Document LXywXpp8R8rj6r8qmY5VN1Kz

FILE NAME: Asbestos Information Association (AIA) DATE: 1977 Oct 27 DOC#: AIA030 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from AIA to Crown Zellerbach ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal Square 4, Suits 5C9 Arlington, Virginia 22202 (703) 979-1150 27 October 1977 Mr'. C. R. Dahl Chief Executive Officer Crown Zellerbach Corp. One Bush Street San Francisco, California 94119 Dear Mr. Dahl: The September issue of Modern Paint and Coatings contains a flip advertisement in a directed attack on the asbestos industry noting that the suggested substitute product for asbestos-containing materials is processed, warehoused and marketed for Crown Zellerbach. A copy of the advertisement is enclosed. Crown Zellerbach is a respected leader in the industrial community. We are aware that the company, or its subsidiaries, has been a user of asbestos for man;ft years . We find it difficult to believe that Crow^^BeSSferbach would condone use of its name in an adver, which asbestos is referred to as "killer. Because of its unusual pXiflferuies, asbestos is in demand for use in hundreds of produces. That exposure to excessive asbestos dust may be hazardous to health is an accepted fact. However, dust levels in the manufacturing process where asbestos is used are controlled by government regulation to medically accepted levels. The industry is dedicated to achieving the lowest possible levels of dust exposure. In such asbestoscontaining products as paints and coatings, cited in the advertisement, the fibers are locked in or encapsulated. Substitute materials for asbestos have been associated with loss of product quality. Possible health risks from exposure to the dust of substitute materials is the subject of scientific investigation. In national concerns for occupational and environmental health, asbestos,a fairly common mineral with broad product application, is frequently accorded singular attention as an example or a health hazard substance. Often news stories and reports by various groups contain exaggerated statements concerning the produced ji - 83 t 9 Thickening paint(s)? 9 Preventing drywall cracking? 9 Strengthening mastic or putty? Toughening traffic markings? Reinforcing roof coatings? Reviving your entire product line? Use SwP, it will let YOU ru n your business again. M inlFIBEBS* SW P1Fibrillateci Polyethylene does it all! It may not cure CANCER, but it won't cause it. All grades, for many different uses, have PDA a p p ro v a i P ro cessed , w areh o u se d , a n d m a rk e te d by MinlFIBERS, In c , fo r C row n Z ellerbach. W rite or call: nj m i r~> '^ 7 iJ u . P.O. Bo:c 186, Weber City, Va. 24251 703-386-3031 or 703-452-4205 Circi No. 21 w* Inquiry C*cd MODERN PAINT AND COATINGS, SEPTEM3E3 1977 October 27, 1977 Mr. C. a. Dahl ' Chief Executive Officer Crown Zellarbach 1 Bush Street San Francisco, Calif. 94119 Dear Mr. D a h l , The Asbestos Information Association/North America has addressed a letter to you expressing its concern over the ' irresponsible advertising by Mini Fibers Inc. of iVeber City; V a . ; in which your Company's name is associated with a sarcastic and violent condemnation of asbestos fibre. As a major producer and user of asbestos we are naturally distrubed by such unfavorable publicity which is not even accurate. However, we also question how your Company can condone any association with such statements when it is well known that at least one of your foreign affiliates - the Van Gelder Co. of Holland - is a very substantial user of asbestos. Surely they would not like to be called a user of a "killer" raw material, nor would they agree with such a classification. Hay we respectfully suggest, therefore, that you use your good offices to cause Mini Fibers Inc. to withdraw this type of advertising from their future practices. Although some unnecessary harm may already have been done, we feel that the be3t way to correct the situation is to avoid quietly any chance of further damage to an important industry in which we are both involved in one way or another. 'T Crown Zellerbach 2 - October 27, 1977 Looking forward to your positive response, I remain, Yours very truly, D. Poutiatina Vice President Director Marketing Asbestos Fiber i. j____