Document JJLw6NemGnboxyBmqMOYLVbXO

3P 10-1 INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Hr. John Woodsnail C. W. LehnorC ASBESTOS FIBER IN JOINT CCHPOOHDS cc: Hr. 0. . Burch - Portland Mr. I. W. Richards - flgards Mr. f. X. Godfrey - Portland" __ DATE: Juno 19, 1973 LOCATION: Jetroit Sales LOCATION: rlg-rd ^ PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT GP-202 b I uill try to respond to your customers' concern about asoestos fiber prompted by our labeling of joint system bags. This caution label is -eouired by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We have always used asbestos fiber in our joint system products, so if there is a hazard, it is no different today chan it has been in the past. The hazard is the inhalation of asbestos fiber. The degree of hazard would depend on the concentration of asbestos fiber in the air and duration of exposure to chat air. The nealth problems associated with asbestos have occurred in situations where workers have been exposed ts high eoaeaatratlema of asbestos fiber over a period of years. Joint compounds contain relatively small parcentages (2-8X) of asbestos fiber. OSHA has Imposed a number of stringent standards on plants where products are manufactured containing asbestos fiber. These include limitations on the concentration of fiber in the air, procedures for handling the asoestos fiber, use of protective devices (.res pirators), periodic medical examinations, and labeling of all products containing asbestos fiber. 1 am not aware of any OSHA regulations for the use of ioint system products. However, it Is recognized that there is some exposure during the mixing of dry products aad tho sanding of Joints after the joint compounds have been applied. The level of asbestos fiber concentration at those times is not presently known. The industry is currently planning tests to determine the level of airborne asbestos during tho mixing and sanding. In the meantime. It would probably bo advisablo for workers engaged la those operations to wear respirators. Once mixed or wotted, tho asbestos fiber is not subject to becoming airborne and, therefore, is no longer hazardous. For example, ready mixed products would present no problem other than perhaps the sanding. RECEIVES by 21 IQ?? WSUM Division SGP 0006683 Mr. John WoodsmaH 2 June 19. 1973 On* solution of the asbestos fiber problem for all concerned is to eliminate It from our products. We are engaged In a program to find ways to do this. Our first efforts were with joint system textures beceuse we felt the spray application presented some special problems. At this time we are about 90Z converted to non-aabestos texture formulas, We are now directing our attention to our dry and ready mixed joint compounds. I hope this Information will answer our customers' questions concerning the possible haxards of asbestos fiber and the actions being taken to eliminate or minimise those haxards. CWLjoIe SGP 0006684