Document BRgakM3mbwZgZ0DemRnB7OeNw

i for T. P. Norris W. C. Thurber J. E. Walsh KC-FHe/ NF-File (fafidria UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION P.O. Box 579 Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14302 By_ Da+e E. J. Kleber 11/6/74 Full Name Address Mfrs. of U.S. Gypsum Company South Gate, CA Interviewed Mort Higgs - Technical Director BACKGROUND A call was made on U.S.Gypsum in June to compare fiber counting techniques with them. Their fiber counts were averaging in the neighborhood of 3 fibers/cc while an insurance company survey indicated levels of closer to 10 fibers/cc. Counts performed at their plant showed this same difference. Our counts, on the same filter, were 9 fibers/cc and theirs were 3 fibers/cc. It became obvious that their calculat ing procedure, sent to them from the home office in Chicago, was in error. Mr. Higgs said he would try to clear the matter up with the research center and let me know their feelings. He called to let us know what happened. OBSERVATIONS Mort began by saying that after looking over the matter, the research people acknowledged that they had made a rather serious mistake. As I understand it, all the U.S. Gypsum plants have been living in a dream world getting counts that are nowhere near accurate. This new development has set off something of a panic since all of a sudden plants that thought they were well within the limits are now at the ragged edge or over. Mort is interested in any help we can give him regarding methods of keeping the fiber counts down to a reasonable level. He also mentioned that the environmental people in Chicago would be appreciative of help. Told him I would gather what we have and call him back shortly with information on techniques, packaging, etc. On an entirely different matter, Mort said he has been recently involved in checking out competitors' asbestos-free tape joint compounds and has two observations: (1) They are universally second rate and (2) most have replaced asbestos with fibrous talc. He claims they could use asbestos-free TJC's if they had to but really would rather not. He is also aware of the great spraying debate in California and the flap about sanding in Oregon. He expressed hope that both issues can be resolved. To briefly summarize, U.S. Gypsum seems to be in a panic over all the asbestos/health questions currently being debated. I am sure any suggestions we have to offer, particularly on in-plant improvements of fiber levels, would be