Document BD1Y4wg4mjnOopLaDKbnDx8m

OHC - 1 Ob Manufacturing Chemists Association OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE Minutes of Meeting MCA Conference Room Washington, D. C. September 25, 1974 The meeting was convened at 9:45 AM with Chairman K. S. Lane presiding. The following were in attendance: MEMBERS PRESENT K. S. Lane, M.D., Chairman Union Carbide Corporation E. E. Christofano, Vice Chairman Hercules Incorporated W. V. Andresen American Cyanamid Company R. S. Detrick Koppers Company, Inc. (for D. L. Eynon, Jr K. R. Doremus Merck & Co., Inc. M. R. Gasque, M.D. Olin Corporation N. V. Hendricks Exxon Corporation B. W-. Karrh, M.D. E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (for C. F. Reinhardt C. S. Laubly Celanese Corporation G. J. Levinskas Monsanto Company J. E. Long Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company W. A. McClellan, M.D. Gulf Oil Chemicals Company J. R. Venable, M.D. Dow Chemical U.S.A. A. C. Clark, Acting Secretary MCA Staff GUESTS PRESENT J. T. Conner J. W. Hammond* J. P. W. Hughes E. j. Kerfoot* F. G. Stephenson (A.M. Only) Mobay Chemical Corporation Exxon Company, U.S.A. Albright and Wilson Limited (London) BASF Wyandotte Corporation MCA Staff MEMBERS ABSENT L. E. Cassidy, M.D. W. S. Ferguson Canadian Industries Limited Allied Chemical Corporation *Nominated to Committee Membership CMA 060283 MEMBERS ABSENT con't. L. B. Grant, M. D. w. C. Janes M. N. Johnson, M. D. F. L. Lyman, M. D. /Cl OHC 2 PPG Industries, Inc. USS Chemicals Division The B. F. Goodrich Company CIBA,-GEIGY Corporation Dr. J. P. W. Hughes, Albright and Wilson Limited, attended as a guest of the Committee representing the Medical Committee of the British Chemical Industry Safety Council, Chemical Industries Association. Liaison was recently proposed by the CIA Medical Committee and, recognizing the benefits of exchanging information about potential carcinogens and other hazardous properties of chem icals, the Committee strongly endorsed a liaison function . 1. Minutes of January 29, 1974 Meeting Subject to the following correction, the minutes of the January 29,1974 meeting of the Committee were approved as distributed. Change item 3.1 to read: "There was some discussion of the following OSHA standards expected to be published soon, although no actions were taken: ,, (a) Noise - L. B. Grant, PPG Industries (b) Carbon Monoxide - G. J. Levinskas, Monsanto" 2. Membership The Committee unanimously endorsed the nomination of the following to membership on the Committee, subject to approval by the MCA Board of Directors: John D. Bolton, Jr. Dr. R. D. Fulwiler James W. Hammond* Dr. Stanton C, Kelton Dr. Edward J. Kerfoot Stauffer Chemical Company The Procter & Gamble Company Exxon Company, U.S.A. Rohm and Haas Company BASF Wyandotte Corporation Nominated to succeed N. V. Hendricks, Exxon, on his resignation. CMA 060284 OHC ; c$ j On behalf of the Committee, Dr. Lane asked that the minutes reflect the sincere appreciation of the Committee to Dr. Hendricks for his long and effective service to MCA through his active par ticipation on the Occupational Health Committee. 3. Report of Health and Standards Subcommittee Because of Mr. Ferguson's absence, there was no formal report of the Subcommittee. It was suggested that not much had been done by the Health and Standards Subcommittee since the last meeting because of MCA's policy regarding responses to proposed NIOSH criteria documents on single products. The acting secretary reviewed MCA's policies in genera 1 and in particular the principles relating to Committee operations ar.d studies. He further expressed the view that there seems to be con siderable misunderstanding regarding "restrictions" and that there were several areas where the advice and recommendation of the Occupa tional Health Committee would be of substantial benefit to MCA. During the discussion, several members pointed out that there is a pattern developing in the NIOSH documents and it was felt that MCA would be the proper association to comment before this pattern is irrevocably established. Concern was expressed over the principle of the.zero exposure of carcinogens and the dual level of exposures where monitoring and hea1th surveillance must be adopted at a level lower than the TLV level. The Committee felt it was inappropriate to have a safe level and a safer level. The number of medical exams required at the lower level can become significant. Normally the TLV level presents no problem except when required to monitor walk throughs, etc. Several members of the Committee were critical of the use of TLV's as the exposure standard and it was suggested that the TLV basis should be eliminated and a single well defined exposure number adopted. Mr. Christofano reported that OSHA is publishing an economic im pact statement broadly applicable and should be reviewed and comments should be submitted by MCA where appropriate. A review will be con ducted by Mr. Christofano, assisted by Mr. Andresen and Mr. Long. 4. Report of Public Relations and Communications Subcommittee Dr. Gasque In accord with the Committee's wishes expressed at the January 29 meeting. Dr. Gasque reported that a bibliography of sources of infor mation on occupational hea1th had been drafted but has not been pub lished or distributed. CMA 060285 OHC - -4" Additional case history information was requested, as there have been few histories submitted for publication. Reference was made to a case history presentation by Temple University regarding a fatality involving inhalation. 