Document 4QoEmrBdj9LpjZxQmJgX2539R

FILE NAME: Drywall Spackling Compounds (DWSC) DATE: 1975 DOC#: DWSC023 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letters between Mt. Sinai, the NIEHS & Companies, with Barry Castleman Comments Barry I. Cartleman EN VIRO N M EN TA L, C O N SU LT A N T / 1738 Riggs Plage, North West, Washington, D.C. 20009/202 387 7595 Package from Art Rohl on Spackle, Etc. This is the correspondence between Mt. Sinai and the NIEHS, and the companies. Most of this occurred soon after the publication of the Science paper in August, 1975* 1. Rutland Fire Clay Company, letter to Frank Raftery (President of painters union) June 10, 1975 The firm's dry and ready mixed joint taping compounds contain chrysotile asbestos; caution statement added to the product labels. 2. Bondex International, letter to Selikoff 9/5/75* METRO Spackling Compound does not have asbestos :in its formula. Rohl replyi (9/16/75) METRO has 4-6 percent tremolite asbestos, a common contaminant of talc. Note Here we see that some manufacturers may be making asbestoscontaining products and are not even aware of iti 3. Synkoloid Company letter to Selikoff, 9/4/75 9/18/75* Rohl reply, 9/12/75* First letter says their spackling paste and powder have been free of ashestos for at least 20 years; Rohl replies that their "Synkc Triple Duty Joint Compound" is 8-10$ chrysotile. Oh yes, they respond, the joint compound does have 5*9$ chrysotile, to be exact. They plan to do away with the chrysotile by the end of 1975* Notei Here we see that they were less than forthright in asking for men tion that their spackle had no asbestos, while neglecting to say that their joint compound had asbestos. Asbestos removal summarily achievable, obviously. -- as was also the case with U.S.Gypsum. 4. Consumers Union lists spackle manufacturers from Hardware Age 1975 Buyers Guide, 5. Rohl memo to Selikoff 8/5/75 lists five taping and spawkling compounds analyzed for painters union, samples submitted July, 1975* Four contain chrysotile and/or tremolite asbestos, the highest being S-C-L Vinyl Taping Compound (10-15$ chry. and 8-12$ trem.) These are presumably samples of stuff sold immediately prior to publication of the Science article. 6. Two-page list of "consumer spackling compounds" lists the 15 products tested in the Science paper, the manufacturers, and the amounts of asbestos minerals in each. Note that anthophyllite is another asbestos mineral. The samples were purchased l) in 1972 or prior, and 2) in January, 1974. <4 o, Ui ,- f^ ) 3 o ' ,? y ir - April 14, 1976 AREA CODE 02 775-53 IS GLAZING COMPOUND ACRYLIC SEALANT BUTYL CAULK ( SCALING COMPOUND TUB-CAULK PANEL ADHESIVE FIRE RUTLAND CLA O V C PI Y COM 90 YEARS PANY VERMONT 0 5 7 0 1 KCX SPACKLING PATCHING PLASTER HOBBY PLASTER VINYL WOOD PUTTY JOINT CEMENT KWIK-PATCH PLASTER C E M E N T P A IN T S ft S C A L E R S MYORAULIC CEMENT SILICONE WATER REPELLENT ANTI-SPALLING COMPOUNO CONCRETE PATCHER LCX-CRCTE ROOF CEMENTS ROOF COATINGS & PAINTS METAL PAINTS T H A N E ft T H A N E EN A M EL FURNACE CEMENT WATER GLASS June 10, 1975 Mr. S. Frank Raftery, General President International Brotherhood of Painters and United Unions Building 1750 New York Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 Allied Trades Dear Mr. Raftery: This is in response to your May 30, 1975 letter concerning the proposed mineralogical investigation of joint taping compounds. We produce both a dry and a ready mixed compound. We believe it might simplify the job of Dr. Selikoff's group if we state that both our joint compounds contain the following mineral fillers: marble (calcium carbonate) mica platy talc chrysolite asbestos yellow ochre A Formulas for the compounds have not been changed in over eight years. We-share^in^tbe^concern^over-=-the-..potential hazards ofaexcessive. worker, exposure to asbestos fibers ...Accordingly,, we ,,are., adding a caution, statement, to -our. labeTs^ta.