Document mpjx3nGa9rdvmKw4zx367YD0g

t /A A/C Pipe Executive* Committee*^ International Affairs Committee Internal Correspondence y. F. Welch, Vice President FROM December 14, 1982 DATE SUBJECT Ban on A/C Water Pipe - Philippines Islands REF: JFW correspondence, Field Problem - Manila, Philippines, September 30, August 26, August 3, July 23, and April 14, 1982. ACTION REQUIRED: Review for information Background The Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System (MWSS) of Manila is undertaking a $390 million water supply improvement program, 4096 of which is funded by the World Bank. Approximately one-third of projected pipe usage will be A/C, supplied by Eternit Corp. (Manila) and Italit Construction and Development Corporation. Since September, 1981, there has been sporadic media coverage of public concerns about the safety of A/C water pipe. AACPP has provided scientific/medical background information, A/C Advisory and other materials to MWSS consultant, CDM, Inc. As recently as September 7, 1982, the Ministry of Health reconfirmed the acceptability of A/C pipe (Attachment 1). Ban on A/C Pipe On November IS, 1982, Etienne van der Rest (Eternit-Belgium) advised Staff that Philiipine President Ferdinand Marcos had banned the use of A/C water pipe, effective November 14 (Attachment 2). The rationale for this action still is not known, although theories abound, including: 1. The ban was made on the advice of President Marcos' personal physician. 2. It was a culmination of all the media coverage, particularly (a) a presentation by asbestos litigation attorney Barbara Peters at the World Safety Organization meeting in Manila; in her remarks, Peters mentioned the Kanarek and the Conforti study purporting to show fiber release from A/C pipe conveying non-corrosive waters, and (b) a misunderstanding that the Manville Corporation bankruptcy filing resulted from lawsuits from persons contracting cancer from asbestos in drinking water. 3. Competitive pressures by PVC pipe manufacturers, of which there are approximately five, in the Phillipines. 4. Similar tactics, including besmirching the safety of A/C pipe, by Philiipine or Chinese steel pipe interests. 5. All of the above. CAP CO JEN 0013353 6. None of the above. van der Rest requested that AACPP Staff intervene on behalf of Eternit and appear at a special public hearing before the Subcommittee on Environmental Health of the Batasang Pambansa (Philippine Legislature) (Attachment 3). He was especially concerned about potential "ripple effects" from this adverse action affecting Far Eastern markets for A/C pipe. Eternit Corp.-Manila agreed to cover Staff expenses. Temporary Lifting of Ban On November 17, 1982, Eternit and Italit petitioned President Marcos to lift the ban until such time that an independent scientific and medical study was conducted (Attachment 4). This petition, coupled with the realization that prohibiting the use of A/C pipe would not only increase the cost of pipe currently being installed, but also would cost the Phillipine government billions of pesos to replace the 20,000 kilometers of water pipe in the metro Manila area, prompted President Marcos to lift the ban for 90 days and create a special Presidential Advisory Committee to gather data and assess the safety of A/C pipe. The cabinet level committee will be comprised of the Minister of Health, the Executive Director of the National Environmental Protection Council, the Director General of the National Science and Technology Authority, the Director of the Product Standard Agency and President of the Phillipine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Attachments 5 and 6). The Advisory Committee study would be separate and distinct, though coordinated with Batasang hearings. The temporary lifting of the ban and establishment of the Presidential Advisory Committee received widespread media coverage (Attachments 7, 8, 9,10 and 11). There were some unfortunate side effects of this coverage, notably the misperception or misrepresentation of the asbestos content of A/C water pipe (596) and a statement that drinking water did not come in contact with the fiber. It is not known whether these resulted from reporters' misunderstandings or MWSS zeal in defending the product. Liaison with CDM, Inc. (U.S.) Prior to departure, Staff contacted David Doran of CDM (Boston, Massachusetts) to obtain additional information on the situation. A meeting was set up with Deputy Resident Manager Elwood (Rich) Richardson in Manila. Development of Strategy and Tactics On November 22, 1982, Staff met with Jacques Cartuyvels (President) and Carlos Borromeo (Vice President-Marketing) of Eternit-Manila. Complete background information was provided; the positions of potential allies and adversaries were discussed along with the desirability of media contacts. The possibility of a comprise position i.e., asphaltic lining of A/C pipe, also was discussed and dismissed on economic grounds. (Competition between pipe suppliers is so high that the small increase in the cost of coating pipe would make A/C non-competitive.) Initial lobbying efforts were directed towards the Subcommittee on Environmental Health. Lobbying - Subcommittee on Environmental Health A brief meeting was held with Assemblyman Ramas at the Batasang. This meeting adjourned and reconvened at the offices of Assemblyman Narciso Monfort. Monfort is a physician and it was felt that his input, if favorable to the industry's position, would be most influential in Subcommittee deliberations. Also attending was -2- CAPCO JEN 0013354 Monfort's wife who was performing special study responsibilities for the Assemblyman. Staff gave a 45 minute briefing on the asbestos in drinking water issue. Although Monfort appeared to be impressed