Document EqM7RQ35QzxVJLY3BLZqyVdn0

vr-.ir- .s,cJdU^M item r COPIED BY MCA FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE VINYL CHLORIDE TECHNICAL PANEL AUGUST 27, 1976, MR. M. FREIFELD EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANTS VINYL CHLORIDE (VC) AND VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE (VDC) lards i- by Cheng-Chun Lee Joseph M, Winston Paul J. Peters Jagdish C. Bhandari John R, Hodgson Jack H. Hagensen Thomas W. Reddig Ellen R. Ellis URL2016Q PROGRESS REPORT NO. 9 1 January through 31 March 1976 Contract No. NOl-ES-2-2084 (Continuation of NIH-NIEHS-72-2-2084) MRI Project No. 3612-B r; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.0. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Attn: James S. Woods !. i .............. . j:m> . ui:>wcnmi 4iW , .. <is , /. [i , , ,, I *. 8tfi 5flt 02t& .J -> ' v: yti:-- EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANTS VINYL CHLORIDE (VC) AND VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE (VDC) (Progress Report No.,9) r.%! ;*H,V *i f.vff j ABSTRACT We have continued to study the Inhalation toxicity of various levels of vinyl chloride (VC) and one level of vinylldene chloride (VDC) in rats and nice. At the end of 6 months, rats of both sexes exposed to 50, 250, or 1,000 ppm of VC or 55 ppm of VDC, 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, did not show any significant adverse effects on various clinical laboratory data or cause any apparent gross or microscopic lesions. The weight gains of rats exposed to VDC were less than chose of the controls. T Exposure to 50, 250, or 1,000 ppm of VC caused a number of deaths *or early terminations in mice during the 2Lst to 26th week. The clinical \ signs in these mice Included rough hair coat, lethargy, anorexia, and sudden u. weight loss. The high level caused changes in the peripheral blood elements including decreased hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and/or erythrocyte count, and neutrophilia with a corresponding lymphopenia. The macrophage count in the lung washings was also elevated. All three levels caused acinar proliferation and/or bronchiolar adenoma; the middle and high level also caused angiosarcoma in the liver and/or mammary gland, ductular adenocarci-? URL 20161 noma, and squamous cell and anaplastic carcinoma In the mammary gland. The squamous cell and anaplastic carcinomas metastasized to the lung. The in- cidence and severity of these tumors were In direct proportion to the levels of VC. In addition, malignant lymphoma occurred in the heart, lung, liver, : spleen and kidney of one mouse exposed to the low level, and infiltrated the cervical tissue surrounding the trachea, blood vessels and esophagus of one mouse exposed to the high level. There was also a hemangioma' in the connec- v. 1 tlve tissue attached to the salivary gland of one mouse exposed to the high ) . level. The tumors were responsible for deaths or early terminations of some mice. At 250 or 1,000 ppm of VC, nearly all mice that died or were terminated ' during the 2ist to 26th weeks had tumors in one or more tissues. Exposure < to the high level of VC also caused other lesions in the liver of some mice which were probably associated with angiosarcoma; these included infiltration of nucleated erythrocytes, focal degeneration with necrosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the sinusoids and parenchyma. Exposure to 55 ppm of VDC for up to 6 months in mice did not cause any adverse signs, including changes In laboratory data or macrophage counts in the lung washings. At the end of 6 months, one male of the eight mice which were terminated had a mild bronchiolar adenoma and two other males had olid acinar proliferation in the lung. lv . 1 V'v;.'- ;$c. V r 4# C-. t *. .: r DEAR CUSTOMER DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR, THERE ARE NO ORIGINALS FOR THE BATES RANGE SHOWN loba. to Photocopying Digital Printings Document Imaging ManagementServices URL 20163 gland of two females and Hemangioma In the connective tissue adjacent to the salivary gland of one male exposed to the high level. The pathogenesis or sequence of changes for the various tumors in the mammary gland is complex. Whether the tumors started at first as ductulsr adenocarcinoma and then un derwent a metaplastic change to squamous cell and anaplastic carcinomas, or all tumors started simultaneously is questionable. However, the squamous cell and anaplastic carcinomas did metastasize to the lung, suggesting a strong malignancy of the neoplasms. In addition, a marked, diffuse malignant lym phoma was found In the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney of one mouse exposed to the low level .of VC and a malignant lymphoma infiltrated the cervical tissue surrounding the trachea, blood vessels and esophagus of one mouse exposed to the high level. Between the 5th and 6th months the var ious tumors occurred in five of 10 mice