Document QXXwY2pQV4mk0YXDV7D4L5q8L
FILE NAME: Lone Star Industries (LS)
DATE: 19:
DOC#: LS
OCUMENT DESCRIPTION:DD>ZZZ DZ:ZD
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1 A REGULAR MEETIKG OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHNS-
MANVILLE CORPORATION was held in the offices of the Corporation on the 11th floor at No. 22 East 40th Street, Now York City, on Wednesday, the 15th day of January, 1969, at 9:00 in the fore noon.
quorum; The following Directors were present, constituting a
C.B. Burnett
F. Dutcher Joseph A. Grazier
K. V,. Lindell
George P. MacNichol. Jr.
'I
F. H. May, Jr. William F May John P. Schroeder
1 A.C. Smith
William C. Stolk
.-*..3
C. B, Burnett, President of the Corporation, acted as
Chairman of the meeting and presided thereat and Herbert Morton
m Ball, Secretary of the Corporation, acted as Secretary of the
' meeting and kept the ninutes thereof*
.
II
A notice of the meeting and affidavit of mailing the
same to all the Directors of the Corporation were presented to
the meeting and, on motion,- duly made, seconded, and unanimously*
. carried, were ordered filed with the minutes of the meeting.
The members of the Board of Directors had been furnished
in advance of the meeting with most of the material which would be
I of value in aiding, their consideration of the matters appearing in
the agenda book. In his Monthly Report, the President reminded the Board
that at the October meeting, Holophane Company, Inc. was suggested
as beihg an interesting acquisition candidate. He informed the
meeting'' that several substantial stockholders of Holophane Company,
'H Inc. had indicated through a third party their interest in merging
with a larger company of national reputation. They sought (1) taxfree exchange; (2) equal or better dividend rate; (3) premium over
market price; and (4) continuation of the Holophane name. The re
port noted that Holophane made lighting equipment for industrial
plants, commercial applicationsy schools, streets, and other out
door lighting such as for shopping centers. In the V. S., there were three plants in Ohio (Hewark, Springfield and Columbus) and
one in Edison, New Jersey. Plants were also located in Toronto,
Canada; London, England; and Mexico City (95% interest). The
t
Company tpade many components for lighting purposes, including in- \
: jection molded prismatic plastics, pressed prismatic glass, alum
! inum parts9 sand and die castings, and extrusions and spinnings. o JI
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Complete fixtures were sold through electrical wholesalers through- ' out the U. S.. and accounted for 65% of U. S. sales* . The balance was sales of components to other fixture manufacturers. The light ing equipment industry was at about a billion-dollar level, with a 10% growth rate. There were over 1,000 producers, but Holophane was one of the largest and one of the best-rounded of the Independ i ents. The Company's growth rate had been faster than the industry's and nianagement believed it would continue that way* With Holophane, i J-M would be 'in position to integrate lighting systems with ceilings and would also expect' to find additional uses for their glass-making .and molded plastic'facilities* J-M could be instrumental in widen' ing their scope into residential lighting. The Company's capitali zation consisted of 1|600,000. shares outstanding, with no debt*
The President advised that from 1964 to 1968 (fiscal year
ended June 30) sales rose from $17 million to $303 million, and
net earnings from $2,229,000 to $29953,000* The $2,953,000 net
^earnings in 1968 were down from $3,344,000 in the year before* . This was explained in the 1968 Annual Report which had been dis
tributed to the Directors as being due to devaluation of the
English pound, the 10% surtax, adverse conditions in the building
industry, a write-off of start-up expenses in England, and a needed
management change in Canada, which had been done* Also considerable
expense was incurred in adding to their sales staff* In the latest
year, earnings as a percent of sales were Just under 10%, and of
. not worth, 18%. For the first quarter of the current fiscal year,
sales were up 19% and earnings were up 4*5% over the year before*
i
Earnings for the first six months were expected to be the best for
the period. The stock WAS selling around 37, or about 20 times
earnings for the year ended June 30, 1968, of $1.86*
A tabulation "Earnings Per Share - J-M and Holophane*' was distributed to the meeting )3y the President.
. The Board advised the President to continue his investi gation and negotiation in order to determine if the future growth of Holophane would make the acquisition worth-while.
The President's Report also contained, for the informa tion of the Board, a status report of some of the major capital expenditures approved by the Board in 1967 and 1968*
The President reported that the Icelandic diatomite venture was not making the progress expected, it would require a doubling of plant capacity with attendant higher costs. The Kaiser Engineering estimate of $350^000 to increase drying capacity was only 25% of what the eventual cost would amount to* He informec the Board that for the long pull the venture would work out if the inadequacy of the drier capacity was corrected.
The Board was informed by the President's Report that at the 'January 17, 1968 meeting a report had been presented.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000119
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giving the status of the asbestos/health situation. For informa tion purposes, an updated report (blue folder) reflecting develop
ments since that time was included in the agenda book and also had been sent to the Directors in advance of the meeting.
