Document LKxnLbpLrqn1L5JQb6KrEdxG7

FILE NAME: Asbestos in Hair Dryers (HD) DATE: D DOC#: HD0 OCUMENT DESCRIPTION: '>ZW^^Z Z^Z>ZZ . .." .."_. ~-'- -.~---:- -'~ SEN.ERAl ElE CJ RIC GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ... 1285 BOSTON AVENUE BRIDGEPORT. CONNECTICUT 06602. Phone (203) 334-1012 HOUSEWARES AND AUDIO '. BUSINESS DI.VISION May 7, 1979 Hon. Catherine C. Cook, Director Product Defect Correction Division U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Washington, D. C. 20207 Dear }Is. Cook: The following summarizes our discussion on April 30, 1979 ..., concerning a proposed voluntary' program on General Elect~ic hair dryers containing asbestos insulation manufactured or' purchased by the Housewares and Audio Business Division ofGeneral Electric Company. We understand the staff has presented the program to the Consumer Product Safety Commission for its approval; and that the . . Commission has defe:red action pen~ing receipt of !he.HTitten desc!iption )of our program. ThlS letter contalns such a descrlptlon. We would . appreciate lrritten confirmation of the Commission's approval of the elements of the program as set forth in this letter . Upon receipt of this confirmation, we will complete those actions necessary to put the program fully in place. The submission of this program does not constitute an admission by General Electric Company that either reportable information or a .. substantial product hazard exists. General Electric Company does not believe oll.r units present, or could present, a health hazard. We a're instituting this voluntary program in response to the concern that some consumers may have over the continued use of hair dryers containing asbes~os insulation. This concern is a result of the recent widespread publicity concerning the utilization of asbestos i~su1ation in hair dryers. The program as presented to you on April 30, 1979 is as follows: . 1. A letter has been sent to General Electric distribution customers signed by Charles J. Fabso, General Manager-HouseilTares and Audio Sales and Distribution Department, dated April 24, 1979 urging such customers to return their stock to General Blectric Company (Attachment I). The letter also urged our distribut~on customers to insure that their customers are aware of the current controversy over using hair dryers ,..-hich contain asbestos' insulation. This letter incorporates language of the Commission staff in the ./ staff's letter to GE dated April 20, 1979. . E"XHIB"IT M AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER GEGIE 00069 . '.'-' ~ ..~ .. _..... ,. -... -- ; .;. -.:-:",:..:.:...:.:","~ GENERAL fjJ. ElECTRIC Hon. Catherine C. Co~k i }.lay 7~ 1979 i Page 2 i'.1 . 2. We have instituted and will continue a program to retrofit all units currently in General Electric's possession (including in transit units and merchandise returned from distribution customers). The retrofit involves' replacing the asbestos insulating 51eeve with amica sleeve for those models indicaLed in Attachment II. It is anticipated that this program will take approximately 3-4 months toco~plete. Such retrofitted units will be appropriately labeled stating that the unit does not contain asbestos' insulation. Two samples of the mica sleeve insulation have been forwarded to Mr. Dale Wilder under separate cover. . 