-A.,ainp.lg of `the caution for our.' reddyfTnlbre'd^bmpb'U'n'a'^''S7-attac.jiedt" If you still wish samples for analysis to confirm the above information, we will be pleased to comply. AW :jb Sincerely, $ (J' A. Willard, Chief Chemist EI..C2'jam jae taroctarjoaaiisrm: or a re n a jiarrs:joiracuscmr i:a its :arneErix  C A U T I O N : CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. INHALING I DUST FROM DRY CO M POUND M A Y BE HARM FUL. | If compound needs smoothing after application, it is j preferable to damp-sponge compound before it d ries, ; or 1o wet-sand after it dries. If dry sanding is needed, ventilate area, and w ear Bureau of Mines approved dust mask or equivalent. _________ _________________________ _> (eaipejd ajaqM papuaujujooaj s\ 3u|3uods Jo 3u|puas pa}E|i}uaA ||9M eajE daa>j -saup jo neajng Aq paAcudde jojejidsaj pus uojpapjd aAa JE3M pnpojd s_iq) 3uipues-Ajp uaq^ -uiieij Aiipop; snouds asneo ueo jsnp sojsaqsB Smqpajg S83813 S 0 1 S 3 8 S V SN IV 1N O O : f s i o u n v o Phone 216 225-3169 tu <- INTERNATIONAL BRUNSWICK, OHIO 44212 U. S. A. September 5, 1975 Dr. Irving J. Selikoff Environmental Science Laboratory Mt. Sinai Medical School 5th Avenue & E. 100th New York, New York 10029 Dear Dr. Selikoff: As the manufacturer of one product, METRO SPACKLING COMPOUND, mentioned in a recent newspaper article as be'ing used in your studies of spackling com pounds we would greatly appreciate receiving a copy of your report of findings to date and most specifically as related to our product. Our concern is in the fact that the article identifies our product as one of four samples containing asbestos in amounts from k to 12% by weight.. We feel these figures must be incorrect specifically in view of the fact that our formula does not call for the addition of any asbestos in this product and the percentages listed could hardly be considered "traces" , In view of this and other inaccuracies in' the article you can appreciate our concern and we would like to have a copy of this report for our ref erence file. Thank you. Sincerely yours, BONDEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. JkN/tw Julius K. Nemeth ct iru n e m o m t p f a i m p o M i n tpimf pivfr n i / September 16, 1975 Mr. Julius K. Nemeth Bondex International, Inc Brunswick, Ohio 44212 Dear Mr. Nemeth: Dr. Selikoff has asked me to respond to your inquiry of September 5 regarding the asbestos content of a sample of Metro. The sample in question was a 1 lb. box of spackling compound for interior wall repair, which I purchased at a hardware store in New York City in January 1974. Fifteen samples of other consumer spackling compounds were also purchased and analyzed by optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction and transmission, electron microscopy. The results of these analyses showed that the Metro.contained plaster of Paris, talc, tremolite and quartz. Tremolite is an asbestos mineral and it comprised from about 4 to 6% of the Metro sample. You have pointed out that the Metro formula does not call for the addition of asbestos but you may have overlooked the fact that many talc deposits contain tremolite. When the talc is mined and processed the tremolite is carried over into the final product. The report on spackling compounds was published in the journal Science on August 15. It did not give product names, although subsequent news articles did, in some cases. I will send you a reprint of the Science article when it becomes available. If I can be of further assistance" please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely yours, Arthur N. Rohl, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences Laboratory ANR:sl cc: Dr. I.J. Selikoff The Synkoloid Com pany.. 2945 Ca*t Mona Str*l * Dominguez Industriai pa/fc Combien, C a lifo r n ia 9 022 1 Telephone; (2 1 3) 537-M 5 makers of 7. cf/ / o MAILING ADDRESS: P.O . Bo i 60 93 7 l o i A iq 1*> Cohf- OOAO products j September 4, 1975 MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL 5th Avenue @ 100th Street New York, N. Y. 10029 Attn: Dr. Irving J. Selikoff Environmental Science Laboratory Dear Sir: We have just read an article appearing in the New York Times which was headed "CONSUMER NOTES - ASBESTOS WARNING GIVEN FOR