Included in the President's Report were a summary on the
status of appropriations expenditures, January 1, 1969, for plants
and properties in the United States and Canada (with supporting .data to be presented quarterly); status of expenditures, January 1,
1969, for investments in other companies showing the amounts . ' approved, the amounts advanced by J-M and the amounts expended
locally; and .the January 1 report of projects completed in Kovem-
ber 1968.
.
*
Under the heading of "Other Matters", the President's
.
Report noted that securements in the month of December were sub-
stantially higher than in November or in December 1967. Shipments
of fiber glass textiles from Waterville in December established
a new record of 2,493,000 pounds, including 959,000 pounds of
chopped strand mat, -which was also a new record.
.
. i . '
;
The report also noted that at Corona a three-year con
tract was negotiated to expire December 1, 1971, providing for
wage Increases of 20$ (7.2%) now, 18$ (6%) in the second year, and.16$ (5%) in the third year. Shift differentials were in
creased from 10$ and 14$ to 11$ and 16$ now, and to 12$ and 18$ in the second year* In the third year vacations would be improved
to three weeks for years' service.
eight
years*
service.and, four weeks
for*
eight.eenI
The report also informed the meeting that as of December
31, 1968, 170,162 shares had been purchased under the Incentive
Stock Option Plan by 139 participants at prices ranging from
$27.82 to $57.00. As of December 31, 1968, 3,077 employees had subscribed to 323,546 shares of stock under the Employees' Stock
Purchase Plans, of which 313,255 shares had been paid for in full
. and delivered. On the stock remaining under pledge, subscribers
had paid $133,010 and owed $355,629. The average subscription '
price was $40.85.
*
pr. Fred L. Pundsack, Director, Division and Corporate
Research and Development, made a presentation to the meeting on .
"Research Activities". .
.
There was then presented to the meeting a report showing changes in gelling'prices percentagewise by Divisions.
The attention of the meeting was called to a report en
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titled "Forecast of Earnings, 1969", which formed part of the agenda. This, forecast was based on the premise that overall
business activity in 1969 would be slightly higher than in 1968. Gross National Product was expected to increase about 6.7%, of
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000120
which 3j% was price. Housing starts were expected to increase about 7%p totaling 1,650,000 starts .versus 1,540,000 in 1968. . Prospects for non-residential construction were for about,a 9% improvement, including a cost increase of 4.3%. Company net sales for the calendar year 1969 were forecast at $575 million or 3.6% higher than the estimate of $555 million for 1968. The forecast assumed a slight (0.6%) improvement in selling prices, principally in the Asbestos Fibre and Industrial Insulations . Divisions. Selling prices in the Pipe Division were expected to be a little lower in 1969. Net earnings forecast for 1969 of $42.2 million would be $5.06 per share compared with the 1968 estimate o'f $40.2 million or $4.82 per share, assuming continua tion of 10% surtax.
The attention of the meeting was also called to the Treasurers Report of Cash and Securities as of December 31, 1968, ^ which formed part of the agenda in the possession of the Directors.
'
The Chairman reminded the Board that at the last meeting
it had authorized the presentation to the stockholders at the
"
Annual Meeting on March 13, 1969, of a proposal to split the
Common Stock of the Corporation on a two-for-one basis. He called
the Board's attention to the copy of the "Monthly Report of Presi
dent to the Board of Directors, 'July 17, 1968" contained in the
Agenda book, in which the President suggested ten steps to be con- j
sidercd as ways of avoiding a takeover. Step number 2 - "Author
L i
ize an issue of preferred convertible stock and announce that this step is being taken for acquisition purposes." - was approved by
the Board at the July 17 meeting.
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. ' Morgan, Stanley & Co., financial advisers to the Corpo- '
ration, had recommended a new capital structure for presentation
to the stockholders in March:
.
.
*
1. The authorized Common Stock of the Corporation
be increased to 50,000,000 shares from the
present 25,000,000 shares authorized and the
$5*00 par value be reduced to $2.50.
2. The stockholders at the Annual Meeting be
requested to authorize a new preferred stock
*
which in terms of liquidating value would not
.
exceed $250,000,000 and in terms .of shares
would be 10,000,000 shares.
*
The agenda book contained a copy of a letter dated
January 6, 1969, from Morgan Stanley & Co. to Francis H. May,
Jr., Vice President for Finance, enclosing a brief study illus
trating preferred stock authorized by stockholders of a selected
' number of corporations, as well as pro forma effects upon the
Johns-Manvllle Corporation, assuming the issuance of various
amounts of preferred stock* :
*
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CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000121
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There was also presented a proof of the Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of johns-Manville Corporation.
