content is "beset by unanswered questions." At all levels, laboratory experience is "slowly disappearing/' And the computer is no substitute. Indeed, the task force warns, "The computer, instead of liberating instruction, threatens to put it into a straitjacket—conveying subtly the false notion that science is all known and closed instead of exploratory and open-ended." Despite the disclaimer, the task force's 40 recommendations for easing the problem are generally reasonable and many are probably practical, even if fairly obvious: Require more science to be taught at all levels; expand and improve teacher training; revise chemistry
curricula; develop model programs for elementary science education; make laboratory work an important part of all chemistry instruction. O n e specific r e c o m m e n d a t i o n topped the list: Scientific societies, including the American Chemical Society, should work together to form a National Council on Education in Science & Technology, to oversee and coordinate a national effort, with particular emphasis on precollege education and on improving public understanding. Also, the U.S. government should support the formation of 10 "regional science centers" that would serve as focal points for improving precollege science teaching. D
Dow increases holding of Morton Thiokol stock Dow Chemical made stock purchases last week that raised its interest in Morton Thiokol, a specialty chemicals, aerospace, consumer products, and salt company, to 8.03%. The disclosure touched off speculation that Dow might be planning to acquire Morton Thiokol, whose chairman said last month that he was concerned the company might become a takeover target. Dow also has disclosed that it has bought, through its corporate investment program, 1,280,900 shares, or 9.3%, of Millipore Corp., a separation technology company, and 1,170,200 shares, or 5.5%, of Rorer Group, a pharmaceuticals house. Dow e n t e r e d last week w i t h 991,000 shares, or 5.9%, of Morton Thiokol, but made additional purchases on Tuesday and Wednesday to raise the stake to the current 1,349,500 shares. The company states that the purchases were made for investment purposes only. "We made the purchases as part of an ongoing program," a Dow spokesman reiterates. "Our intent was to purchase stock for investment purposes. Nothing has changed except the number of shares we own." Since 1981, Dow has invested, it says, sometimes sizably, in some 50 companies. Dow holds shares in about 10 now, including one other major stake—more than 10% of Magma Power Co., a development-stage
geothermal resources firm based in Los Angeles. The investment program is authorized by the board of directors and is funded through the company treasury. Analysts tend to believe Dow has no current intent to acquire Morton Thiokol. Despite Dow's stated desire to get half its earnings from specialties by the late 1980s, analysts note Dow has never stressed aerospace or electronic chemicals, two of Morton Thiokol's major businesses. Also, one says, "If they were going to buy, they wouldn't have pussyfooted around like this." D
Lower limits proposed for asbestos exposure The Occupational Safety & Health Administration once again is trying to lower its permissible exposure level for asbestos. The proposed standard would reduce the level from 2 fibers per cc of air to either 0.5 or 0.2 fiber per cc. The agency estimates that lowering the permissible exposure level will reduce the risk of death for workers exposed to asbestos at least 75%. An estimated 375,000 U.S. workers are exposed to asbestos, including 49,000 exposed to a level above 0.5 fiber per cc and an additional 4000 above 0.2 fiber per cc. According to OSHA, at the present
level of 2 fibers per cc, employees exposed over a working lifetime of 45 years have an excess risk of dying of cancer of 64 in 1000 and of contracting disabling and often fatal asbestosis of 50 in 1000. Both of these risks are significant and unacceptable, the agency contends. It adds that the underlying data upon which the quantitative risk assessment is based are the result of highquality epidemiological studies conducted in occupational environments. Thus OSHA says that it is confident that the studies are representative of actual workplace conditions. This proposed permanent revision of the standard follows an emergency temporary standard issued last November, which lowered the level to 5 fibers per cc. That standard was overturned in March by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Like the emergency temporary standard, the proposed standard covers general industry, maritime, and construction employees. But OSHA is considering a separate final standard for the construction industry. In the proposed standard, OSHA says it would permit any feasible combination of engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment to reduce exposures from 2 fibers per cc to the new level. OSHA estimates that using respirators to reduce exposure levels to the new level of 0.5 fiber per cc would cost about $66 million initially and more than $53 million annually; reduction to 0.2 fiber per cc would cost more than $68 million the first year and almost $56 million each year thereafter. However, engineering and work practice controls alone must be used to reach the 0.2 level. The agency is requesting comments on such matters as the definition of asbestos, possible alternative exposure levels, the limits of the ability to measure asbestos concentrations, and use of an "action level." Comments on the proposal, which was published in the April 10 issue of the Federal Register, must be in by May 25. A public hearing on the proposed standard will be held in Washington, D.C., beginning June 19. D April 16, 1984 C&EN
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