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*Letter received from Medical College of Wisconsin*

May 7, 20003

Mr. Brian Arnott
Glass Plus llc.

Dear Brian,

I have conducted high resolution x-ray crystallographic powder diffraction analysis of your tow samples, ground glass and the coal-derived particles. Neither sample contained any crystalline quartz associated with the disease silicosis.

X-ray crystallographic powder diffraction is the "gold" standard for analysis of crystalline structures. The primary crystalline material associated with the pneumoconiosis disease silicosis is alpha quartz and the powder diffraction pattern is easily identified. The diffraction pattern from your ground glass did not contain any diffraction lines, verifying that no crystalline quartz is present in your ground glass. Glass is a solid liquid and the diffraction pattern confirms this structure.

My laboratory has conducted extensive research over many years on particulate-induced diseases including the pneumoconiosis. We have published many articles in scientific and medical due to the interaction of the quartz structure with the cells lining the lungs. As your ground glass particles do not have any long-range molecular structure as evidenced by the lack of diffraction lines, your glass particles should not be able to interact with cells in a way that would induced any pneumoconiosis-like disease. I would however wear masks when using the glass particulate to avoid any inhalation of the glass particles as it is not good to have any foreign substance inhaled into the pulmonary system.

Your description of the oily coat on surfaces when using the coal derived particles may suggest that it is not ideal to use those particles as the oil may be aerosolized, inhaled, and could induce a reaction in the lung. Particles could also be coated with the oil, and if they are inhaled the oil on the particle surfaces could possibly induce an abnormal cellular response as well.

Sincerely yours,

Neil Mandel, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Orthopedic Surgery
Associate Dean for Research
Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development
Director, National VA Crystal Identification Center