Thereupon, on motion, duly made' and seconded, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
* - .RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Corporation
1
proposes and recommends and hereby declares it
advisable that the Corporation (a) change its
authorized shares of Common Stock from a par
value of $5a00 each to shares of a par value of
$2.50 each, (b) increase the authorized number
of shares of Common Stock (par value $2.50 per
share) of the Corporation from 25,000,000 to
50,000,000 shares, and (c). add 10,000,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock (without par value)
to the authorized capital stock of the Corporation;
'SJ
and
RESOLVED that the form of "Certificate of Amendment of the
Certificate of incorporation of Johns-Manville Corporation under Section 805 of the New York
I
m
Business Corporation Law*' to effect the changes
I - recommended in the foregoing Resolution, a proof
of which was presented to this meeting, be, and
IS
the same hereby is, approved and that said
Certificate, in substantially such form, with
such changes, as might be approved by counsel, as
may be necessary to carry out the intent of these j
Resolutions, be presented to the Annual Meeting
J
of Stockholders to be held on March 13, 1969j and f
jII RESOLVED that, subject to approval at said Annual Meeting
. of .said Certificate by affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Corporation's Common
1
Stock and the due filing of the same in the office!
. of * the Secretary of State of the State of- New York the proper officers of the Corporation be, and
they hereby are, authorized to mail certificates
for one share of Common Stock ($2*50 par value)
to Stockholders for each share of Common Stock
held by them of record at the close of business
on March 13, 1969*
Proofs of the proposed Proxy, Notice of Annual Meeting; to Stockholders, and Proxy statement for use in connection with \ the 1969 Annual Meeting of Stockholders were presented to the ; Directors, each of whom was requested particularly to examine that portion relating to his nomination as a Director,
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000122
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''::M
Thereupon, on motion, duly made and seconded, the
A s
- following resolution was unanimously adopted: M
RESOLVED
that the form of Proxy, Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement
for use' in connection with the 1969 Annual
Meeting of Stockholdersy proofs of which * were presented to the meeting be, and the
same hereby are, approved for transmittal to'the Stockholders, subject to such changes as might be approved by counsel or required by the Securities and Exchange Commission under its Proxy Rules*
There was then presented to the meeting for its approval a new form of stock certificate, for less than 1,000 shares and without any par value shown, bearing the facsimile ;
signatures of C. B* Burnett, President, and Herbert Morton Ball, Secretary.
Thereupon, on motion, duly made and seconded, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
.s
L RESOLVED ^
that the certificate for the Common Stock of the Corporation for less than 1,000 shares and without any par value shown, in the form presented to this meeting, bearing the facsimile signatures of
C. B Burnett, President, and Herbert
Morton Ballt Secretary, be approved and adopted as the -certificate to represent
said Common Stock.
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The meeting was advised by the Chairman it was con sidered desirable., that an additional Assistant Secretary be appointed and he suggested the name of G.* Earl. Parker, an Attorney in the office of the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
Thereupon, on.motion, duly made and seconded| the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED
that G. Earl Parker be, and he hereby is, appointed an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, to hold office from
January 15, 1969, until the First Meeting of the Board of Directors after the next
Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly
appointed and shall have qualified.
Messrs. Du-tcher, Lindell, P. H. May, Jr., and A; C.
mJ
Smith left.the meeting*
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000123
There was next presented a report of the Compensation
Committeei dated January 15, 1969, containing the recommendation
of the Committee that the Directors approve the Committee's
action in adopting resolutions in the form attached to the
report, changing the options granted under the Incentive Stock
Option Plan, subject to approval by the Stockholders at the
1969 Annual Meeting of the two-for-one stock split. .
"
,
After discussion, and on motion, duly made and seconded,
the Board approved the adoption by the Committee of the following
resolutions (C. B. Burnett not voting): .
WHEREAS, the Incentive Stock Option Plan approved by
the Stockholders on May 14, 1954, provides in Section 5
thereof "In the event (i) there are any changes in the
Common Stock of the Company through stock split-ups
then in any such case the Committee may, subject to the
.
approval of the Board of Directors, make such adjustments
in the Plan and in options hereunder as it may deem equit-
. able to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the
rights granted to, or available for, participants here
under
.
WHEREAS the Directors on December 18, 1968, approved
r atottwoh-efaopr-pornoevaslploifttohef tShteocCkohomlpdaenrys^aCtomtmhoen1S9t6o9cAknnsuuablject
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Meeting:
NOW THEREFORE, the Committee DOES HEREBY RESOLVEj
subject to approval by the Board of Directors and subject
- to approval of the two-for-one stock split by the Stock
holders of the Company, that the second sentence of
Article 2 of the Incentive Stock Option Plan as hereto
fore amended be, and the same hereby is further amende'd
to read as follows:' "The aggregate number of shares
which may be optioned to any one individual may not
. exceed 16,000 shares at any one time and 48,000 shares
in the aggregateand that Article 3 of the Incentive
Stock Option Plan as heretofore amended be, and the same
hereby is, further amended to read as follows: "The
number of shares of Common Stock to be reserved for
option from time to time pursuant to the Plan is limited
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taon'y50o0p,t0i0o0n-sghraarnetse;d purnodveirdetdhetPhlatananwyhischharreesmaiconveurnepdurbcyhased I
upon expiration of the time permitted for exercise, of the
option may be used for further options within the limits
- set forth in Article 2.11
y
.
