fibers per cubic meter (5 asbes-
tos fibers per cubic centimeter) for any
period up to 15 minutes. OSHA recog-
nizes that there is no assurance of a safe
exposure for a substance with known
carcinogenic property, in this case ·as-
bestos, and thus there should be no de-
tectable concentrations. However, the
Act requires' that the Secretary establish
standards to extent feasible, and there-
fore the Secretary must take into con-
sideration technological and economic
factors.
"OSHA believes that it may be ap-
propriate to postpone the effective date
of the proposed exposure level because
of the existence of problems offeasibil-
ity of a technologieal and economic na-
ture. OSHA expressly invites com-
ments on this issue, including comment
on the appropriateness of a phased
schedule for compliance with any new
exposure level, based on such feasibil-
ity factors. In this respect, OSHA par-
ticularly invites comments on the struc-
ture of the asbestos industry generally
including factors distinguishing par-
ticular sub-industries in terms of meth-
ods of asbestos use and capabilities of
compliance.' ,
The deadline for submission of
comments on the proposed regulations
is December 8, 1975.
Additional provisions in the proposal
put forth by OSHA would "extend the
retention period for medical and
monitoring records to forty years, or for
the duration of eIl!ployment plus twenty
years, whichever is longer; provide
procedures for the transfer of medieal
and monitoring records of certain
former employers; require specific min-
. imum data on medical and monitorim'.
records; revise the procedures for initial
and subsequent monitoring; modify the
definitions of asbestos and asbestos
fiber; add provisions for employee
hygiene, information and training; re-
vise and update the requirements for
respirators, and warning signs and
labels; and establish a time parameter
for sampling ceiling concentrations. In
addition, the 'proposal will suggest
work practices to be followed for cer-
tain operations and processes involving
asbestos. "
Of particular importance is a pro-
posal that would add sputum cytology
as a diagnostic test. This is proposed
only for workers who are forty-five
years old, or who have been employed
in the asbestos trades for ten years or'
more. Here, analysis of cells coughed
up from the lung may be useful in indi-
cating the early stages oflung cancer, at
a point where more successful treat-
ment can be accomplished. This proce-
dure was recen!ly proposed to NIOSH
by President Haas for all members of
the IAHFIA Wand is being considered
by the Inst.tu:e.
 Environmental Science-~
Llborltory
O\J~TlIlv
INSULATION HYGIENE
~,~ "t: OF ,....\'<;)"
01 The City Univ.~ty
PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM THE INSULATION INOUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM
of N .... York
U.S. Navy Prohibits
Installation of
. Asbestos Insulation
Material
The UnitedSJates has ordered a halt.
'0
to the use of thermal insulation mate-
rials in ship cQ!1struction and mainte-
nance. An order promulgated by the
Naval Sea S)'stems Command on Oc-
tober 24, 1975, stated, '"Asbestos and
materials containing asbestos shall not
be used in the construction, overhaul,
repair and maintenance of naval ves-
sels, nor shall such materials be used in
any facility or operational application
where suitable alternate materials
have been designated. However, in the
locations where asbestos materials are
presently installed, rip-out operations
shall not be peifonned for the sole pur-
,,: pose of eliminating asbestos."
While this order was specifically di-
rected to the use of thermal insulation
materials, as additional substitute mate-
rials are developed for other asbestos
uses, provisions will be made extend-
ing this policy.
Respirators Required During Ripout
It was recommended that removal of
asbestos previously applied only be un-
dertaken by personnel fully aware of
the hazards of asbestos exposure and
the procedure for its control and that
personnel engaged in asbestos removal
be provided with and required to use
proper respiratory equipment and spe-
cial clothing. In general, this would re-
quire air-supplied respirators, as dust
concentrations during removal can eas-
ily exceed 100 fibers per milliliter
(f/ml) unless appropriate wetting tech-
niques are utilized.
While few data exist on the removal
of insulation material aboard United
States ships, considerable information
is available from Great Britain. During
the removal of pipe or machinery insu-
lation, air concentrations from 2 to 490
f/m! were observed in data obtained at
Continued on page 4
Asbestos Fireproofmg Material
Poses Continuing Problem
Spray fireproofing with asbestos-
containing materials was banned by the
Environmental Protection Agency in
the United States in 1973. From 1958
through 1972, the steel work of manv
new high-rise buildings was fir;-
proofed using spray techniques with
asbestos-containing materials.
Recent data point to a continuing
legacy of health risk from this proce-
dUre. This risk extends from mainte-
nance personnel who must work in
plenum spaces sprayed with asbestos to
office building occupants breathing
contaminated air from the erosion of
fibers within the air supply system.
