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Lesson Plans


Dixon Statement

From: Nagel, Judy (JNagel)
Date: Thu Jun 01 2000 - 06:33:31 PDT

  • Next message: Rdunkelart: "Re: Dixon Statement"

    FYI This is a statement Sax received from the makers of Prang crayons. Judy

    GENERAL STATEMENT
    From Richard F. Joyce
    President and Co-Ceo
    Dixon Ticonderoga Company
    Heathrow, Florida

    An article appeared in today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer written by two of
    their reporters allegedly claiming that major brands of kids' crayons
    contain asbestos. This supposed claim by the paper's reporters is based on
    tests the newspaper had done by two labs. Manufacturers cited in the
    article are Crayola, Prang and Rose Art. It is being alleged that the talc
    used as a strengthening agent in the crayons is the asbestos contaminant.

    We have already implemented a company plan to respond to the inaccurate
    information printed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. We are an industry
    forerunner manufacturing products for more than 200 years for kids and
    adults that are safe and non-toxic. Our company has remained in the
    forefront by setting standards to insure that our products are safe for kids
    of all ages. We are the makers of the world's best pencil and are the
    creators of the first and only crayon made from an environmentally safe and
    renewable resource - soybeans. Every Prang crayon that is proudly made in
    Sandusky, Ohio, by our team at Dixon Ticonderoga is certified for safety and
    non-toxicity by ASTM-4236, the US Government-supported Agency for toxicity
    testing as well as the Art and Creative Materials Institute, a trade
    association charged with testing and certifying such materials.
    Furthermore, the suppliers of talc used by the crayon makers certify that
    tremolitic talc is asbestos free and safe to use; the composition of this
    talc is correctly stated on the MSDS and is not an asbestos-containing
    product. We have been in contact with the R.T. Vanderbilt Company Corporate
    Industrial Hygienist and Manager of Risk Management John Kelse who confirms
    that the talc they supply is the 'most studied talc in the world from both a
    minerological and biological perspective.' Kelse states that 'because of the
    complex mineral make-up of industrial grade talc, that it does confuse some
    laboratories (typically those who have never seen these materials before and
    are absent of adequate mineralogical expertise), and that Vanderbilt
    periodically provides assistance to these laboratories.'

    (Presently our company is in the process of releasing information to the
    media to help the general public correctly understand that crayons are
    indeed safe and are asbestos free. We are also asking each of you to help us
    convey the accurate information when questioned by family and friends.
    Should you be approached by the media or other outside organizations, please
    forward such requests to my attention for handling. We will update you
    further on this matter with additional communication.)

    jnagel 

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