Use of Anti-Warnings to Falsely Reassure Downstream Users: An Asbestos Example

Product warnings are theoretically designed to reduce injuries associated with occupational, environmental, or consumer product exposures. Unfortunately, in an effort to protect sales, some companies have produced media and information to falsely reassure their customers about the risks associated with their products. These tactics have been termed “anti-warnings.” We reviewed corporate documents uncovered in litigation alongside other historical publications to ascertain the types of anti-warnings used by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) regarding their asbestos products. Our review finds that UCC went to great lengths to confuse their customers and make their particular asbestos product—which contained short-fiber, chrysotile asbestos—look safe. We discuss three primary communications methods UCC used: industry-produced publications, sales force direct communication with customers, and public speeches. These examples provide further insight into how corporations encourage uncertainty about the risks associated with their products. Understanding anti-warning methods is critical for the implementation of future policies that protect consumer, worker, and environmental health.

Revisitando o desastre de Bhopal: os tempos da violência e as latitudes da memória

Resumo Na madrugada de 3 de dezembro de 1984, um acidente numa fábrica da filial indiana da empresa estadunidense Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) viria a desencadear o maior desastre industrial da história: o desastre de Bhopal. Neste texto, a partir de um trabalho etnográfico recente, propõe-se um encontro, mais de 30 anos depois, com as vozes daqueles cujas vidas foram afetadas pelo desastre de Bhopal. Esta abordagem pretende convocar leituras sobre o tempo, a violência e as demarcações de humanidade que definem a memória social. Em particular, pretende-se questionar os processos pelos quais algumas vidas são desproporcionadamente expostas à violência e fracassam em receber justa compensação, bem como os itinerários pelos quais alguns sofrimentos são tendencialmente elididos da memória social do Ocidente. Finalmente, analisa-se a forma como a vulnerabilidade biográfica e corpórea, imposta pelo desastre, criou espaços de enunciação e narrativas de resistência.1

Management compensation, restructuring, and value creation at union carbide corporation

The paper is a case study of the Union Carbide Corporation during a very tumultuous period. In 1979, the demand for several of UCC’s chemical products either was in decline or soon would be which contributed to a severe decline in stock value. During this period, management compensation plans evolved to more closely align management with shareowners. The Bhopal tragedy and a subsequent unsolicited takeover attempt tested management, and the new compensation incentives, ultimately leading to a more focused and more highly valued company.