Document 8R3bzaV8gOzJRzqkwr5pbm04Z

- 15 - Hie prepared asbestos has been packaged into small samples, which are now available for distribution. Studies of a wide range of physical and chemical properties of the samples are being made at a number of world research centres. 5.0 REQUEST FOR ANALYTICAL ASSISTANCE It is understood that all the major asbestos producers in the U.K. have proffered their assistance in conducting research work on the International Samples. Dr. Timbrell asked Union Carbide U.K. whether the Corporation would be prepared to assist in a similar manner. He requested that we should carry out trace analyses of the five samples. Apparently, they have no adequate facilities at Llandough Hospital for doing this. Dr. Timbrell has also requested that we should examine identical aliquots of the Canadian Chrysotile sample to determine whether uniform mixing was achieved in Johannesburg. It was explained to Dr. Timbrell that it was impossible to give an immediate answer to his requests. He was, however, promised a reply at the conference on the physics and chemistry of asbestos minerals to be held in Oxford on July 19th. Dr. Timbrell, and, hopefully, Drs. Gilson and Wagner, are scheduled to be at this symposium, and arrangements have already been made for them to meet Dr. T. J. Hall and Mr. F. Mumpton of the Union Carbide Corporation. 6.0 DISCUSSION 6.1 Moral Issues 6.1.1. There seems little doubt that the toxic effects of our Coalinga product are still largely unknown. "There is a general inference that Crocidolite is more liable to produce mesothelioma. Exoneration of Chrysotile has not been made, however. A discussion with Dr. W. Taylor of the Department of Social Medicine, Queens College, Dundee, two days ago, revealed that concern over asbestosis is still increasing, and that Chrysotile is definitely implicated along with the other types of asbestos. It therefore seems that on the basis of present evidence, we are not entitled under any circumstances to state that our material is not a health hazard. What is more, if it is believed that a potential customer would use our material 'dangerously', and that he is unaware of the toxicity question, then It must surely be our duty to caution him and point out means whereby he can hold the asbestos air float concentration to a minimum. 6.1.2. There has been a general recognition that Union Carbide has shown a praiseworthy responsibility in offering a pelletised product. Undoubtedly, this has contributed considerably to the continuance of negotiations with a number of papermaking firms, where dust extraction equipment to deal with an open product is inadequate. On the other hand, the Resin Grade (open) and High Purity open materials do not possess this benefit, and the moral question is ICS-016