necropsled at 50 ppm, 10 of 11 mice necropsled at 250 ppm, and all 12 mice necropsled at 1,000 ppm. The severity of these tumors In the lung, liver, and mammary gland was also in direct proportion to the exposure level of VC. These tumors were responsible for the various deaths and early terminations of some mice. Exposure to the high level of VC also caused other lesions, probably associated with angiosarcoma, in the liver of some mice. These lesions were infiltration of nucleated erythrocytes, focal degeneration and necrosis, and infiltration of Inflammatory cells In the sinusoids and parenchyma. _ Intra nuclear inclusions increased in the hepatic cells of two mice exposed to the high level of VC. The significance of this increase as related to the treat ment is questionable. 2. Vlnylidene Chloride Mice exposed to 55 ppm of VDC for up to 6 months did not show any adverse signs, any changes in laboratory data or macrophage counts in the lung washings. Cytogenetic effects are under evaluation. One male of eight mice terminated at the end of 6 months had a mild bronchlolar adenoma. Two other males had mild acinar proliferation in the lung'. These three and another male also had increased intranuclear inclusions in the hepatic cells. The clinical significance of this increase is not understood. 10 .W. > i r .t* * ti * I >9f* ;4*- CURRENT REPORT H.Viy-* .' m long-term epidemiologic study by Shell Oil Company found what NIOSH reported as a significant increase in respiratory A list of animal studies compiled by the two agencies shows reported tumors In the liver, zytnbal gland, lung, . . cancer deaths (Current Report, August 17, p. 520) and an in breast, mesenteric lymph node, and lymphatic system In ' halation study which found an increase in nasal carcinomas in rata, the institute said. In addition, NIOSH noted cytogenic studies of human rats exposed to vinyl bromide. Mice exposed to vinylidene chloride showed evidence of liver, lung, and kidney tumors while rats reportedly had mesenteric lymph node, breast, peripheral lymphocytes that have shown a "highly and zymbal gland tumors. significant" increase in chromosome abnormalities of ex In humans, there have been no reported cases of cancer posed workers. Single copies of the NIOSH bulletin. Including recommen associated with exposure to either of the two substances, NIOSH and OSHA said. They noted, however, that vinyl dations for monitoring and controlling worker exposure to bromide has been in commercial production in the United epichlorohydrin, will be available from Publications Dis States only since 1971 and, due to the long latent period semination, DTS, NIOSH, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincin characteristic of occupationally induced cancers, no unusual nati, Ohio 45226. risk of cancer among exposed workers would be expected to be detected. While vinylidene choloride has been in produc tion since the early 1940s, the two agencies said, Antimony methodologic limitations of the one study reporting no ex HALF MILLIGRAM LIMIT RECOMMENDED IN NIOSH-CRITERIA DOCUMENT TO DOL cessive risk among exposed workers do not allow for an adequate evaluation of the substance's contribution to car cinogenic risk. Present federal standards should be maintained and workers should not be exposed to antimony at concentrations greater than 0.5 milligrams per cubic meter, according to a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health criteria document. The document, transmitted September 28 to the Depart ment of Labor for consideration as a standard, also suggests an "action level" of one-half the recommended 10-hour time-weighted average at which certain controls and testing In addition, other adverse health effects observed from ex posure to vinylidene chloride in combination with other vinyl compounds include liver function abnormalities, headaches, vision problems, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and neurological sensory disturbances, the agencies said. No similar reports for vinyl bromide exposure were found. Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 28 is available in single copies from Publications Dissemination, DTS, NIOSH, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. would be initiated. According to a NIOSH memorandum to Assistant Labor Secretary Eula Bingham, the recommendations are based on Dltsocyanates C human and animal studies which have shown that exposure to antimony can cause adverse effects on the heart, lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. NIOSH SUGGESTS EXPOSURE LIMITS i FOR WORKPLACE USE OF SUBSTANCE MONOMERS g NIOSH cited one study reporting increased reproductive problems in female antimony workers and lower than nor mal weight-gain in their infanLs. The institute said that it does not regard the study as conclusive evidence on which to base the recommended standard, but it urged that workers he advised f the existence of the reported