Document 93rKY4nao0bjmY6397Zw9BLp3

UNIROYAL May 8, 1980 UNIROYAL, Inc. World Headquarters Middlebury. Connecticut 06749 5# 02? ^ 'X -- i= mr- sH-. ** Cr cc , This is in response to your letter of April 24th, to Mr. Flannery. i . i\> ' X understand your concern about vinyl chloride (VC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As far as PVC is concerned, while there have been some allegations that PVC causes cancer, there is no proof of this. It is to vinyl, chloride exposures with which the rather rare tumor angiosarcoma of the liver has been associated. While the total number of these cases in the USA to date does not exceed 25, you should be aware that our Painesville Plant has had no cases of this tumor. Proceeding to your questions: (1) What tests are available to detect cancer in the earlier stages more accurately than the blood test? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's' Vinyl Chloride Standard (October, 1974) requires that workers exposed to vinyl chloride be offered a program of medical surveillance. This consists of a general physical examination, medical history, and five blood chemistry determinations: total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum.glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and gamma glutamyl . transpeptidase (GGTP). These five biochemical tests of the blood remain as the pincipal test being used to assess liver function in our Painesville Plant in the annual examination program of employees who were previously exposed to vinyl chloride. It should be stressed that abnormal results in one or more tests that can be confirmed on repeat testing would lead to employee referral for further * testing. Obviously, individual case specifics would largely determine what further specialized UNIR0000983 2 tests could be performed. Again on a general employee screening basis for angiosarcoma of the liver we rely on the five tests mentioned previously, medical history, and physical examination as a starting point. (2) What precautionary steps should I take to try and reverse the effects of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride exposure? We are unaware, at this time, of any precautionary steps that can be taken to reverse effects of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride exposure. (3) What routine medical surveillance is advisable? Again, at Painesville our basic approach has been as discussed. In addition we added to this general screening program a complete blood count, urinalysis, PA 14" x 17" chest x-ray, and pulmonary function testing. I trust this information will be helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. R. Shearer, our Industrial Relations Manager in Painesville or me. Sincerely, JDF/df cc: J. P. Flannery R. M. Hall R. T. Shearer J C Director UNIR0000984