5. Report of the Subcommittee on Legislation The secretary reviewed the status of the following: (a) Toxic Substances Act - Both Senate and House versions of the legislation were voted in August 1973. Conferees of the two ver sions met in September 1973 and in August 1974. MCA favors adoption of the more selective House .version. The prospect* of passage during this session of Congress is questionable. (b) The secretary reviewed the regulations on toxic substances proposed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. A statement on behalf of MCA was presented at a hearing September 24 opposing regulations dealing with the transportation of hazardous materials proposed by two Illinois agencies. ; t The Illinois EPA has proposed restrictive regulations gov erning the transportation and storage of toxic materials in and through Illinois. MCA suggested that the regulations concerning stor I]: age be separated from those dealing with transportation. Regarding 'i i I transportation, all hazardous substances are regulated at the federal f! level and MCA supports uniform national regulations wherever possible. i !' MCA also suggested that the proposal to regulate all mate i t rials on the HEW toxic substances list unnecessarily broadens the scope of the materials to be regulated. A more limited and definitive I] definition of toxic substances was suggested. In addition, MCA pointed out that the regulations as proposed contain no appeal pro in cedures nor gny assurance that confidentiality will be protected. Members of the Occupational Health Committee expressed their con cern that the EPA list of Proposed Dangerous Articles (reference page 30466 - FEDERAL REGISTER - 8/22/74) may be misused and improperly i! applied if adopted by the States,as would be the case in the Illinois 'i matter. It was felt that there is a strong need to differentiate be tween hazards of materials and toxicity of materials. It was under stood that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has indicated plans to accept several revisions. CMA 060286 .6 Carcinogen Standards /// OHC - There was no report submitted on the status of the devel opment of carcinogen standards by OSHA. There was some question of the methods proposed in NIOSH criteria documents for monitor ing and analytical procedures, and it was suggested that OSHA and NIOSH be contacted Ln an effort to learn the details of their meth ods. This information once learned should be circulated to members of the Occupational Health Committee and others who might be inter ested. . Dr. Lane made further reference to Dr. Hughes' visit and the interest of members of the CIA Medical Committee in the monitoring and analytica1 methods being discussed or, in some instances, pro posed by Federal agencies. Dr. Hughes expressed concern of British manufacturers over the alarming question of potential carcinogens that VCM appeared to have identified. The CIA Committee is exploring the possibility of industry technology committees and other moves no consider and apply the immense amount of work that would be involved in such studies. The Committee is interested in cooperative liaison with the MCA Occupational Health Committee so members may be aware of the work being conducted in this country. The CIA Medical Com mittee also proposed a near future meeting with the MCA Occupational Health Committee, in conjunction with a series of meetings with mem bers- of the Medical Committee with representatives of OSHA,FDA,NIOSH, EPA,NCI, etc., to learn of work being done or anticipated. During discussion of joint meetings, it was suggested the MCA and CIA could cooperate in conducting a workshop in Britain in con junction with the 18th International Congress on Occupational Health during September 1975. Dr. Hughes felt that the situation indicated more urgent action and suggested meeting during November 1974. 7. Other Regulations and Standards The need for MCA to comment with regard to certain portions of NIOSH criteria documents was again raised. The secretary pointed out that where the issues were of a broad and general nature, there would not appear to be any problem in MCA commenting. However, it would be inappropriate to MCA to make a specific recommendation regarding an exposure level that cannot be supported. Therefore, assigned to con sider and recommend action appropriate for MCA in areas where OSHA standards are now published were {a) Benzene - Dr. Venable {Dr. McClellan and Mr. Hammond also offered to assist in the review and to correspond with Dr. Venable.) CMA 060287 jH ohc - -4r (b) Sulfuric Acid - Mr. Andresen . 