results. NIOSH said it currently is supporting research to deter mine any carcinogenic effect of antimony trioxide, noting that an English epidemiologic study raising the suspicion of increased lung cancer risk for antimony workers is "severely deficient." Text of the NIOSH recommendations will appear in a future Current Report. Workplace exposure to certain diisocyanate monomers ^ should be limited to a time-weighted average concentration *, of five parts per billion for up to a 10-hour workshift, 40-hour workweek, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended September 27. The NIOSH recommendations, in a criteria document sub- s milted to the Department of Labor, also called for limiting exposure to a ceiling concentration of 20 ppb over a 10- minute sampling period. The recommendations apply to toluene diisocyanate (TDD, diphenylmethane diisocyanate (or methylene bisphenyl isocyanate (MDI), hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI), napthalene diisocyanate (NDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and dicyciohex- Vinyl Halides yl-methane-4,4'-diisocyanale (hydrogenated MDI). Primary adverse effects from workplace exposure, NIOSH. OSHA BULLETIN RECOMMENDS TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES AS CARCINOGENS NIOSH told DOL in a memorandum, involve the respiratory tract in addition to skin and eye irritation. NIOSH also noted that a major concern of exposure is the development of Vinyl bromide and vinylidene chloride should be treated in the workplace as potential cariMhogeniTto humans and should be controlled with "the same degree of prudence" used diisocyanate sensitization in certain individuals. The NIOSH recommendations, which the institute noted supersede earlier suggested limits in other criteria regarding vinyl chloride, the National Institute for Oc cupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said September 21. documents and the Standards Completion Program, will . , ' appear in a future Current Report. , '^ In a Joint Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 2R on vinyl halides, including vinyl chloride, the two agencies said their recommendation is based on results of recent studies in Health Har.ardu dicating that exposure to vinyl bromide and vinylidene chloride causes angiosarcoma of the liver and other cancers in laboratory animals. Vinyl halides were the subject of a N-ALkANE MONO THIOLS, OTHER SUBSTANCES ARE SUBJECTS OF NIOSH CRITERIA DOCUMENT NIOSH criteria document in September (Current Report, September 21, p. 520). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health' ,y ` September 26 submitted to the Labor Department ^ 10-19-78 Copyright C 1978 by The Bureau of National Affair*. |nc O095-3M7/?V$OO.SO V!y ,1 fc. ! cJJ^^ :te IF ,.Y ` A DOMINANT LETHAL STUDY IN MALE RATS AFTER REPEATED EXPOSURES TO VINYL CHLORIDE OR VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE Robert D. Short, Jan L. Minor, Joseph M. Winston, Cheng-Chun Lee Pharmacology and Toxicology, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri Male CO rats were exposed 6 hrfday for 5 daysfwk to 0, 50, 250, or 1,000 ppm of vinyl chloride or 55 ppm of vinylidene chloride. Starting on week fl of exposure, these males were mated with untreated females. There was no evidence of either prcimplantation loss or postimp/anatton toss in pregnant females that resulted from these matings. Consequently, it was concluded that these exposures did not produce germinal mutation, os manifested by a dominant lethal effect, in male rots. INTRODUCTION Vinyl chloride (VC) and vinylidene chloride (VDC) are structurally related monomers used in the synthesis of plastics. VC is carcinogenic in both humans (Creech and Johnson, 1974) and animals (Viola et al., 1971; Maltoni and Lefemine, 1975; Lee et al., 1977). In addition, both VC and VDC arc mutagenic in a variety of microbial systems (Loprieno ct al., 1976; Bartseh et al., 1975). Epidemiological studies suggest that VC produces germinal mutations, as manifested by increased fetal loss, in humans (Infante et al., 1976). However, there -was no evidence of a dominant lethal mutation in male mice exposed to VC for 5 days and sequentially mated with untreated females (Anderson et al., 1976). The purpose of this study was to determine whether repeated exposures to VC or VDC, for 11 wk, produced germinal mutations of the dominant lethal type in male rats. . METHODS CD rats (Charles River Breeding Laboratories, North Wilmington, Massachusetts) were used in this study. Adult males weighing 180-200 g were exposed 6 hr/day for 5 dnys/wk to 0, 50, 250, or 1,000 ppm of VC or 55 ppm of VDC (Lee cl a!., 1977). AH rats were given free access to The authors gratefully acknowledge the competent technical assistance of Brett Ferguson and Tim Unger. Rcnucsrs for reprints should be sent to Robert >. Short, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Midwest Research Institute, 425 Volker Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64110. 