Owens-Corning Fiberglas - Owens-Illinois

OWENS CORNING: "WE DIDN'T KNOW ASBESTOS WAS DANGEROUS...HONESTLY!"

The following are direct quotes from documents drafted or received by agents, officers or employees of Owens Corning Fiberglas.

1941
"I believe that most articles covering occupational disease exposure definitely warn of the hazards of asbestosis growing out of the use of asbestos." Letter from Aetna Insurance to OCF.

1941
Answers to Sworn Interrogatories, filed under oath in 1979.

Interrogatory No. 43: When did OCF learn for the first time of a diagnosed case of asbestosis or any asbestos induced carcinoma: (a) involving users of asbestos insulation products?

Answer: (a) 1941
1942 OCF gathers medical articles published since 1938 which cites to " references to scores of publications in which the lung and skin hazards of asbestos are discussed."

1943
"The fact that you are starting with a mixture of quartz and asbestos would certainly suggest that you have all the ingredients for a first class hazard." Letter from Dr. Gardner, Saranac Laboratories, regarding animal studies on toxicity of Kaylo asbestos pipe insulation.

1944
OCF receives letter from doctor advising that a 55 year old insulator employee of OCF had asbestosis. "He is suffering from asbestosis, a condition that results from exposure to asbestos dust. The disease is a well recognized form of lung pathology that manifests itself in a diminution of lung capacity resulting in shortness of breath. Can be diagnosed with x-rays."

1948
Saranac Laboratory's report on Kaylo dust experiments: "Kaylo dust on inhalation is capable of producing asbestosis and must be regarded as a potentially hazardous material. . . . Since Kaylo is capable of producing asbestosis, it is better to discover it now in animals rather than later in industrial workers. Thus, the company, being forewarned, will be in a better position to institute control measures for safeguarding employees and protecting its own interests."

"Certain investigations have indicated that a seemingly negligible proportion of fibrous asbestos is sufficient to produce asbestosis, although the development of the lesions is delayed."

1952
"The results of the investigations with animals show that Kaylo dust is capable of producing a peribronchiolar fibrosis typical of asbestosis. ... Although extrapolation from animal to human experience is difficult, nevertheless the results of the study indicate that every precaution should be taken to protect workers against inhaling the dust." Letter from Saranac Laboratories to OI regarding study entitled "The Capacity of Inhaled Kaylo Dust to Injure the Lung."

1956
Letter to OCF from Dr. Gerritt Schepers: "I suppose you already know that asbestos is fairly well incriminated as a carcinogen...."

1956
Internal OCF Memo regarding Dr. Scheper's Letter: "This is certainly not what I had in mind when I asked Dr. Schepers to give us a letter incorporating favorable statements .... It is certainly nothing that we could show customers or a union."

1956
OCF Promotional Brochure for Kaylo Insulation: "Non-irritating, non-toxic nature make Kaylo a well liked worker's material." "Contributes to workers' well being."

1963
OCF Internal Memo: "Asbestos (as found in Kaylo) when breathed into the lungs causes asbestosis which often leads to cancer."

1964
OCF receives copies of reports by Dr. Irving Selikoff in which he discusses the "high incidence of cancer among insulation workers."

1965
OCF Internal Memo: "Our present concern is to find some way of preventing Dr. Selikoff from creating problems and affecting sales."

1965
OCF Internal Memo re: Kaylo Division. "I can find no better expression to explain my appraisal than alarm... Kaylo has a future... Kaylo needs support and its share of support for the future.... Kaylo is part of Owens Corning Fiberglas Corporation and damned proud to be one of the company's profit leaders! We intend to stay there! We need your help!"

1966
OCF Internal Memo re: Kaylo dust: "Asbestos is recognized as a health hazard causing asbestosis. Asbestosis requires 12 years or more of exposure to cause objective symptoms. ... Dr. Selikoff has stated that only one fiber in the body can cause cancer. Asbestos bodies sometimes develop into mesotheliomas.... Asbestos fibers should be removed from the atmosphere by adequate ventilation. If ventilation is impossible, suitable respirators should be worn."

1967
"...There appears to be a state of near panic on the part of some relative to the likelihood that cancer will result from prolonged exposure to asbestos found in Kaylo dust...." OCF Internal Memo.

1967
"As you are well aware, the government will probably blow the whistle relative to the use of asbestos in the not too distant future, and before we embark upon a substantial expansion program at Berlin and/or consider putting a new facility in the Southwest, we had better be damn sure that we have an answer to the asbestos threat." Internal memo re Kaylo expansion.

1968
"Would it be wise from a liability protection point of view to indicate there might be potential hazards and therefore protective measures are advisable. Our approach has been to indicate that all medical research to date indicated no hazard to health." OCF Internal Memo re need for warning labels.

1970
"Reference is made to your memo regarding the warning label that should appear on Kaylo. Are you saying that we have to do this now? I naturally would like to delay this requirement as long as possible." Internal memo re Kaylo labeling.

1972
OCF Internal Memo regarding inquiry by Japan on Kaylo: "You are probing into a very sensitive area when you request information for transmittal to Japan on asbestos, its threat to health, government regulations and OCF Plans for attacking the problem. I'm not sure how much information OCF wants to release on the subject of Asbestos."

1972
OCF buys 145 tons of amosite fiber asbestos.

1996
"OCF never really made any decent profits from the sale of Kaylo." OCF's defense attorneys in Trial.