Document oeXxppe3Em09Np85087k027GX

IE ALCOA PRIVATE WIRE ALCOA PRIVATE IWRE ,ALCOA PRI pi i RW. 8/18 : ;^ PI.347 T B BONNEY PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT AL-343 WR 6 M J CAPRIO RE LETTER DR. K VI SMITH OF JOHNS-MANVILLElON MARINITE. FIRSTWE DID NOT TALK TO LOCAL J-M MAN RE COMPLAINTS. WE ONLY ' n O REQUESTED TLV AND A STATEMENT AS TO WHETHER EPOXY RESIN WAS PRESENT OR NOT. SECOND, WE TRUST YOU WILL MAKE ANY NECESSARY REPLY TO DR. SMITH'S LAST PARAGRAPH. COPY THIS WIRE TO F W - BEERS. (MAILED) T I MC CLINTOCK-VERNON -V ' ' \. jot n Os> ARCH 18218 !=: y 7rl /? Q'u August 21, 1964 Dr. K.W. Smith . , . ..... ...... Johns-Manville Oorp. ' Twenty-two S. Fortieth Street New York 16, New York Deer Dr. Smith* As you doubtlessly are Aware, there exists in Alcoa a continuously expanding group with interestsJLn the industrial hygiene aspects of Johns-Manville*s product .(Starinite^ For a considerable period we have been confused by conflictingstories about the composition of this material. Recent correspondence has deepened our confusion and stimulated our already-aroused curiosity. We would certainly appreciate any clarification that you are able to provide. Our problea is with Karlnite dust associated with sawing and machining operations. The usual complaint is upper respiratory irritation. Several aen have explained to their foreaen that they "experience some discomfort on account of clogging of sinus and difficulty in breathing". One indicated it irritated the skin on his arms and face. Another, at the start of his work with Marinite, indicated some respiratory discomfort and his face was dry and red. Unfortunately we had no opportunity to get a medical evaluation on any of the affected men. Because of our workers* complaints we rechecked with Johns-Manvilie and were advised that an epoxy resin was present. We were satisfied because the effects were compatible with epoxies and we recommended control measures accordingly. - Recently and intermittently, however, : we have been told that there is no epoxy present. If this is truly v the case,tit leaves some of. our questions still unanswered. (Were ' . it not foiithe fact that this has become something of a Federal V case among our people, we would perhaps be willing to leave them '' unanswered). We are presently aware of the presence of asbestos, diatomaceous earth and an inorganic binder (perhaps a silicate) in Karlnite. . Having this ,knowledge, we now wonder if . our reported cases are . 5bc^^ide':of ^ our kxibwledge of the composition is incomplete." 1 What we would like to know is if we should be handling it differently than we would asbestos alone. Need we be concerned with factors other than pneumoconioses? Are there (or were there) present materials that are likely to present other respiratory complications or dermatological problems? What precautionary mea sures does Johns-HanviUe observe when handling this material? ~ V rv"-; '- cV*.- ARD 043002 Dr* K. W. Smith Page 2 August 21, 1964 I*n sorry if our interest may appear disproportionate to the problem* However, through a series of unfortunate events we have bred and nurtured a Frankenstein monster. With understandable bias X mould prefer that the monster be eliminated. Can you help us out with this problem? Sincerely, T. B. Bonney Asst* Chief Industrial Hygienist TBBjDB cct Mr.M .J.Caprio ARD 043003