Document 8Vrdy23jYGKZZyZn5yG90vXQa

From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attach: Lorraine Twerdok <Twerdokl@api.org> Monday, September 23, 2002 6:03 PM (GMT) Benzene consort comm (E-mail) <benzconsort-cc@api.org>; Benzene consort tech (Email) <benzconsort-tc@api.org>; Benzene OC listserve (E-mail) <BenzConsortOC@api.org> Howard Feldman <Feldman@api.org> info. for 2 PM benzene paper call China Benzene Paper API Exec Comm 10-14-02.doc; China Benzene Paper API Exec Comm - Patsy.doc China Benzene Paper API Exec Comm 10-14-02.doc China Benzene Paper API Exec Comm - Patsy.doc SH ELL-MCCLU RG-054905 For Information Attachment? API Executive Committee Issue: Continued funding shortfall for the research project in China to study the potential health effects of benzene. Background: Approximately three years ago, industry researchers became aware of information generated by the Chinese government regarding benzene exposures of certain workers and their health histories. Very good worker exposure records are kept in China, therefore, this is viewed as a unique opportunity to study the relationship between exposure to benzene and the risk of certain blood diseases. The Benzene Health Research Consortium is sponsoring a five-year program that should significantly decrease the degree of uncertainty surrounding these risks. There is a significant degree of support for this project within China as evidenced by the active participation of Chinese researchers, physicians and occupational regulatory agencies. Independent mutinational, mitildiscipline scientific and ethics review panels including US and Chinese experts have been involved in protocol development and will actively participate in monitoring of the project. The study will provide the scientific and regulatory communities with information in order to more accurately assess the risks from exposure to benzene, enhancing our product stewardship. Project Status: Three inter-related studies are underway: 1. Case-Control Epidemiology Study 2. Disease Progression Study 3. Molecular Epidemiology Study Renovation of space for a clinical hematology laboratory at Fudan University in Shanghai is complete. Purchase and installation of capital equipment is underway and intensive training of Chinese laboratory technicians is in progress. The laboratory startup activities are on track to be able to begin processing samples from study participants in the 1sl quarter of 2003. Evaluation of previous and current Shanghai workplace exposures is in process and training of exposure assessment technicians are underway. Legal and public affairs expertise has been retained to facilitate communications activities of the consortium. Funding status: Thus far, the five companies that agreed to fund the study at its inception (BP, ChevronTexaco, Conoco, ExxonMobil and Shell Chemical) are the only companies to have committed funding. Their commitments total $16.5 million based upon a refinery capacity-based share agreement. Based on the protocol enhancements suggested by the independent scientific review panel, the Consortium Business Oversight Committee approved a $22.8 million program. To address the shortfall, other US and non-US companies within the petroleum industry, chemical sector, and non-petrochemical industries have been approached. To date, no additional entities have joined. The consortium members are currently executing a plan drafted in September to approach additional companies by the end of 2002. Despite the planned efforts, the likelihood of identifying additional sponsors to cover the shortfall is believed to be small. Therefore, we anticipate the need to seek additional guidance from the Executive Committee on ways to address the funding shortfall in early 2003. SH ELL-MCCLU RG-054906 For Information Attachment? API Executive Committee Issue: Continued funding shortfall for the research project in China to study the potential health effects of benzene. Background: There is continued concern with the potential health effects of benzene as it relates to worker exposure, site remediation and personal injury claims. Approximately three years ago, industry researchers became aware of information generated by the Chinese government regarding benzene exposures of certain workers and their health histories. Given the high quality of the Chinese records, this is viewed as a unique opportunity to study the relationship between exposure to benzene and the risk of certain blood diseases. A five-year program has been developed that should significantly decrease the degree of uncertainty surrounding these risks. There is a significant degree of support for this project within China as evidenced by the active participation of Chinese researchers, physicians and occupational regulatory agencies. Independent scientific and ethics review panels including US and Chinese experts have been involved in protocol development and will actively participate in monitoring of the project. The study will provide the scientific and regulatory communities with information in order to more accurately assess the risks from exposure to benzene, enhancing our product stewardship. Project Status: Three inter-related studies are underway: 1. Case-Control Epidemiology Study 2. Disease Progression Study 3. Molecular Epidemiology Study Renovation of space for a clinical hematology laboratory at Fudan University in Shanghai is complete. Purchase and installation of capital equipment is underway and intensive training of Chinese laboratory technicians is in progress. The laboratory startup activities are on track to be able to begin processing samples from study participants in the 1sl quarter of 2003. Evaluation of previous and current Shanghai workplace exposures is in progess and training of exposure assessment technicians is underway. Legal and public affairs expertise has been retained to facilitate communications activities of the consortium. Funding status: Thus far, the five companies that agreed to fund the study at its inception (BP, ChevronTexaco, Conoco, ExxonMobil and Shell Chemical) are the only companies to have committed funding. Their commitments total $16.5 million based upon a refinery capacity-based share agreement. Based on the protocol enhancements suggested by the independent scientific review panel, the Consortium Business Oversight Committee approved a $22.8 million program. To address the shortfall, other US and non-US companies within the petroleum industry, chemical sector, and non-petrochemical industries have been approached. To date, no additional entities have joined. The consortium members are currently executing a plan drafted in September to approach additional companies by the end of 2002. Despite the planned efforts, the likelihood of identifying additional sponsors to cover the shortfall is believed to be small. Therefore, we anticipate the need to seek additional guidance from the Executive Committee on ways to address the funding shortfall in early 2003. SH ELL-MCCLU RG-054907