965 tourrv| Bf Toxicology and Environmental Health, 3:965-968,1977 ^Pyright t97? by Hemisphere Publishing Corporation URL 20165 \sj$i .^ : i c r a Kig. 7 near here Comparative studies (25) provide clues of differences between rats and mice in the processing of vinylidene chloride (Fig. 7). Thus, in mice, the production of thiodiglycollic acid is considerably reduced and the formation of the N-aci-tyl-S-cystcinylncetyl metabolite is increased. The higher 0-thionose activity in mice than in rats accounts for the greater conversion of thiodiglycollic acid into dithioglycollic acid via thioglycollic acid in the former species of animal. Yllner's (26) mice excreted a proportion of a dose of chloroacetic acid as unchanged starting acid. Thus, in mice, the metabolic pathway from chloroacetic acid to thiodiglycollic acid seems to be readily saturable, possibly on account of an inadequacy in the reaction catalysed by glutathione S^acyl transferase. Under these circumstances, detoxification of 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide by glutathione. S^epoxide transferase and the modification of DNA by 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide or chloroacetyl chloride would be expected to be more significant in I mice, than in rats. This diagnosis of species susceptibility seems to accord ` with Maltoni's (24) discovery of vinylidene chloride oncogenicity in (the > kidneys of) mice. Vinylidene chloride emerges as an agent of low, perhaps very low, oncogenic potential, which can be damaging only in a special set of biological circumstances, which we have partially defined (v. supra) and on which work is continuing. C d^JCC^ $f%[ 7 7 URL 20166 URL 20167 / vAnyici ene c,hi6r\4* ABSTRACTS: FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING 197^ 163 effect of CCU on liver triglycerides seen in this study is in agreement with the results of Sakaguchi and Hamaguchi {Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Risk. 41,283,1975) who reported elevations in SGOT and SGFT with 1 ml/kg CCU in the yellow tail with no change in lipid levels in the hepatopancreas. 198. Distribution of [UC]1,1-DCE in Fed or Fasted Rats. L. G. Shoner, R. J. Jaeger and S. D. Murphy, Department of Physiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. 1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE, vinylideoe chloride), a monomer used in plastics manu facture, is a potent hepatotoxin. The hepatotoxidty is greatly potentiated in rats fasted for 18 hr prior to exposure. Fed or fasted rats were examined for differences in the distribution of non volatile radiolabel from 1,1-DCE to determine whether an altered distribution associated with the fasting state might be responsible for the increased toxicity. Four male Holtzman rats (160-260 g) were put into a closed circuit inhalation system. [WC]I,1-DCE (sp act 1.57 iCi/mM) was injected to give an initial concentration of 2000 ppm. During the exposure the declining chamber concentration was monitored. The animals were taken from the chamber after 2 hr and killed at 0.5,2,4, and 6 hr postexposure. Livers were removed, homogenized, and fraction ated by differentia] centrifugation. Each sample and its TCA precipitate (TCA ppt) were heated at 55C for 18 hr to remove nonvolatile radiolabel. At 0.5 hr postexposure, fasted rats had twice as much radiolabel as fed rats in the total and TCA ppt fractions. At 2,4, and 6 hr postexposure, the increased amounts ofradiolabel in fractions from fasted rats were observed only in TCA ppts. The time course for disappearance of radioactivity from the fractions was observedto be different between fed andfasted rats. To determine if the difference in concentra tion or radiolsbel between fed and fasted rats was a systemic effect, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle from rats killed at 0.5 hr were examined. Heart and skeletal muscle revealed no fedfasted differences in either total or TCA ppt fractions. Increased activity was observed in the total kidney homogenates from fasted animals, aresult similar to that seen in liverhomogenates. However, only liver homogenates had a fed-fasted difference in the TCA ppt fraction. This suggests that organ specific binding of 1.1-DCE or its metabolites mav be associated with the mechanism of toxic iniurv. (Supported by a gift from the Dow Chemical Co., OH-00315, and ES-00002.) 199. Hepatotoxidty of 1,1-Dichloroethylene: Influence of Altered Thyroid Function in Rats. R. J. Jaeger, S. Szabo, L. Coffman, M. T, Moslen, E. S. Reynolds and S. D. Murphy, Department ofPhysiology, Harvard School ofPublic Health and Departments ofPathology, Harvard Medical School and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 1,1-Dichloroethylene (vinylidene chloride, 1,1-DCE), a plastics monomer, has an 8-hr TLV of 10 ppm (TWA). It is a potent hepatotoxin and will kill 18>hr fasted rats within 24 hr of a 4-hr exposure at 200 ppm. Fed rats are resistant. Increased 1,1-DCE sensitivity is associated with decreased liver glutathione (GSH) concentration. SinceSzabo et ah suggested that thyroidectwnylTR-X) inciWsed iiver GSH concentrations (Tox. Appl. Pharmacol. 