Document DDb57XBxXm1dXV7qdDkL1yDGM

j APR 4 1975 firestone Plastics Company NTTroll. NNMTWANU 1- DIVISION Of THE FIRESTONE TIRE N RUIftfcR COMPANY HARVEY S FIRESTONE FOUNDER. PorrsTowN. Pennsylvania April 1, 1975 Mr- Milton Freifeld Project Manager Manufacturing Chemists Association 1625 Connecticut Avenue, N. V. Washington, D- C- 20009 Bear Milt: The reason 1 did not send you the summary of VCM regulations I promised is due to the fact that action in the various countries throughout the world continues to change on a regular basis* However, I have attached information that we were able to obtain in early November 1974 that we believe to be accurate of that date* If you have any questions, please call* RSBsdjs Attachment cc: Mr. R* A* Park R. S* Brookman, Manager Research, Development and Technical Service RSV 0001316 Nove er 1974 JAPAN No angiosarcoma deaths reported to date. Three non-VCM deaths by angiosarcoma are recorded. It is estimated that ten deaths (non* VCM related) have occurred in Japan during the last twenty years. The equivalent of the Japanese Dept, of Labor feels that chromo some abnormalities may be a problem, based on conversations with Dr. Selikoff of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. A VCtI standard may be set at about 10 ppm (no TWA). Japan uses the term MAC (maximum atmospheric concentration) since there are only two closed (in) plants in Japan. A maximum of 1 ppm may be esta blished. New drafts (of standards) such as above must be approved by all other interested agencies in Japan, i.e.. Marine Labor force, DOT, etc. It usually takes about six months for this to occur. Currently MITI requested 500 ppm maximum VCM in low molecular weight resins; less than 100 ppm maximum VCM (high molecular weight resins). Work has been started to lower residual VCM in their resins. STANDARDS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT: United Kingdom: 50 ppm maximum; 25 TWA (based on agreement among government, FVC associations, labor). West Germany: 1975 standard was iOu ppm maximum. 197h standard was under chemical substances. Category B (cancer through animal test). \ t i i Netherlands: 1973 standard was 200 ppm. 1974- standard was 50 ppm average; 100 ppm maximum. Now standard is 25 ppm average; 50 ppm maximum. Soon to be issued is 10 ppm average; 25 ppm maximum for 15 minutes. (Labor feels this is too mild.) Trance: No government regulation. Producers use .as standard 100 ppm maximum; 50 ppm normal 1975 standard is 50 ppm maximum; 25 ppm normal. France usually disagrees with USA. Belgium: No government regulation. 25 ppm TWA; 50 ppm "action level". I Sweden: 1974 standard was 25 ppm TWA; 50 ppm maximum. 1975 will follow OSHA standard. Will scrap old plant and build new one. Norway: October 10, 1974 - Working on new standard. Plant currently shutdown until a decision is made. Finland: Same as Sweden RSV 0001317 Italy: Not regulated but active producers use 50/25 (TWA). | Most Scandinavian countries will follow OSHA due to the strong labor unions