Document 4aLbQyKy5aJY21L9Dzzaw5pvQ

FILE NAME: Oil Industry and American Petroleum Institute (API) DATE: 1949 Feb 1 DOC#: API096 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Minutes of API Subcommittee on Carcinogenicity MIKOTBS SUBCOMMITTEE OK CAROIKOQBKICITY February 1. 1949 CONFIDENTS A meeting of the Subcommittee on Carcinogenicity was convened at 10 A.M., Tuesday, February 1st, 19^9t at 15 West 51st Street, Kew Terk City. MEMBERS PRESENT: T.M. Frank A.E. Hoag J.P. Holt T.J. Kelly W.H. Levis M.K. Kewquist C.A. Swan Mclver Woody A.E. Dooley H.Q.M. Fischer H.P. Lankelma K.Q. MacKenzie H.R.. Warrick K.B. Wilson (representing H.H. Zuidema) VISITORS: R.C. Cole QUESTS: A.W. Horton - University of Cincinnati D.V. Stroop - American Petroleum Institute TOTAL IK ATTEKDAHCE - 17 MEMBERS ABSEKT: L.E. Curtis L.C. Beard R.S. Bon8ib A.J. Koewing, Jr. Mr. Fischer, reporting on the January 31s^ meeting of the technical advisors of the Subcommittee presented the following objectives for discussion: 1 - Establish in what crudes and fractions thereof, compounds are present that may have carcinogenic properties and the types of processes that may either concentrate or create them and, if so, under what conditions. 2 - Establish analytical procedures to permit distinguishing between fractions that according to biological testing possess^^ 2 3 0 B i n E u l t carcinogenic properties and those that do not. It^would be helpful if a carcinogenic index could be devised for a refiner 01599 ^ 4 JtU. % cicnYi ' 1/40 * ^~cf V . ^-&y) . Ih l at the next session; and the moderator of each panel will present a summary at the general meeting at the close of the conference. The proceedings of the meeting will "be published in the Society's magazine and other Journals. Dr. Hoag was glad that the petroleum industry is being represented so that in accurate statements may be corrected. He cited as an example the tendency of uninformed persons to say that refined paraffin wax produced cancer. He felt that the various companies should try to get the facts to the employees and said that he is preparing an article for Socony's employee magazine titled "Some Things Tou Should Know About Cancer", and including some discussion of skin cancer. Mr. Cole was of the opinion that all these recent developments were forcing the petroleum industry to take action. He suggested that all API companies should institute the indicated control steps soon. ' y Dr. Kelly reported that a bulletin "Environmental Cancer" has been published by the Hational Cancer Institute and is available from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. at a price of twenty cents. .[c oErank reported that local management was supporting his medical program and ,t more information (possibly including pictures) from the API would be helpful informing management more thoroughly of the problem. >71' Swan stressed the importance of any publicity or information being accurate i| and complete. Dr. Levis said that, in the matter of giving out information it was essential to be factual and to create the opportunity for its release. - Mr. Stroop believed that the publicity problem was not so disturbing; that the API had a good defense against possible misstatements because of the investigations now in progress by the API and the individual companies. Dr. MacKenzie said that with the Cancer Society now, in the picture, added weight would be given to the problem. He cited reports on incidence of skin cancer among various groups and recommended that in all information releases, the complete k story be given to show that there are other things than certain petroleum products which may cause skin cancer. Dr. Hevquist recommended that the statement now on file with the API be reviewed and brought up to date if necessary. . Dr. Holt pointed out that in his opinion, and it was the view of the Jersey Company, that the employees should be told that a potential hazard exists relative to the handling of high boiling oils, and that reasonable precautionary measures should be instituted to prevent skin contact and ingestion of these materials. These views and suggestions are based on the biological and experimental results which have shown that these materials cause the development of cancer when applied repeatedly to the skin of mice and other animals. Dr. Hoag said that Socony has started an educational program by first informing local plant doctors who, in turn,are gradually telling foremen groups and the employees about cancer, including skill cancer. He said that the men have been . 911230 B i n E u l M 01600 (told to go to the medical department when they notice warts or other skin lesions. Dr. Hewquist was of the opinion that it would "be inadvisable to single out the term skin cancer and that it would he better to tie it in with other conditions. Any examination directed toward skin cancer should be tied in with the periodic examinations. Mr. Fischer pointed out that with precautionary measures in effect, such as tagging line8 and tanks, provision of showers, emphasis on personal hygiene, the men will ask why. If they are told merely that the materials are irritants, they may be come careless and not follow the precautions. Mr. Fischer, in response to a request for information, said that, while not all fractions boiling above 700 F. were carcinogenic, they should be considered as suspicious until proven otherwise. Vases were in a class by themselves. The normally crystalline carcinogens in crudes (e.g. Lima crude) may be concentrated during certain steps in wax processing. The 700 F. cut-point applied only to hydrocarbons; other carcinogenic compounds that boil below 700 F. may be present, such as aromatic amines perhaps in shale oils, certain sulfur and oxygenated com pounds. Dr. Holt, in discussing the effect of dilution, said tests show that 65-69$ mixtures of decanted oil in non-carcinogenic oil have essentially the same uotency as undiluted decanted oil, 50$ mixtures about 3/4- the original potency, 29$^ mixtures l/3 to 1/4 of the original potency. Ho data are available as yet on the potencies of blends containing less than 25$ decanted oils. Mr. Fischer, in reply to an inquiry about crank-case drainings, said that he had no information as to their carcinogenicity but would suspect them because of the severe conditions that crank-case oils may undergo. Dr. Frank said he had seen a statement that pipeline paint may be carcinogenic. It was decided to hold another meeting of the Subcommittee after the Memphis meeting and before the Detroit meeting, the time and place to be determined by the Chairman. A.E. Dooley Secretary Mclver Voody Chairman t. 911230 BlnfulM 01601