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*
WHEREAS, on March 31, 1959 the Committee, as author ized by the Board of Directors on March 18, 1959, did . * grant to 46 key employees options to purchase shares of the Company at the last sale price of the Common Stock of
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000124
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the Company at the close of the Mew York Stock Exchange on March 31, 1959 (which price was $53,00 per share);
- WHEREAS, on January 3t 1962 the Committee, as author ized by the Board of Directors on December 20, 1961f did grant to 67 key employees options to purchase shares of
the Company at the last sale price' of the Common Stock
of the Company at the close of the New York Stock Exchange on .January 3, 1962 (which price was $57.00 per share);
WHEREAS, on December 16, 1964, the Committee, as authorized by the Board of Directors on November 18, 1964, did grant to 48 key employees options to purchase shares of the Company at the last sale price of the Common Stock
of the Company at the close of the New York Stock Exchange on December 16, 1964 (which price was $53*875 per share);
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NOW THEREFORE, the Committee DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, subject to approval by the Board of Directors and subject to approval of the two-for-one stock split by the Stock holders of the Company at the 1969 Annual Meeting, that the number of shares mentioned in each of the above described options is hereby doubled and that the.price at which said shares nay be purchased is hereby divided in half, and that in all other respects the said options shall remain unchanged*
The Chairman presented to the meeting a report of the Compensation Committee, dated January 15, 1969, containing the .. Committee's recommendation with respect to the granting of Deferred Awards for the year 1969 under the "Johns-Manville ' 1968 Deferred Compensation Plan",
After discussion, and on motion, duly made and seconded, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted (C* B. Burnett not voting):
RESOLVED
that this Board approves the determination and designation of those key employees to whom Deferred Awards shall be granted for the year 1969 in accordance with the terms of the "Johns-Manville 1968 Deferred Com pensation Plan", all as set forth in Exhibit A attached to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee to this Board;
RESOLVED that the foregoing resolution, together with
I
the recommendation of the said Committee, be
filed with the Secretary as Confidential
Minute No* 67.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000125
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The Chairman also presented to the meetine & report of .the Compensation 'Committee, dated January 15, 1969, containing
the recommendation of the Committee with respect to reducing the
Board of Directors profit sharing limitation from 8% to 7}% for - the year 1969 and amending Paragraph 4 of Section I of Confiden
tial Minute No. 55.
- After discussion, and on *motion, d ul*y made* and seconded, [I
the resolution adopted by the Board on November 20, 1968, establish
ing a Profit Sharing Fund for 1969, wherein the limitation set by j
the Board was 8% of net earnings as reported to stockholders, after,
deduction of Profit.Sharing Fund and after income taxes, was
j
amended so that, as amended, it shall read as follows (C B. Burnetf
not voting):
RESOLVED that, pursuant and subject, to Confidential
Minute No. 55, if and when the net ?earnings after taxes of the Corporation exceed an
amount equivalent to $2*20 per share on the
outstanding Common Stock, a Profit Sharing Fund for 1969 be, and the same hereby is,
established by appropriating 4% of profits
before taxes as a Profit Sharing Fund, but subject to the limitation set by the Board
of 7|% of net earnings as reported to stockholders, after deduction of Profit
l
Sharing Fund and after income taxes; and
Thereupon, on motion, duly made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously adopted (C* B. Burnett not
voting):
RESOLVED that Paragraph 4 of Section 1 of Confidential Minute No* 55 be, and the same hereby lst
'amended so that| as amended, it shall read as follows:
- 4. The aggregate amount of any Fund
established for any year shall not
'exceed 7j% of net profits after taxes for such year. (The limitation in the Stockholder-approved Plan is o7f% tofaxneest.)profits before deduction t
The Chairman stated that he would entertain a motion
with respect to the minutes of the regular Board meeting and of the Executive Committee meeting; both held December 18, 1968, copies of which had be$n provided each of the Directors at the
commencement of the meeting.
jj
v\
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000126
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Thereupon, minutes as submitted
. Whereupon,
unanimously resolved
on. motion, duly made and seconded, the were unanimously approved as recorded*
' on motion, duly made and seconded, it was that the meeting adjourn.
Secretary
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000127
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ON ASBESTOS AND HEALTH JANUARY 15, 1969
FORM 36-2
Ml JOHNS-MANVILLE PR.ODU CTS CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000128
ASBESTOS/HEALTH
At the January 17, 1968 meeting of the Board a report
was presented, giving the status of the asbestos/health
situation.
An updated report reflecting developments since
that time will be discussed.
This report (b^u^ folder) is
attached.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000129
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON ASBESTOS AND HEALTH
JANUARY 15, 1969
FACTS WHAT J-M HAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR
Dust Reduction at Operating Locations Sales Restrictions Working with Others in the Industry RESEARCH WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION PUBLIC RELATIONS PLANNED FUTURE ACTION
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000130
1.
FACTS
(Note:
Information in this "Facts" section of the report that
has been ^clmrrged or"
since Januarys 1968' ~is unclerTlned)
Asbestos is a recognized toxic mineral -- a health hazard.
