Document 1g1b942KpM2Op8r2Ea9ygpRRE

i > ucc 067728 February 22, 1974 Marcus M. Key, M, D. Director, National Institute of Occupational Safety It Health 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, Maryland 20852 Dear Dr. Key: Z recently advised NIOSH of the evidence of a ease of angiosarcoma among employees engaged in the manufacture of PVC at our South Charleston plant. I believe I stated that the death certificate in this ease listed primary cause of death as heart failure and angiosarcoma only as a contributing cause. Shortly after advising you X received information indicating that Z had been misinformed r garding the death certificate and that in fact the death certificate listed the-cause of death as angiosarcoma. This may not be important, but I felt I should set the record straight. Kindest regards. Very truly yours. C. U. Deraehl, M. D. Ik Associate Medical Director t^v ucc 067729 T. W. Carmody D. H Glenn, M D. R. E. Graebert H. R. Gueat R, W. Holland, Jr., M. D. E. Q. Hull, M. D. A. B. Steele J. J. Welsh, M. D. R. N. Wheeler J. W. Whittlesey February 14, 1974 Medical Department Gentlemen: I attach a few notes summarising a meeting called by NIOSH to discuss the problem of carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride. Very truly yours. CUDtlk Attachment C. U Dernehl, M. D. Associate Medical Director ucc 067730 3 ucc 067731 I attended a meeting called by NIOSH at the Sheraton-Hopkins at Cleveland on February 12. 1974. This meeting wa called to acquaint all interested persona with the current status of the problem f cancer of the liver in employees engaged in the manufacture of PYC and to advise regarding NIOSH plans for attack on this problem. The morning was spent in reviewing the current knowledge of the situation and was divided into four categories. I will give the categories and comment briefly on any significant comments that were made in each. By significant X mean information hot generally held by those involved in the problem. ]. Manufacturing and Industrial Hygiene Relatively little new information was uncovered in this review and perhaps the review pointed out most clearly a rather impressive lack of knowledge of NIOSH people regarding manufacturing processes involved in PVC. 2. Medical Findings and Pathology The significant item here was that NIOSH has confirmed that the suspect fourth ease was indeed an angiosarcoma so that we now definitely have four eases of the disease in the Goodrich plant at Louisville. It was also pointed out that all four cases had a non-alcoholic cirrhosis and NIOSH is investigating at least four additional suspect cases of cirrhosis among employees in the plant. 3. Epidemiology The major discussion here was concerned with the problems of identifying angiosarcoma among the many different diagnostic possibilities listed as cause of death on a death certificate. The epidemiolojgitets point out that there may indeed be a significant number of cases of angiosarcoma hidden under different ifiagnoatie terminology. 4. Toadcologv Nothing new or startling was submitted here. ucc 067732 The afternoon wai devoted to discussion of the same four area* given above but with the Interaat now pointed toward NIOSH's ongoing program in theae area#. 1. In the industrial hygiene area NIOSH expects to viaifca number of manufacturing operations and to do appropriate sampling of the air far vinyl chloride monomer. They will look far sources of leaks permitting the escape of VCM and they will investigate improved technology to reduce the escape of VCM. Otherwise they will be conducting routine industrial hygiene surveys. 2. Epidemiology - NIOSH along with other government agencies will be establishing a surveillance of all deaths in the United States of liver cancer with a view to Confirming the type of malignancy involved and thus establishing a factual incidence of the disease in the United States* They also intend to select e block of plants which should lnvalvo all four of the standard manufacturing processes for PVC and hopefilly will not involve any copolymers. 1 doubt that they will be able to most this criteria. A detailed epidemiological stofy of all tha diseases appearing in this work force will he undertaken in an attempt to develop the spectrum of diseases seen in these workere. 