Document 71gK49Em6z7y2yGd7pD5rYG8e

VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING INTERNATIONAL CLUB, WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 21, 1983 ATTENDEES B. A. DiLiddo G. E. Disch S. Domenick H. R. Flammer F. Timpe L. Wheeler B. F. Goodrich Tenneco Polymers Occidental Conoco Chemicals Certain Teed Shell R. Buehler H. Fast M. M. O'Mara G. R. Snider L. J. Weisz J. Eldred (in part) L. Freeman R. T. Gottesman J. H. Heckman P. J. Kienhoiz G. R. Munger B. F. Goodrich B. F. Goodrich B. F. Goodrich B. F. Goodrich B. F. Goodrich Keller and Heckman S PI Vinyl Institute/S P I Keller and Heckman PPG Industries, Inc. S PI APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING Roy Gottesman will add footnotes to budget (Attachment). R. Flammer motioned for approved - G. Disch seconded -minutes approved by voice vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Financial Committee Larry Wheeler presented the statement of financial position, a copy of which is attached. Sources of funds are below projections as Air Products has not yet paid their first 50% assessment. Roy Gottesman will continue to work on collecting these monies. In discussion of uses of funds the estimated expenditure for Keller and Heckman was shown to be $50M over budget. This overage is principally due to high current expenditures for the FDA bottle survey. John Eldred expected these expenditures to come in line by early next year. Larry forecasted expenditures to approximate the budget through May of 1984. 2. Communications Committee George Snider presented the Communication Committee report. The committee is evaluating strategies for influencing various publics but focusing principally on the fire community. One of the major programs will be to produce a cooperative film with Eddie McCormack and the ISFSI for use by the fire training academies. This film would describe the environment and after affects of fires involving PVC as well as recommended procedures for fighting such fires. The film would then be made available at cost to the fire community. SPI-09096 VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 21, 1983 PAGE 2 Doremus, our public relations consultants, presented their activities to date as well as a proposal tor future programs. They've been quite successful in identifying Allied Tube and Conduit with various front organizations blunting their effectiveness. As a result, Allied's level of activity seems to be on the wane. Future public relations efforts will be slated to: a) Monitor Allied Tube b) Scout key conventions such as NFPD c) Educate the fire community d) Investigate large fires to counter opposition e) Educate public on fire safety (coordinate with SPI) Doremus then presented their ideas for media promotion of vinyl which would complement these public relations activities. The proposed theme is to take the high road in stressing vinyl's attributes through an advertising campaign. Vinyl-the Plastic Fantastic and The Beauty of Vinyl ads would show siding, wire and cable, pipe and other applications as highly beneficial to the public. To get started, it was proposed that we pursue two test market cities. The publics to be reached would include the fire community and local government as well as the general public. The cost of the test market would be $330M for media alone. If this were successful and a major program were desired this could run $2.6 to $3.0 MM. The proposed 1983/84 budget would be: Media --Commercial --Trade Production Research Public relations 330 427 100 . 77 323 $1,258 General discussions indicated severe concern over whether the Institute could fund such an ambitious program. B. A. DiLiddo requested that G. Snider review and prioritize the key segments of the program. 3. Legal Committee The Legal Committee report was given by Harold Fast for Susan Litzau. Dr. Fishbein of Borden is working with Batelle to abstract and catalogue articles relating to fire litigation. Once completed, this will be available to Vinyl Institute members. A proposal was made for implementation of the fire SPI-09097 VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 21, 1983 PAGE 3 investigation team. This was voted on later in the meeting. The three areas of interest in fire litigation are Younkers, MGM, and the Philadelphia fireman suit. There are no other known cases in litigation. The Air Canada fire does not appear to be a PVC fire either in terms of fuel load or autopsy data which indicate the victims died from carbon monoxide. There is a Business Week article that is in the writing stage on PVC litigation. The VI will have an opportunity to talk to the author prior to finalization. Jerry Heckman reported on the status of PVC for use in packaging at FDA. The bottle end use survey was forwarded to FDA on August 17th. This should enable FDA to clarify PVC status by year end. Jerry's handout on the subject is attached. 9. Manufacturing Practices Roy Gottesman reported on activities with regard to the EPA standard on emergency VCM releases. The committee is attempting to obtain a numerical release limit. Vinyl chloride in landfills in California may become a potential issue. Roy proposed that we bring the Vinyl Chloride Safety Association into the Manufacturing Practices Committee of the Vinyl Institute. This was agreeable to the Board members. 