C. G. Linke to J-M Managers on the ABC News Special "Asbestos: The Way to Dusty Death" (1978)

A one-page memo of July 10, 1978, from C. G. Linke to a distribution of J-M managers, warning that ABC News would broadcast a special report on asbestos on Friday, July 14. ABC science editor Jules Bergman had worked on it for months, talked with J-M and filmed at the Stockton plant. Linke quotes TV Guide's listing ("The dangers of asbestos dust have been known for decades. Industry knew.") and writes, "Undoubtedly this special will create even more unfavorable publicity regarding asbestos."

What it shows

Linke asks managers to watch so they can answer questions from employees or outsiders, and to send him any questions so "appropriate responses can be prepared." He adds that "Good Morning America" might use excerpts the same morning. For earlier broadcast coverage, see the memos on the CBC's "Here and Now".

In Johns-Manville's chronology

Johns-Manville's own chronology of what the company knew describes this document as follows:

On 7/14/78, ABC News broadcasts a special report on asbestos. Jules Bergman, ABC Science Editor, worked on the story for several months and had discussions with J-M personnel and filmed at the Stockton plant. The special is entitled "Asbestos - The Way to Dusty Death." The report is highly critical of industry and the government. Some statements from the report are "In the last 40 years, millions of people were exposed to asbestos dust . . . asbestos kills. Slowly. Insidiously. Tragically. The dangers of asbestos dust have been known for decades. Industry knew. The military knew. The government knew. The victims found out the hard way. They didn't give their lives for their country. Their lives were taken away. Who is to blame?"

Related documents

• J. G. Cole's Memos to R. E. Sampson Transcribing CBC Reports on the Advocate Mine (1975)