Document 8ReDmLddLxdpB2K8zNq6gBMro

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 18, 1971 DOC#: USG116 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1971 Memo to CP Kipp from RP Entz regarding joint compounds asbestos fiber TO: FROM: SUBJECT: ,fl9 S C, ? , Kipp #117-2 R. ?. Into JOINT COMPOUNDS, ASPRSTPS xTQjv-q August 13, 1971 I EXHisrr I 3|?/ In your letter of July 30th to me you state that we sight yiah to consider marketing the concept of using Ready Mixed Join t Compound, which would eliminate the problea of airborne fibers during mixing in the fie ld . lou also recommend that we consider sponging the join ts in lieu of sanding, which would eliminate airborne asbestos fiber during the finishing operation. We oelieve that there is v a lid ity to your recommendation and i t could be used i f any particular lo cality , Govemnent Regulatory 3ody or a Union, were to attempt to eliminate the use of joint compound because of possible hazardous substances ( i.e ., asbestos fib er). I t i s our considered opinion that i t would be unwise for us to place any lab el on cur present compounds which could be construed as implying that a hazardous substance e x ists. No other marufacrurer has taken such a step g~H we believe we would be placed at a competitive disadvantage. Mere seriously; however, we could precipitate action prematurely which could result in some individual, such as a Senator or a Ralph Nadar, drawing attention to cur nroducts. Research presently hag one "".i working f u ll tine in an attempt to develop joint compound formulations which would be asbestos free and yet provide us with the properties that are necessary to s e ll our products at the market trice . To the best of our knowledge, no manufacturer has an" acceotable product in the US. British Gypsum by law produces compounds which are asbestos free, but the products they produce are unsaleable in th is country or in Canada. Tour reccnmendation provides us with a quick means of overcoming the .Question of airborne ff*i--b s r 3 j ^ a n n y h e n y a find i t necessary. RECE! *b.u f'-iJ RRI:kjs c c : .?152 Dr. J . V. la b o r #117-2 C. M. Howard 3 lb/! U nited, States Gypsum C ompany USG104.2 TAB 3 2