5. Technical Committee Mike O'Mara reported on the committee's activities. Key projects underway are: White Paper - technical information on PVC combustability will be disseminated to the public through the Public Relations Committee. Peg Donahue is spearheading creation of a series of data sheets on subjects including PVC flammability characteristics, nature of combustion gasses, toxicity of gasses, and comparison of combustion characteristics of PVC vs other widely used construction products. 0 Computer Data Base - Lee Fishbein is responsible for development -this is proceeding on schedule and within the $5,000 budget item. Medical Research - Bud Hall has a subcommittee which is developing the program. Initial quotation from Southwest Research indicates that the respiratory, eye etching and physiological studies will run about $100M. Large Scale Bwns - Bill Carroll is coordinating programs with SWR, NBS, Marriott and SPI. SPI-09098 VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 21, 1983 PAGE 4 Fire Modeling - Fred Clark is being utilized to predict toxicity and overall risk of various types of fires. We are hoping to develop a fire hazard index. 0 Pipe Permeation - Battelle Study. Phase I is completed. It shows that all piping materials undergo permeation through the pipe joining systems. Phase II (water/solvent) is currently underway. Completion will require an additional $38M over a six month period. 0 Plenum Cable Testing - Southwest Research conducted the tests showing rapid decay of Hcl and sublethal concentrations of Co and Hcl in the room below the Plenum. Mike urged that additional research be commissioned to determine medical effects of PVC combustion gasses, particuarly Hcl. This should receive high priority. Bart DiLiddo requested that the committee develop an expenditure schedule for monies prioritizing each project. R. Flammer suggested we pursue help in funding from the Chlorine Institute. Roy Gottesman then spoke to a "brainstorming" session conducted by the Technical Committee to explore other potential technical and environmental issues which may need to be addressed in future programs. He proposed sending this list to the membership for comment. 6. Codes A Regulatory Committee The group is still looking for a chairman. A proposal was submitted by Dan Kent to act as a consultant to the group. John Blair of Du Pont has joined the committee. Fred Timpe requested that members having code or regulatory experience volunteer personnel for his committee. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES: California Pipe leaching studies will be conducted on plastic and metal pipe. OSHA issues have been diffused as outside the scope of the EIR. Report attached. New York The A. D. Little report on development of fire safety standards for building materials was critiqued by SPI. There is no immediate activity which is required as the toxicity standard on building materials has no current timetable for legislative action. SPI-09099 VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 21, 1983 PAGE 5 Federal Activity Elimination of plastics in nursing home construction was posed but has little support. Senator Quail conducted a hearing on national fire standards. The plastics toxicity issue had not come up and there seems to be little sentiment for pursuing this further. The consumer safety combustion toxicity program is having difficulty getting started for lack of funding. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Roy Gottesman discussed recent activities. Report attached. MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM Georgia Pacific has joined the SPI and will likely join the Vinyl Institute. Formosa Plastics is uncommitted. ShinTech, in a letter to Larry Wheeler, declined to participate. It was proposed that we ammend the by-laws to include auxiliary suppliers to the PVC industry as well as the vinyl fabricators. The fee proposed is $10,000. Roy will provide a copy of the Vinyl Institute presentation for those who are interested or would like to give this talk to potential members. BUDGET AMENDMENTS - APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS Bart DiLiddo conducted the voting on key programs to be incorporated into the existing budget. a) R. Flammer proposed that $45,719 be authorized for production of a film for the fire training academy. S. Domenick seconded. Passed 6-0. Responsibility for execution - Communications Committee. b) G. Disch proposed that $25,000 be authorized for creation of a fire investigation team. L. Wheeler seconded. Passed 6-0. Responsibility for execution - Legal Committee. c) F. Timpe proposed that $38,000 be authorized to complete Phase II of the Battelle Pipe Permeation Study. R. Flammer seconded. Passed 60. Responsibility for execution - Technical Committee. d) Bart DiLiddo proposed that an additional staff member be approved. Estimated cost - $33,000 to $36,000 to 5/31/84. G. Disch seconded. Approved 6-0. Responsibility for preparation of job description and search - Roy Gottesman. SPI-09100 VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 21, 1983 PAGE 6 e) F. Timpe proposed that a consultant, Dan Kent, be retained to advise and represent the VI in various code matters. Expenses of retaining this consultant are estimated at $28,300 through 3/31/83. Seconded by G. Disch. Passed 4-2. Responsibility for execution - Codes and Regulatory Committee. B. DiLiddo made a motion to adjourn the meeting. G. Disch seconded. Passed by voice vote. Subsequent to the meeting, Larry Wheeler prepared a new expenditure projection based on the monies approved during the meeting. Larry's letter, revised budget and estimated expenditures through May 31, 1984 are attached. SECRETARY SPI-09101 VINYL INSTITUTE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FISCAL YEAR 1983-84 ACTUAL THROUGH JULY 31. 