by the strength and cohesiveness of the animal and epidemiologic studies, he was quick to see the potential release (by corrosion) of asbestos from A/C pipe. He was particularly interested in how and when such release might occur. Staff stated it understood Manila's water was not highly corrosive based on the description of a 25 year old pipe sample removed from the San Juan section. According to Borromeo, the sample is said to exhibit calcium carbonate deposition on the interior surface. Monfort went off on a tangent about occupational exposures to asbestos in A/C pipe factories and incidental exposures from the use of A/C sheet and corrugated products. It appeared as if he saw the A/C pipe controversy "dead ending" with the substantial medical evidence supporting product safety, so he was looking for another area for Subcommittee study. Staff and Eternit attempted to redirect his thinking to resolution of the matter at hand. It was recommended that studies of occupational exposures or other products be handled by another legislative resolution. A scientific/medical backgrounder was left for Assemblyman and Mrs. Monfort. Liaison with CDM, Inc. (Manila) Staff, Cartuyvels and Borromeo then met with Rich Richardson, Deputy Resident Manager, CDM, Inc. Richardson was fully aware of the situation but was unable to provide any information about its cause. He did say that the information provided to CDM - Boston by AACPP had been forwarded regularly to Oscar Illustre, General Manager of MWSS. Briefing - Local Water and Utilities Administration (LWUA) and MWSS We then met with Carlos Leano, Director of LWUA. The meeting was cordial and timely as Leano had directed a staff member to prepare a position paper on the asbestos and drinking water issue. AACPP Staff offered to review the LWUA internal files to determine their completeness and to provide additional information. Leano counterproposed that AACPP brief the staffs of LWUA and MWSS that afternoon. However, the MWSS General Manager and Staff were at the Batasang Pambansa so the briefing proceeded without them. Shortly after the briefing began, Marcial Manlaysay, Assistant General ManagerEngineering and Special Projects, MWSS, appeared and directed that the meeting be moved to his office. Unfortunately, this all but destroyed the continuity of the briefing as Manlaysay, who was dramatically argumentative, criticized the A/C pipe industry for not providing MWSS with current information on the health issue and for not mounting an effective defense on its own behalf. He vented considerable spleen saying, "We are not going to defend your product." He also underlined the importance of obtaining nonpartisan, independent data supporting the safety of A/C pipe. Staff found much of Manlaysay's criticism hollow and misdirected because (a) he failed to acknowledge the inherent credibility problems raised by an industry defending its product before the media, and (b) in spite of his criticisms about the weakness of A/C pipe industry-generated data, a quick glance at a MWSS briefing package for President Marcos showed it to be packed with issues of A/C Advisory, "A/C Pipe and Drinking Water" and other information provided to CDM, Inc. by the A/C Pipe Producers Association. -3- CAPCO JEN 0013355 The meeting adjourned amicably. Staff advised that a more comprehensive briefing would be given in its testimony before the Subcommittee on Environmental Health the next morning. LWUA and MWSS staffs were scheduled to monitor the hearing. Cancellation of Public Hearing Late in the day of November 22, the leadership of the Batasang and the Presidential Advisory Committee decided to cancel the public hearing. There had been rumors earlier of rescheduling the hearing until November 25. Staff heard the cancellation on the late evening news. The broadcast gave no explanation for the cancellation, nor was there any mention in the morning newspapers. It is likely that the Presidential Advisory Committee and Subcommittee on Environmental Health were concerned about the hearing causing more media coverage, prolongation and exacerbation of the controversy. By that time, a number of Subcommittee members knew that Eternit/AACPP would vigorously defend the industry's position. It is also likely that the Batasang leadership and the Presidential Advisory Committee realized the need for coordinating data collection, review and assessment so the findings of the Committee and Subcommittee were in accordance with the facts, as well as the wishes of President Marcos. There is little doubt in Staff's mind that problems raised by the presence of 20,000 kilometers of existing A/C pipe loomed very large in this decision-making process. On November 23, Eternit and AACPP appeared at the Batasang just to be sure the reported cancellation was true. We were advised by Assemblymen Monfort and Ramos and Dr. Priscilla Tablan (Officer in Charge, Lung Center of the Phillipines) that the public hearing was indeed cancelled and that the the Presidential Advisory Committee and Subcommittee on Environmental Health would meet jointly in executive (closed) session. Monfort stressed the need to coordinate the groups' activities and to set ground rules on how a study or hearing might proceed. He implied that the Subcommittee would defer to the Presidential Advisory Committee (which is reasonable) and that the entire matter of occupational exposures to asbestos and other carcinogens would be a matter of present and future discussions. We also met with Minister of Health Azurin and expressed the industry's desire to cooperate with the government studies. Azurin was gracious and pledged a fair hearing of all sides but declined persistent offers by AACPP and Cartuyvels to appear before the joint meeting. It