John J. Welsh, M.D. to U. Boduroglu on Asbestos Disease and Asbestos in Graphite Furnaces, with Related Telex and Inquiry (1975)

Dr. John J. Welsh's December 15, 1975 letter replied to an inquiry from Union Carbide Europe about whether any medical cases linked asbestos in a high-temperature furnace to cancer. He answered no, but wrote that asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma are known to follow years of exposure, and that Carbide had had several cases of asbestosis. The exhibit also holds a handwritten draft note, the September 1975 telex from Union Carbide Norden about stopping asbestos use in graphitizing furnaces, the December 1, 1975 inquiry letter, and duplicate copies.

What the document holds

• Page 1: Letter, J. J. Welsh, M.D. to U. Boduroglu, Dec. 15, 1975, replying to the Dec. 1 inquiry on asbestos in furnaces and cancer; handwritten note 'Copy sent to Mr. T. Kunkel'
• Page 2: Handwritten note on Welsh letterhead, signed 'Ken', apparently a draft of the reply
• Page 3: Telex, Ulf Gustavson (UCN) to C. E. Medford (UCC), Sept. 10, 1975, on stopping asbestos use in graphitizing furnaces after the Swedish reports of worker deaths
• Page 4: Letter, U. Boduroglu to Dr. J. J. Welsh, Dec. 1, 1975, 'Use of Asbestos in Graphite Furnaces', asking about medical cases
• Page 5: Second copy of the Sept. 10, 1975 telex
• Page 6: Second copy of the Dec. 1, 1975 Boduroglu letter
• Page 7: Third copy of the Sept. 10, 1975 telex
• Page 8: No OCR text or image supplied

People and organizations

From John J. Welsh, M.D. (Union Carbide Corporation, New York (addressee of the December 1, 1975 inquiry)) to Mr. U. Boduroglu (Manager, Engineering Services, Union Carbide Europe, S.A., Geneva).

• John J. Welsh (author)
• U. Boduroglu (recipient)
• Union Carbide Corporation (its organization)
• Medical Department (named)
• Nohab (named)
• Swedish Broadcasting and TV Corporation (named)
• Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions (named)

Related pages

Pages on our site about what this document covers: Asbestos and Lung Cancer · Mesothelioma: What It Is, How It's Diagnosed, and How It's Treated · What is asbestosis.

About this copy

This is document UC-4367 of the Union Carbide documents, documents produced and used as evidence in asbestos lawsuits against Union Carbide, 8 pages. Production numbers UCC 009812 to 03400.