1983 ESTIMATED THROUGH MAY 31, 1984 SOURCES OF FUNDS CARRY FORWARD FROM $ 51,988.22 $ 51,988.22 FISCAL YEAR 1982-83 ASSESSMENT INCOME PAID DUE 367,328.00 12,346.30 746,000.00 -0- SALES OF LITERATURE 12.50 TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS $431,675.02 USES OF FUNDS LEGAL SERVICES KELLER & HECKMAN 8,870.22 OTHER 9,551.05 COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM 67,483.27 TECHNICAL 50,186.15 MEETINGS -0- POSTAGE, PRINTING, MAILING - 62.93 STAFF TRAVEL 2,994.16 VINYL INSTITUTE STAFF 4,835.55 CONTINGENCY ALLOWANCE -0- TOTAL USES OF FUNDS 143.983.33 FUNDS AVAILABLE 287,691.69 12.50 $798,000.72 110,000.00 80,551.05 192,483.27 160,000.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 20,000.00 103,500.00 121,466.40 798,000.72 -0- BUDGET THROUGH MAY 31, 1984 -0- 746,000.00 -0-0- $746,000.00 60,000.00 71,000.00 150,000.00 200,000.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 20,000.00 125,000.00 115,000.00 746,000.00 -0- SPI-09102 f VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stouffers Concourse Hotel One Hartsfield Center Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30354 Tuesday December 7, 1993 2:00pm - 5:00pm Attendees: J. Alan Bailey, OxyChem Robert H. Burnett, Vinyl Institute Peter de la Cruz, Keller & Heckman Roy T. Gottesman, Chemical Management Resources Fred E. Krause, The Geon Company Dave Meeker, Edward Howard & Co. William F. Patient, The Geon Company, CHAIR John L. Russ, Borden Chemicals and Plastics (in part) Meredith N. Scheck, Vinyl Institute Mark J. Schneider, Vista Chemical Co. Vic Struber, Witco Corp. John Svalander, Eupropean Council of Vinyl Manufacturers I. OPENING OF MEETINQ/BBU INTRODUCTIONS/MEETING OBJECTIVES Mr. Patient, Executive Board Chairman, convened the meeting at 2 pm with a round of self introductions. He noted that the major purpose of the meeting from his perspective was to allow for a full discussion by the members of the Executive Commit tee of the challenges being posed by Greenpeace and for a review and discussion on other key issues. II. KEY ISSUES A. Greenpeace Response As background for Committee discussion, Mr. Svalander updated the Committee on the Austrian court-decision and European vinyl industry agreement to empower a special task force separately budgeted for to address Greenpeace specific activity. The Committee viewed the video "Hidden Costs". Mr. Svalander noted that the issues raised by Greenpeace have escalated to the point that it is necessary to go beyond opinion leaders with informa tion. SPI-11575 2 Mr. Patient noted that he personally believes that U.S. industry will be confronted in the near term by legisla tive and regulatory initiatives aimed at the chlorine inindustry general and the vinyl industry in particular as it represents the only growing user segment. Mr. Schneider noted that his company is looking to the Institute to assume the lead in dealing with the critics. He suggested that it might be appropriate to consider the development of an association political action committee. Mr. Bailey commented on the work done by the American Plastics Council to alter perceptions of plastics, and noted concerns about the limited membership of the vinyl industry in the APC. ACTION ITEM: Mr. de la Cruz was asked to investigate the formation of an association political action committee and report his recommen dations to the committee. A roundtable discussion followed on the range of activi ties that should be considered to deal with activist critics of the industry. Mr. Patient suggested the formation of a small task force of Board members to develop recommendations for Board discussion and asked Mr. Schneider to chair such as effort. ACTION ITEM: The Executive Committee agreed to the formation of a small task force to devel op recommendaitons for Board consider ation under the chairmanship of Mr. Schneider. Other participations are to include Mr. Russ as Immediate Past Chair man, Issues Management Committee Chair Fred Krause, Mr. Burnett, and support from Edward Howard & Co. as appropriate. Mr. Krause reviewed the objectives of the EDC/VCM/PVC Ad Hoc Quality Task Force and detailed the current status of activities. He noted the consensus recommendation of the ad hoc task force that the ChemRisk report (completed to analyze the literature used in the Greenpeace report 'Dioxin Factories") not be transmitted to EPA Administra tor Browner at this time. Mr. Svalander noted that the ChemRisk report has been used in Europe