Document MGEy1YabbYq4mv3mB37xvnmmj

FILE NAME: Eternit (ETER) DATE: 1980 Mar 14 DOC#: ETER013 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo RE Labeling of Bags of Asbestos Fibre % 4 r t f r f r t f ii r ./ ! f r it lm KHD/KAW MR. H.D.S. HARDIE 14th March, 1980 LABELLING OF BAGS OF ASBESTOS FIBRE With reference to the attached letteT, you are aware that we were not the first of the f:ihre producers to >adPt a new warning label including mention of cancer (Lake Asbestos led the way followed by Carey-Canadian). Our decision to go along with the tTend was based on the following reasons:- ,, 1 It is a proven fact that asbestos can cause cancer and if we do not mention it we continue to be open to the accusation of being mealy mouthed and attempting a cover-up. 2. A warning label is likely to be more effective in achieving its objective by including specific mention of cancer than not. 3. The more specific warning label, (coupled with having distributed our booklet on Taking Care with Asbestos' to all customers) is likely to be helpful in defending future claims for damages in the courts. I consider Mr. van der Rest's letter an example of the kind of confused thinking which has in fact been harmful to the asbesios industry. It it ironic that we have received another letter from elsewhere in Eternit congratulating us on the steps recentlytaken (I passed you this letter to see before I had read Mr. van der Rest's letter).