Document 8VkJ8NxL0w2Y4K795DrVp1oJm

tJ * ' INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS DIVISION SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY A DIVISION Of SHELL OIL COMPANY ONE SHELL PLAZA HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 March 7, 1973 o^.c-ooS^o CT' C1' Cl. i> i *. Hill a P & C No. ^_________ Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) - -- -------Shell Internationale Chemie Maatschappij B.V. Postbus 162 The Hague, 2076, Netherlands (CCH/2) Gentlemen: This refers to Mr. J. F. Kroeger's telephone call of March 7, 1973 to Mr. E. Lelyveld and the ensuing discussion with our Mr. R. J. Reynolds. For the information of Mr. Lelyveld, we attach a copy of a letter which Dow has sent recently to their customers for VCM together with a copy of the MCA data sheet referred to therein. We will revert with further information as it may come to our attention, ^ "** Yours very truly. SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY Attachments J. F. Kroeger General Manager, Industrial Chemicals Division see 5-0108 DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. February 13, 1973 flARSTOW QUILDtNG 2020 OOW CENTER MIDLAND. MICHIGAN 48640 Gentleman: The need for safe handling procedures for vinyl chloride monomer has long been known by both your company and ours. Enclosed is a copy of the recently revised MCA Chemical Safety Data Sheet for Vinyl Chloride. V7e urge you to review the properties, potential hazards and handling procedures covered in the data sheet with your employees. Please note the label affixed to the front cover of the data bulletin calling to your attention the change in the threshold limit value which first appears on the last line of Page 5 and in subsequent places in the data sheet. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has adcoted 200 pom TLV since the data sheet was revised in 1972'. At Dow ve have an allowable time weighted average for industrial exposure to vinyl chloride of 50 parts per million in air (V/V). Our practice has been to keep air concentrations even lower than 50 ppm, because we are technically able to do so, and because the greater margin of safety that can be achieved reasonably is coed industrial hygiene practice. We recommend you adopt this same average and would be pleased to assist you in doing likewise by sharing our experience with you. Very truly yours. T. R. Richardson Product Sales Manager Elec urcehemicals Inorganic Chemicals Department ro AN O*"1 i.RATiNli UfJ.T Of- Tir. now CMI.MICAL COVf'AN'v see 5-0109 Chemicolt in ony form can be safely stored, handled or used if the physical, chemical and hazardous properties ore fully under stood and the necessary precautions, including the use of proper safeguards and personal protective equipment, are observed. r 71 The American Conference cf Governmental Industrial Hygienists evaluated the most recent available industrial experience and toxicity data for vinyl chloride and revised the TLV from 500 ppm to 200 ppm. The Dow Chemical Company has an 3llovatl time weighted average for industrial exposure to * J vinyl chloride of 50 ppm. '* Date: February 13> 1973 MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE. N. W. WASHINGTON. D. C. 20C09 I 3CC 5~0110 PERSONAL R. J. REYNOLDS A. J. MARTIN/W. R, DURLAND February 6 973 jU 4/ICA- Although Shell Chemical will not be included in the epidemiological s'tudy because of our short exposure history, the attached indicates the hind of data that all producers and users will be expected to collect and store from here on out. Attachment cc - Dr. R. E. Joyner 1' K. L. MAYCOCK C O. N. F I. D E. N T~ A L OQi C-" The Manufacturing Chemists Association, on behalf of its members making or polymerizing vinyl chloride, is considering the sponsorship of an epidemiological study of chemical in dustry employees with a long- history of vinyl chloride exposure. Data on the incidence of neoplasms among this population would be one of the specific goals of the study. This data will be kept confidential by MCA and only industry totals, not identified with any company or plant, will be released without specific authorization by the company involved. These data are required for a conference with prospective contractors for the study scheduled for February 20. To be useful for this purpose, the completed forms must reach MCA by Monday, February 19. "Best estimates" will be useful-when more precise data cannot be developed in time to meet this schedule. DEADLINE FOR RETURN: February 16, 1973 TO: Dr. Kenneth D. Johnson Manufacturing Chemists Association 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20009 1. How long has your company been handling vinyl chloride on a commercial scale? years 2. At how many locations (multiple plants in a small geographic area may be considered a single location)? 3. List these locations by metropolitan areas or other equivalent designation a. _ysLLX*- b. ____________' _____________________________ c. d. see 5-0112 >\ 2- - e. f. 4. Of your present employees a. How many are currently exposed? b. How many have a history of at least one year of significant exposure that began 1) 10 - 15 years ago? 2) 15 - 20 years ago? 3) over 20 years ago? c. Estimate the proportions in each length of exposure category with light, moderate or severe time-weighted average exposures Exposure Intensities ... ,, 1) Frrst exposure less than 10 years ago Lt. Mod. Severe % _____% % 2) First exposure 10-15 years ago /o _____% % 3) First exposure 15 - 20 years ago % _____%% 4) First exposure over 20 years ago % _____% % 5. Of your previous employees, with a history of vinyl chloride exposure, please provide estimates of the following data a Now deceased, how many are 1) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride less than ten years prior to death? ______________ see 5-Oi I 3 -3- 2) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride 10 - 15 years prior to death? _____________ 3) With history of initial exposure .to vinyl chloride 15 - 20 years prior to death? _____________ 4) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride over 20 years prior to death? _____________ 5) For what percentage of these are death certificates locatable? _% 6) For what percentage of this group can time-weighted average expo sures be estimated? _____________% b. Retired, but still alive 1) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride less than ten years ago? _____________ 2) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride 10 - 15 years ago? 3) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride 15 - 20 years ago? _____________ _____________ 4) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride over 20 years ago? _____________ 5) For what percentage of this group can time-weighted'average expo sures be estimated? _____________% c. Employment terminated before retirement 1) With a history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride less than ten years ago? _____________ see 5-0114 -4- 2) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride 10 - 15 years ago? 3) With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride 15 - 20 years ago? 4) 'With history of initial exposure to vinyl chloride over 20 years ago? 5) What percentage of this group could be identified by name and traced? 6) For what percentage of this group can time-weighted average expo sures be estimated? ______________ ______________ ______________ _____________% _____________% 6. If medical records exist, for how many years past are they available a. For routine physicals, etc.? ______________ years b. For job related injuries or illnesses? ; years 4 see c: "Oil5