1937: Asbestos, Talc, and Tremolite Talc. What was then Known by the Standard Oil Company (N.J.).

We already know that, per the historical documents, Johns-Manville was aware of asbestos occupational lung related issues arising in its Manville, N.J. facilities by the early 1930s. My blog at https://theasbestosblog.com/?p=769 mentions the twelve lawsuits filed in the late 1920s which Manville settled for $30,000 in total with secrecy agreements in 1933, along with obtaining a promise by the attorney representing the injured parties to stop bringing the lawsuits.

So, how about others during that era? I happen to have a 1937 study titled “Dust Producing Operations in the Production of Petroleum Products and Associated Activities” by Standard Oil Company (N. J.) which, from my reading, was a company trying to do the right thing with the knowledge existing to them at the time. In fact the Foreword states as follows:

“Because it is the duty of industry to protect its employees and because no comprehensive survey of the hazards incident to occupational dust problems had yet been made, it was felt that here was an opportunity to render a service to the petroleum industry and its employees by making such a survey.“

I apologize in advance for the quality of the document,, but this is what I have. I find it interesting that the study starts off with a management acknowledgment that it has a duty to protect employees.

As such, their statements seem honest and straight forward, even when they recognize hazards and propose remedial solutions. Selective pages from the study can be found at https://theasbestosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1937-Standard-Oil-Selective-Portions_02202023.pdf. What I find particularly interesting are the discussions on health hazards related to talc and “tremolite talc,” as known in 1937, but I digress. Let’s first discuss the purpose of the study and occupational Asbestosis disease arising from asbestos exposure.

Initially, this is a “Safety Memorandum” which states that “dust today is also recognized as dangerous” and that the “time element (exposure) and the concentration and size of the dust particles are major factors in producing health hazards.” Most importantly, they recognized by 1937 that “The evidence that excessive dustiness of any kind is harmful is beyond argument.”

As to asbestos exposure in particular, page 7 of the report notes that Asbestosis may cause enlarged hearts and possibly emphysema.

Asbestos floats were also analyzed and discussed in terms of too much exposure.

As to talc and what they called “tremolite talc”, I found the discussion fascinating as to the studies being undertaken at the time and their analysis. I am not a talc expert, and so feel free to read the discussion on the “injurious” nature of talc and their recommendation on maximum exposure on page 55 as follows, and come to your own conclusion:

And, in a conclusion worth reading in full:

There is nothing better than history through documents. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or sending me an email at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com. Thank you. Marty