was interesting to note the absence of anti-A/C pipe advocates and the presence of that ubiguitous parasite to field problems -- the home water filter manufacturer. At least one such manufacturers' representative appeared for the obvious purpose of gathering information to promote its product for filtering asbestos fibers. (Note: Member companies should be aware that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend the use of such filters for the filtration of asbestos fibers or other chemical contaminants for that matter.) Preparation of Industry Position Paper Staff prepared a transmittal letter, scientific/medical brief and complete references supporting the industry's position on the safety of A/C pipe (Attachment 12). Copies were transmitted to all members of the Presidential Advisory Committee, the -4- CAPCO JEN 0013356 Subcommittee on Environmental Health, and the General Managers of MWSS and LWUA. Informal Meeting with MWSS On the evening of November 23, Staff attended a dinner hosted by Italit. Although this was originally represented to be a small dinner between Italit officials and Staff, the General Manager of MWSS, a number of Assistant Managers, three World Bank officials from Washington and another consulting engineer also were in attendance. Staff took the opportunity to update Ilustre and advise him of industry intentions with respect to transmittal of medical evidence. Ilustre heartily endorsed this approach and was most appreciative of the fact that he also would receive copies. Additional Lobbying On November 24, a meeting was held with Assemblyman Gualberto Lumauig of the Subcommittee on Environmental Health. Again, data supporting the industry's position was presented. Lumauig was particularly impressed by Borromeos* argument that a ban on A/C pipe would reduce competition between materials and necessarily increase pipe prices. Moreover, he persuasively argued that 85% of the raw materials used in A/C pipe were Phillipine made whereas raw materials in steel and PVC pipe were imported and thus added to the country's trade deficit. Staff Analysis To the credit of Eternit, AACPP Staff was used effectively as a resource in defending the industry's position in this matter. What strategies or tactics were not already conceived prior to Staff's arrival were soon resolved in productive discussions. The Eternit operation appears to be extremely well managed by Cartuyvels. Borromeo, an ex-government official, appears comfortable and well connected in necessary political circles. Both factors will be important in the successful resolution of this field problem. In spite of the age of the plant, occupational exposure levels to asbestos and general appearance compare favorably with more modern facilities. The data Staff reviewed showed occupational exposures at all work stations to be below 0.5 f./cc. (TWA). It is not likely that this plant would be found wanting were legislators to be given a tour, as may be desirable in the future. Conditions at the Italit are said to be worse; Staff did not visit that plant. Although the situation with respect to A/C pipe is stabilized, it is likely that occupational exposures to asbestos as well as installation or incidental exposures from A/C sheet or corrugated, asbestos in schools, etc. will soon be a matter of concern to the Batasang and Ministry of Health. This probably will not occur until 1983 and hopefully will not impede resolution of the A/C pipe issue. Until the pipe controversy is resolved, Staff recommended that Eternit-Manila not take further steps in encouraging the government to establish occupational standards for asbestos exposure or independent studies of other A/C building products. The current situation simply is too volatile to interject those potentially inflammatory subjects now. At this point it is not known whether any public hearing will be held. Ideally, it should not since these issues are best resolved by scientists, such as those on the Presidential Advisory Committee, rather than legislators. Any decisions will have a substantial political component, regardless. It is particularly fortunate that the ground- CAPCO JEN 0013357 work done by Cartuyvels and Borromeo in advance of Staff's arrival allowed the timely dissemination of the same information to all parties studying the issue. Hopefully a harmonious and consistent conclusion will be drawn. Finally, it is disconcerting to note that there appears to be a pattern developing in the Middle East and Far East with regards to concerns about the safety of A/C pipe. In addition to the Phillipines, the nations of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman have organized study committees to evaluate the product. The causation for these events could be pure circumstance or the continued effort by competitive interests to discredit the product. Action Plan and Recommendations 1. Eternit will closely monitor deliberations of the Presidential Advisory Committee and Subcommittee on Environmental Health, and respond to any questions or concerns that emerge. Both Borromeo and Cartuyvels are articulate and now knowledgeable about the health issue. Barring the emergence of difficult technical questions on the corrosion of A/C pipe or on less important studies, future liaison probably can be handled by Eternit. 2. Eternit will should monitor development of MWSS and LWUA position papers on A/C pipe and obtain copies of respective briefs in advance of any public hearing. 3. AACPP contacted CDM, Inc. on November 30 and requested chemical data on raw and treated waters in Metropolitan Manila. Deputy Resident Manger Richardson mentioned the possibility of taking asbestos counts in Manila. Eternit also should keep in touch with Kevin Reilly (CDM-Manila) in the event that such data is gathered. 