Document VjONxBkq5XNpMBNGdXjo2R2yq

FILE NAME: Georgia Pacific (GP) DATE: 1971 Oct 7 DOC#: GP141 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo RE Eliminating Asbestos Fiber Products H. Hune Lehnert ASBESTOS FIBER October 7, 1971 Portland - Cc JC, - Tigard Lab We do market joint compound* and Interior lurfieing texture which contain between three and seven percent asbestos fiber. Our sales level o these produets is over 50,000 tons annually, so it is an important business for us. We do not, however, market the fireproofing plaster which is mentioned in the cor* respondence from National Gypsum and might contain as such as 251 asbestos. * Glenn has asked us to try to eliminate the asbestos in these prod* nets. We have been moderately successful in as much as we are in the process of reducing or eliminating the asbestos from our texture line. We bad felt that the presence of asbestos in the textures would be more critical because they are spray applied and there would be more danger of inhaling the fibers. If National Gypsum is correct, the joint compound will also cone under con siderable pressure from the environmental people.- In any event, we will expedite our efforts to get rid of the asbestos in the joint compounds. This will be far more difficult b e c a u s e the asbestos controls the working properties which are essential to acceptance by the contractors. Our competition will have the same problems, so it will be a ease of finding a solution before they do. ' It might be helpful to have any information from the seminar Hr. Fay mentions. We had heard some time ago that limitations might be imposed upon the quantity of asbestos that would be permitted in a given product. If so, the problem would not be as difficult as completely eliminating asbestos fiber. If you agree, I will contact Mr. Fay to see if there is any information he can pass along to v 8* 1 have made copies of the correspondence and am returning your file. CWL:elz Attachment C. W. L. A