The Asbestos Industry Fights Back

In the 1970s, facing mounting bad publicity and regulatory crunch, the asbestos industry regrouped, forming trade associations and devising public relations campaigns.

In this closed-door Executive Committee meeting of the International Asbestos Information Conference, participants wrote of the new climate they faced:

Mr. Harsh referred to mounting attacks on the industry by organized labor and news media, especially in Europe. He said it is difficult for the voices of responsible industry spokesmen and scientists to be heard in response to these attacks. The group was of the opinion that there must exist strong national ashetos associations to perform the functions
of information and education on the asbestos-health issues and that these associations must lobby effectively to ensure that moderation prevails in rulemaking processes for asbestos exposure standards. Mr. Harsh stressed the interdependency and indivisibility of the asbestos industry worldwide.

The document then discusses a report published by the Commission of the European Economic Community called "Public Health Risks of Exposure to Asbestos." It "could have adverse impact on the industry. A major recommendation urges support for development and use of asbestos substitutes."

The attendees concluded that "industry needed to mount a full-throttled response to stave off strong regulation."

The group was of the opinion that there must exist strong national ashetos associations to perform the functions of information and education on the asbestos-health issues and that these associations must lobby effectively to ensure that moderation prevails in rulemaking processes for asbestos exposure standards.

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