SPACXLB'* (copy attached) in which you were mentioned as having directed scientific studies of 15 kinds of spackle purchased in New York City We are writing you because our company's products were not mentioned in this article. For your information, the Synkoloid Company produced the first ready-to-use Spackling Paste in the United States under the name "Synkoloid*s Spackling Paste". In addition, we have manufactured "Synkoloid*s Spackling Powder" for over 30 years. Vie are pleased to advise that - for at least the last 20 years - neither product contained any asbestos fibers, nor do they now. We wou] apprcia vert m u c h r e a n q m e i,, n your fana.- report. o n e with that thought in mind, we are taking the liberty of sending you regular containers of each product with the hope that you w i 11 be able to include them in this final report. If this is not satisfactory, wo assume you will arrange to obtain samples in New York City. A reply will be appreciated. Sincere}-, yours. rrv xx P'.OID COM PAN Vice -y 7 :.o ) drendemt A .o./ Geo I Manager q :m /<- September 12, 1975 The Synkoloid Company P. 0. Box 60937 Los Angeles, California 90060 Dear Sirs: Thank you for your offer of the spackling paste and powder. We will include them in our on-going study.and apprise you of the results. We recently had opportunity to test another of your products "Synko triple duty Joint compound" (dry), pro vided to us by the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied trades. We found that it contained from 8-10% chryso- tile with no indications of this asbestos content on the label. ' Sincerely yours, Arthur N. Itohl, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences Laboratory ANK:sl The Synkoloid Company M AILIN G ADDRESS: P.O . Box 60V37 lo i Angeles, C a lif. 9000 Sept. L8, 1975 MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE of The City University of New York Fifth Avenue and 100th Street New York, N. Y. 10029 Attn: Mr. Arthur N. Rohl, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences Laboratory Dear Sir: Thanks very much for your letter of September 12th advising that you will include Synkoloid's Spackling Paste and Synkoloid's Spackling Powder in your on-going study on asbestos fibres. Samples of both products are being sent to you personally from our Atlanta plant and the material should be in your hands early next week. We note with interest your comments regarding Syriko Triple Duty Joint Compound and readily admit to the presence of asbestos fibres. However, we respectfully advise that the content of chrysotile is 5.9% rather than the higher figure quoted. As to the notation of the content of asbestos on our containers, we do have a caution clause on our 25 pound bag used by professional applicators, although it is not indicated on our 5 pound packages. For your information, we have been working on this problem for many months and have now reached the point where the joint compound products are the only ones in our line that contain asbestos fibres. I am now referring to production rather than stocks which may be in the hands of our customers at the present moment. SJB/s cc: Dr. I.J.Selikoff Linda Jones Ron Ware DeWitt House Sincerely yours, THE SYNKOLOID COMPANY // S. J. Burgehon Vice President & General Manager CONSUMERS UNION IA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION / PUBLISHER OF CONSUMER REPORTS November 6, 1975 Dr. Arthur N. Rohl Department of Community Medicine Mount Sinai School of Medicine Fifth Avenue and 100th .Street New York, N.Y. 10029 Dear Art: The enclosed list of spackling compound manufacturers and "brands from Hardware Age 1975 Buyers Guide, page 322, may prove helpful to Irving. ELease note that the list may not he a complete one. With best regards to you, Irving and Art Danger, Cordially, EM: ov Enel. Edward Miller Project Manager 256 WASHINGTON S T R E E T / MOUNT VERNON. NEW YORK 10550 Bondex International Dap Inc. DeMert & Dougherty Inc Evans Adhesive Corp. Gibson-Holmans Co. Harris-Thomas Co. tiacco Adhesives LJacklanburg-Duncan Co. Mantrose-Haeuser Michlin Chemical Corp. Muralo Co. Inc. Red Devil Inc Reliable Paste & Chemical Co. Rutland Fire Clay Co. Sayogram Co. Sherwin-Williams Co. Sterling Clark Lurton Corp. United States Gypsum Co. Willis-Moore Paint Specialties Inc. S y n k o l o i d Co Brand Brunswick, Ohio 44212 P.0. Box 277, 5300 Huberville Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45401 500 W. 41 St., Chicago, 111. 