Asbestos is recognized as causing Asbestosis, a fibrosis of the lung.
Asbestos fiber is not known to be a carcinogen (cancer causing agent) but is probably a co-carcinogen (co-cancer causing agent) among people industrially exposed to it. To date, the principal medical study of asbestos insulation workers has shown not a single case of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Asbestos does not affect, to the same degree, all those who are exposed to it.
The effects of asbestos are both time-related and dose-related.
The amounts of asbestos dust that can be fully tolerated by the human are presently unknown.
It has been shown that all so-called "asbestos bodies" found
in human lungs do not contain asbestos. (The term "asbestos body"
has for years been applied loosely to describe a tiny body of tissue
in the lung containing a core of some inhaled particle -- asbestos.
talc, man-made fibers or other common substances.
Because the
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000131
2.
over-growth tissue contains some iron, a better term - being used by many specialists today - is "ferruginous body.")
The effect of asbestos on human health is probably limited to those who mine, mill. fabricate and apply asbestos or asbestoscontaining products.
There still is no evidence of any risk to the general public from the use of finished asbestos products, though there has been. in the past year, much more "scare" publicity on this subject.
The effect on the public living in asbestos or asbestos product areas is not totally known but is probably remote.
Crocidolite asbestos fiber appears to be more hazardous to humans than either Chrysotile or Amosite asbestos fiber. New British regulations governing the handling of asbestos impose stricter controls on crocidolite than on other forms of asbestos.
The threshold limit value, or standard of allowable dust in asbestos mining, milling and manufacturing operations in the United States has been reviewed in the past year and is being reduced from 5 million particles per cubic foot to 2 million particles per cubic foot or 12 fibers (over 5 microns in length) per mililiter (cubic centimeter).
WHAT J-M HAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR Dust Reduction at Operating Locations
Additional advances are being made in the control of asbestos
fiber dust in J-M plants.
An example is the partially completed
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000132
3.
program at the Manville asbestos textile operation that has resulted
in a substantial reduction in dust levels.
To date, this program
feas Goa^-etbout $275,000.
Another example--- the erincj st'
now underway on dust control systems in the pipe plants. to determine
if they are operating with maximum effectiveness.
Jeffrey Mine is
undertaking a project to improve dust collection at their screens.
To assure that asbestos fiber dust levels will meet the
proposed new threshold limit value will require new sampling and
analysis techniques.
To adopt the procedures developed for this
new threshold limit value additional equipment and manpower are being
provided at J-M's industrial hygiene laboratories.
Sales Restrictions
A policy of refusing to sell asbestos fiber for non-essential
uses that might unduly expose the general public to the inhalation of
asbestos dust, has been established.
For example, during the year.
Johns-Manville ceased selling fiber to manufacturers of modeling
compounds used in grade schools -- and terminated development work.
with another company, on a fire-fighting "air drop bomb" that would
have released asbestos into the air in substantial quantities.
Working with Others in the Industry During the year Johns-Manville has taken the following steps to orient other asbestos producers, processors and customers to the potential hazards of asbestos dust and to encourage the adoption of packaging, handling and fabricating practices that will minimize exposure on the part of all who work with asbestos:
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000133
4.
1.
Johns-Manville took the lead in developing codes of practice which were printed and issued by the National
Insulation Manufacturers Association, to cover thermal
insulation products containing asbestos and/or mineral
fibers.
2.
Two presentations were made to the Asbestos-Cement Products Association to urge the group to develop a
code of practices for the protection of workmen using
siding, and other materials that contain asbestos.
3.
A presentation of the asbestos/health subject was made at an Environmental Health Seminar sponsored by the Asbestos Textile Institute.
4.
Johns-Manville held an orientation program for the other manufacturers of asbestos-cement pipe and gave them copies of the J-M background paper on "Asbestos Cement Pipe and Human Health."
5.
All asbestos fiber bags shipped in the United States and Canada will carry, shortly, a caution label that urges careful handling of the fiber to avoid unnecessary exposure to asbestos dust.
6.
Advice on the best industrial hygiene practices to follow in handling asbestos was given to numerous customers who
inquired on this subject during the year.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000134
7.
5.
Liaison was maintained with Raybestos-Manhattan and
with the British asbestos manufacturers who are members
of the Asbestos Information Committee.
This involved
periodic exchange of medical papers and press clippings
as well as personal visits to asbestos plants in the
United Kingdom.
RESEARCH
As indicated in last year's report, Johns-Manville is
co-sponsoring and co-financing a number of scientific research
studies in the asbestos/health area.
The current status of these
studies is summarized in "Appendix A."
Johns-Manville took the lead, through the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association, in organizing the second "Antiqua Seminar," which brought together leading medical scientists from around the world to discuss the asbestos health problem and plan further research on it.
Dr. George W. Wright, Director of Medical Research at St. Luke's Hospital, Cleveland, and a leading authority in the field of pulmonary diseases, has agreed to devote the majority of his time to counseling Johns-Manville on the asbestos/health problem.