3. C-ommencing the week of April 16) '1979 instructions were issued to Company o\y.ned service centers and franchised independently ofolYned service stations to .institute a retrofit program on GE units returned by concerned consumers. Parts and materials to accomplish the retrofit have already been extensively distributed and in sufficient quantities to insure the program's proper implementation. At present~ \ sUch retrofit can normally be accomplished while the customer waits. 1 :.;i. GE proposes that this retrafi t program continue. If 'tlJ'e are notified 1 that certain service centers or service stations are -overloaded because an unexpected large return of products, we ''lill use our best efforts 1 1 to have such overloads transferred to a location where the retrofit 1; fciafntybeomf asduecmh orreepqauiricckelyn.terTs htehrreouagrehoaupt ptrh9eximcoautenltyryt.wo hundred and 4. An 800 number has been available to take calls from concerned consumers since April 5, 1979. On April 17 and 23, the 800 number capability tofaS expanded to allow the handling of five and then ten phone calls at the same time. 800 number phone operators provide model identification information to consumers who call. If the designated model contains asbestos insulation, the consumer is referred to their nearest General Electric Company.service center or service station. S. Attachment III contains a lis~ of products for which we propose to provide a suitable replacement because we cannot effect a timely retrofit. Also. indica.ted is the suitable replacement. unit we plan to offer the consumer. Pictures of the vaT'ious products have previously been provided to the Commission staff. The replacement product available to the consumer will be a'serviced unit with a one year warranty. Such units will have been safety and performance tested. In addition to a suitable replacement, lofe are offering, at. th~ consumer's option, a depreciated value credit ag~inst t~e purcha~e pr1ce of any product available at the General ElectT1c' serv1ce locat10n. GEGIE 00070 GENERAL m ElECTRIC Han. Catherine C. Cook lo'Iay 7 ~ 1979 Page 3 .................. Depreciated value credit .wil1 be based on the age of the produ'ct turned in; such percentage .being applied against the estimated original purchase price of such turned in product. Refer to Attachment IV for additional details. 6. We propose to send out, first class mail~ approximateiy 650,000 copies of the attached letter to consumers (Attachment V). The utilized addresses are on .owner registration cards received from consumers 'purchasing hair dryers containing asbestos liners over an approximate three year period. The envelope (Attachment VI) will . have printed on the outside of it "HAIR DRYER INFORMATIONtt We will' . arrange to tell consumers through the 800 number who indicate a ' service center or service station of General Electric Company is not reasonably near them that such consumers can mail their product to four selected central locations where products.can be retrofitted (Attachment VII) or units exchanged. It should be understood that~ because of communications difficulty. the depreciated value credit option will not be available to this limited number of consumers .' lihose units are exchanged. Those. consumers mailing in units to the designated central locations will be reimbursed postage costs. Postage cost for mailing the unit back to the consumer will be borne also by General Electric Company. 