Maintenance a Problem
Any work by building trades per-
sonnel-electricians, plumbers; in-
sulators repairing ducts and others-in
the plenum space can lead to high as-
bestos concentrations if the sprayed
fireproofing is dislodged. This was
identified as a significant problem dur-
ing the construction of such buildings,
and it remains a continuing one. If such
repair activities are to- take pla~e
safely, asbestos must not be disturbed
or it must be removed wet, prior to the
maintenance activities.
Irvine J. Sellkoff, M.D., Procram Director
Vol. 8 No.1 and 2 Summer 1976
.~
""
L
. ~
The contamination of air supplies of
buildings with sprayed asbestos fire-
proofing within return air plenums has
been documented in studies at the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
One hundred and nineteen air sam-
ples were taken in 19 buildings in four
United States cities. The samples were
raken in buildings in which both fibrous
and cementitious asbestos spray mate-
rials were applied. Additionally, sam-
ples were taken of the outside air and in
buildings containing no asbestos as
fireproofing.
Contamination Present
The results showed that in those
buildings in which fibrous asbestos
spray fireproofing had been used, con-
tamination was present in approxi-
mately half the samples analyzed. On
the other hand, there was no significant
difference in the distribution of air con-
centrations between buildings using
cementitious fireproofing and the Olit-
side air.
In those cases where high asbestos
levels were measured, it was not possi-
ble to ascenain the origin of the con-
tamination. However, maintenance ac-
Continued on page 4

Insulation Hygiene
Progress Reports
VoL 8 No.1 and 2 Summer 1976
from the
In~uJ:l1ion Industry Hygiene Research Program
Editor: W. J. !l:icholson, Ph.D., published at
the Environmental Sciences Laboratory (lrvingJ.
Selikoff. ~1.D .• Director). Mount Sinai School
of Medicine of the Cit)' University of New York.
!'\.Y. 10029
'.
Advisory Council of IIHRP
Irving J. Selikoff, M. D .• Program Director and'
Chairman
E. Cuyler Hammond. Sc.D .• Vice President.
Ameri~an Cancer Society, New York. N.Y.
Andrew Haas, General PreSident, International
A$sociation of Heat and Frost Insul ators and As-
beStos Workers. Washington, D.C.
PlJRPOSES OF THE
L"l'SULATION
INDt..TSTRY HYGIENE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. To develop improved meth-
ods for minimizing exposure of
insulation workers to dusts and
fumes encountered in their work.
'4
2. To disseminate knowledge of
these improved methods of dust
control wherever they may be
applied advantageously and to
offer cooperation, advice and as-
sistance toward their universal
adoption.
Chrysotile Miners Also at
Risk of Asbestos Disease
A recently completed study by Dr.
William Nicholson and Dr. Irving J.
Selikoff of the Environmental Sciences
Laboratory and Herbert SeidIl)an and
Dr. E. Cuyler Hammond of the Ameri-
can Cancer Society, has shown that
Quebec chrysotile miners and millers
have an unhappy health experience
from their occupational exposure to as-
bestos. This research comparing the
monality experience of miners and
millers with that of insulation workers
and asbestos factory workers was pre-
sented at the International Conference
on Occupational Health in Brighton,
England during September 1975.
Of the three groups of wenrkers con-
sidered, cancer mortality, particularly
of the lung, was elevated in all three
groups, but l-l.'as higher among insula-
tion workers than either factory em-
ployees or miners and millers. Overall
mortality for all causes of death includ-
ing abestosis was similar among all
three groups of workers, and consid-
erably higher than that expected from
general population statistics.
Excess MortaliTY Present
In the study it was found that miners
and millers who had begun employ-
ment at least 25 or more years previ-
ously had a 30% excess mortality com-
pared to the general population of
Canada. Lung cancer and asbestosis in
particular were found to be principal
sources of excess death among these
workers. Asbestosis accounted for ap-
proximately 13'7c of the deaths, and
lung cancer for 17CJc, more than three
times as much as would have been ex-
pected.
Comparable figures for insulation
workers show that 22% of the deaths of
the workers first employed twenty-five
years previously are from lung cancer
and 12'70 from asbestosis.
All AsbesTOS Produces Cancer
The results of this survey are of im-
portance in that they demonstrate that
chrysotile alone can produce excess
asbestos-related cancers. Thus the sug-
gestion that amosite or other materials
in pipe covering need be responsible for
the excess mortality in asbestos work-
ers was found without firm basis.
These results help pinpoint the mate-
rials in insulation work which have re-
sulted in the serious cancer risk of
pipecoverers. From this and other re-
search at Mt. Sinai it is clear that excess
concentrations of both chrysotile and
amosite give rise to serious disease.
