The record
An x-ray diffraction analysis of Italian '1615' cosmetic talc in June 1972 reported tremolite as “non-detected” and chrysotile at 1 percent; the same laboratory found 1 percent chrysotile in No. 4609 cosmetic talc.
Claim scope
A dated (June 1972) positive chrysotile result at 1 percent in a cosmetic talc grade actually supplied to a consumer-product maker, and the earliest verified appearance of the term 'non-detected' inside a test report — three years before the CTFA formally adopted it as a standard term.
What this source does not establish
This is Whittaker, Clark & Daniels / Old Spice talc, NOT Johnson's Baby Powder. Do not attribute it to J&J.
Limitations
McNeal is the most valuable opinion in this set for timeline purposes because the court sets out the internal documents in an explicitly dated month-by-month chronology (headings 'a. August 1971' through 's. May 1977'). CRITICAL COUNTERWEIGHT: the court REVERSED the punitive damages award, holding the same evidence did not establish malice, oppression or fraud. Any use of McNeal must carry that disposition. The documents are verified as recounted; the culpability inference was rejected by this court. Different company, different product line. The value is the method-and-terminology history, not J&J-specific knowledge.
Source
Case Citation — McNeal v. Whittaker, Clark & Daniels, No. B313472 (Cal. Ct. App. 2d Dist. Div. 8, July 5, 2022) (published; reporter cite UNVERIFIED)