Luzenac America Inc

Luzenac America Inc. 345 Inverness Drive South Centennial, CO 80112

March 30, 2006

Univar, Houston, TX

Attn: [email protected]

As you know, workplace and product safety are priorities for Luzenac. As a valued customer, we wanted to update you on recent developments in this area. Last October, the United States’ National Toxicology Program (NTP) completed a five-year review of health studies and ruled that existing scientific data are insufficient to identify talc as a cancer causing agent – the same conclusion drawn from the most extensive study ever conducted on this issue, involving 78,000 people over 20 years. More recently, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the same health studies over a much shorter period. It ruled that there is insufficient evidence to link occupational exposure to talc with higher incidence of cancer. Therefore, talc is not seen to pose a risk to people who handle our products. We expect no change in regulations involving occupational health and safety, transportation, waste handling or packaging associated with our products. IARC, however, reached a different conclusion regarding the application of talc-based body powder in the genital area. Although the studies reviewed do not differentiate between this use of talc and the many other habits and factors that influence people’s health, the Agency will categorize the use of talc-based body powder in the genital area as a possible risk factor for ovarian cancer. As context, the ruling places this use in the same IARC category as many other common practices, such as drinking coffee. We will continue to work closely with regulatory and advisory groups to investigate and better understand this issue, and to promote the safety of our products, and we will keep you informed of our progress. In the meantime, please contact your sales representative, Rachel Davis if you have any questions about this issue. Thank you for your business.

Sincerely, Kent Cutler Kent Cutler Vice President Americas