T. M. Jackson, Jr. to W. M. Deutsch and C. L. Sheckler on Caution Notices for Celite Products Containing Asbestos (1970)

A one-page memo of May 11, 1970, from T. M. Jackson, Jr. of the Celite Division to W. M. Deutsch and C. L. Sheckler at headquarters, with the division's existing caution notice attached as Exhibit A. For many years the division had put a caution notice on bags of calcined diatomite, but some of its products also contained asbestos fiber, and "We have not, to date, referred to asbestos in our caution notices." Told by Dr. Spiel "that we must include a caution notice," Jackson proposes wording for bags containing asbestos, the same as the notice used by the Asbestos Fiber Division, and a combined notice for asbestos with calcined diatomite.

What it shows

The proposed asbestos notice reads: "This bag contains chrysotile asbestos fiber. Person exposed to this material should use adequate protective devices as inhalation of this material over long periods may be harmful." Exhibit A, the existing Celite notice, warned only about diatomaceous earth dust. J-M had put silica caution labels on Celite since at least 1952, and in 1967 Celite caution labels were not being used on exports.

About this copy

The writer's name is partly struck through on the copy; it is read as T. M. Jackson, Jr., following J-M's description.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

T.M. Jackson, Jr. (Celite Division) in a memorandum to W.M. Deutsch and C.L. Sheckler, 5/11/70 states that to date his division's products which contain asbestos do not carry caution notices. "We are now informed by Dr. Spiel that we must include a caution notice." Jackson offers some recommendations on this subject for approval.

Related documents

• H. M. Jackson to All Plant Managers on Caution Labels for Celite (1952)
• C. L. Sheckler to D. B. Wingerter on Caution Labels for Sil-O-Cel and Marinite Insulation Products (1968)