Document bOLndjkDxNqe3oN5J2XO352Kk

oo Owkns- Illinois Glass Company " FPIHHT ItH OO LI.AANf M " '*'M\.fi:rA('.Ti:HKH <p <(f^> (fUNN PHOnCCTH Grnkhal Office** Tolkijo February 12, l'M3 Fr. L. V. tardr.er, Larar.ac Laboratories, itrarac Lake, New York. Tear Sir: You will recall an extensive investigation which you conducted for this company several years ago as to the air hygiene aspects cf fiberglas. ".'e have now in the pilot plant stage a new material regarding which e need some guidance as to what is indicated as necessary from that sane standpoint. The material is a hydrous calcium silicate. Silica of 200 mesh per inch and finer is incorporated with calciun hydroxide in a water suspension. Alter sufficient preliminary reaction to convert a portion of the reactants to a gelatinous form of such consistency as to suspend the remainder of the reactants and avoid settling, the material is poured into molds vriiich are then placed in a steam cylinder similar to those comonly used in the smnufacture of sand lime brick and subjected to 125 lbs. per square inch pressure of steam and its resultant temperature fcr approximately ten hours. _During this time a crystallisation occurs although the material is still wet when removed from the cylinder. It is then dried and yields a porous mass which can he sawed like lumber. It is intended to use this material for certain interior structural uses, also as an industrial thermal insulating material for pipe, etc. The material contains no free calcium hydroxide but does contain a very alight amount of unreacted silica, presumably the larger partielee of silica which have persisted while the available calcium hydroxide has been consumed in the formation of the hydrous calcium silicate. The following points merit consideration: 1. - Does the hydrous calcium silicate of itself constitute any air hazard iron an air hygiene standpoint? 2. - Are the few residual particles of silica of such size and fre quency as to constitute a hazard? 3. - It should be considered from the standpoint of employees working in the plant where the material is made or where it may be sawed to desired dimensions, and also considered from the standpoint cf applicators or erectors at the point of use. Asbestos Litig. Saranac Lake 1989 Depos. Exhibit p.16 oor.^ ^PLAINTIFF'S" EXHIBIT i 1 ' \ Owens-Illinois Glass Company Dr. L. 7. Gardner, Saranac Lake, lew York. rebrnary 12 , l'.-4o fe are forwarding to you by mail two samples - one rhich will repre sent the material which collects in our dust-collecting system, and the other represents .material, presumably finer, which has settled from the atmosphere ir. a finishing room where cutting of Sie material is dene. ;'e would like to have your opinion tentatively as to the situation for our present needs and your suggestion as to a suitably comprehensive program to permit a final determination of its status. The writer recalls very pleasantly having lunch with you and l!r. .'.'alters at Baltimore a few years ago during a meeting of the American Ceramic Society. Very truly yours U. E. Bowes Js cc - Hr. A. C. Hirth Hr. 1!. M. Olaader Hr. H. !T. Renn Hr. David Innas - Berlin Director of Researob 00r>rs Asbestos Litig Saranac Lake Mia 1989 Depos. Exhibit p.17