60650 925 Vf. Henderson, Columbus, Ohio 43212 2366 Woodhill Rd. Cleveland, Ohio 44106 Div. American Finish & Chemical Co. 1012 Broadway, Cholesa, Haine 02150 Div. Glidden Coatings & Resins SC M Corp., 304 lakeland Rd., Wickliffe, Ohio 44092 P.0. Box 25188 Oklahoma City, Okla. 73125 Div. Millmaster Onyx Corp. 99 Park Ave., N.Y., N.Y. 10016 9045 Vincent, Detroit, Mich. 48211 100 Church, N.Y., N.Y. 10007 2400 Vauxhall Rd., Union, N.J. 07083 3560 Shields Ave. -Chicago, 111. 60609 Rutland, Vermont 05701 259 Lenox, Norwood, Ma. 02062 1370 Ontario, Cleveland, 0. 44113 184 Commercial, Malden, Ma. 02148 101 S. \7acker. Dr. , Chicago, 111. 60606 1911 E. 92 St., Los Angeles, Ca. 90002 RESURFOVH'fft DURATITE SPAKOLEEZ HANDIPATCH EASY PATCH (viny SPA CKO Pastes only READY PATCH MISTER THENZIT S PACKLE EXTERIOR SPACKL ~ SCHALK PATCH PASTE PATCH-A-WALL COMET Ksx' LEVEL BEST PRESTO PATCH (V:. DEXALL Patching Paste Spatch-PATCH DURA BOD'D TEXOLITE WILMOR .P.O.Box 60937 Los A n g e l e s , Ca. 90060 MAGIC PATCH (Vinyl) MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE of The City University of New York. To: Dr. Irving J. Selikoff From: Dr. Arthur N. Rohl August 5, 1975 Subject: The five samples of drywall joint taping compounds submitted by the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades in July 1975 have been analyzed by x-ray diffraction, optical and electron microscopy. The accompanying table of results shows that four contain asbestos, including tremolite and chrysotile. Three of the five compounds are in padre form with labels indicating a vinyl-type base. In order to determine whether vinyl chloride may be released during application of the corapoi gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to analyze for vinyl chloride. In addition to the three paste compounds described herein, four others in vinyl-and latex-paste form were also analyzed. Results were negative for vinyl chloride. cc: S. Frank Raftery John Pecoraro c. - ft - - a sm MSH CONI RESULTS OF MINISRALOGICAL ANALYSIS OF FIVETAPING AND SPACKLING COMPOUNDS SUBMITTED BY J. PECORARO, JULY 1975 Handi-Patch QUARTZ CALCITE dolomite Sterling Ready Mix vinyl joint cement CALCITE MICA TALC kaolinite chrysot ile(5-8%) t r c m o l i t e (1-2%) S-C-L vinyl taping compound CALCITE MICA TALC kaolinite chrysotlie(10-15%) tremolite(8-12%) Sterling All-purpose CALCITE MICA QUARTZ TALC kaolinite tremolite (1-2%) Synko CALCITE MICA chrysot talc Major components are in capital letters and substances present in lesser quantities are shown in lower case letters. Asbestos minerals,, where present, are underlined and their weight-percentage indicated. TAPING AND SPACKLING COMPOUNDS SUBMITTED BY J. PECORARO, JULY 1975 Handi-patch vinyl spackling Handi-Products Company P.O. Box 1955 Cleveland, Ohio 44106 compound (paste) S C L vinyl joint taping compound (paste) Sterling-Clark Lurton Corporation Malden, Mass. 02148 Sterling 12-Star All-purpose triple use joint cement and texture compound (paste) Stebbins &. Roberts (S R R Inc.) Little Rock, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City cement topping Sterling 12 Star Ready mixes all purpose vinyl joint cement (dry) Stebbins & Roberts (S & R Inc.) Synko Triple duty joint compound The Synkoloid Company 2945 E. Maria Compton, California 90221 (dry) \ ' J l-% v - ( ( AUG M Vjj MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE of The City University of New York F I F T H A V E N U E AND I 0 0 T H S T R E E T - N E W YORK, N.Y. 10029 D/fwirlmrnl 0/ Community yV/tdicinf July 30, 1975 / .f, y c m 'Y *0|Dl'4V David P. Rail, M.D. Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park North Carolina 27709 Dear Dr. Rail: At the suggestion of Dr. Selikoff, I am enclosing a galley proof of a paper which will be published in "Science" within a week or two. The paper deals with analyses of spackling and taping compounds and with asbestos exposure to such compounds. I have also enclosed the brand names of the spackling compounds (which are not given in the paper) and the results of the m:.neralogical analyses for each sample. I hope this information will be of use and would be happy to answer any questions. Sincerely, Arthur N. Rohl, Ph.D Environmental Sciences Laboratory ANR:si GxoOc, O X W . U S - C M W OCvk--<<NVvx. V W 0 , ( ( consumer .-.pachim g compounds The results of the analyses are tabulated below. Major components are in capital letters and substances present in relatively small quantities are shown in small case letters. Asbestos minerals, where present, have been noted and a determina tion of their quantity has been indicated: Pui'chased 1972 or prior . Perf A tape 2. Red top MICA PLASTER OF PARIS DOLOMITE CALCITE KAOLINITE'S, chrysotile (6-8%)) TALC - ~ quartz calcite 3. USG Texolite PLASTER OF PARIS MICA calcite 4. Muralo PLASTER OF PARIS QUARTZ P 7RQPHYLL ITE CALCITE mica kaolinite Purchased January 1974 . Metro 6. Perf A tape 7 . .Arvon 8. latch Paste PLASTER OF PARIS TREMOLITE(4-6%) MICA DOLOMITE QUARTZ ANTHOPHYLLITE(10-12%) QUARTZ ) CALCITE TALC quartz chrysot ile(6-8%) V~`~~f,eTdspar -- () kaolinite calcite . Schalk QUARTZ CALCITE 10. USG Texolite 11. U-G-L Cerfex DOLOMITE PLASTER OF PARIS MICA QUARTZ KAOLINITE CALCITE chry s o t i l e ( 6 - 10)y d mica 12. Muralo PLASTER OF PARIS QUARTZ CALCITE PYROPHYLLITE mica L Kex 14. "New" Kex PLASTER OF PARIS QUARTZ CALCITE kaolinite mica 15. DAP CALCITE ( ......... .. ( Consumer taping and spackling compounds which have been purchased for analysis of asbestos content Purchased 1972 or prior 1. Perf-A-tape Joint System fox- gypsum wall boards; 4 1/2 lb. box (dry) U.S. Gypsum Co., Chicago, 111. 2. . Red Top 111 patching plaster; 5 lb. box (dry) - U.S. Gypsum Co., Chicago, 3. Texolite spackling putty for fine patching; Gypsum Co., Chicago, 111. 5 lb. box (dry) - U.S. 4. Muralo spackle; 5 lbs box (dry) - Muralo Co., Bayonne, N. J. Purchased January 1974 5. Metro spackling compound for interior wall repair; Bondex International, various location 1 lb box (dry) - 6. Perf-A-Tape Joint Systems for gypsum wallboards; 4 1/2 lb. box (dry) U.S. Gypsum Co., Chicago, 111. 7. Arvon Spachling (sic) a ready mixed latex smooth filler material; 8 oz. can (paste) - Arvon Products, Philadelphia, Pa. 8. Patch Paste spackling compound; Union, N,J. 8 oz. can (paste) Red Devil, Inc. 9. Schalk Patch Paste spackling compound; 8 oz. can (paste) Schalk Chemicals subsidiary of Red Devil, Inc., Union, N.J. 10. USG Texolite paste spackling putty ready to use vinyl compound; 8 oz. can (paste) U.S. Gypsum Co., Chicago, 111. 11. U-G-L Cerfex spackling compound; Laboratories, Scranton, Pa. 1 lb. box (dry) - United Gilsonite 12. Muralo spackle; 1 lb box (dry) Muralo Co., Bayonne, N. J. (dry) 13. Kex spackling for wood, plaster and metal; 2 lb. can - Rutland Products, Rutland, V t . 14. "New" Kex paste spackling for plaster walls and wood; 8 oz. can (paste) -- Rutland Products, Rutland, Vt. 15. DAP vinyl paste spackling compound; Dayton, Ohio 8 oz. can (paste) - DAP, Inc. Table II A Summary of rnineralogical analyses of consumer spackling and taping compounds >le No, Chrysot ile Table 1) asbestos 1 + 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 + 7 0 8 0 9 0 10 + 11 0 12 0 13 0 14 0 15 0 Other asbestos minerals Quartz Mica Clay Talc Other silicate minerals 0 + + 4- + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + + + 0 4- + + 0 0 + 0 0 0 + + 0 0 + 4~ 0 0 0 f* 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 + + 0 0 0 + + 0 0 0 0 + + 0 0 4* 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 Techniques utilized: diffraction \ r. optical microscopy, electron microscopy, x-?ray Chrysotile asbestos 3/15 Other asbestosminerals * Quartz 2/15 8/15 Mica 8/15 Clay 5/15 Talc 2/15 .-.Other ;si.licate minerals 3/15 cc: Dr. W.J. Nicholson Dr. A.M. Langer Arthur N. Rohl, Ph.D.