8. Liaison Activities (a) Safety and Fire Protection Committee - Mr. Christofano also reported on film on the properties, safety equipment and handling of liquid sulfur trioxide. It was previewed before the Safety and Occupational Health Workshop, September 9. He also reported that the Safety and Occupational Health Workshop was attended by about 140 persons, several representing Federal and State agencies and universities. (b) American Petroleum Institute - Dr. McClellan reported that the API Mortality Study in Refinery Workers (OH-1) is completed and will be published. Mr. Hammond summarized the API refinery study and said the next step would involve evaluation of workers with deriva tives of the refinery products. API will study the workers in the refineries and hopes that MCA would participate to cover the petro chemical workers of the chemical industry. With the larger popula tion available through MCA companies the data would have greater validity. The methodology for an epidemiology study as tentatively proposed has already been developed in the mortality study conducted for API by Tabershaw/Cooper Associates. ON MOTION made and seconded, it was VOTED: that MCA explore joint conduct of an epidemiology study of petrochemical workers with API. ,, - Mr. Levinskas was appointed chairman of a task group to cooper ate in developing a proposal subsequently to be submitted to the Com mittee and to the MCA Board. (c) American Industrial Hygiene Association - Although there were no specific liaison matters to report, reference was made to a new AIHA/OSHA program to be developed by Mr. N. V. Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks summarized the industrial hygiene consultation and training systems for small businesses. The goal of the project is to encourage voluntary compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 by providing (1) training to employers and em ployees in the detection, avoidance and control of occupational health hazards and the prevention of occupational illness and dis ease, and (2) consultative assistance for small business employers, employees and others in problems relating to industrial hygiene. These goals are being accomplished with the support of AIHA. Five or more industrial hygiene centers will be established with the appro priate department of a cooperating university to serve the geographi- CMA 060288 OHC cal area of an OSHA region or group of regions. The five univer sities currently participating are University of North Carolina, Texas A&M, University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan, an: University of Washington. 9. Nominating Committee Dr. Gasque, as chairman,, and Mr. Andresen were designated mem bers of a Nominating Subcommittee to develop candidates for the offices of chairman and vice chairman to serve two years tenure beginning June 1, 1975. The Subcommittee will report at the next meeting of the Committee. 10. New Business (a) In an article on page 11 of the 1974 Summer issue of "Family Safety" magazine, published by the National Safety Council, it is stated "Do not give salt water to induce vomiting. Salt has been found to be dangerous as an emetic." Apparently the "Family Safety" article stems from an article on pediatric practice reported in a medical journal. It is understood that it was not intended to stop using salt water as an emetic, but if vomiting is not induced in 20 minutes, the patient should be taken to a laboratory or hos pital for treatment advising that salt water was first used. It is suspected that there may be some problem in the use of salt water with children but it is questionable if the precaution applies equal ly to adults. As many companies sponsor or advocate home reading of "Family Safety" concern,was expressed that employees may question the use of salt water as now encouraged with many industrial chemicals. Dr. Lane volunteered to investigate the details of the article and if it would be appropriate to contact the American Academy of Pedia trics or the Conference on Pharmacology of AMA for clarification. He will subsequently report his findings to the Committee. (b) Phenol Burns - From preliminary testing, it has been re ported that polyethylene glycol/methylated spirits mixtures may be more effective than water in treating phenol burns. However, Dr. Hughes commented that tests (delayed treatment) with pigs now in progress in Britain indicate the use of flooding amounts of water, as in a shower, appeared to indicate water is equally satisfactory. Pending further information on the UK studies, the Committee decided to defer action until the next meeting. (c) Safety Data Sheet SD47 - Elemental Phosphorus - There was some question as to whether the treatment for eye burns in Safety Data Sheet as first recommended thirty to forty years ago, continues CMA 060289 "3 OHC - -8 to be sound. In light of new medical treatment available it was suggested that revision be considered. After discussion, Dr. Lane offered to review the proposal and, if necessary, recommend a re vision . (d) It was suggested that MCA Safety Data Sheets be revised when criteria documents are issued from NIOSH. However, it was the consensus view of the Committee that a Safety Data Sheet should be revised, or considered for revision after OSHA regulations have been published, if and when new information warranting revision is presented. 11. Next Meeting The Committee will next meet on the call of the Chairman. Although it was anticipated that the Committee would meet in November in conjunction with a visit by the CIA Medical Committee, it is unlikely that suitable arrangements can be completed. It was assumed the Secretary would handle the details for scheduling the visits with several government scientists and member company facili ties to discuss health and safety programs. In discussing these tentatively with Dr. Hughes subsequent to the meeting, it was recog nized that additional information from the CIA Committee is needed and planning an itinerary of the type contemplated would require more time. A. C. Clark, Acting Secretary, Occupational Health Committee Minutes subject to approva1 October 9, 1974 cc: Mr. B. M. Barackman Mr. Lloyd Symington CMA 060290