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION The company's experience to date in this area and anticipated
liability is summarized in "Appendix B."
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000135
6.
PUBLIC RELATIONS The Fall of 1958 saw a sharp escalation of publicity about
and public awareness of the asbestos/health problem. Much of this stemmed from a ten-page highly sensationalized article in the influential "New Yorker" magazine (October 12, 1958) and a front page story in the "Wall Street Journal" (November 7, 1958).
These articles sparked editorial attention from such other publications as "The Washington Post," IIMan's" magazine and the Manville area press. Most of this publicity was sensational and highly negative in nature.
"Good Housekeeping" magazine. "Forbes" magazine and the "New
York Daily News" presently are preparing articles on the asbestos/
health subject.
Johns-Manville is working with them in the hope of
persuading them to take a more positive approach to the subject.
Coincident to and, in some instances, related to the increased
publicity on the asbestos/health problem has been a growing atten
tion on the part of officials at various levels of government.
The City of New York and the City of San Francisco have expressed
concern that the use of asbestos building materials may pose an air
pollution "threat."
Officials of the Department of Health,
Education and Welfare and the Food and Drug Administration have
indicated an increasing interest in asbestos as a possible health
hazard.
There are strong indications that the present session of
Congress may hold public hearings on the asbestos/health problem-
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000136
The Muskie Subcoramittee in the U. S. Senate has expressed interest in it, and there is the possibility that testimony will be sought in connection with any successor to the Occupational Health & Safety Act that failed to receive approval in Congress last year.
An active J-M Public Relations program in 1968 sought to
counter this unfavorable publicity through such steps as:
1.
Informing employees and stockholders of the facts
concerning the asbestos/health situation via the
Management Information Meeting program, the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and the 1968 Annual Report.
2.
Preparing and distributing new background papers that supplement the basic paper prepared early in 1968 and
included with the January, 1968 report to the Board,
These background papers have covered the following
subjects:
Asbestos and the General Public
Asbestos -- A Family of Minerals
Asbestos-Cement Water Pipe and Human Health
3.
Publicizing the nation's first joint health research
program, inaugurated late last year by Johns-
Manville, the International Association of Heat and
Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers and the Mt. Sinai
School of Medicine.
A press conference was held to
announce this unique industrial hygiene program that
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000137
brings together industry, labor, science and the
8.
Federal Government, on a voluntary basis. Work was
begun on a quarterly newsletter that will report
progress on the program.
PLANNED FUTURE ACTION
In 1969 J-M plans to;
1.
Prepare for possible Congressional hearings.
2.
Take the initiative in contacting science writers. both to present positive information about progress
being made on the asbestos/health problem and to refute
erroneous exaggerated statements on this subject.
3.
Take the initiative in contacting medical researchers who give papers or make public statements on the asbestos/health subject that are exaggerated or contain errors.
4.
Take steps towards establishing a North American
"Asbestos Information Committee" that could serve as
the spokesman for the asbestos industry in such matters
as contact with press or testimony before government
bodies.
Maintain liaison with the Asbestos Information
Committee in the United Kingdom.
5.
Prepare a background paper on the ingestion of asbestos.
This would be of use in dealing with possible sensational
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000138
9.
publicity arising from the fact that asbestos is used as a filtering agent for beer, wine and pharmaceuticals. Such publicity has already appeared in Great Britain.
6.
Seek to arrange for positive articles in mass circulation publications, that will stress the steps that are being taken by industry, labor and science to control and overcome this health problem.
7.
Prepare a booklet to be mailed annually to every overseas customer for asbestos fiber, that will caution on the need to avoid excessive inhalation of asbestos dust and will detail recommended industrial hygiene practices to minimize exposure of workmen to the dust.
8.
Arrange exchange visits among the various U. S. asbestos manufacturers to observe effective dust control practices and thus accelerate the industry's progress in minimizing exposure of its workers to asbestos dust.
9.
Continue to monitor medical meetings and medical papers and distribute transcripts and summaries to those concerned with this problem.
10.
Establish "task forces" to personally visit doctors, public officials or others who indicate alarm or concern over the asbestos/health problem.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000139
10.
11.
Take measurements of the amount of asbestos fiber in the ambient air of major cities, commencing with
New York City. Such measurements, hopefully, will
help refute the unproved assertions by some writers
that asbestos is a significant pollutant in the urban
air.
#
#
#
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000140
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
APPENDIX A
FIBROUS DUST STUDY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
FOUNDATION OF
AMERICA
This study involves the investigation of the health hazards of
four various types of asbestos:
chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite
and synthetic. In addition, fibrous glass, mineral wool and some
organic fibers will be studied.
Continued progress is being made with the investigation, E x t e n -
sive animal studies are required prior to reaching any firm conclusions.
BRAKE LINING DUST STUDY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION
OF
AMERICA
This study is checking the pathogenicity of brake lining dust by
animal injection screening tests.