Also included in the comparison was
the mortality experience of a large
manufacturing plant that produced
much of the United States thermal insu-
lation. Here the overall mortality was
quite similar, although somewhat less
lung cancer and asbestosis was found
among employees employed for similar
time periods.
4~ • • -
'--
_ _. : : : • .;_

E.P.A. Wins Suit on
Demolition ·of Insulation
The Depanment of Justice and the
Environmental Protection Agency
have received·a favorable verdict in a
court case testing the validity of EPA's
asbestos emissions standard for re-
moval of insulation material during the
demolition of a building. . regulations.
In a two count information (indict-
ment) a Florida demolition company
was charged with causing emissions of
asbestos during demolition of a hospital
in New Orleans. The charge was based
upon the failure to follow procedures
prescribed in the National Emission
Standard for Asbestos.
Stringent Requiremell1s
These included the requirements that
all friable asbestos materials, such as
thermal insulation, be wetted and re-
moved from any building prior to
\vrecking or demolition, that no asbes-
tos covered material shall be dropped,
knocked down or thtown to the ground,
and that all waste~as.Q.estos after wetting
shall be sealed in -leak-tight containers
and deposited at specified and con-
.~.:' . trolled waste disposal sites.
During the trial, it was brought out
that friable asbestos materials lining
pipes throughout the building had not
been wetted and removed prior to de-
molition with a large jron ball.
Moreover, the waste asbestos material
was simply thrown into an open truck to
be driVen through the 'streets of New
Orleans. Information from the Insula-
tion Hygiene Research Program on the
air concentrations found during re-
moval of asbestos insulation material
was entered as evidence in the trial.
Air Measurements Not Required
A crucial element in the emission
standard is the absence of a requirement
that air measurements be taken off site
to verify that emissions have occurred.
Such measurements are difficult to ob-
tain, costly and time consuming to
analyze and would be ineffective in as-
suring compliance with the intent of the
The alternative, that of specifying
work procedures that must be followed
by contractors during demolition, has
been challenged by some demolition
contractors, who argued that the regula-
tion by itself does not constitute an
emission standard.
This argument was dispelled by
Judge James Comisky in pretrial hear-
ings held in the Federal District Court
in New Orleans. Judge Comisky wrote
in dismissing this argument that "the
uncontradicted scientific evidence is
that ambient asbestos poses a signifi-
cant health hazard related through insu-
lation to various diseases.
Work Procedures Best
"Thus, given the extreme options of
either ignoring a known health hazard
and flatly imposing an absolute ban on
any and all asbestos emissions, the
agency (EP A) adopted a pragmatic ap-
proach. It arrived at a standard of emis-
sion control, not by means of maximum
quanitative level, but by means of a
work procedure.
"The evidence demonstrates that
control of asbestos emissions through a
work standard was the most, and per-
haps the only practical means of com-
batting a health hazard. "
The final jury verdict in the Federal
District Court proceeding, which was
concluded on March 25th, 1976, in es-
sence validated the EPA regulations
based on work practices.
T.V.A. Adopts
Comprehensive o~
Program .,
~
The Tennessee Valley Authority
(TV A) has developed a comprehensive
,;
program to control airborne asbestos
fibers in steam-electric generating ,.j'
plants as part of its overall hazard pro- 1-
gram.
The multifaceted program, recently
described by Jack H. Fontaine and eo
David M, Trayer in the American In- ~
v
dustrial Hygiene Association Journal,
integrates industrial hygiene controls, oL
~
medical surveillance, and worker edu-
cation. Substitution of nonasbestos ma-
0-
terials is central to the program.
Extensive Removal Work
Currently, TV A employs as many as
six full-time insulators at each of its
twelve coal-fired, steam-electric
generating plants. These men are ex-
posed to asbestos during repair and
maintenance of each generating unit, at
approximately six-month intervals.
During this time, old insulation con-
taining large amounts of asbestos, prin-
cipally amosite. is removed from sys-
tems scheduled for m·aintenance, and
new insulation installed,
Personal and area sampling results
have shown that while the time-
weighted average concentration of total
fibers was less than the current T LV,
peak single-sample concentrations
more than doubled the current standard
of 10 fibers per milliliter.
The new control strategy of TV A is
based on the OSHA asbestos dust
standard. Utilization of local exhaust,
wet methods and substitution are cen-
tral to the program. Air sampling of
fiber concentrations before and after in-
stallation of local exhaust ventilation
proved the value of this control in re-
ducing airborne dust produced by the
cutting of block and pipe insulation
with a band saw.
WeTting Important
Wetting has reduced by 85% the air-
borne asbestos dust from cutting
asbestos-containing wallboards with
high-speed radial saws. Wetting is also
being used in scrap cleanup, where tests
showed airborne asbestos fiber con-
centrations reduced from 0.3-13.8 flml
(dry removal) to 0.0-0.3 flml (wet re-
moval).