7. We plan to exchange only units in good operating condition with a suitable replacement unit. Further~ the cost of any additional repairs needed on units in which we replace the insulating sleeve will be borne by the consumer. 8. Instructions have been sent to service c'enters and service stations for the disposing of replaced asbestos insulator liners in aCC'ordance with OHSA and other Federal regulations. 9. It is understood that any release' covering details 'of this program will be cleared.with us before the Commission or the staff so releases it. With regard to information contained in this letter prior to Commission approval, we claim exemption from disclosure for statements and references under the Freedom of Information Act,S USC SS2(b) and 18 USC l90S or regulations issued thereunder. This information is. confidential ~ commercial information that would .,cause substantial financial harm if released to our competitors. It. has never be:n released in any manner to any person who is not an employee or ~n a confidential relationship \'1ith the Company and is not commonly knowll GEGIE 00071 GENERAL fj. ELECTIlIC Hon. Catherine C. Cook Nay 7, 1979 Page 4 . ,-, . .. . . ;.:' :-~ ..;;..::. ,.;ithin the industry nor is it readily ascertainable by outside persons with a minimum of time and effort. .. Very truly yours, RW~i:mst Robert \'1 .Mazzacane Manager-Product Safety and Standards Housewares and Audio Business Division General Electric Company .' . ,,' ., .=:"':" .-.. :.f: .,,:- .:.... .....:-.: . . . '':.~. GEGIE 00072 . General Electric Hair Dryers '1 Models Containing Asbestos Insulation Name Model it ?ro Pistol . Pro Pistol Pro Pistol Pro Pistol Pro Pistol Pro Pistol Pro Pistol Pro Pistol Pm.,.e r Brush Styling Dryer Styling Dryer Styling Comb Styling Carob Salon Dryer salon Dryer Salon Dryer Salon Dryer .'"'--'. Salon Dryer t.. " ~\I Salon Dryer .,' Salon Dryer Salon Dryer Salon Dryer Salon Dryer Bonnet Dryer Super Turbo Power Turbo Super Pro Power Pro Pro Dryer Pistol Dryer Super Pro Power Pro Power Brush Styling Dryer Styling Dryer Mist Styling Comb Styling Comb Portable Pro- fessional . Portable Pro- essional Salon Style Speed Dryer Salon Style Salon:Style Salon' Style Salon Style Salon Style Mist "Super-Speed Salon Style ~1ist Salon Style Mist Portable Bonnet PRO-ll/Sl16-00S PRO-IO/SllS-Ol3 PRO-6/S1l2-00S PRO-5/5l10'-013 PRO-4/Sl09-00l PRO-3/S107-0ll PRO-2/S108-00S, PRO-l/5105-0l3 PB-l/Sl1.3-ll0S SD-'4/5101-013 SD-l/2 STC-2 . STe-l/lA .. '.:.' UH-20 HO-55 HD-30/un31 ED-56 HD-54. HD-52 HD-51 , HD-63/63SS HD-63SS/5063-00S' HD-53 HD-20 The above' listing is on the reverse side of C. J. Fabso's letter dated April 24, 1979. Attachment I. - .... GEGIE 00073 __ ___ _." _.'_ p.O' . ' '. ,--, __ ._..._......... ." '---._-'.- -- __._- '-' .- ......... -_.- ....... .... , .. :" .................... " , . Replaced Unit ------. ~l~is~t.:~R~e~ta.-11--------------------- Model Number Price : Wattage Attacli. Settinp.s* : Hand Held . PRO-l/5105013 ' $21.59 1,000 2 4 PRO-2/5108005 25.19 1,200 5 6 PRO-3/5107-011 11.51 700 1 2 PRO-4/5109.. 001 15.11 1,000 2 2' 50-1/2 10,79 400 1 2 50-4/5101-013 12,95 600 3 3 STC-l/IA 11. 51 230 2 1 STC-2 15.11 140 3 1 Rep lacement Unit -. Servi ce Subject to Individual Model Availability Est. Model Number Retail Price Wattaqe Attach. Settings PRO-5/5110-013 "li5.11 1,200 2 6 PRO-6/5112-005 21.59 1,400 .5 6 PRO-5/5110-013 15.11 1,200 2 6 PRO-5/51l0-013 15,11 1,200 2 6 50-5/6106-005 l7 ,99". 1,000 3 2 50-5/5106-005 17.99 1,000 3 ' 2 PRO~10/5115-013 11.51 1,200 1 . 3 PR.O...-~l,'.O, /.-5- 1..1~..5-.