L. Hemerda to Kenneth W. Smith on Edward Rozycki's Autopsy Findings (1963)

A three-page handwritten confidential note of October 16, 1963, signed "L.H." (L. Hemerda of J-M's Manville plant), to Dr. Kenneth W. Smith, J-M's medical director, about Edward Rozycki, a worker who had died on June 1, 1963, and to whose widow J-M was paying dependency benefits. Hemerda attached the autopsy report, which diagnosed primary mesothelioma of the peritoneum and asbestosis, and wrote that Dr. DuBow, whom he found going over the report in the medical department, was "absolutely captivated" by its comments page. Worried that the findings would be shared "as gospel truth with his so called friends," Hemerda suggested that Smith call DuBow and "dampen his exuberance."

What it shows

The pathologist's comment in the report says the case was "the fifth to be seen by the writer of mesothelioma with asbestosis." Hemerda, by his own account reading it with a layman's eyes, thought the comments page "might even be damaging." The note shows J-M's medical department receiving in 1963 an autopsy that tied a worker's death to mesothelioma and asbestosis, and a plant official asking the medical director to quiet a doctor who found it significant.

About this copy

Only Hemerda's three-page note is published here. The autopsy report attached to it (pages 4 to 11) and Edward Rozycki's death certificate (page 12, with his Social Security number) are held back.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

A handwritten memorandum to K. Smith from "L.H." (L. Hemerda) dated 10/16/63 states that Edward Rozycki died on 6/1/63 of mesothelioma. Hemerda states he showed the attached Autopsy Report to Dr. DuBow who was "absolutely captivated" by the comments section of the report. Hemerda further expresses his concern that DuBow, after having a legible report typed, may be sharing this information "as gospel truth with his so called friends". The author asks Dr. Smith to call DuBow to "dampen his exhuberance".