C. E. Ernst and Vandiver Brown on Answering Pratt & Whitney About Fibrous Adhesive and Insulkote (1951)

Two one-page memos. On June 27, 1951, C. E. Ernst at Johns-Manville's division headquarters passed to Vandiver Brown, J-M's attorney, a request from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, which was classifying the materials in its plant by the skin conditions they might cause and wanted the basic ingredients of J-M's Fibrous Adhesive and Insulkote. Ernst listed the ingredients, both containing asbestos fiber, and added: "Of course we would like to avoid giving detailed description of the materials going into Insulkote if this is feasible." On July 11, 1951, Brown suggested a reply naming the main ingredients and stating that while asbestos dust is "an occupational disease hazard" with excessive exposure over long periods, "it is inconceivable that asbestos fibre as incorporated in these materials could create such a hazard."

What it shows

The customer had asked only about skin conditions. Brown's draft went further, acknowledging that asbestos dust was a recognized occupational disease hazard while assuring the customer that these products could not pose it, and saying J-M knew of no worker who had contracted a skin disease from them. His draft left out the bentonite clay, carbon black and slate dust Ernst had listed for Insulkote, describing them only as "inert mineral fillers." Similar answers to customers that year include Brown's letter to General Electric on Spintex.

About this copy

The signature on the June 27 memo is partly obscured. The writer is taken to be C. E. Ernst, to whom Brown's July 11 memo is addressed.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Memo from V. Brown in reply to memo dated 6/27/1951 from C.E. Ernst asking about hazards of asbestos in fibrous adhesive and insulation products. Brown says it is "inconceivable" that the products could cause the hazards that are associated with long term asbestos exposure.

Correspondence relating to an inquiry to J-M by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft concerning potential risks of dermatitis arising from use of Fibrous Adhesive and/or Insulkote. P & W requested information concerning the "basic materials" incorporated in these J-M products. Vandiver Brown suggested a draft response to be sent by the division to P & W which said in part: "Of course, it is well recognized that asbestos fibers in the form of dust constitute an occupational disease hazard where there is exposure to excessive quantities over long periods of time, but it is inconceivable that asbestos fiber as incorporated in these materials could create such a hazard. Moreover, we know of no instance where workmen engaged in manufacturing or applying these materials have contracted a dermatosis [sic] that could be attributed to them."