Equally impressive data have been
forthcoming from Great Britain where
wetting techniques have been devel-
Continued on page 4

"',
,-
Removal of Spray
Insulation May be Necessary
Conrinued from page 1
tlvltleS \vithin plenum spaces could
have been a caus·e. Among the recom-
mendations of the Mount Sinai study
was the development of procedures for
use during maintenance activities that
may be required in asbestos-lined
plenum spaces. Here, system isolation,
area enclosure, localized wetting, and
cleanup by vacuuming were suggested.
High asbestos levels found within
buildings have led to complete removal
of the material from several bUildings.
These have included a U.C.L.A dor-
mitory. the Long Beach, California,
Courthouse, and the Yale University
Art and Architecture building.
High Levels Found
In the latter, fibrous asbestos spray
material had been used for accoustical
and decorative purposes on the ceil-
ings. Flaking was found to occur, espe-
cially where the ceiling was low and
within reach of the occupants of the
building. Measurements using optical
microscopy on air samples taken while
...
..: the building was in use showed expo-
.1 sures could be as high as 18 fibers per
milliliter (f/ml), more than three times
the current occupational standard.
Such concentrations would occur
during the replacement of books on li-
brary shelves where asbestos had fallen
dow-no During routine custodial opera-
tions. concentrations of approximately
5 f/ml were observed. General room air
values were approximately Ih f/ml.
These concentrations led to serious
concern on the part of Yale University.
and an extensive removal program was
~- ...
undertaken. Seventy thousand square
feet of asbestos was removed, bagged.
inserted in. 50-gallon cardboard drums
and buried. The total cost of the opera-
tion was approximately $750.000.
Double Barrier System
When contamination was first ob-
served, a paint overspray was applied to
the ceilings in the hope that this would
reduce the contamination. While some
reduction was observed, it was deemed
insufficient and total removal was con-
cluded to be the only course of action.
During asbestos removal, to keep
fiber dispersal at a minimum, work
areas were sealed by a double barrier
system using plastic sheets. At the
work area, fiber' concentrations were
maintained at less than 5 flml using a
water spray with wetting agent. With-
out such precautions, dry removal pro-
duced fiber concentrations as high as
140 f/ml.
When working in asbestos sprayed
plenum spaces, insulators or other
workmen should:
I. Wet and remove any fireproofing
that might be dislodged during
maintenance work,
2. Exercise care not to disturb re-
mai.ning fireproofing material,
3. Vacuum any loose asbestos ma-
terial that may have fallen on
ducts, ceiling tiles, or other ser-
vice facilities before and after
work, and
4. Wear approved respirator during
work and cleanup.
T ~ V. A. PrOgram '-'
C omilll/ecl from page 3
oped that maintain dust concentrations
below 0.2 flml during insulation re-
moval.
Substitution is being utilized to cut
workers' asbestos exposure. No longer
is pure asbestos specified in new plant
design and construction: in addition.
utilization of asbestos for maintenance
in existing plants is being phased out.
Fibrous glass. rock wool. mineral
wool, and ceramic fibers are common
substitutes.
NIOSH- and U.S. Bureau of
Mi nes-approved air purifyj ng res-
pirators with replaceable filters are used
by TVA. If the air concentrations are
reasonably expected to exceed 10 times
but not more than 100 times the pre·
scribed limit, powered air purifying re-
spirators or supplied-air respirators and
special clothing will be worn during
removal of old asbestos-containing in-
sulation.
The health effects of asbestos work
are stressed through an annual respira-
tory health evaluation that includes a
chest X-ray and pulmonary function
tests. as well as a training program to
inform insulation workers of the health
risks and various methods of protec-
tion.
Navy Insulation Work
COlllinuedfrom page 1
the Devonport Naval Dockyard under
the direction of Dr. Peter G. Harries.
Some general air concentrations even
exceeded 3000 flml (in contrast, the
Department of Labor has recently rec-
ommended that no worker be required
to work where there was, on the aver-
age, more than IJ2 f/ml.)
During the removal of spray fire-
proofing insulation from the aircraft
carrier, wide dispersal of the material
was observed. Excess concentrations
occurred as far as two decks away from
asbestos removal work.
As can be seen, the fibers are widely
distributed. In the current U.S. Nav~
directive, prevention of exposures to
other personnel directly engaged in the
asbestos operation was called for.
The above fiber concentrations were
observed when the insulation material
was removed without the use of special
wetting techniques. Workers were en-
closed in air-supplied impervious suits,
and areas where removal was taking
place were sealed off from the rest of
the ship. Even though precautions were
taken, some dispersal of the fibers oc-
curred beyond the containment areas.