Document 7OBKdrLedB9NXLGe3kvBzEjka

TO: Distribution JGC MMG: XF: rf Interoffice Communication FROM: DATE: SUBJ: T. G. Grumbles May 9, 1989 ALUMINA 8(C) INVESTIGATION UPDATE MEETING VISTA On April 24, a meeting was held at the LCCP to review the current status of the investigation of our 8(c) allegation on alumina. An agenda for the meeting is attached. The following were in attendance in addition to myself: John Friend, Keith Fogg, Dr. Drumwright, Charlie Dutra and Mike Hayes Below is a brief summary of the meeting and action items resulting from the discussions. 1. Tom Grumbles reviewed the "history" of the allegation and actions taken to date. Actions to date include alumina air sampling, employee interviews by Dr. Drumwright, a literature search for alumina health effect articles, and formation of an alumina exposure reduction team in the laboratory. 2. Dr. Drumwright reviewed the results of his interviews with employees who signed the original allegation. He interviewed 45 employees. The results of the interviews will be summarized in a memo to TGG for the investigation file. Dr. Drumwright discussed the extent of complaints and his medical opinion on their validity. In general, some of the sinusitis type complaints were more likely a physical irritation. Only a portion of the multiple allegations on the form were conveyed to him by employees, 3. The literature review has found no evidence or reports of short term effects similar to those alleged by our employees. However, the literature has little on alumina that is chemically equivalent to ours or on short-term studies of high exposures. Studies of human populations with long-term exposures show little or no effects. The literature also "suffers" from terminology confusion. It was decided that the summary review article and copies of the available references would be part of the employee communication "package". 4. Keith Fogg reviewed the air sampling done to date. Sampling has been conducted for routine and short-term high exposure jobs. In general routine job sampling showed exposures to be well WV 000010445 Distribution Memo May 9, 1989 Page 2 -3 below exposure limits, and often below 1 mg/m . summarized in a memo prepared by Brent White. been shared with some employees. The sampling is This data has 5. Some discussion was held regarding the respirable fraction of the dust, what we know about our customers experience with health effects, and toxicology testing for low level short-term exposures. Also it was mentioned that a plant engineer had experienced a nose bleed after an alumina exposure incident. Below are the action items decided on: 1. TGG will consult with Legal on the 8(e) status of this allegation. 2. KLF will incorporate alumina sampling into the routine plant sampling programs. 3. TGG will discuss the need for toxicity testing with the Business Area and explore a protocol design to evaluate short-term low-level exposures. 4. KLF will institute improved recordkeeping in the plant to try and capture future health effects related to alumina. 5. TGG will order full copies of articles used in the alumina health effects summary article. 6. TGG will work with the business area to get contacts for competitors and customers. The contacts will be questioned regarding any similar effects in their work places. 7. TGG will draft an intern report to update employees on the investigation. 8. JRD will contact Ray Plewa regarding his exposure and nose bleed. T. G. Grumbles dlj .619 Attachment Distribution: J. Friend, K. L. Fogg, C. Dutra, M. G. Hayes-LCCP J. R. Drumwright cc: W. L. McClain VVV 00001G446 AGENDA ALUMINA 8(c) INVESTIGATION STATUS MEETING APRIL 24 - LCCP OBJECTIVES 1. Report status of Investigative steps. 2. Identify additional action items for investigation. 3. Decide next step for communication of results to employees. TGG TGG/JRD/KLF All All TGG 1. Review history. 2. Report on results of steps in 1-5-89 memo to employees. 3. Identify any additional needs in investigation. 4. Determine timing and format for employee communication. 5. Review action steps. VVV 000010447