NIOSH Testimony to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration'sNotice of Proposed Rulemaking on Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite by R. A. Lemen, May 9, 1990

摘要

The testimony summarized information pertinent to the proposed rulemaking toremove nonasbestiform tremolite (14567738), anthophyllite (17068789), and actinolite (77536664) from the asbestos standard. NIOSH concludes that on the basis of current data that cleavage fragments of the appropriate aspect ratio and length from the nonasbestiform minerals should be considered as hazardous as fibers from the asbestiform minerals. No scientifically valid health evidence was found for removing from the asbestos standard cleavage fragments that become airborne when nonasbestiform tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite are mined, milled and used, and that meet the microscopic definition of a fiber. The risk of cancer from such exposures warrants limiting exposures to these minerals to the lowest feasible concentration. A glossary of terms is provided in an appendix.