Correspondence on Canadian Johns-Manville's Caution Label for Asbestos Fiber Bags and the British Objections (1968–1969)

Four letters and memos, October 1968 to January 1969. On October 1, 1968, N. W. Hendry, general sales manager of Canadian Johns-Manville's Asbestos Fibre Division in Quebec, told customers that "each bag of chrysotile asbestos fibre shipped by this Company will carry a label" warning that inhaling it "over long periods may be harmful." British importers and manufacturers objected at once: the Asbestos Fibre Importers Committee in London warned that dock workers might "refuse to handle asbestos unless packed in an impervious bag," and W. P. Howard of the Asbestos Information Committee wrote to F. J. Solon, J-M's vice president for public relations, that the better course was local education of workers "rather than to draw open attention to the health risk." By January 21, 1969, J-M had agreed not to label bags for international customers, and Hendry recommended dropping the label for domestic customers as well.

What it shows

The importers' committee said the caution notice was meant for factory workers and "should not be visible to transport labour," suggesting leaflets instead. Howard, writing after a London meeting of the two committees (representing Turner & Newall, Cape Asbestos and other firms), explained that "London docks have been virtually closed to all asbestos cargoes for over a year" because dockers "have been scared by adverse publicity," and that the British industry had so far kept the Factory Inspectorate from requiring health warnings except on blue asbestos. A label on chrysotile bags, he feared, could become a precedent for British rules.

In his January 1969 memo to J. R. Hutcheson, Hendry writes that "as a result of the severe protests" the label plans "were deferred," and that J-M was preparing a booklet on handling methods for overseas customers instead. He reports objections from U.S. customers (Armstrong Cork, Hooker Chemical and a tile company in Stratford, Connecticut), notes that the other Quebec Asbestos Mining Association members did not plan to label, and writes: "Although we have no proof to offer, we could lose business if we proceed alone on this matter." He proposes sending domestic customers the booklet and a sign for the fiber-handling station instead of labeling the bags. Only months earlier J-M had decided to label its bags whatever its competitors did (see Hutcheson's memo of May 3, 1968).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Upon receipt of N. Hendry's letter, 10/1/68, advising of J-M's plans to label its asbestos fiber bags, the Asbestos Fibre Importers Committee (London) wrote to J-M and QAMA expressing extreme concern over this. In its letter, 10/23/68, the AFIC states that this practice would lead to major labor problems among its dock workers. "Labor might refuse to handle asbestos unless packed in an impervious bag and probably insist on metal containers or fibre board drums, etc."

The AFIC states that it is concerned about health hazards but notes that the label is intended for factory personnel and "should not be visible to transport labour." It suggests, instead, that leaflets suggesting protective measures be distributed to factory personnel. On 10/29/68, J-M meets with the AFIC and the Asbestos Information Committee regarding the subject of international labeling.

In a letter dated 10/30/68, W.P. Howard (Asbestos Information Committee) summarizes the British fiber importers' and asbestos manufacturers' concerns. He primarily cites the labor problems that would be escalated. "Because dockers have been scared by adverse publicity, London docks have been virtually closed to all asbestos cargoes for over a year and bagged asbestos is now only being received at three British ports. This situation is extremely delicate. It could be disastrous if the backwash of the CJM action caused difficulties at these three ports."

Howard also says that this practice also might inspire further British regulations. ". . . [T]he wisest approach to this problem is to give priority to making users' processes safe and to local education of operatives rather than to draw open attention to the health risk." On 1/21/69, N. W. Hendry (AFD) states that due to adverse British reaction to caution labeling asbestos fiber bags, J-M has agreed not to put caution labels on bags destined for international customers. Instead, J-M is preparing for its overseas customers a booklet on recommended handling methods for asbestos.