The aim is to provide reliable information regarding the nature, magnitude, and extent of the emissions of asbestos in the United States for the year 1968. Background information concerning the basic characteristics of the asbestos industry has been assembled and included. Process descriptions are given, but they are brief, and are limited to the areas that are closely related to existing or potential atmospheric losses of the pollutant. The apparent consumption for the year was 817,363 tons and the domestic production was only 120,690 tons. Imports, mostly from Canada, totaled 737,909 short tons. There was no recovery from scrap. Emissions to the atmosphere during the year were 6,579 tons. About 85 percent of the emissions were due to mining and milling operations. Estimates of emissions are based for the greatest part on observations made during field trips, and on the limited information provided by mining, milling, and reprocessing companies. Information was not available regarding the magnitude of the emissions or the particulate size. There were no emission records at any of the locations visited. (Author)

Project Officer: C.V. Spangler. Prepared by W.E. Davis and Associates under Contract Number CPA-22-69-131. "February 1970."