Document zzeRDm7egvRy446bj8M3wnvGz

November 3, 1971 J. B. Dorsey - Denver GHQ PERLITE STUDY (FESCO PARTICULATE) I apologize for the delay in replying, however, I have been out of the office. I completely agree with Bob Cuje's opinion that Perlite, like asbestos, silica, diatomaceous earth, and fiber glass, will become subject to attack. Several years ago P. A. Martinson and I began a program of education to the Perlite Institute hopefully attempting to raise enough money to do an animal and epidemiological study of both raw and expanded Perlite. It has been an uphill fight to convince many of the member companies that Perlite will be under attack in the future. The greatest impression we made was at a meeting in September when I presented the requirements of the new Occupational Safety and Health Act. At that meeting the Board appropriated $7500. to begin an x-ray review program. Approximately two years ago, in conjunction with the Perlite Institute activity, I discussed an animal study of Perlite with Drs. DeTreville and Gross at the Industrial Health Foundation, Inc. A rough estimate of the animal study at that time was approximately $125,000 and would require three years to complete. It was obvious that we could not convince the Perlite Institute to support a program of this magnitude, therefore, we decided to start with the x-ray review and eventually project it into a full scale epidemiological study, . In 1955 some animal work was conducted on Perlite dust at the Saranac Laboratory by G. W. H. Schepers, M.D. In 1959, Philip C. Pratt, M.D., Ohio State University, reviewed the Saranac animal experiments and raised questions concerning the work that, to-date, have not been answered. . ' MTC 013988 J. 3. Dorsey - Z. - November 3, 1971 In 1954, Dr. K. W. Smith initiated a program at Manville Plant to have six month x-rays taken of employees exposed to Perlite. Dr. Smith reviewed these x-rays in 1960 and discontinued the program, presumably based on negative findings. None of the studies conducted to-date are in any way conclusive, therefore, it is my opinion that Johns-Manville should initiate health study of Perlite immediately. I recommend that you, r. Davison, Hugh Jackson and myself meet to discuss the matter in more detail. W p3 C. L. Sheckler cc: H. M. Jackson Dr. T. H. Davison - Waukegan F. E. Dutcher - Denver GHQ R. H. Cuje - Denver GHQ E. C. Truax - Denver GHQ MTC 013989