30, 175, 1974), we hypothesized that TR-X or chemical modification of thyroid function would alter 1,1-DCE toxicity. On Day 1,200-g male rats were thyroidectomized or were treated po with methimazolc (M, 30 mg/kg/day), propylthiouracil (P, 60 mg/kg/day), or thyroxine (T, 0.5 mratg/day, sc) for 7 days. On Day 8, after an 18-hr fast, groups were either exposed to 2000 ppm 6f 1,1-DCE for 4 hr or were not exposed. All were killed at 5-7 hr. TR-X, M, and P increased liver GSH significantly in unexposed controls while T decreased it. Elevations in serum alanine-aketoglutarate transaminase (AKT) following 1,1-DCE were significantly reduced or prevented by TR-X, P, or M. T increased mortality and only one rat survived exposure. In fasted exposed rats, pronounced centrolobular hemorrhagic necrosis, intramitochondrial Ca3+ deposition, and loss of histochemical glucose-6-phosphatase occurred. Liver Na+ and CaJ+ increased three- and sixfold, respectively. TR-X, P, and M minimized these changes. Oxygen uptake in succinate-ADP supplemented liver homogenates, an indicator of mitochondrial function, was decreased in fasted rats exposed to 1,1-DCE. In rats pretreated with M or P, oxygen uptake was normal after exposure. As indicated above, both compounds decreased injury. Since decreased oxygen uptake may have resulted from injury, we measured it in fasted exposed rats that were killed at 1, 2, and 3 hr, i.e., before serum AKT elevation. A 3 hr and in the absence of increased AKT, oxygen uptake was decreased by 39 %. From these data and because of the demonstrated effect of modifiers of thyroid function on 1,1-DCE injury, it is suggested that iritnp^AnHfifli damage is an early event in 1.1-DCE liver injury. The role of GSH in preventing such injury is as yet unclear. (Supported by ES-00002, OH-00315, AM-16183, HL-06370, and GM-07309.) *-* v J DOW < December 23, 1975 ft 06385 Attention: Purchasing Agent Gentlemen: BARSTOW BUILDING 2020 DOW CENTER MIDLAND, MICHIGAN 46640 'TflCJJ- 7lcu^t Recently it has been brought to our attention that pre liminary results from BASF Wyandotte's medical surveillance program has revealed a higher incidence of liver abnormalities among their South Kearny, New Jersey plant workers than would be expected in the normal population. These workers have had exposure to many chemicals including vinyiidene chloride, and further studies are continuing by BASF Wyandotte. Dow has had experience since 1944 with workers exposed to known levels of vinyiidene chloride. This history includes both manufacture of vinyiidene chloride monomer and the use of monomer to produce polymers and copolymers. Epidemiological studies of this worker population have shown no health problems associated with vinyiidene chloride. Included in Dow's medical surveillance program are health history, SMA-12 (blood chemistry), hematology, blood pressure, pulmonary function, EKG, etc. c: ? g -- o> co V7e do not feel that vinyiidene chloride presents a health hazard when properly used. Please call your local Dow sales office if you have any further questions. Very truly yours. R. H.vStepheris Product Sales Manager Industrial Chloro-Chem Inorganic Chemicals Department ro AN OPERATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Br. URL 20169 C^JL-sks^^-A 626 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER ment of Transportation, according to Robert E. Lenhard, managing director, Compressed Gas Association, Inc., New York, N.Y. The committee is scheduled to meet again in Washington, D.C., on November 4-5. General Policy ASSISTANT LABOR SECRETARY WARNS ' OF BOGUS INSPECTORS, ADVERTISING Employers should be alert for persons posing as Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors and should watch out for misleading advertisements of safe ty equipment, according to Assistant Labor Secretary John H. Stender. Stender said OSHA inspectors carry special Labor Depart ment credentials and if employers doubt the authenticity of an inspector, the identification number and inspector's name can be verified quickly by telephoning his home office. Bogus inspectors use several "con games," he said. "Some will demand on-the-spot payment of penalties for conditions they claim violate OSHA rules," he said. * "Others will point out so-called violations and suggest they can be corrected by a particular tool, machine or piece of equipment. These usually are followed a day or so later by an accomplice who offers to sell the employer the recommend ed items." He said both procedures violate federal law. Stender also warned employers to be alert for misleading advertisements for safety equipment. He said that any assertion that the product is "OSHA-approved" is