Document zQG7pyOamYp0Z4zXbQRxG3vYB

TO FROM SUBJECT #147-Q, J. R. Hood #147-2, C. M. Howard, Jr. ASBESTOS CAUTION LABELS FOR JOINT TREATMENT COMPOUNDS YOUR LETTER OF AUGUST 8th, 1972. August 11th. 1972 A copy of your letter to E. Maynard was forwarded to us by Corporate Quality since it asked about our posture' on applying caution labels on - our product containers. This matter has been a very live issue for over two years due to mounting publicity and governmental intervention. More recently, rumblings from trade unions have been detected. - Air-borne asbestos created through sanding of our products had been measured by Research and was found to fall within threshold limits set by a 1970 government act. We have resisted placing caution labels on ' our containers so far because we felt we met this standard. Also, labelling would probably place us at a strong marketing disadvantage. Meanwhile, work has been under way, with top priority, at Research to eliminate asbestos from our products. While the task is formidable, their progress is beginning to look favorable. Recently we learned that a much tougher threshold limit will take effect in four years. In view of this. Research recently hired a consultant and completed testing of our products measuring asbestos content at the point of hand and drill mixing, in addition to re-_________ checking at point of sanding. The results are currently being studied. -------- Your memo refers to use of a face mask. We are investigating the last reading we had on this - and that was that there was no type of face mask that-was-functional and certified as-effective-.------If--'there--i-s--ar."-- change in this, it will be properly communicated. CMH:n #147-2, #151, #159, #170-3, #198, #247, R. P. Entz E. Maynard E. C. Mobbs R. D. Lyons p. Kipp . H. Rosseil \ * I ; ,-S **' J ij ( CZ' i iv --clA.vCM ... . -- United States Gypsum Company