5. Eternit should attempt to obtain a sample of the 25 year old A/C pipe removed from the San Juan section of the city, observe its physical appearance and conduct independent structual testing if possible. 6. Consideration should be given to conducting "backgrounders" with the print media. Staff recommends that this be done only after discussing industry intentions with the Presidential Advisory Committee and Subcommittee on Environmental Health. However, if adverse articles persist, Eternit should aggressively attempt to have the industry's position aired. Staff left some press kits to facilitate this effort, if required. 7. Eternit should scan major newspapers for home water filter advertisements that may perpetuate public or government concerns about asbestos in drinking water. If necessary, public relations or legal action should be taken to correct fallacious or inflammatory claims. 8. Since there will be a continuing need for Eternit-Manila and Italit to provide information to the government, Staff will solicit their membership in AACPP. JFW/ajb Enclosures -6- CAPCO JEN OOI3358 cc: A. Kahn, Esq. Jacques Cartuyvels (Eternit-Manila) Asbestos International Association AIA/NA Canadian Asbestos Information Center South Pacific Asbestos Association copies to: Executive Committee International Affairs Committee L. Ambler J. Cran L. Taylor E. van der Rest L. Giannitrapani A. Saoulis R. Jalan C. Barton M. Delcourt B. Giboin J. Schmaus Dubuc R. Dorner P. Hart S. Al-Tarkait V. Pattabhi H. Hudson J. Cuvelier G. Zaviezo J. Rodrigues Dimatit 0172121301 Chrono -7- CAPCO JEN 0013359 AMlANTU? AsetsTOs rcfivicEs ATTACHMENT 1 Philippines TIMES JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 5, i 982' `5 awigwsTOie.oww^nw>twia!sBBirnMaEWCT>aw<Mn<iv>iniuii>>i:iitirfcotwwBfff~rirverKT-i- i iWi.nj THE World Safety Organiza tion is pressing for a more thorough evaluation of as bestos which has been de scribed as "a dangerous min eral.". During a meeting of the organization in Manila last week, safety professionals agreed that a systematic eva luation of asbestos is ex tremely necessary to deter mine if it should be partially or totally banned. Barbara ]. Peters of Santa Monica, California, said that certain diseases have been associated with asbestos: asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, pleural plaques and adhe sions, and colpulmonale. These diseases do not occur immediately but are incura ble once contracted. Asbes tosis, for instance, takes place after 10 to 20 years of exposure to asbestos, Peters said. She added that a large segment of the society is open to asbestos "pollu tion." Exposure reportedly begins from the time the mineral is mined to the time ' it is used as an end product. "What's worse, exposure to the dangers asbetos creates is not limited to the people who directly handle it," she added. Asbestos fibers are found to' be airborne particularly in areas where it is.sprayed on buildings or as a result.of asbestos insulation. Peters also discussed as bestos cement pipe as a pre sent day controversy. She cited a recent study ill err.. jip.* 5r,1 which tested 39 pairs of a water samples. The first 39 samples were taken- from-' water before it had travelled through asbestos cement pipe, the second set of sam ples were taken after the water had flowed through the asbestos cement pipe. The study found that the asbestos content of the sec ond set of samples had in creased by 115 times. In addition, asbestos concen tration in the second set of samples were as high as 1,000,000 fibers per liter. TIMES JOURNAL. SEPTEMBER 7, 1982 Asbestos pipes stsy lilt. t'.OVl-.RNMI-NT will ci-ntmue to allow , the u:.e of jsbestosce ment pipes by the MoItopoltun Waterworks and Sewerage System in the absence of a conclusive study on the levels of asbestos that may be consi dered dangerous. Health Minister Je sus A/.urin <jid yester day lus ministry lus already nude inquiries I t 1 0111 the World Health tlijuni/ation .'ll the nut lei lull was told 1li.1t WHO lets vet to come up with its statist on it. J Concern about the use of jsbestos ce ment was triggered by u statement by the Wot Id Safety Organi zation that asbestos was a dangerous mine ral. The organization, meeting in Manila, s:iid several incurable and long-letm diseases have been associated with asbestos, such as lung cancer and other forms of pulmonary ailment. 'Hie meeting, at tended by safety prolessjouals the world ou-r. ualso present ed with a study that To Page 10 Asbestos pipes to stay Prom Page 1 water which had tra velled through asbes tos cement pipes con tains as many as one million fibers per liter. In response to a ministry query, Hiro shi N'akajima, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said the organization does not have an of ficial stand on the safety, or lack of it, of asbestos cement pipes in water supply sys tems. He said the interna tional standards for drinking water issued by WHO in 1971 aLso do not specify any limitation on tlic presence of asbestos fibers in the water. There ate no sufficient data to wjrTant a specific recommended fiber level at present, lie said. Azurin said the Philippineswould have to de pend mainly on the con clusion of studies made by the World Health Orpnization in connection with the use of asbestos cement. Meanwhile, the UN Commission on Trans national Corporations urged that consumerprotection provisions be clearly outlined in the code of conduct for transnational corpora tions to safeguard the in terest of consumers in developing countries. On the fifth day of tile commission's meeting at the Philippine Interna tional Convention Cen ter, a position paper was issued saying that "con sumer-oriented informa tion should not be limit ed to markeung infor mation for Hie benefit of die producer or seller but should include informa tion necessary for Hie protection of the health and safety of the consumer." | CAP CO JEN 0013360 ATTACHMENT 2 2*-rVUSL* ft, /$%. I , ' * * *f ***.; . \ v,,:.