Document 8KJwyezK6Eg1dMpgNM8MGwBm

I June 5, 1987 R. A. Guyton Activities Report - May, 1987 Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene/Toxicology 1. Input into the HYTOX (MSDS) database continues. In addition to input on new chemicals, we are attempting to edit and revise existing records to improve data, correct errors and add company identifiers. As part of this we are printing more often so that the office copies are more current. 2. Mr. Modrell reviewed the status of A&DD plants and the Medical Surveillance System with Dick Driscoll. A&DD appears to be interested in continuing the MSS services. 3. We reviewed asbestos labelling requirements for the Bloomington Plant at the request of Kevin Ryan. It was recommended that cartons of asbestos brake linings be labelled in accordance with the OSHA asbestos standard. 4. Following correspondence and a telephone consultation with Randy Emmelhainz at IDI/Battelle, Ms. Dillon attempted to add the "Disclaimer of Liability" statement to the MSDS Driver file with the assistance of Emmett Gallagher, Data Center Support. One of the enhancements needed to accomplish the task was changing the file format to support an 820 character record length, and TSO/ISPF would not allow her to edit the file with that large a record length. So we are back to the drawing board, and she will try the next alternative. If worse comes to worse, Emmett Gallagher can write a program to support the enhancement. 5. Coding and entry of death certificates has been caught up and is now current. We have received no death certificates on Tire Group employees since April; we are interested in former BFG employees transferred to UGT including those retirees who were never in Tire. 6. We have received tapes from Aetna Claims Department and processed their ICD codes into our files. Errors from Oct., 1986 to the present require correction. Since Aetna "zero-fills," many correct codes are being rejected. Iris Para is discussing their changing to "correct code only" with Aetna along with other programming difficulties. Another problems is that Aetna has been coding only hospitalization and surgical cases. U BFG28306 2- - 7. On May 8, 1987 Mr. Bachtel visited the Louisville PVC compounding area to perform a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit for "FDA" type PVC compounds. Louisville has excellent experience producing bottle cap liner (beer, Coke, etc.) for Alcoa but does not exercise the same care for other "FDA" products. Several recommendations regarding product traceability, raw materials, sample and records retention, and warehousing have been made to insure compliance with GMP. 8. The UGT management was proposing to use BHT in place of Geltrol as an antioxidant in SBR production at Port Neches. Concern was expressed about the FDA clearance of Geltrol. Mr. Bachtel participated in a phone conference with A. Bettick, Ray Taylor and Port Neches and satisfied Port Neches' questions about Geltrol. It appears SP&C will retain this business. 9. Dan River is concerned about employee exposure to polycarbophil dust. Dan River is toll manufacturing polycarbophil for BFG. No information is available concerning inhalation toxicity of polycarbophil. Because it is a cross-linked acrylic acid polymer similar to the Carbopol resins, Mr. Bachtel reviewed the 1982 National Starch TSCA 8(e) submission and medical review of BFG Calvert City Carbopol employees. Based on this review we would not expect adverse pulmonary effects from exposure to calcium polycarbophil when controlled in accordance with the ACGIH TLV for nuisance dust. 10. Dr. Hinderer has completed the final draft of the IISRP response to OSHA on the ICF-Clement risk assessment for butadiene. These comments have noted many serious problems including numerous omissions of data, lack of critical review, unfair and unfounded criticisms of some data, and the use of inappropriate models for risk assessment. This document has been submitted to IISRP for review by the international member companies. Dr. Hinderer met again with Multinational Business Services' staff on butadiene. MBS provided an update on OSHA and EPA activities. Specific actions planned by MBS were discussed and support tasks were assigned to various IISRP member company representatives. He also notified Gerrie Bjornson of our Washington office about this activity. BFG28307 -3- 11. The Technical Committee met during the annual meeting of the VI. The committee discussed a number of health issues regarding the manufacture, use and disposal/incineration of PVC. Dr. Hinderer provided an update on the primate/rodent studies with HC1 and PVC combustion gases and noted that the first manuscript of this work had been accepted for publication. The group felt this information was very important and discussed future communication needs. As a result of this basic research on the appropriateness of rodents as models of HC1 and PVC combustion gas toxicity in primates (i.e. man), Dr. Hinderer received an award in recognition of outstanding service and contributions. This award was particularly appreciated since he developed the program, got the necessary approvals, was a major participant, and has been included as an author of some very important research. 12. We have responded to the Cosmetic, Fragrance and Toiletry Association's (CFTA) request for updated product and acrylic type polymers information. We have updated the lists of BFG acrylic acrylate copolymers (Carbosets), polyacrylic acid (Good-rite) and carbomer (Carbopol) products for inclusion in the 4th edition of the CTFA Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. We also proposed new definitions for some of the polymers. In addition, we proposed and provided rationale for a family monograph for the Carbomers rather than individual monographs for each numbered resin. This would permit more flexible labeling for cosmetic manufacturers and inclusion of new BFG products. 13. We were contacted by a former employee concerned about his possible benzene exposure while working at the Akron Plant. Job Exposure reports from the system indicated that benzene was present on his job only as a component of the rubber solvent mixture used. Dr. Dietz discussed this information with the gentleman and an MSDS for Rubber Solvent was sent to him. 14. A question concerning a possible rise in suicide among former employees during the last four years was posed by the Human Resources Department. Mortality and Morbidity reports for the time period failed to show a problem. BFG28308