Document 6bQvJ9YZKGX4RKv4d1BRyD6Y3

Key Dates - Monsanto Manufacture of 2,4,5-Tichlorophenol (2,4,5-T) 1948 3/8/49 19491953 19491969 1957 1972 7/10/76 6/78 8/14/78 12/78 Manufacture at Nitro initiated. Autoclave rupture disc blows, e x p w e n g 114 people to the reaction mixture. A number of cases-tf chloracne resulted. 7, Dr. Raymond Suskind, a recognized dermatological expert now associated with the Kettering Institute in Cincinnati, examined 37 of the workers involved in the 1949 incident. -I Some 116 people involved in manufacture of 2,4,5-T were examined over the years by dermatologists in relation to chloracne complaints. The 2,4,5-T plant was shut down in 1969. Dioxins, a known by-product of 2,4,5-T manufacture, were identified as causative agents for chloracne. The 2,4,5-T unit was dismantled by outside contractors and disposed of in a buried dump. A dioxin accident at the Roche plant in Seveso, Italy spread material over a broad area and created an international incident (dioxins are now alleged to cause long-term health effects, including cancer). Suskind contacted Monsanto and requested permission to do a follow-up study on the group involved in the 1949 Nitro accident. The Environmental Policy Committee approved Dr. McCarville' recommendation to initiate an epidemiological study of the exposed Nitro personnel in cooperation with Dr. Suskind. Work began on this immediately. International officers of the Steelworkers' Union (which represents Nitro employes) contacted Monsanto to communicate their interest in doing a health study cn the personnel involved in the 1949 incident and 2,4,5-T manufacture, and to request medical records and other data on the employes involved. 1/79 Selikoff asked Suskind if he would cooperate in Monsanto study. C075i0 Key Dates - Monsanto Manufacture of 2,4,5-T 2- 2/2/79 Within the past week the Steelworkers' Union has stated they plan to bring a team of eight doctors into Charleston on April 6-8 to examine all involved personnel willing to cooperate. The study will be done with the cooperation of Dr. Selikoff of Mt. Sinai Hospital. Partial results from the Monsanto-Suskind epidemiological study underway since 9/78 indicate no cause for concern in the pattern of 30 deaths in the group of 114. Suskind has volunteered to do a more intensive health study on all exposed personnel beginning in March at an estimated cost of $60,-000-$75,000. Recommendations 1. Monsanto proceed, in cooperation with Dr. Suskind, to complete the epidemiological study started last September. 2. Monsanto-Suskind meet with Union representatives in February to review our past actions and present the protocol for the more intensive examinations of the involved personnel planned in March. Ideally, the Union would agree to suspend their program pending results of this study -- but odds of this are considered low. 3. Proceed with two independent reviews of the involved personnel, with the Suskind study starting in March. Lee A. Miller 2/5/79