and he is aware that Plastics News has the information. Mr. Krause noted that the report, which has been used by one member company with Canadian environmental authorities, does point out the deficiencies in the Greenpeace report. It was the consensus of the group that the ChemRisk document should be released at the appropriate level within EPA and that this item would be discussed at the Board meeting. SPI-11576 3 ACTION ITEM: It was agreed that the release of the ChemRisk report to EPA and related activ ities would be discussed as part of the Issues Management Report at the Executive Board meeting. B. Kansas Status Mr. Krause reviewed the joint VI/Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association effort related to potable water in Kansas. He reviewed the objectives of the joint effort and the current status of research and investigation, as detailed on the attached. Mr. Krause stated that the water district in question has been reluctant to date to give any flow data to the project manager. Mr. Krause noted that the recommendation at this point in time in to: a) compile the results of the work to date, b) transmit the findings to EPA early in 1994 andc) request the cooperation and assistance of EPA to move the project ahead. Mr. Patient suggested that EPA be given the possible remediation solutions and protocol developed and suggest that the Agency be back in touch with the Vl/Uni- Bell if further assistance is needed. ACTION ITEM: The Executive Committee agreed that all information gathered and research com pleted to date be given to the EPA and that the industry offer to be of further assistance. III. POLICY DISCUSSION A. Membership Criteria Mr. Patient stated that both he and Mr. Burnett have had contacts with BFGoodrich regarding their participation in the Vinyl Institute. Mr. Patient stated that he believed that it would require a change in bylaws to incorporate manufacturers of CPVC. Mr. Bailey stated that he viewed this company as similar to any other company that buys PVC and, therefore, he views the consideration of membership as larger than just the membership of this one company. The consensus of the Committtee was that the current bylaws be further examined and that if this company fits existing membership eligibility criteria that they be invited to join. B. Responsible Care Partnership Program Mr. Burnett stated that he had forwarded the information on CMA's Partnership Program under Responsible Care to SPI-11577 4 members of the Executive Committee. He noted that participation would not entitle individual members to use the program's logo. Following discussion, Mr. de la Cruz was asked to prepare a resolution of intent regarding the Partnership Program to be presented to the Executive Board for a vote at the March meeting. ACTION ITEM: Mr. de la Cruz was directed to draft an appropriate resolution reflecting the discussion of the Executive Committee relative to the CMA Responsible Care Partnership Program for consideration by the Executive Board with a vote at the Board's March meeting. C. SPI Board of Directors Mr. Patient stated that as Chairman of the Vinyl Insti tute he is a member of the SPI Board of Directors. He noted that he considers this to be an important function but with the recent formation of Geon he has been unable to attend these meetings. Mr. Patient noted that SPI Bylaws allow for an alternate SPI Board representative to be appointed; and, in accord with this provision, he has explored with VI Vice Chairman J. Alan Bailey his interest and availability to assume this position. Mr. Bailey has indicated his avaialbility for this activity. Therefore, Mr. Patient stated that he would recommend to the Board that Mr. Bailey be designated to represent the VI on the SPI Executive Board. Mr. Patient further noted that there are opportunities for at-large seats on the SPI Board and any member who has an interest should notify Mr. Burnett. ACTION ITEM: Mr. Patient will recommend to the Execu tive Board that Mr. Bailey be designated the Vinyl Institute division representa tive. D. Tripartite Conference Mr. Burnett summarized the discussions at the last Tripartite meeting and noted that follow up discussions are tentatively planned for October 1994 in Japan, possibly tied to the meeting of the International Group of Chlorine Chemistry Associations. Mr. Patient noted that he hopes to have the next session focus on one to two strategic worldwide issues. SPI-U578 IV. NEW BUSINESS 5 Mr. Schneider noted recent litigation related to brain cancer and noted that the CMA Vinyl Chloride Panel will be considering updating the Epidemiology Study that covered the period through 1982. The updating is projected to cost $400600,000 over a two-year period. Mr. Schneider noted that he was not making the presentation to solicit Institute funds, but to apprise the Institute members of the initiative. Mr. Patient expressed a willingness to share any appropriate company health data. V. ADMINISTRATION Mr. Burnett reported on the status of the move of the Vinyl Institute offices, anticipated to occur March 1, 1994. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5 pm. Respectfully submitted. Meredith N. Scheck Assistant Director SPI-11579 t