A short-range test involving 24 animals was recently completed. Results indicate that the brake lining dust reactions are those of an inert dust.
A proposal for a more extensive study is currently being reviewed. The U. S. Public Health Service has recommended, based on their studies and this short-range study, that further research to deter mine the possible carcinogenic effects of the fiber modified by brake wear be undertaken by Johns-Manville.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CANADIAN GENERAL POPULATION INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
This study proposes to relate the health status of asbestos-exposed
population to the non-exposed population.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000141
APPENDIX A
2
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CANADIAN GENERAL POPULATION INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - (continued)
The IOEH Scientific Advisory Comirittee has indicated that the work
is proceeding satisfactorily and on schedule.
ESTABLISH INSTITUTE
LIBRARY OF WORLD-WIDE ASBESTOS RESEARCH AND OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
HEALTH
STUDIES
This project is designed to assemble information on world-wide
asbestos research and health studies for future reference and
distribution upon request.
The Institute is continuing to gather and codify pertinent informa tion on world-wide asbestos research.
ASBESTOS INDUSTRY STUDY UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH
SERVICE
This is a 7- to 10-year environmental, clinical and epidemiological
study of workers exposed to asbestos.
This study was initiated in
January 1963,
Environmental studies and work history data gatherings have been completed in our Manville and Marshville plants, along with Asbestos Textile plants of other companies, Medical studies will be under way in the near future.
INSULATION WORKERS HEALTH MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL
STUDIES
The Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program has been launched.
The Advisory Committee consists of Dr. Selikoff, Dr. Wright,
Dr. Hammond, F. L. Pundsack, A. Hutchison and J. B. Jobe.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000142
APPENDIX A 3
INSULATION WORKERS HEALTH STUDIES
MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL
(continued)
Pr totral erf $362,5(JO has been pledged to this program by Johns-
Manville and the Asbestos Workers Union.
R. D. Hindmarch, J-M Industrial Hygiene Supervisor, has been loaned to Mount Sinai in the interest of this program.
FIBROUS GLASS UNITED STATES
AND MINERAL WOOL INDUSTRY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
STUDY
' i 3 is a 7- to 10-year environmental, clinical and epidemiological
study of workers exposed to fibrous glass and mineral wool,
This
study was initiated in March 1968.
The U. S. Public Health Service is continuing to gather statistical data concerning fibrous glass and mineral fiber dust exposures.
. * C O F .FFECTS
INDUSTRIAL
OF FIBROUS GLASS STUDY HYGIENE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
The purpose of this study is to provide current and definitive
knowledge of the bioeffects of fibrous glass on pulmonary function,
emphysema, and surface skin tissue. It is sponsored by PPG Indus
tries, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Certain-teed
St. Gobain,
and Johns-Manville.
The project is under way and progressing satisfactorily.
COOPERATIVE MOUNT SINAI
ASBESTOS HOSPITAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH
PROJECT
Biological Activity of Asbestos
The hemolytic activity of asbestos increased with fiber openness, with chrysotile being more active than either crocidolite or
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000143
APPENDIX A 4
Biolocrical Activity of Asbestos - (continued)
amosite. "Ottrejr_f xn-E!"-gran-^minerals wirth-pD'sxtive-surf"arcs-chaxges (AI2O3 or MgO surface) also caused hemolysis. There was some
evidence that chrysotile prevented growth of specific bacteria. The hemolysis studies are continuing with chrysotiles having special surface treatment.
Dust Mask Program
Prototypes of the newly developed throw-away dust masks were
exhibited to personnel from Mount Sinai Hospital, Harvard University,
U. S. Public Health Service, and the Bureau of Mines.
The proto
types were well received. Preliminary tests at the Bureau of
Mines indicated that a protection factor of 100 can probably be
achieved; specifications for present half-masks require a protec-
tion factor of only 10. Further work will be concentrated on
developing the filter element for the mask.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
J-M RETIRED UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEES OF PITTSBURGH
This is an epidemiological study to determine and analyze the life
span, causes of death, and possible causal relationship to work
exposures of J-M retired employees,
Comparisons will be made
between this group and similar age groups in the general population.
Data required by Dr. P. E. Enterline, School of Public Health,
.j-.i.iA/ersity of Pittsburgh, are being submitted from all J-M loca-
tions.
This requires a detailed review of employment, medical and
industrial hygiene records of each of the 3,500 retired employees.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000144
APPENDIX A 5
X-RAY STUDY SARAUAC INSTITUTE
Serial X-rays for employees at all mining and manufacturing loca
tions will be read and interpreted by Dr. L. J. Bristol, inter
nationally recognized roentgenologist.
This expert, uniform
interpretation, both in terms of the traditional criteria and the
new UICC criteria, will provide an accurate assessment of the
pulmonary involvement at each location and therefore more valid
appraisal of future Workmen's Compensation liability. The program
is progressing satisfactorily and will be completed in approximately
20 months.