3. Medical - Becauae it la wall nigh Impossible to diagnose angiosarcoma of the liver prior to surgery or autopsy, it will be necessary to rsiy upon the concomitant disease, cirrhosis, to identify persons for whom there should be e high index of suspicion. Since cirrhosis is by itself an exceedingly difficult disease to diagnose until it reaches an ndvanedd stage, NIOSH will convene e panel of experts an liver disease who will develop essential protocols which should be followed by physicians examining employees working in a production of PVC. ucc 067733 ucc 067734 4. Toxicology * After careful review of ongoing toxicology programs NIOSH will select any additional work which it believes should bd done* will develop protocols for the studies arid will probably ask for bids by outsiders for the completion of the work. NIOSH has established an advisory committee for dealing with tills problem* and Union Carbide has K. N. Wheeler on that advisory committee. C. U. Demehl* M. D. Ik February 13* 1974 # ucc 067735 February 14, 1974 Mr* C. J. Dinklocker Jennat Corporation 40 Veronica Arenue Someraet, Hew Jersey 08873 Dear Mr. Dinklocker: Ae per your request I am attaching Toxicology Studies sheets on triethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol which you may transmit to your customer in answer to their request tor toxicity data* Very truly yours. C* U. Demehl, 34* D* lk Attachments Associate Medical Director ucc 067736 Mr A* Lao Lind* Division South Plainfield, N. J, February 13, 1974 Medical Department The subject of oxygen resuadtatore has been reviewed by physicians in the New York Medical Department, and it is their general conclusion that either the Robertshew or Hudson units would be acceptable* Very truly yours. CUDilk C. U. Dernehl, M* D. Associate Medical Director ucc 067737 Mr. V. J. llamba Tarrytown Technical Center Saw Mill Elver Bead Boute 100C Tarrytown, HI February 13, 1974 MEDICAL WSAmMEET Dr. J. J. Velah Dr. K. 8. Lane Dear Mr. Eiemba: During a visit to the Tarrytown site on February 8, 1974, the following areas and situations were Inspected and reviewed. Linde Bldq. Copper Project--A discussion was held with Dr, Bschehbahh and others regarding problems of metal five. It was ascertained that during runs on two different occasions symptoms of metal fisM fever were exhibited by three individuals associated with the project. Improvements in exhaust ventilation and control of five were Indicated and air sampling during extended runs was suggested so that conditions may be controlled and contaminant levels defined. Copper five has a limit of 0.2 ng/m^ and good control Is essential to prevent recurrence of the previously noted conditions with same of the personnel, r Other metal contaminants present such as sine etc. could add to the pxoblw. It Is also reconanded that prior to start up of projects of this kind that this departnent- be contacted so that potential hazards can be minimized. ucc 087738 Mr. V. J. Zieaba -2- February 13, 1974 Overall noise levels were determined in Roan 731 where scarfing development is carried out. Recults were as follows: Condition Overall noise dBA Ho room exhaust fan on Rocm exhaust fen operating Rower unit for electric welder Standard Bearflng - Rost PHE ft ft - PRK-PBI-HO Oo M 1 - 0 10# cutting tt * - 02 6 20# cutting - 02 t 30# cutting Spot scarfing - preheat ft ft - Og start 19 n ** - oj> cutting 72 79 83 99 106.5 111 113.5 114.5 88 114.5 107 UCRI A process using hydrogen and carbon monoxide at elevated tnperatures and pressnres was discussed and it was felt that with the precautions that had been outlined and the quantities of material involved that this could be done safelR* Silicones Bldg. Air samples for TBL were taken in Booms 111 and 116. In Room 111 where the frothing operation fhr coating sheets is carried out about 0.02 ppm XDZ were found at the operator position by the hood. In the general room in the vicinity of the overflow and check station bucket slightly less than 0.01 ppm TOT was found. While these concentrations are about or aonawhht below present limits for fm, they are higher than the proposed limit of 0.00$ ppa for eontlaous exposure. It is understood that a constant monitoring dsrrice will be Installed in tills area. In Room 116 a mold operation was observed and stapled. Only one mold was filled and the TOT oonaeuttoatlta was determined to be less than 0.01 ppm. ucc 067739 Mr. W.J. ZlMte -3- February 13, 1974 81noe both operations observed war* only on* ahot type situations, It Is not possible to sap tbat levels of TDX would main low If the operations ware carried out throughout an entire shift. If you have aiQr further questions regarding any of these areas covered, please contact m. ***rfHng you again for courtesies extended, I reaaln. Very truly yours. Ut/Jr L. J. XaFrance Industrial Qyglenlst ucc 067740