New Brunswick, N.J.
July 29, 1971
Subject:

Talc/Asbestos

Mr. L. Foster

Please refer to your memo of July 26, 1971.
The talc used in JOHNSON'S Baby Powder is obtained frolll a selected
mine in Vermont where the ore consists mainly of platy talc with
only trace amounts of fibrous minera!s (tremolite/actinolite). It
is free of chrysotil e fibers which may be called " pure asbestos II by
the layman.
The ore undergoes a careful purifying process which includes a
36-step washing process to maximize its content of high lubricity
p!aty talc and to remove or substantially reduce any traces of
fibrous lllinerals which may be present in the unrefined ore. The
resulting talc has been shown by three independent consulting laboratories* to contain negligible traces of fibrous minerals and no
chrysotile fibers.
We will be receiving sometime next week a report from our consultant,
Professor F. D. Pooley of the University College of Wales, Mineral
Exploitation Section, Cardiff, Great Britain. He has cOlllpleted an
exhaustive exalllination of a sample of baby powder by electron
microscopy and other sophisticated techniques. His oral report is
that it contains no asbestos.

W. Nashed
WN/cw

*

1.

Plaintiff's
Exhibit
J&J 210

Protected Document--Subject to Protective Order

Colorado Schoo! of Mines Research Institute (CSMRI):
a)

June 30 report on JOHNSON'S Baby Powder sample
Lot 344-L and 6 monthly samples of purified talc
frolll the Vermont llline.

b)

July 7 report on ore sample, tailings removed in
the processing and finished purified talc.

The CSMRI analyses are based on standard petrographic
and X-ray testing technique.

J NJ MX68_000004646

 Mr. L. Foster

2.

.. 2. -

July 2.9, 1971

Report from McCrone Associates, Inc. (July 27, 1971)
reporting on their findings by electron microscopic and
electron diffraction analysis of a Baby Powder sample.

3.

Report from the Dartmouth College Geology Department (June 28, 1971)
reporting on their findings of no tre'Illolite, garnet, or
asbestos in a sample of purified talc from the Vermont
mine.

LProtected Document--Subject to Protective Order

JNJMX68_000004647