R. J. Sexton to G. J. Ratcliffe Enclosing Union Carbide's Survey of New Thermobestos Blocks (1962)

A Union Carbide memo of July 20, 1962, from Dr. R. J. Sexton to G. J. Ratcliffe of Industrial Relations, enclosing Robert E. Peele's report 62-IH-2-G-1 of July 15, 1962 (5 pages). After the March report, the manufacturer submitted three "new and improved" Thermobestos blocks, which were cut on April 27, 1962, under the same conditions. Dust counts at the operator's breathing level were 36.8, 48.1 and 44.1 million particles per cubic foot, against the limit of 20, and Sexton wrote that the new blocks "also constitute a hazard to health." Peele recommended that Thermobestos not be processed in the shop until it met acceptable standards, and Sexton concurred "fully."

In Johns-Manville's index

Johns-Manville's legal department indexed the Motley 1,000 in 1984. Its index describes this document as follows:

Dr. R. J. Sexton memo to G. J. Ratcliffe (Industrial Relations, Union Carbide), 7/20/63, entitled "Insulation Block Dust Survey, Construction Insulation Shop, Plant 511." Dr. Sexton encloses R. E. Peele's industrial hygiene report (Report 62-IH-2-G-1) on the potential hazardousness of "new and improved" Thermobestos insulation blocks submitted by J-M for evaluation by band saw processing in the Construction Insulation Shop. The report indicates that although there is a reduction in the amount of asbestos dust released into the working environment, the amounts are considerably above the acceptable safe limits. Therefore, the processing of "new and improved" blocks constitutes a hazard to health. Peele recommends that Thermobestos blocks not be processed in the Construction Insulation Shop until acceptable standards are met. Dr. Sexton in his memo concurs.

Related documents

• R. J. Sexton to L. N. Dickinson Enclosing Union Carbide's Thermobestos and Kaylo Dust Survey (1962)
• R. J. Sexton to S. C. Giambruno on Johns-Manville's Thermobestos Proposal (1962)
• Union Carbide Institute Plant Dust Surveys of J-M Thermobestos Insulation Blocks (1962)

About this copy

This is document 612 of the Motley 1,000, from the set the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust's records facility certified as true copies, pages CRMC-Motley1000-Subj-002045 to CRMC-Motley1000-Subj-002049.