Document 9L49JrDO9b87md157rMxM77L3

l 1 INTEROFFICE date May 26, 1976 T0 Mr. F. F. Hoy from R. A. Park REFERRING TO LETTER OF subject Fact Sheets Regarding The Health Effects of VCM and Cancer in General Ref: Letter to you from R. A,, Park dated 5/25/76, Subj: PVC and Health - A Background Statement Dr. R. Wo MeBurney, Medical Director of Diamond Shamrock, has prepared a digest (internal Communication) regarding the current status of the health effects of VCM and cancer in general. You should find it of interest. cc: Dr. R. S, Brookman Mr. T. C. Walker S1273 r OCC0647 rECEWED WM ^ 76 X have prepared the follpwi^ng'-data, as general information based K, f"- 1: " on scientific fact. It deals with the health effects of vinyl chloride monomer and cancer in general. 1. Vinyl Chloride I-Sonotner - Cancer At high levels and long term exposure causes a cancer of the liver (angiosarcoma). Cases now in U.S. 18, World 20. Total 38. Diamond workers present and past show no cancer cases nor do we feel their present health is other than that of unexposed workers. The low levels in our plants now are recognized as safe by most health authorities. 2. Jnfant Abnormalities or Cancer of the Central Nervous System in General Population near VCM-PVC Plants Based on research internally at Diamond and by scientists at the Federal Center for Disease Control there is no^ evidence linking vinyl chloride exposure and either- birth defects or cancers of the central nervous system in the Ohio communities studied. 3. Increased Abortions in Wives of VCM-PVC Exposed Workers - Firestone, Pottstown Study We doubt the reliability of this study. Based on a small number of exposed workers at Firestone's Pott3town plant the workers were asked by several interviewers if they remembered any miscarriages in their wives. The study has questionable scientific validity. * While not directly applicable, a study by Dow has shown VCM is not teratogenic in three species of experimental animals. However, if true the Firestone study does clearly demonstrate that at the low level of exposure now present such effects could not take place. OCC 0648 -2 - 4. Cancer In the World & United States a. There is no overall increase in cancer mortality rates in the United States if the national cancer mortality statistics are adjusted for the growth in lung cancer, 90% of which experts believe is attributable to smoking, and for the increased length of life of the population. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society. b. The United States is not a world leader in cancer deaths but ranks 19th of 44 countries in deaths.from cancer per 100,000 male population, and 18th for. women. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society. .f c. The overall mortality rate of cancer has increased in recent decades for men but not for women. Death rates from all types of cancer per 100,000 population (age adjusted) declined 11% among women between 1947 and 1970. The rate increased 18% among men. This is mainly due to a large increase in lung cancer which American Cancer Society says is due to cigarette smoking. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society d. Over a period of time, cancer has become a major cause of death ranking second behind cardiovascular diseases. Most of the increase would appear to be due to the increase in the average life span by cure or prevention of once-common "killer" diseases. To a smaller extent it may also be due to changes that have taken place in the living habits, diets and other environmental factors. Source - "76 Cancer Facts & Figures" American Cancer Society OCC 0649 'v - -3- e. Cancers known to be related to chemicals or "occupational" form a relatively small proportion of all cancers (less than 17.) , according to John Higginson, Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The major types of cancer (lung, breast, colon-rectum) may be associated with various environmental factors such as smoking, diet, and cultural practices, but cannot be accounted for by more than a minor degree by occupational exposures. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society Dr. John Higgison - Essays in Toxicology (In Press) f. There is no clear evidence that industrial activity is linked to the incidence of cancer in the general population. Some lesser industrialized countries have higher cancer death rates '* than certain more industrialized countries. Source - "Leading Cause of Death in Selected Areas of the World" 1972 Report, Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. g. Claims that the types of cancer most prevalent in the general population are tied to Industrial occupations cannot be supported statistically. Source - Congressional Research Service Memorandum ' January 23, 1975 from P. A, Fredlund Science Policy Research Division h. Age-adjusted male and female cancer death rates by sites. United . States, 1930-1973 are duplicated. With the exception of lung cancer most trends are downward or stationary. Source: U. S. National Center for Health Statistics ) CA - A Cancer Journal for Clinicians - Jan-Feb 1976 OCC 0650 Age-Adjusted Cancer Death Rates* for Selected Sites, Females, United States 60 1930 -1973 50 Z_ O 40 aOo3.. to | 30 8 CC tQu. UKJ c<c 20 UTERUS LUNG ----- COLON -- STOMACH ------ LEUKEMIA ------ OVARY ----------- PANCREAS .... BREAST 10 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 YEAR 1960 1965 1970 Sources: U.5. National Center Tor Health Statistics and U.S. Bureau of the Census. 'Standardized on the ape distribution of the 1940 U.S. Census Population. 1975 18 CA--A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS OCC 0651 Ape-Adjusted CunccrDettp fiates* fc>rSel*rfeflSi<e. *.S3C-'S~:- I. UmleA States.* RATE PER 100,000 MALE POPULATION 1930 1935 1940 ` 1945 1950 1955 YEAR 1950 1965 1970 Source*: U.S. National Center for Health Statistic* and U.S. Bureau of the Census 'Standardized on the ape distribution of the 1940 U.S. Census Population. VOl 26. NO 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1976 1975 19 OCC 0652 -5n i. No major or obvious alterations in nationwide mortality data can now be associated with the period of onset of major use of modern pesticides. Source - National Research Council Report - February 5, 1976 RWMrmk February 26, 1976 R. W. McBurney, M.D. r\ OCC 0653