*. PRESIDENT Marcos yesterday directed1 the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System -. to stop "contractors from_using asbestos pipes because- asbestos is believed to cause cancer. The MWSS is studying the harmful effects of asbestos ; water pipes. The study was prompted - by widespread public concern over the conti nued use of asbestos pipes in MWSS installa- ' tions all over Metro Manila.'1 ; In another move, the President "fought to stop the dumping of wastes Into Manila Bay, . which be said causes' marine pollution and, undermines the national development efforts.1' The'President directed MWSS Manager Oscar 1 Ilustre to set up immediately a sewage treat- . ment plant on a five-hectare lot in the Tondo reclamation area.. | t He issued the order in the wake of com plaints from fishermen in the bay that indiscrby miriate dumping of. waste has not only des- toyed fish and other marine life but also en-' dangered the health of communities along the - bay. - .. '. ' The President told Ilustre to make a study of other sites in the Metro Manila area where sew age treatment plants may be set up to sanitize waste before it is pumped into the bay. ' The President directed Ilustre to speed up . the cleaning of all public and private septic: tanks in the Metro Manila area. ' The MWSS has_; scheduled, to clean up '' some 300,000 septic tanks in Metro Manila for free. . - Those who want priority in having their septic tanks cleaned will have to pay a minimal fee, Ilustre said.1 . -. CAP CO JEN 0013361 5 American'National : .. ^ . Institute thaf ?tems-1-n. f,ot- fibera ani^ar bem= semced by the had .earlier "approved -the W of ?...... . asbestos pines in at. 'Z&ZZ' .The resolution which ?ea.st expected to be' filed * out/ 5 >ater toda/will be referred .s-vs.ta .^truction the Batasan commit- . Projects m the vanous .regions 01 the country. YWJiff, tc>^ . Opposite'.Views ab-' out the supposed harm- jnil effects of-asbestos ` 'H.wa'terf pipes'Von'ythe /. health lof *the-:people; y Vhave been.'' erpressed. ~r. uf ~i AlavaVh imself .said' that asbestos materials . .ii'are present In. raw wa-' .vjter .and even with-the? j' /'use of filtration'equip-/ ' V'^nent, a small quantity ' ;Vbf'the allegedly hartaV-'fui substance is I'eftjn 'fr'drinking water. "(Ben ' b-'j;Rosario) ii... : CAP CO JEN 0013362 November 17, 1982 v kis excellency PRESIDES! FERDINAND E. KAKCOS REPUBLIC OP TTiE I-KILIPPIKES . KALACAKANG, METRO KAMxLA Sir; ASBESTOS-CEMENT PIPES AND HEALTH we are, Eternit Corporation and Italifc Construction u Development Corporation, tne two ioanufauturers of asbestos-cement pipes in the Philippines established for tore than 30 years I Ke are requesting Kis Excellency, President Ferdinand E. Marcos, to; 1. Lift the ban for the use of asbestos-cement pipes until - such time tliat an independent scientific and medical study shall have been conducted to look into the relationship between the use of asbestos-cement pipes and health hazard for the consumers. 2. Enjoin the media from further generacing undue alarm ar.d concern with a populace, which has for more than three decades nj.ready been drinking water from asbestos-cement pipes unless valid findings prove a definite relationship to health as submitted by competent medical and scientific authorities. Your Excellency, wo ask you to consider: _ 1. The use of asbestos-cement pipes means substantial savings in foreign exchange for the country, since only 0S of the raw t.ntoria.ls used for asbestos-cement pipes are imported, whereas tnis percentage for other types of pipes is at least 904. 2. The mlOO Million invested in our facilities. 3. The annual capacity of 50,000 tons to serve the needs of the country and thus stabilising prices. 4. The employment of 350 heads of families, affecting about 2,000 dependents,. 5. The Dollar earnings realised by export of our products. maintain. Your Excellency, that: 1. There has been no established fact that asbestos-cement pipes is a health hazard. Reference Appendix A. ... 2/ CAP CO JEN 0013363 -21 2. Both developed as well as developing countries nave been using and ' continue to use asbestos-cement pipes. A list of countries using asbestos-cement pipes would be too long in the present context but we Ifkezwily to mention the following countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Prance, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Japan, and tile United States. lour Excellency, we are inclined to believe that the unfavorable publicity given asbestos products, is motivated more by competitive and commercial reasons than by reasons of public health.. 0 Wo maintain that third and second hand information have been quoted out of context in an effort to misrepresent as a consumer hazard what would be, at worst an industrial hazard related to the mining and handling of the raw fibers without due industrial safeguards. We maintain that an objective, scientific and medical investigation will reveal the facts about asbestos-cement pipes and that the findings will uphold our contention and the contention of asbestos-cement pipe users the world over regarding the safety of those pipes. Your Excellency, we reiterate our request for a scientific investigation into this matter. Our faith in both your concern for public good as well as justice leads us to anticipate your favorable consideration of our request for the peace of mind of the public and the continued life of our industry. I?AL2T COzJSTKUCPIO:; & DEVELOPl-iEil? CXjKPOEAYIoii BAHO;: R. . PASTOR President Ends. - Appendix A CAP CO JEN 0013364 APPENDIX A 1. Memorandum Circular dated December 10, 1920 signed by Col. C. Leatio of LWUA. Re - Asbestos-Cement Pipes. 