Document R8B94QXaGqvNjzy4aER7po2k
PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT' GF-1608
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June 8, 1984
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Jervis S. Finney, Esquire Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver 1600 Maryland National Bank Building 10 Light Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Dear Jervis:
Enclosed are various documents to assist you in matters concerning the development of a non-asbestos insulation pro duct by GAF.
In 1969, GAF began developing, and later perfected a Calsilite product that did not contain asbestos, partly at the suggestion of government agencies and departments. In the asbestos-free Calsilite, sulphite pulp was substi tuted for asbestos. The resulting product met all criteria of federal, military and Industrial standards, except for weight loss during heat soaking.
In 1970 and 1971, William Schwingen and Richard Henry attempted to obtain Navy approval of GAF'8 non-asbestos Calsilite for use in and on Navy projects and facilities. GAF demonstrated the product's safety and suitability and had an independent laboratory perform tests for the Navy's benefit. However, the Navy, through the Naval Experimental Station in Annapolis, refused to adjust the weight-lossduring-heat-soaking criterion, and in effect rejected non asbestos Calsilite. At the same time, the Coast Guard extended the approval of GAF's asbestos containing Calsilite for an additional five years. Thus, the Navy in effect required the use of asbestos in pipe covering and lagging as late as 1976.
MICH09086
Jervis S. Finney, Esq. June 8, 1984 Page Two
Also enclosed is correspondence dated May 5, 1969 from .the Naval Engineering Center in Philadelphia to GAF, requesting GAF to assist the Navy in developing non-asbestos products. It is clear from this correspondence that the first time the Navy ever gave any consideration to the removal of asbestos from in sulation used in its ships was in 1969 -- long after the Selikoff studies (as well as substantial other evidence) was well-known.
Please let us know if we could provide anything else from our documents, limited though they may be.
Best personal regards. S'
Paul A. Zevnik for PAUL, HASTINGS, JANOFSKY & WALKER
Enclosures
MICH09087