incorrect since OSHA does not approve any safety equipment. Noting that several past instances of improper advertising were referred to the Federal Trade Commission for action, Slender asked that employers bring to OSHA's attention any examples of what they believe to be misleading adver tisements. Health Hazards NIOSH IS CONDUCTING LITERATURE SEARCH FOR INFORMATION ON VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE A literature search to gather information on potential hazards associated with vinylidene chloride is being con ducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH noted at the moment, no hard data exists to support the possible carcinogenicity of VDC. Documentation of some European data is being sought in cluding evidence of reticulum ceil sarcomas following a year of exposure of varying concentrations of the compound, dis covered by Professor Viola in Italy. Viola's animal ex periments included exposures of 400 ppm, 200 ppm, and 100 ppm. Field Memoranda MEMORANDA DISCUSS MARITIME INDUSTRY SIC CODE. SWING RADIUS OF CRANE REAR An interpretation of 29CFR 1926.550 (a) (9) was issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in OSHA Field Information Memorandum 74-80. The full text of the memorandum follows: "In order to assure uniformity within all 10 regions, the following interpretation of 29 CFRf 1926.550(a) (9) shall be used as a basis for enforcement. "Accessible areas within the swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure of the crane are meant to be those areas within the 360 degrees of travel. `A barricade is required in accessible areas when the swing radius of the rear of the rotating structure of the crane, either permanent ly or temporarily mounted, may cause an employee to be crushed between other objects and the rear of the crane or any portion of the crane carriage' regardless whether it be. front, rear, or side. "Historically, most fatalities have been caused by employees getting between the rotating superstructure and the turntable or other portions of the crane itself. "This interpretation is applicable for all equipment covered under subpart *N' of 29 CFR 1926 when used in such a manner that the hazard as described in 29 CFR 1926.550 (a) (9) is created and an exposure is observed." OSHA Field Information Memorandum 74-78 requested that OSHA assistant regional directors direct their staff to review OSHA Program Directive 200-5 (May 26, 1972) and OSHA Management Information System -- Field Reporting Manual. Chapter VI, p. VI-2 and VI-3 and to report maritime ' activities under the following SIC Codes: (1) all longshoring activities -- SIC 4460, (2) all shipyard activities -- SIC 3730, and (3) all other maritime activities that are not considered either longshoring or shipyard -- SIC 1620. Recent computer runs indicated maritime activity is being reported under the old Standard Industrial Classification numbers, the memorandum noted. Arbitration ARBITRATOR RULES EMPLOYEE FIRING WAS JUSTIFIED. NO HAZARD EXISTED The discharge of an employee who authorized a work stoppage because of an alleged blit unproven safely hazard was justified, according to Arbitrator J. Thomas Rimer, Jr. The case involved International Chetntcal Workers Union, Local 832, and T/u'oko! Corporation, Georgia Division. The grievant. the chief safely steward for the union, authorized several workers to leave their jobs after a flare fell from a conveyor belt into a hot wax tank and the workers became Fearful of an explosion. The company maintained that there was no danger involved and that the steward's ac tion was in violation of the `no strike pledge" in the con tract. The resort to self-help rather than the grievance procedure exposes the employee to discharge if the plant is to operate in an orderly manner, the arbitrator said. The grievant did so here.and the discharge was for good cause. The record showed from tne grievant's testimony that even he, on the day following the incident, admitted that he had acted im properly, stating that "had he known" the facts, he would not have told the employees to leave their work and go to an evacuation area. The grievant did not seek the facts at the time but acted on his own, the arbitrator said, based only on the apprehensionexpressed to him by those without knowledge of the ex* islence or non-existence of a hazardous condition at the hot wax tank. The grievant did not know whether or not the presence of a flare in the hot wax tank represented a hazard and he made no effort to find out before he took action. Occupational Safety & Heolth Reporter 3 IJPL 20170 River Shale Oil Corp., which is de veloping another lease in Colorado. Walter Sanford, of Sun's Dallas of fice, tells C&EN that the White River group is still thinking about a 100,000 barrel-per-day plant around 1980. However, the final de cision on a commercial plant awaits the results of the development pro gram, similar to that of the Rio Blanco