2. Asbestos in Drinking Water: A Review dated January 1979 issued by Hater Research Centre 3. Asbestos in Vlater .. The Risks 4. A/C Pipe Producers Association Advisory dated October 1, 1901, Volume No. 1 Issue No. 2 - Minnesota Study Finds No Link Between Ingested Asbestos and Cancer. >. Advisory dated January, 19S2, Volume Ko. 1 Issue No. 3 - Evidence Pointing Strongly Away from Asbestos Ingestion arid Csncer Link, Experts Report. 6. .Advisory dated Hay, 1982, Volume No. 1 Issue Ko. 5 - Authority Reports "No Experimental Evidence of Harmful Effects" from Mineral Fiber Ingestion. 7. Advisory dated May, 1522, Volume Ho. 1 Issue Ko. C - Animal Study Reports Ko Penetration of Gastrointestinal Tract Ay Asbestos Fibers. 5. Advisory dated June, 1982, Volume Ko. 1 Issue Ko. 8 - Asbestos Feeding Study Finds Ko Gastrointestinal Cancer in 'lest Animals. JGC/est 11.17.C2 CAPCO JEN 0013365 '> INDUSTRY STATEMENT: AS3EST05-CEMENT PIPES AND PUBLIC HEALTH" The asbestos-cement manufacturing industry in the Philippines is happy to hear of the decision of the President to have a committee conduct an inquiry into the relationship between the use of asbestos-cement pipes arid public health. We have always maintained that an objective, scientific and medical investigation should be conducted in order to bring out the facts about asbestos-cement pipes. We are extremely, confident that the findings will uphold our contention and that of asbestos-cement pipe users all over the world, that the use of these pipes pose no danger to public health. We have always remained silent in the past whenever unfavorable commen taries and articles are printed about asbestos-cement pipes. We had elected to remain silent, knowing that any statements coming from the manufacturers would always be viewed as self-serving. It is, therefore, with relief that we receive the news that an objective inquiry has been ordered by the President. We confidently anticipate that the inquiry will produce similar findings to those of other inquiries conducted by medical and scientific autho rities of other asbestos-cement pipe-using countries: that there exists no established hazard to public health from the use of asbestos-cement pipes. We reiterate that we welcome this inquiry, so that this issue which has so one-sidedly plagued our industry can be objectively investigated, for the peace of mind of the public and the continued life of our industry. ETERNIT CORPORATION . ITALIT CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT' CORP. CARLOS M. EORROMSO Acting Secretary Fibro-Cement Pipe Manufacturers (Eternit Corporation/Italit Construction S Development Corporation) CAP CO JEN 0013366 ATTACHMENT 5 ' ! .vS.-.-fuCV?rg-'- . c- *'i :-v * LEAST one-third of Metro Ma-.j* volvt 2 staggering amount.' ij ' *s 20,000-kilometer water pipes,. ^This was disclosed yesterdnyby*' sgSpsel us w rcpwuc uieuu-. .* .-.wt .how,-am w(uiv< ; as:.-A "nationwide asbestos water replacement 'of-" ttration as they stopped sJloncoln;pipes; would,in*?.-Vater projects_using,asbestospipes.14 'iO'COi ' ' *""------ "--t\*V.'v*-** From Page 1 " ; dir.g to t report of those who do not tinker /pipes. ,, . - vi* asbestos, in this ' This prompted An Barbara Peters to the `case, however,'asbestos to announce a World Safety.Organi was not ingested through - -'`months bade that es- zation a few 'months asbestos pipes . but 'Acs 'pipes could stay a$o. These are esbes- through `the action of the ` MWSS . progn' tosir, lung cancer, me sothelioma and pleu ral plaques, all respira tory ailments. \fc She said . studies tiny libers Li the respira `Nonetheless, Azuria s tory tract which catch he was clad Use Presii. and sweep *way asbestos stopped - the use of particles ftctn the lungs. beitos pipes because * causing these '.to . `.be ` their possble dangers . swallowed. V.'r* -.-health. : * . have: also started to' . JBut an article in the - In the case cf pin show that asbestos-re Water, Engineering and V-piptt, Peters h her tepi lated diseases are not Management's May 1951 ,?; cited studies linking su confined .to workers in asbestos mines or shipyards but also to people.who may have been exposed to as bestos dust through - issue cited the stand 'of `pipes to cancer* . St:r.eu "on the pitfalls. A report by W-K of making conclusions on * Davis in World HezU cases where asbestos was ingested fust through in- . halation.*... 1--7 v :**' * - "The fact that expo ingredient * of plus: dther ways, *7*' v- sure to air heavily pol- pipes, is a human car. , ,',,,Pett;s also cited re luted with asbestos mh -rsogtn.'`hesa;d. ' ports .Cut gastro-jntes* r.eraJ fibers often leads -X? -> Pettts .* said: *Ti .itnal -cancer among as*' ta>iui'wut<(k Increased ctoessdaisxeiiayse.sinddoiccasten,o.tthnae-t.,.;---s.me.le,tcudMojtifloUfltplf\a1fsV.t.icp.:avrC*- ttvo or. three, times overj 'dsinkieg wattt .conlami*. '.'tos pipes) weald no: t rated ,wlih an equally, p'-apptoprute since it h: lace asbeitos.pipe* tV^romptid by:&oW^\^on3i siitn^ ah*d.Rij also uncertain.. .. : nparate .resolutions**search:Centeran.tf.of large * number 'of such v . 'a -cotentiai foe .rimiU fibers nay lead `to the* '' or nceased danger. ; same diseases the w* X *. She sug^estsd that He cited. reports. signed by at least 50 ' P^ery.*s5wn"-s* tic/esaid. .sr t-fs posable to filter t t * polyvinyl; chlo- / assemblymen, which''" yo.lved the pro.ect-, .1 Continuing studies on - Atreat the water rur.nir. : or plastic pipes .' nailed for s legislative of;, the rnatroas ch `were earlier -inquiry into the possi-hea^tlu-. . tt ui sidered `as~a re-.