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MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS AS 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE. N. W. WASHINGTO FOR RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: RECEIVE' Thomas J. Gilroy (202) 328-4282 OCT 2 8 1978 LS.SEWELL JR. Statement by Robert A. Roland, president of the Manufacturing Chemists Association on the "Estimates of the Fraction of Cancer in the United States Related to Occupational Factors" Paper, "National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Environment Health Sciences researchers overlooked basic principles of sound epidemiological science in arriving at their conclusions in the paper 'Estimates of the Fraction of Cancer in the United States Related to Occupational Factors,' "The Estimates Paper was cited by Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph A. Califano Jr., on September 11 when he claimed that 'at least 20 percent of all cancer in the United States--and perhaps more--may be work-related.' "MCA supports the extensive study and analysis of the paper done by the American Industrial Health Council. "In attempting to establish a much higher incidence of cancer due to occupational exposure than previously believed, the Estimates Paper suffers from a lack of reasonableness and scientific objectivity. (more) page 2 of 2 "Specific weaknesses occur because the authors based their projections on old information that is no longer valid. For example, workplace conditions have changed drastically in the past few years, yet the paper uses a data base that is decades old. i "The paper also exaggerates estimates of the exposed population. The use patterns for specific materials like asbestos and arsenic have changed in recent years, greatly reducing the exposed population. "Generally, through a series of questionable techniques, the authors of the paper grossly inflalted projections of the fraction of cancers arising from workplace causes. A lack of balance in their analysis and the drawing of conclusions not scientifically supportable leads to a loss of credibility of the agencies involved." MCA-4075 10/2 5/78 ####