group. A fourth consortium is Paraho Development Corp., involving Sohio and 16 other companies. Harry Pforzheimer, director of the Paraho program, is still optimistic about the future of shale oil devel opment but also believes that things could change quickly if oil prices come down. Most of the shale oil development projects now under way are keyed to an oil price of about $11 per barrel. If oil prices stay above $11 per barrel, most de velopers think they may be able to compete, providing inflation slows down and the Government estab lishes a clear energy policy. Concern grows over worker cancer risk Recent developments underscore the heightening concern over cancer risks that employees face from ex posure to some chemicals in their work environment. Ralph Nader's Health Research Group has charged Rohm and Haas Co. with withholding data on lung cancer among its workers from it and from the Government. Twenty-two workers at the firm's plant in Phil adelphia have died of lung cancer so far, apparently from bis-chloromethyl ether exposure. Meanwhile, Dow Chemical has learned from an Italian scientist that vinylidene chloride apparently causes a liver cancer in rats. Among the Nader group's charg es are that by 1967 Rohm and Haas knew the ether compound caused cancer in animals and that a statis tically significant number of human lung cancer cases had occurred. But workers were not informed of these results until 1971, and then only of the animal data. The alle gations, however, "grossly distort the facts and leave a false and mis leading impression concerning Rohm and Haas' actions and atti tudes," says Vincent L. Gregory, Jr., the firm's president. Rohm and Haas took the primary initiative to uncover the cancel hazard, Mr. Gregory adds. Anima tests were run and outside expert: consulted. And Rohm and Haas 'orkers were given various medical ests. Nevertheless, the company held s late as 1971 that "a scientifically onvincing case" for the ether comound's carcinogenicitv to humans had not been made. However, it hut down operations and modified is plant in 1971 so that workers' xposure to the chemical was limit- Gregory: grossly distort the foots ?d. In July 1974, though, a "signifi cantly higher" mortality rate was bund among workers exposed to :hloromethyl methyl ether (an in termediate for anion exchange resins of which bis-chloromethyl ather is a by-product) than in work ers not exposed or in a comparable Philadelphia population. There are indications--from what a Dow spokesman describes as pre liminary information--that vinvliiene chloride is carcinogenic to rats in inhalation studies in concentra tions of 100 to 200 p.p.m. in air. The findings were obtained by Prof. P. L. Viola of Regins Elena Insti tute for Cancer Research in Rome. Dow has notified U.S. regulatory agencies of the early results, al though its own studies--still 18 months from completion--show no toxic effects at this time. Workers at Dow are exposed to less than 10 p.p.m. of the chemical. Shell seeks okay to burn wastes at sea Tests using a ship to incinerate chemical wastes as an alternative to ocean dumping could take place if the Environmental Protectior Agency approves permits for Shell Chemical. The company wants tc dispose of some 16,800 metric ton: of organic chlorides and othei wastes by burning them 130 mile: out in the Gulf of Mexico. Shell stopped dumping the waste in the Gulf last November in com liance with EPA requirements. Di ont also had stopped dumping ^aste in the Gulf pending a hearing n an application to renew dumpng held in Pensacola, Fla. (C&EN, uly 29, page 5). EPA administrator Russell E. >ain on Oct. 3 turned down the ecent Du Pont application. At ness time, Du Pont was studying inspecified recourses open to it to landle the waste. Just a day later, a hearing on the Jhell proposal, held in Houston, aw an unusual alliance of EPA, he National Wildlife Federation, md Shell combine to push the dan. It involves incineration of the vaste on board the ship Vulcanus, wned by a Dutch company. Ocean Combustion Services, a subsidiary rf Hansa Lines. The Vulcanus, which for some ime has been used in European vaters to dispose of wastes by )urning, is equipped to burn waste it temperatures ranging from 1400 o 1650 C. Because of the high calirific value of the organic chlorides ind other materials in the Shell vastes, little auxiliary fuel is ex* >ected to be needed to maintain he temperature at or above 1400 Z.t according to an EPA evaluation >f the ship's capabilities. If the permit is approved, an ini* ,ial batch of 4200 metric tons of the vaste will be carried to the burning iite in the Gulf about 305 nautical niles south of Galveston, Tex. The turning rate would be 20 metric cons an hour. Hydrogen chloride produced during burning would iisperse in the atmosphere and -eventually fall into the ocean where carbonates would neutralize it. During the burning operation, ex* :ensive testing of biological