-.,bte harmfut effects of^nvifr pipes- * * ....mment for tsbes-. -asbestos pipes/ : - jj* ' J,i:s^e l p,ajVYvVt ne*l the effeets of asbestos in -* through asbestos pipes t gested w;* water terr.dr.-. . iht fibers. . rd incondurivt. -: The asbestos plpe-bj `1*.* This is why the World in*' project here start; `Health Oigar.hation's re "Jo )ears ago when * gional director for the govtm'mtnt >nsiai'.cd a se cancer.., Western Pacific informed ;.`bestos pipes in the entL- At 'the suDi-uin-. . ..... ibznsa. rube - . Sneaker mittce MaUitmUlraenUt hvekdthme,n'h.viuciruohhne---' ..-;V; hhavvce-..bbeeeenn, tassssdooisccituatletHdd. Health . Minuter Jesus , /.Itr.gth cf Epifanio dc le t'Aauiin.tharthe \VKO has *' Santos Avenue. Befo; 'not -taken any definite - this, steel and ptesras Scd .`tie com- deled i henrinf .t 9 ...;..^`witithh.*'.:eassbbeesetots^, eaccccoorr-. stand on asbestos cement t pipes were used. . tee da fccilth to .tm.Tucsdiy.. , \ CAPCO JEN 0013367 ATTACHMENT 7 . ----------J--------o"-"-- " health/ \\ ' j V-'.. t:-;Tlie'President's move' was prompted by ' a report of the Metropolitan Waterworks j and Sewerage "System' that. these -water j pipes are actually' niade of cement .with -J asbestos'merely ;used as an' outer material * to strengthen them; -'-*'"''':' The asbestos cover | makes up only $ per ii cent of the entire pipe and the asbestos itself t does' not .actually 'touch the water,' said ' Manager Oscar llustre of the.water agency, in his talks with the President ,'.wLV, ,.t/-Tne asbestos'scare : was prompted.by->-'; .ports that it. causes' h cancer.'' The reports said asbestos fibers in water pipes that con*, tain the mineral,-^, are,!, .carried, in the .water .and pose grave danger 'to those who'drinkit-i , V;The \Vorld ^Healthj `'tOrgan ization.'-^how-? ever, *`has.s nor^nadeV .'any stand* sonWhetherJ l-ornotthe'inaiena} is,v 'indeed, .i*>carcinogen i ;'or cancer agent-" This": prompted Health MK; nister Jesus Azurih to -say*' *' few s.months' :.back that the ..water i sagency 'can .Continue' ' u sing the ; asbestos*' ,'reinforced '-/-water... `pipes. V.^., '' ZU Weeks later," how* .ever, `.the/ President /issued ' thc*''ban, Re*- ` acting, llustre said it would cost the govern* *ment billions of pesos | to dig up all the asbes*. `tos-reir.force'd `water' pipes in the country. llustre brought with him -to'Malacc*. ftang'* for. the Presi* * . dent's personal inspec tion/several excavated' **:" * ./.* ,.,ToPage6 ' gomiSfi ids ^ .......................... .. fjrsr;;g-y l HuTtre'said 'asbei^ " { pipes'fused-/by v the':*pi?M were lint'5 meters of water pipes, '300 kilometers will be . v^watertgency.-iv;/*:^ out In the coun*':i .made' up of the ce* f<V-.The P resident"/-: r29> .years-ago.' mer.t with*; asbestos examined the pices -'./.These picas were sup*/ w casing.'.The`rest will and atreed with Ilus* " potted by cast iron -be made of cut iron, *.*.tie .that they 'were'f **sc reinforced steel `*'reinforced . steel and ! * laxgely_made-.ot .ee* 1" J.t. was only Id years ' other materials. ` `V-mer.t . with 'asbestos I'wo,-however, when : . serving only "as outer V-tne entire length of .* :The. water expan- ' .material. j/," ' the then Highway 54, - sion program Is fi* v` To ea$e"`remajningv now Epifanio de los ` nanced by the World ...anxieties,' the .Pres;* '-.Santos `avenue, was Bank and the Asian ' dent created a five*-; "t with asbestos Development Bank />: man/presidential ad* -'pipe*. ;--W' and -involves a total / 'visory .vcyo,m,,;mnmittCeVe "tlOo '* * ililUusiltlrCe Usa1iQd mthailt inn" ; .`Y'.-fcnoinHdu'vctt-.at studyon`."Metro-MIfanila, <thue__re amount of P3.4 bfi* `tli,on about P 1.2 billion .A the dangers of using' ' are only1.700'kilo- has been set aside for . -*ch n!M *nA <.<- . .a/ __ ' pipes. ; At the 3itasp Pambtnst, a group of assembtymen scored "'Ituscrc lor reportedly asking the. President '* .to lift the ban on the `y. use of the asbestos*^ V'reinforced; ' /water/ . 'v.r/.'r or "the `sake'of ;-/.*the health and lives of '"*, eight million clients of ,,; the* MWSS -.la Metro ;h Manila, - Mr. ` Ilustr should athasi have the. .'.decency'to withhold ' his request for the lift*, /Ing of.tke,b3n until' after .the : Issue . of w.hstherasbesios pipes . `t'pere a danger lepublic ,. : -v.,...v*. . *n -UlC JT.iOSl Ot & 'In his presentation -waterworks expansion to'the President, Ilus-'/ program.-The program i health has been setV-tled t.-fcy competent . -.tre said cement pipes started In`.1979 and r.health authorities and ;* with asbestos' support `rare ^teing ".used--tor. calls for an additional 1,500 kilometers ;of. * experts,"; the. Slid. V; r\J solons*' many countries.* -In `water pipes .ir'liustre'haf`been 1 the'.`United :States - Metro Manila's water V among those 'l-.vitcd 1 >. alone,>^he :*aid, ^rjpply from 350 rail* ;/ to appesr at, Batesin ; '430,000 kilometers of \ lien gallons`a day to: he'arings /-'starting " these pipe* have been. 660miUiongallons.The Tuesday on'"the'ef* j laid cut . t.; *. `target date -for the- ---fects .of asbestcsplpes -...' The'furor over the-'completion -* of* -the*' -ion the",`:peopU,i; / dangers* of ` asbestos /`program is early next /health. The.heylnp' pipes started In .the .year*.*." -- - fl had .been demanded CAP CO JEN 0013368 iMh * -.System that ihe J pipes 'are acttaualllyy * 'made of-cement with asbestos-.u' sed and the local Wawand.Uti*'*;'jr *>."'7 -.Jr `lilties Administration (LAVUA)., ;a /merely . as an outer strengthening *.': THE PRESIDENTsfornied ye;/t..,/ft''.ee: lt * ( -material, consisting of only five per*/.-terday a'five-man adviwryscommit-' * * , 9^ar lhis,rc took cent of thepipe. -/l.`,K ./'t*e to .conduct scientific-study. .on_ - \ (Please turn to Page 6) : - r/ '.**/ *- / (FropiPage I)- "v*//. ; . to i/MaLcanattg several excavated Iron." reinforced :stl . and . other "pipes Ibc ing used in Metro Manila for .