Document e5azZzxvyOV2VzdLY9eZOje4G

bci Hr. 7. J. Stewart Hr, t. C. Shuman Dr. C. F. Shook Owens-Illinois (J)GENERAL OFFICES TOLEDO 1, OfflO PLAINTIFF'S JJ EXHIBIT |s June 12, 1956 Kr. Ira I. Drought Edison Building Toledo, Ohio Dear Hr. Brought* Attached la a reprint of an article entitled, "Effect of Inhaled Com mercial Hydrous Calcium Silicate Dust on Ardraal Tissues," AKA Arch. Indus, Health, 12, 34&-360, 1955, which you asked for on the phone this morning. The Saranac experiments shoved conclusively there was no silicosis haaard to Xaylo dust* Tilla is important because silica flour and diatoamceou* earth are two of the basic ingredients. In the finished product, however, there is no longer ary free silica (the sand and dlatomeeeou* earth being combined to form silicates)--and hence there is no danger of silicosis. The animals bore this out. The small amount of asbestos that la used as a raw material in Xaylo is relatively unchanged in the finished product* Saranac found that the animals, if exposed for a prolonged period of tirtw to high concentrations of Xaylo dust, co-old develop a nild asbestosis reaction. The reaction was milder than what would result from breathing dust of the coranensial product B5 Hag. Asbestos workers and applicators are ex posed to higher concentrations of asbestos dust during their normal work than would result free* handling Xaylo* In addition to the animal experiments, a conprohensive preventive medi cal program has been in effect at Berlin, the present Xaylo plant, and formerly at Sayreville, ever since these platna were first set in opera tion. Complete annual physical examinations have been given to everyone working in these factories, once a year, including chest X-rays. The latter were read by local roentgenologists, and in addition were sent routinely to specialists at the Trudeau Foundation, who are recognized authorities in dust diseases* This program is still in effect, do lung changes of any kind that could be attributed to an occupational exposure ' nv* been detected* Similarly, the case rates for first-aid treatment of minor respiratory .-liirsenta Vave never been above "noraal," lior have sick absence r* for disabling respiratory illness b*-on above average, Hope this jives you l a material you want* 31 ncerely y - trs , i'u trial joint!.los r.'-`.vision 01 501 1406