W. B. Reitze to Dr. Paul Kotin on International Labeling and In-House TLVs (1974)

A one-page memo of August 22, 1974, from W. B. Reitze to Dr. Paul Kotin, listing matters to discuss on Kotin's return. At J-M's Asbestos Committee, Aaron Finkbiner had raised the International Division's "failing to label any products used outside of the U.S." Finkbiner felt "we have a definite liability since we are labeling within the States. We know of the hazards, and we could be held at a later date for some of these products that are used in Canada or Europe." Reitze agreed, "most certainly from the worker protection point of view."

What it shows

Reitze also wrote that "we cannot rely on Government for the TLV's to protect our workers," and that the heads of the Pipe and Fiber Glass Divisions had urged J-M to set its own in-house exposure standard that they could design controls to, discuss with workers and use to require respirators. Two months earlier J-M attorney R. B. Von Wald had called it "indefensible" to label products in the United States and not abroad (Von Wald to Parker).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

In internal J-M correspondence from Reitze to Kotin, dated 8/22/74, Reitze addresses the issue of failing to label any products used outside of the U.S. He states that Finkbiner "feels we have a definite liability since we are labeling within the States. We know of the hazards, and we could be held at a later date for some of these products that are used in Canada or Europe." Reitze also addresses the issue of TLVs and states "[i]t is obvious that we cannot rely on Government for the TLVs to protect our workers." Reitze notes that he received a strong plea from the Pipe Division and Fiberglass Division urging J-M to set an in-house standard.

Related documents

• G. E. Parker to H. R. Keefe and Others on Delays in Labeling Talc (1974)
• R. B. Von Wald to G. E. Parker on International Asbestos Labeling (1974)
• J. A. McKinney to W. L. VanDerbeek on Informing Foreign Customers About Asbestos (1974)
• E. G. Hammel to W. P. S. Breese Asking Whether Export Shipments Must Carry Caution Labels (1970)