C. L. Sheckler to R. E. Warrick on the Parkersburg Plant Industrial Hygiene Survey (1962)

A two-page confidential memo of November 6, 1962, from C. L. Sheckler, manager of J-M's industrial health program, to R. E. Warrick at the Parkersburg plant, sending the results of a dust, fume and noise survey to be kept "as a confidential document." Of 34 stations sampled, 27 were above the maximum allowable concentration (MAC), including ten with silica dust from 5.9 to 107.2 million particles per cubic foot against a limit of 5.0. Sheckler wrote that each of the 27 stations presented "a serious health and related Workmen's Compensation problem."

What it shows

Sheckler gave silica first priority and called for mandatory "Dustfoe" and "Gasfoe" respirators in exposed areas "as a temporary expedient pending engineering control," with a closely supervised respirator program. He added that "at best, a respirator is only a temporary measure and will not be considered adequate to prevent an occupational disease, especially in instances of constant exposure." He recommended a task force under Standard Practice IH-96, annual chest X-rays, and that X-ray changes be reported to Dr. Kenneth W. Smith, and wrote that the exposures created "a serious moral and financial problem." The memo concerns silica and formaldehyde, not asbestos, but shows how J-M's own surveys measured plants against its limits and what its industrial health manager thought respirators could do.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

A memorandum from C. Sheckler dated 11/6/62 discusses an industrial hygiene survey which indicated that, out of 71 samples taken from 34 stations at the Parkersburg plant, 21 stations were above MAC. The memorandum states that each of the 27 survey stations above MAC presents a serious health and workers' compensation problem. Silica exposures should receive "first priority" for correction.

“Dust Foe" respirators should be made mandatory in areas of known exposure as a "temporary expedient pending engineering control." It is pointed out that respirators are not adequate to prevent an occupational disease, especially in instances of constant exposure. Nonetheless, a "closely supervised respirator program is recommended to ensure proper use, fit, replacement of filters and cleaning." Sheckler suggests the appointment of a task force team to review industrial health problems and personal protective equipment. He points out that the potential exposure to toxic materials determined by the survey can create "serious moral and financial problem."

Editor's note: J-M's description says 21 stations were above the maximum allowable concentration. Sheckler's memo says 27 of the 34 stations were above it and seven below.