`TOJKtut>. \+\ * ' - * ..jhefresiJem's inspection. ' 'Learning of The. pipes included thovv* Nude 0< sjid total prohibition on um.* of cement 'east iron reinforced by steel atid pipe> u>.iniJ 3>U`'lo- would mean diytiflj: /ccmeiit reinforced by asbestos Lid i cut 29 years ago. the presence of some of his -callers, members of the Piwident's up all of thow alrcjJy laid underground at a time when the MU'SS lu* secured hum* fot it\ watstwotkN cNpajvnon. . . ; tinder thi< program ongoing <imv 1979. an additional 1,500 kilometer* *f staff and other officials, the Piesl- pipe* are to lx*-bid'out to iiutcaw* .the :'dont examined the pipes at the fiont . water `aui'ply in `the metropoH1.111.area .doot ,.rr.'.kMi-iil.a.-n.-aTs.. and1 rro*unad -. fdr3oym.350Umlifl,li,on^to 660 milblio,nncg\a,lh>nwOIa. j t. according to a MaLcanaiig press Of the total length of pipeline. MO kilo-' * release that in the case of those meters are to to nude .of tlo a>lO\i*s- ,- made of ctment. the asbestos was cowrcd pipe**. . * ' merely used as 3 strengthening otiier /material and consisted of only 5 per* With tlie ` l'fc'ittent** directive, the contractor* cm proceed with the laying out of the pipes, which had already Uvn jcent ;uf. the total pipe.- material.' ordered.'According to the MVVSS, th. ."`/He. was informed that .'the water*.*.bulk :'of ;<.\th<:*c .pipe* it'made.locally h inside the'-.pipe passes through the *i'.` l .Tlie/ncvily-ereaccd prewdcfttul advh *5 : >ce^menntt.va.nwdt uis nort,t touched uby th.e *>'X*u*riwnnhwamiMa<e"cnuvn.idtbecrrtxiteMecinhiiaia\itlrmer.ruu\rrfWildrniipil of Q. *; asbestos.* tV.} >vv Javx*r of the National Scrvuce'sud Tech* t jVouducting a'scpjrate inquiry on the dl :-iist "nr.'Ilicsc-pinbSr-Ilic-MWSS Ui'a,!a''i P"1"1TM1- Pi'ii'Pi-nn- t : \ * 2 .-*.r , .Cltamber ot Commerce and Jndd%try. ...assessment aid In mf-jrii, it of the , KIPORTS iu iU Pn-Mi-m iln- pCrcatKip *,of the special^ advisory^ ,V]\VSS cited opinion of then Minister of ' f'Vommi'ttec* Studying* the '* nutter. . 'Health Kcrique Gjrda and the I'hilsppinc - The MVVSS submitted statistics Cancer Society on Uw Ove of wch pijw . '.s-sftloiuwniirn.gi: itlhiaati cccemmccnntt'ppipiieKsi sstlrreenngiithh- "1 "" j ?,c 01 '"f fM'W"-- .. Canecx 4Svoc\iiveitry tuhmamt .a1t ptcurnt there i\* inivo cncd. by ;asbcsios are used in many _ ^nnirc findm? which link .the uv* of countries, -.snd that .worldwide, an ^abeto pijv% to gavir^iuteNtpul cancer,** * 'cstimatcd"f,5 million miles in length die PCS uid in 1931. . ;'/**' *?* " i of such pipes have beets constructed Mmhtci Gareis.in his opinion Nvucdln t| *** : * ;Vuhdctpbtmd ffor/ water systems. .15S0, oit die other hand, wid **dw opt*. ' nion of die Minhtet of Health that a>be>tos filvt, if inpntcd into tK* >>u*m,* ' IS METRO Manila, out of about w3! not constitute a health lu/ard as it i *.*4,700 kitometen of -cxioiny* pipeline. normally diH'ttarsvd with cvcreta.**. /. *. `only' atxiut 29? .knv.*or about 17 V Garcia said that al\lo filers are ' "percent . are nude of ->uch matcrijN hazardous to Ininun health uhen inlulcd. " tuliilb* tlie re^t arc rtjde - -of ^ t*rq 'xf bifeued. CAP CO JEN 0013369 ATTACHMENT 11 't'. ^ Mnlacaiiang by M1VSS General_Mann ' "'"'Vgcr "Oscar Ilustre."-' *,, .*.* ' -.'i V'ing to'recent findings,*/ j-.ani that asbestos fiber \ 'might be'carcinogenic ; 'or'caricer-causingib-'.'-".'=- i-The President *directed..'the*-MlVSS ~ Sgen.erel.. manager, to v CAP CO JEN 0013370 i.-lP/lQL-/t>2 h'cvori-.cr 2s, 1&32 attachment 12 tlXHltaTS. CbS'iS liS-JlXIjj Uiuioirry of Health Can be.rare Ceasyountl a. a. ;; V h A Cusx :=iiiitr A:-:uri: ASbccxof-cutiti? iw.'a'Z: ibv.h'r;: Jiv* .criO.-nx ef introduction/ .Ctornit. Cor:<orv.iKt sod Stal.it Cossstructioa a itev&ior;i.tnC Corpora, cion arc- rcariuSacrurc-rfi of aHL.csfccst-ovir-.etx-c pir.-o and i-oiidir:~7 produces in cho Tni e.tvuporn tier-..-:, ttstubliaiioil over va.'--;u.v years tvo, rroceiTixy or-ylr/v U30 pc-rsons have- for eivi r.cxr<r.;s: r.jLJLIAo;-; iiiViijt'ji'. in sicili-tite*. ixornib a.*i t:*i- Xrnlit Cozy-fitutiorji- Mii-iaxtrts iixo. c;5\:e..ia-4u;snt or a l'ro4iidoi;t>.-';i A-ivicory Ccu.eiitiis; oh the safety or for the cc/i:vi>y.'..-,c.v: of oriniJ.ii;; wt.ci.-r, V.'e it.h Intel is that such objective, scientific in-vviraf.:-. boa'c .servo the i-iterec ts of *13. viirtinc-. ths cu-jlic, cc-vorr-sv^at {.RC try. Is; ts-s spirit of coys-oratior,, w.clotwsl arc (1) a of tun nadic-ci iysd ccrorstific nfv.x.;j.y cojdV.xctnu c.a .ir;$vcvd 4ii.-b-i7-.xoV/ And (X) cii;-d in ra-.o syf.:5.-.`.r.y' *ni neMitry was i-rerarc--! by th* ;-./C Vie* A^sociition, f-n iuc-.-r;n;i:.!or,.'--l .rasocic'tic:: ;:-aaaneerier;;..; rn x-.-iahm-jCti.;/ j'.-.C. Cha J-snoci-stion is . votrXdwido irifcr/.-utiOu rcv-rco os; i pur ,-'c-rsri:v.:i-. of i/C Vint: 5jnv..-,che \vbl.. a.-. tot; inov-atry *s.y-.jlv.s;-*:: c-.s occ-.spt-.cio:;.;! ,-viaLfcn are; c.-i ti Co7`;. '-:efi-.-x ;;.-.-d tT.il it Cv-n: Cry-'-: iv-n dv.'-.'.vr.lt;r.vr.jr.i-.f. vac- CuaC tins-rv its no i. evoor: aubcatvs in c'ri-.his-y wr.Cxsr red *:.y ciitix-ci*; f/C yiv-.i 1:-; :; core i. ary or:v.ti- v-iitcr y-;r-.ir,c n-.itorieJL. trie judcv-.-csi ic bco.-od on nine year-:- o yf.tcics of uci-.x:; covuictic-cy to ar.orisjtos is; Crii.hi!:^ ac-;r. >d i'.ii't"...;'. yoats or rusoaccV. oa Isvic-facory .uni-.-.aii'. r:d?.iUstOA7:d .I'lCyc rm-it;; of i-.c/crris; vatur c-r .M3, of t;so.'j'! staCi*s w-ii'i: coby ir.hepti/iO.j.'tc or .jc.vc-rr.;iy:ic fecicr/ilotc/ --iso no fir-icsaial .i-.-r.-ii;-rb in iis.d .receive no tiri.T_ici.il repiort irov- the. .-/C piyv try. !ioe;. .show th-af tlis-r* i.v fx c-vx-.r-o vivx effo.ee ht.-t3.rh L-oir, c.ri.iil-.i:.-.! vntor/ .v/C ,yiyt aoo ony oi.v:r:;o CAPCO JEN 0013371