effects, possible pH changes, and combus tion efficiency (more than 99.75% is required) would be carried out. The ather 12,600 metric tons of waste stored by Shell could be burned later at a new site to be designated by EPA. Support for the proposal at the hearing came from many sources including a local Congressman and other government officials. Kenneth S. Kamlet of the National Wildlife Federation, which often has op posed EPA ocean dumping plans, advocated giving the proposal a chance because of the nearly 3.5 million tons of waste dumped in the Gulf and nearly 4 million tons dumped in the Atlantic during 1973. Opposition came from Texas and Louisiana state officials and some local officials. Their views were chiefly that they had not had time to study the plans or that tests using obviously harmless ma terials could not be made first. Oct. 14. 1974 C&EN 5 H if F >"* 319*3 ' 7 '<Suptn?cedee 21373) t ' HARSHAW FLUORIDES 1 | t >FORlSobSTRYi HARHj^S PRODUCT DATA/ PRICES 7! Just, Harshaw I'd like to receive Harshaw technical literature on: AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE AMMONIUM FLUOBORATE BARIUM FLUORIDE BORON FLUORIDE COMPLEXES H BORON TRIFLUORIDE MONOETHYLAMINE CADMIUM FLUOBORATE CHROMIUM FLUORIDE c: 70 r"" U.' W' -i COPPER FLUOBORATE FLUOBORIC ACID FLUOTITANIC ACID GLASS FROSTING MIXTURES HYDROFLUORIC ACID ANHYDROUS HYDROFLUORIC ACID AQUEOUS HYDROFLUOSILICIC ACID LEAD FLUOBORATE MAGNESIUM FLUOBORATE NICKEL FLUOBORATE POTASSIUM BIFLUORIDE L] POTASSIUM FLUOBORATE POTASSIUM FLUORIDE POTASSIUM TITANIUM FLUORIDE 71 SODIUM FLUOBORATE J TIN FLUOBORATE 7 ZINC FLUOBORATE Physical and chemical properties, principal uses, handling precautions, pack aging, freight classifications, shipping regulations, etc., are included in the data sheets listed here. To get the sheets you want, check the boxes, fill in your name and address, and mall to Harshaw. We'll be glad to send them. HARSHAW The Harshaw Chemical Company, Division of Kewanee Oil Company, 1945 East 97th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Phone (216) 721-8300. Name. Company. Address_ City_____ State. I -Zip. Thai Tit 8ft u^tA ~ MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 (202) 483-6126 URL 20172 TO: Public Relations Committee; PRC Publicity Subcommittee Vinyl Chloride Research Participants SUBJECT: News Release on Vinyl Chloride Standard and Editorial on Toxic Substances Legislation Enclosed for your information is yesterday's news release on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's vinyl chloride standard, which is receiving wide-spread media pick up, and a recent Washington Post editorial on toxic substances legislation. The Wall Street Journal two-part series on VC/PVC began today and the Fortune article is in the.October issue, now being circulated. / * * * * * *.* ********************** ** ** * SPECIAL ATTENTION * * * * MCA learned today that European research on * * vinylidene chloride -- a liquid used principally * * as a copolymer iiT t'Re production of saran -- * * has shown similar test results as vinyl chloride. * ** * It was reported to MCA that both the U. S. * * and British governments were notified of the * * research by individual companies in each country. * ** ** ***************************** received oct 1974 medical department Sincerely, Richard F. Blewitt Manager of Press Relations  . .(! w-t- -.?-u ww. ;;.;,fr'rr'"ihwww:7!'.::w'w,:w;' ;w"" tfMftMflU: ^ -`A ifeffe'-' r- adfs'-r*:, |i &%*& ,/ . ;; MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N. W. ,. WASHINGTON. D-C. 8000B -* fvV;-?*;v. f * . ' ;/ -y '' f W&A^m'--r ' ^ FOR RELEASE .R EC,E),YP_ JAN lb 1975 CONTACTl *"'`"'i;/' For Immediate Hele&Be Richard P. Blewitt -de^&T<22) *83-6126, ext. 282 fcrr.^-?- f V f> ' -.`v1 f`-\ , , ,Vy :'!./' -ai? ;:o V- ,; V . *, , /P'O.: ;^; < r-?; f f;- t.' -t-. .r.i WASHINGTON, D. C. -- The Manufacturing Chemists Association . (MCA) will administer research dealing with occupational health aspects of styrene and vinylldene chloride monomer (VDCM). Twelve companies yill sponsor the research on styrene '` ! * . 4r *: ^ a liquid monomer, one of the most widely used in the production 1 of plastics. Thirteen companies will fund the work on VDCM -- a liquid monomer used principally in the production of plastic wrappings. Contractual arrangements and program protocols are not final, but the individual projects are expected to cover such 3r--0 K> O -J C*J animal testing as; ingestion, vapor Inhalation, fetal development, toxicity and metabolism.. Both programs are designed to provide additional scientific - information on which to base safeguards fo protect employee health. To date, styrene has not been linked with any health hazard. Preliminary VDCM research in Europe has caused the producers to feel there iq a need for father tests* #w * MCA-3870 1/10/74 f- ` ' ,\f\ '.w ,v .tv'":- - v j'K' V>^ ' >;-r,[ ,:rr '.>Lv.V- ;- .lii lU'r -uy''2-;.i'.;fv1' ' Af -'v.l- m* A's<