Document 4JLrpRgZGNRZzydD90z9m39BQ

To: From: Cc: Bcc: Received Date: Subject: Hill, Patsy PM SCC <PH197432@MSXSOPC.SHELL.COM> Gingell, Ralph R SCC <lO=SHELLlOU=MSXSCC/CN=RECI PI ENTS/CN=RG724048> Owen, David DE SC-CHSE-DO <David.E.Owen@OPC.shell.com>; Steup, David R Alliance <DRSteup@equiva.com>; Mallett, Anthony AK SC-CHSE-TM <Anthony.K.Mallett@OPC.shell.com> 2000-03-3017:23:09 GMT Benzene API meeting Patsy: I sat in on the API Benzene Work Group meeting on Tuesday 28th March at Houston Airport. Pat Beatty [Chevron Chair], Dave Steup [Equiva], Rob Schnatter and Caroline Fairbrother? [Exxon], ? Chevron and Jim Vail [ex API] attended. There will be a new staffer soon - George Woodall Jr. Most of the time was spent discussing a proposed human case-control study in Shanghai. NTP has published questionable findings from a study in Bejing in benzene/solvent exposed workers. There is a window of opportunity for industry to conduct a more extensive study in Shanghai, which is estimated to cost $1.5MM a year for 5 years. This study is intended to develop a risk assessment for BZ-induced AML because of the uncertainties with the current Pliofilm-based risk assessment [mostly questionable historical exposure assessments]. API is trying to form an international consortium to help fund this study. Pat Beatty will make a presentation at a 11th AprillPECA meeting in Paris, and there will be outreach to other US, European and Japanese companies. Pat will send me the protocol for the study, which has been peer reviewed. I suggested API develop a one page summary of the study and importance of conducting for circulation to all parties with interest in joing the consortium. Other items: a. BZ has been listed in the Childrens Health proposed voluntary program, so additional animal tox testing may be indicated. b. Acute Exposure Guidance Values [AEGLS] for BZ are being developed for EPA by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. c. Ongoing research - mechanisms of benzene carcinogenicity: 1. Whysner: apparent lack of DNA binding suggesting non-genotoxic, supporting nonlinear low dose extrapolation for risk assessment. Whysner will draft a manuscript reviewing the literature. 2. Snyder. Benzene metabolite HQ may act by inhibiting topoisomerase, an enzyme that causes DNA unwinding. Another chemotherapeutic that acts same way causes AML. Patsy: David Owen has indicated that you will set up an agreemnt with David Steup [Eqiva] to provide Benzene support to Shell Chemical. David's intent is that David Steup will keep me regularly appraised of benzene issues, including API activities. I will be the local resource, but Tony Mallett in London will have primary responsibility in Shell Chemicals for BZ toX/health issues. David suggested that Phil Snyder sign an agreement on behalf of Shell Chemical Americas. Please let me know the details of the contract. Ralph Gingell, Senior Staff Toxicology Advisor Shell Chemical Company, PO Box 4320 Houston, Tx 77210 tel 713-241-0244; fax 713-241-3325; email rgingell@shellus.com SH ELL-MCCLU RG-060492 SH ELL-MCCLU RG-060493