Document EvNOww8Xp9JdmG3wQeV9ae0MV

c m Lo c a t i o n --p m o h E i v` * Robert L. Neunreiter G4NF - 8586 SOtJJCCT INFERENCE : February 21, 1979 PREPAREDNESS Q&A -- WORKERS CC: ORTHOCHLOROPHENOL H. CurtisR. C. Isham -- J. S. Metcalf J. W. Molloy J. J. Spano 1740 BIND -- B2NK 740 T O D. R. Bishop -- A3NB 1740 H. M. Keating -- G4WA J- E. McKee -- A3NB W. B. Papageorge -- G4WA G. Roush -- A3SA E. Tillman -- A2SB f AJi . V>1i I ^ !* d f c j . r .. Attached is a brief position -statement concerning possible health problems among Krummrich employees working in-the orthochlorophenol unit. This statement was requested by MIC in response to continuing media coverage of OCP clean up efforts at Sturgeon, Mo. If you have any corrections or suggestions, please let me know* as quickly as practical. RLN:pa Attachment IN IO -REV. 8 .`7 7 i C0087.1 PROPOSED PREPAREDNESS Q&A: POSSIBLE HEALTH -PROBLEMS 'AMONG' OCF.WORKERS' * ::` :`* ;: ,Q. Has Monsanto noted any health problems among employees working with orthochlorophenol? A. We have not seen any exposure-related, adverse health problems among these workers. Q: Is it possible that there -may be undetected health \ problems? A. It's possible, but highly unlikely. Q. Why? ' ` A.. The W. G. Krummrich Plant, where OCP is manufactured, has an extensive medical surveillance program which includes preemployment arid annual physicals for all workers- Each physical includes a battery of tests which help .indicate potential health problems that could be produced, from chemical exposure. If there was a health problem among OCP workers, it would have been detected through the medical surveillance program. Also, two years ago we reviewed medical records of OCP workers and found no evidence of systemic health affects. Q. Have there been any cases of chloracne? A. No worker in the OCP unit has ever contracted chloracne. (Note: ' Comment based on information from Paul Heisler.) Q. How long has Monsanto made OCP and how many workers are involved in the manufacturing process? A. We began producing OCP in 1937-38. Between 8-10 employees* currently work in the unit. 2/21/79