Document KJrnVBBMv4R059O1DwwKadevw

6- - 2.2.5. ReedjGroup^ - showed concern 9 months ago. Their Medical Officer consulted the Chemical Health Officer and sent a letter to Imperial mill, who were intending to use asbestos. He stated that in his opinion, the amount of asbestos vised (less than 2# in the sheet) was too small to be a hazard to health. 2.3 Other Applications Market development in fields such as caulks, sealants, mastics, adhesives and polyesters is still In its infancy, and is currently very active. For these applications it has been necessary to offer the open grade products, because few manufacturers have sufficiently high shear devices to liberate the compacted pellets. All manufacturers are aware of the probable toxic hazards, especially those already utilising asbestos in some of their products. Reaction varies, but it would seem that more objections and refusals to go further have been obtained from the larger firms. This is most likely due to a greater frequency of visits by the Health authorities, and also to more organised union activity. I.C.I. are tightening up their procedures concerning asbestos. Their laboratory personnel have been instructed to wear masks when dealing with the material. The technical section of Dunlop_Chemical is very worried by the management proposal that all asbestos should be eradicated from their works. British Paint report that the factory inspectors have recommended, and will eventually insist on, costly extraction equipment for those departments dealing with asbestos. The technical personnel have stated that there is no substitute for the fibrous material, and they envisage that a compromise will have to be made. 2-4 Dockers Until the last few months, asbestos was imported into the U.K. in hessian bags. Probably as a result of the television programme, the London dockers are now refusing to handle asbestos until the consignments are properly packed in indestructible containers. This attitude has now spread to other ports. For example, less than three weeks ago, a dispute arose at Liverpool docks over a cargo of asbestos. 900 men were involved, and even after the employers had offered to supply masks and overalls, together with additional pay,rates, the dockers refused to work the cargo until it was 'properly' packed. It is believed that bnlylhree ports are now open to the passage of the material. They are Bristol, Hull and Manchester. 3-0 ACTION TAKEN BY UNION CARBIDE 3-1 Visits ICS-007 Three informed sources have been approached since September, 1966. They are