-..0....1...3- n, 51 1,200 1 3 Non-Hand Held i HD-63 HD-63SS/5063 HD-53 28.79 29,51 32,39 1,000 1,200 900 4 5B-1 wI. 30.22 1,000 4 3 4 Bonnet Attachment 4 HD-30 23,'00 . 1,000 4 UH-31 23,'00 '. 1,200 ' 4 HD-51 .16.55 90Q 4 HO-52 27,35 900 4 HD-54 16.55 1,000 4 C) \10-55 . 16,S5 . 1,000 4 m C) HO-56 16.55 1,000 4 m UH-20 o o HD-20 o ~ til , ".' 15.80 11,5i 1',000 4 400 4 * Number of Heat/Air Flow Setttnps HD-21 -' ~ ..-;~ ,.... 23,.03 .~. 400 . 4 ,;:.- j. IDEPRECIATE!} V~LUE I. J :i ~'lode1 Nuinber ! , .! .Hand Held 1 yr.! 60% Years Usage/Allowance -a) 2 yrs./ 3 yrs.1 45% 35% 4 yrs./ 25% 5 yrs/ 15% 16my. r s . / 7 Yrs. +/ 0% PRO-l/5105-013 PRO-2/S10S-005 PRO-3/5107-011 . PRO-4/5109-001 5D-l/2 50-4/5101-013 SIC-lilA 51C-2 12.95 9.72 7.56 .5.40 3.24 . 2.16 -0- 15.11 11.34 8.82 6'.30 3.78 2.52 -0- 6.91. 5.18 4.03 2.88 1.73 1.15 -0 9.07 6.80 5.29 3.78 2.27 1.51 -06~47 4.86 3.78 . 2.70 1.62 1.08 . -0- 7.77 5.83 4.53 3.24 6.91 5.18 4.03 2.88 . 9.0J . 6.BO 5.29 3.78 1.94 1.30 1.73 1.15 2.27 1.51 . -D- ..,.. -0- , \. ~ .~ -0- Non-Hand Held HD-63/63S5 (5063-008) 17.71 13.28 10.33 7.38 4.43 2.95 -0- .'. ... ~tE)-53 f,",' 'i 19.43 14.58 11.34 8.10 4.86 3.24 -O- '.::. :~,f.D-30/UH-31 '13.80 10.35 8.05 5.75 3.45 2.30 ':'0- HD-51 9.93 7.45 5.79 4.,14 2.48 1.66 -0- PoD-52 16.41 12.31 9.57 6.84 4.10 2.74 -0- HD-54 9.93 7.45 5.79 4.14 2.48 1:66 -0- HD-55 9.93 7.45 5.79 4.14 2.48 1.65 -0- " HD-56 9.93 7.45 5.79 4.14 2.98 1.66 -0- UH-20 9.48 7.11 5.53 .. 3.95 2.37 1.58 ~O- . HD-20 6.91 5.18 4.03 2.88 1.73 1.15 -0- (a - Years Usage Determined As Follows: Date Codes 739 or higher 639 through 738 539 through 638 439 through 538 339 thro~9h 438 239 through 338 238 or lower i I Calendar.Dates Oct. 1977 to present Oct.' 1976 to Sept. 1977 Oct. 1975 to Sept. 1976 Oct. 1974 to Sept. 1975 Oct. 1973' to Sept. 1974 Oct. 1972 to Sept. 1973 Sept. 1972 or earlier Years Usage 1 2 3 4 '5 6 7 . ,; All O~'lance 60~ 45 35 25 15 10 -0- . GEGIE 00076 i I Dear General Electric Customer; " As a result of the Gonsumer Product Safety Commission's i~ve'stigation into the potential health nazard due to the use of a.sbestos :materials as "insulation' in hair dryers, \Y'e nave been requested by the CPSC to urge you to Dri~~ your hair dryer to the nearest GE Company Small Appfiance Service 'location for 'repair or replacement, at our option. Altho~gh we ao not agree' Kith the Commission's posi1:ion 1 ' bec'ause 'of the ree'e'nt puolicity on hair dryers, the 'General Electric Company 'urge's' 'that you, do ':. :.- . the 'fo'l1'o\';ing: 1. MATCH THE }.fQDEL NUMBER on your hair dryer w'ith the number sh01m on the top of the maili"!lg label on the envel.ope.' 2. IF 'THE NODEL NUMBER IS THE SA)IE~ take your' hall' dryer to .1, the General Electric service location nearest to your home for . , replacement of the asbestos insulation 'vi th a non-asbestos rna terial. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR THIS REPLACEJ.IENT. In some in'stances~ at our option, l...e ,.,ill furnish you a sui table replacement unit. ~. USB THE ENCLOSED 'GENERAL ELECTRIC SERVICE LOCATION listing to find the service location closest to your home. 4. IF YOU HAVE ANY gUESTIONS concerni~g your hair dryer, call the nearest service location or our toll free number (800-421-5822)' .before going to th~ service location; Follo\~'ing the above suggestions lvill reSl.ll t in the best. service for you. Please do not take 'your hair dryer back to t'he store. ATTACHMENT V GEGIE 00077