ASBESTOS AND TRACE INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
METALS FOUNDATION
OF
AMERICA
A proposal to study the carcinogenic potential of trace metals
(nickel, etc.) attached to asbestos fiber has been referred to
Dr. George W. Wright for evaluation and comment,
Preliminary
findings in the Fibrous Dust Study (above) suggest that chrysotile
fiber (uncontaminated) does not produce pulmonary cancer.
This
investigation would be undertaken to establish the causative agent.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000145
APPENDIX B
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE - WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION
BACKGROUND
In the mid-lSSO's, with Dr. A. J. Lanza as consultant, Johns-
Manville sponsored both animal and human research on the effects
of asbestos at Saranac Laboratory, New York, under the direction
of Dr. LeRoy Gardner.
The results obtained in the mid-1940's
established that prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos
I did produce
a unique
and identifiable pulmonary
fibrosis.
fiber
Subsequent to Dr. Gardner's death. Dr. Arthur Vorwald completed
the investigation, and it was his opinion that the "long" fibers
(5-50 microns in length) were responsible for the production of
fibrosis. He suggested that a threshold limit of 1.0 million
fibers per cubic foot of air would be appropriate,
Accordingly,
this standard has been used to evaluate Johns-Manville work
environments, in addition to the ACGIH threshold limit of 5.0
million particles per cubic foot.
The relationship of bronchogenic cancer to asbestosis was reported
from British experience in the mid-1950's.
The association has
been accepted as statistically substantiated, even though the
precise physiological and pathological mechanics involved are as
yet unknown (this is also the status of the relationship of smoking).
In 1965, at the American Academy of Sciences Symposium on Asbestos, concern regarding the possible relationship of asbestos fiber (not asbestosis) to mesothelioma was brought into focus.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000146
APPENDIX B 2
BACKGROUND (continued) ,It is obvious that although in the mid-1940,s it was thought that
a good deal was known about the biological effects of asbestos, subsequent developments have created a totally new spectrum of questions, the answers to which must be established through further and extensive research.
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION
Oilr I
claims
and costs
for
occupational
disease
cases have
increased
from 94 and $500,000 in 1965 to 141 and $810,000 in 1967.
The
increase has resulted from additional valid disability claims,
"mass" filing at the Manville location, and increases in Workmen's
Compensation rates.
In the period 9/1/67 to 8/31/68, the cost of adjudicated occupa
tional disease claims was;
Plant Manville Jeffrey Asbestos Waukegan Billerica Long Beach
Cases 138 9 3 4
2
3
$ Cost 294,343 104,452
36,782 46,928
28,861
70,477
$ Avg./Case
2,200* 11,000 12,000
11,500 14,500 23,000
* The low average cost per case is due to the fact that 17% of the claims were dismissed with no award. and 54% of the claims were awarded 2-10% disabilities (nuisance awards).
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000147
APPENDIX B 3
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION
(continued)
At current 1958 compensation law rates and provisions, costs for
total disability cases occurring now could reach $60,000 in New
Jersey; in California, $75,000. Increased compensation rates can
certainly be anticipated in the future.
Iri addition to Workmen's Compensation claim cases, Johns-Manville
plant physicians have identified by X-ray various stages of pulmonary
involvement.
Some represent the very earliest of X-ray abnormalities.
others are more advanced.
These numbers represent potential claims
over a number of future years.
Location
No. of Cases
Long Beach Manville Marshville Marrero
3
168 22
3
Pittsburg
13
Waukegan
64
Zelienople Billerica
Total
4
18
295
To obtain a current expert evaluation of pulmonary involvement at
all locations. Dr. L. J. Bristol, Saranac Institute, has been
engaged to interpret serial X-rays of all our plant personnel,
The
study of the Manville data will be completed in approximately four
months and will enable us to estimate more accurately future Work-
men's Compensation potential, as will the studies at each plant.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000148
1 t'
APPENDIX B 4
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (continued)
-B-&.--Bristol isa ^ e o m m i - t t e e -- o f -- t h e -- I n - t e - r a a -tieH-ai-- Ga-nee-r^
Commission (UICC) that has recently established new standard criteria for the interpretation of X-rays.
LOMPOC
Iri 1952, an intensified, extensive environmental dust control program
was undertaken at Lompoc.
The effectiveness of this continuing
effort is indicated by the fact that no new cases of occupational
disease (diatomaceous earth pneumoconiosis) have developed at that
location since that date.
This observation has been substantiated not only by Johns-Manville medical data, but by U. S. Public Health studies as well.
HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss is another area of occupational disease that will have
impact on future costs.
At Manville in the last year, there were
fifteen claims filed, three adjudicated at an average cost of
$1,300 for partial loss (maximum for total loss of hearing is
$8,000 at present), and one in California for $1,700.
There is
a growing trend to hold industry responsible for hearing loss.
regardless of exposure,
Collaboration with New Jersey industry
associations has been initiated to get reasonable legislation
enacted. similar to that of West Virginia and New York, which
adjust for loss due to aging and require proof of industrial
exposure.
CRMC-Asb&Health-BODMin-000149