Document a5yB7MmbLaaGyvxbq5gmpaMM

TO: FROM: SUBJECT: ' #198 ;C. P. Kipp #147-2' R. P. Satz . JOINT CCMPOUNPS, ASBESTOS FIBER In your letter of July 30th to me you state that we might ' wish to consider marketing the concept of using Ready Mixed Joint Compound, which would eliminate the problem of airborne fibers during mixing in the field. lou also recommend that we consider sponging the joints in lieu of sanding, which would eliminate airborne asbestos.fiber during ' the finishing operation. We believe that there is validity to your recommendation and it could be used if any particular locality, Government Regulatory Body or a Union, were to attempt to eliminate the use of joint compound because of possible hazardous substances (i.e., asbestos fiber). . It Is our considered opinion that it would be unwise for. us to place any label on our present compounds which could be construed as Implying that a hazardous substance exists. No other manufacturer has taken such a step and we believe ue would be .placed at a- competitive disadvantage.' More seriously; however, ue could precipitate action prematurely which could result in some individual, such as a Senator or a Ralph Nadar, drawing attention to our products. Research presently has one man working full time in an attempt to develop joint compound formulations which would be asbestos free and yet provide us with the properties that are necessary to sell our products at the market price. To the best of our knowledge, no manufacturer has an acceptable product in tha US. 3ritish Gypsum by law produces compounds which are asbestos free, but the products they produce are unsaleable in .this country or in Canada. Tour recommendation provides us with a quick means of overcoming the-question of airborne fibers, if and when we find it necessary. . " RECEIVE A'JQ , > 9 Vi>l RPZtkjs-. . ' .: . cc #152 Ur. J. W. labor 5047-2 C. M. Howard United. States Gypsum. Company