Document O17xrBZ4BayzykBv7xxXdKNMv

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: March 24, 1982 DOC#: USG095 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1982 Memo to TS Snell from SK Torrey corporate knowledge of asbestos exposure and asbestosis j 3:lWK .re:., .'V.i? V..T.? *f*'a*M' >v -V *T til elaborate upon our brief discussion on March lath ^ S i i a iiiuted corporate knowledge of the relationship between inhalation of asbestos and development of a disease known as ashes tosis. . . . . .* *Y There was an operating bulletin known as a general order date originally 4-1-43 and amended in 1943, 1954, 1958 and 1969 T*)e historical file discloses no cancellation date and it is therefore a current bulletin* In 1943 it bears the notation: * It is recommended that before any applicant for * employment is hired, the history of hi* previous employ ment be fully developed. .If there is * questionable history of exposure to asbestos or silica dust, or an . indiclted partial lung disability such the applicant should not be employed until satisfactorily passing a medical examination. Such a medical tion shall include the taking of chest X-rays and their interpretation-by Saranac Laboratories as set forth in Bulletin 4-5." (Note, we have not yet located Bulletin *4-5.) ' In the 1954 revision there is. a section labeled "asbestos exposure* wherein it is stated: "Operations involving manual handling of asbestos in any plant shall be considered in an area m which employees shall be required to wear adequate respira tory equipment." ... . . In my conversations generally with Cornell and Hernan, I am not aware that respftars were being worn by employees working around asbestos until the late 1960's. This provision is main tained throughout the rest of the bulletin. ffj/'ny u.::o. ^ u. 7-.M . rt-, ----------- ' UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY  CONFIDENTIAL T. S. Snell Page 2 March 24# 1982 This bulletin was originally ajiproved in 1943 by F. M. Thorman, J. W. Butler, D. L. Powell, C. B. Pooler, K. Rl Eckrote, J. R. Newberry, W. F. Anderson, G. D. King, and H. R. Palmer. The second bulletin which has suraced is another Dnrn. bulletin^which is labeled "Hazardous Chemical Used in Paint Manu facture. It is number 602 and was promulgated on 8-1 1 - 4 0 The historical file copy carries the notation "expired" by the sec-i, which refers to asbestos. Y secai m This bulletin is a chart which has four columns labeled Compound, ^Hazard," "Precautions," and "Treatment After Contac t hX? ^ re* * Asbestos is labeled with the notation of Ha-ard a f th* <?u?t tor long periods of time can produce a ' disabling lung condition called asbestosis." Under the Precautic i* iS stated' *Not to be handled in confined areas vith^ h ! n i M CXhiUat ^entllatfon at tbe point of handling. Intermittent handling for short periods may be done in open areas with good general room ventilation. Dust counts should be less than five million at such operations (one million on a count of asbestos alone, not including the other dust present)." The Treatment section states "Asbestos 'warts' on hands due to asbestos fiher* penetrating skin-- fiber must be completely removed. Asbestosis -- inn! L ? hUid be.x-rayd periodically." This bulletin was amendec ln 1966 and again that notation is in the updated bulletin. The bulletin was requested by C. W. De Ment of Insurance an, and.itwas approved by D. L. Powell and j. w. Butler - bulletin expired on 9-15-67. . r- Finally, as I showed you, there is correspondence in ^ a fiieSim? intained by the embarked upon project Insurance to gather Department that Mr. articles concerning Kipo in ioi bsts' -- 1 believe these documents are sufficient to immiti .k corporation some knowledge o th e relationship b e "n e o - S r . estos and development of some disease. Accordinglv t k ^ i * " ? m g to have to disclose this in future a 2 s interrogatory? PO ndl*"9 obvlously the Precise wording of the CONFIDENTIAL T. S. Snell Page 3 March 24, 1982 . This becomes important in was recently reported in the . This is the case t h ^ which you will be TTrrfirtm?e , ~ bet>Cos Litigation p^.^rr tbat answered a set a n d ^ o m ' a a r o a r a . w ^ i^ r argued and we have received th a Motion to Compel hilt* sig jr:-;aAisn.'sss.'as.'s?u^"st to answer virtuallytil auLi< *Ty unfavorable order rea^i?h this I just thought information. you should be aware that we will be disclos SKTjmm cc: # 149 _ b . L. Arras