Document J319kOYj3MyLj5oxYgj72an1O

*fT-Cny Qlktj'b- D*. )y - jc k> 73-12-27 Deutsche Medizlnische Wochenschrift, Q (43), p. 2034-2037, 1973 "On the So-called Vinylchloride Disease" By S. Jtthe, G. E. Lange, G. Stein, and G. Veltman University Skin Clinic of Bonn Director: Prof. Dr. Lelnbrock m * Since 1958, when the first information on the hazardous health aspects to workers in the vinylchloride manufacturing industries was- found, and especially since 1963, when the came effects were found affecting workers in the polyvinylchloride Industry (PVC), and through further reports on this subject C3* 4, 7, 8, 12, 28), attention has been drawn to this branch of the chemical industry. This deals with a disease similar to a skin and bone affecting scleroderma, but a disease un explainable in etiology and pathogenesis. The main symp toms of this have been the Raynaud syndrome, nodular to large area dense skin alterations and band-like osteolysis in the finger phalanges. We could report our first observations on this., disease / type in Germany in 1972 05, 16, 17). As the clinical picture was at first comparable to a specialised form of orcgressive scleroderma, we submitted all employees to a painstaking UCC 000041 z internal examination to determine if visceral participation was also present. Recently, we reported completely 08) on the results found up until the end of 1972. These reveal new aspects to be used In the judgement of this disease and, as we believe, also may give new suggestions in the research. The 13 workers examined in the April-December 1972 tim period were 29 to 32 years old (average age: 39 years), and had worked at least two, and at most 18 years (average period: * 7 years) in a PVC-manufacturing plant at alternating jobs, although mainly as autoclave cleaners. The first disease symptoms appeared one and one-half to three and one-half y ars after first working there in eleven patients, and in two cases seven and eleven years after first working. Symptoms and Findings i 1- The most frequent initial symptoms of the anamnetical details are increasing sensity to coldness in the hands and feet, a feeling of deafness, and crawling parletosis. In addition, pressure pain in single fingers, a thickening of the end finger Joints and weakening of the nails as well as general complaints of excessive tiredness, forgetfulness and slowing down, syncopal dizziness, nauseau during work, Increased perspiration and upper abdominal pain. A major role in the diagnosis of this disease is play d by the alteration of the skin: Seven patients proved to have drumstick-like (clubbed) thickened finger end phalanges (club procurements and shortening, watch-glass nails, shortening of UCC 000042 3 the nail plate), W saw scleroderma-like skin alterations In 8 patients: small knots or more spread out; very coars and relatively sharply defined, usually covering the surfac skin projecting infiltrate on the outstretched hands, the distal third of the arms under the elbow, and the area of th cheeks. Three patients had no clinical skin alterations. The histology findings of the excision specimens (from the left or right hands) of all patients were relatively uni- . form. Besides hyperorthocytosis and epideraldosis, there was an expansion and increase of capillaries in the upper cutis. An increase, widening and homogenation of the collagen bundle and a clear rarefaction and fragmentation of the elastic fibers was evident. The same findings In the epi dermis and the fibers of the upper cutis were proven to exist in the patients without clinical skin alterations. The histology alterations in the epidermis and the collagen connective tissues are similar to the edematosis to. infiltra tive stage of progressive scleroderma. Here, however, a dearly defined border is seen between that of possible but to some extent considerable injury of the elastic fibers and the vessel alterations. So far, circulation disturbances are the most common symptoms: Nine of thirteen patients complained of this, and in fact eight of them gave this complaint as their first symptom. The degree of complaint ranged from increased sensitivity to the cold and "akrozyanose" to the F&ynaud UCC 000043 syndrome (four pati nta>. The circulation obstruction could b judged objectively with the aid of temperature measure ments, determination of the time required to rewarm aft r exposure to the cold, capillary microscopy, and arm-hand arteriography. In no case did oscillography and plethysmo graphy result in a certain pathological prognosis. From this, one can ascertain that the origin of the circulation obstruction is in the periphery and not in Immediate rang . * of the large blood vessels. This consideration is supported by the angiographic and capillary microscopy results. Four patients with sensitivity to the cold were proven to have ampule-like widenings of the capillaries in the nail joints just as described in the Raynaud syndrome (14>). All seven patients who underwent arteriography showed pathological vessel images. The alterations ranged from a slight narrow ing of the Aa. digitales palmares propriae et communes with single segmentary localized closure^ to a high degree of stenosis and segmentary closures, and even to the extent of ?the loss of contents by the arteries in the entire length of the finger and clear stenosis of the entire hand joints. 1' After the examination until this point, it appeared that a direct relationship existed between the length of exposur and the amount of vessel damage. The most obvious x-ray results of this disease were the band-like osteolysis between Processul unguicularis and th phalangen on single or all fingers in six of the patients. UCC 000044 5 In addition, fragmentation and border defects of the Pro cessus unguiculares could be found In six patients. It Is also possible to determine different degress of bone alter ation: in light cases only a small lytic zone is visible, and in the advanced stage the phalange is almost fully de stroyed and the Processus unguiculares mounts onto the basis of the phalanx cap-like. A full restitution of the bone is not to be expected based upon the facts at this time (23,24)* Remarkable herein is the solid correlation of acroosteolysis and the club-like expansion of the end phalanges. Thus, the 'drumstick fingers" are an expression of the lytic bone process and not of an internal disease. An examination of the blood building system and coagu lation draws our attention to this remarkable finding:- all thirteen patients showed light to serious thrombopeny. The thrombozytic count lay repeatedly between 30,000 and 119,000/^.ciL (under a normal limit of 150,000^-0* In .a sternal puncture given to six patients in search for an explanation, there resulted in no case a reference to the iobstruction of the 'thrombosytopoese", osteomyelofibrosis, or osteomyelcsclerose. The other examinations showed no deviations from the norm, except for a slight reticuiocis in eight patients (between 16 and 26 %), and a slight leu kopenia in five patients (2350 to 3950 leudocytes/^J?. ). Reticulosis and leukopenia may be caused by the splenomegaly in the twelve patients. At this time, it is not clear if UCC 000045 6 the thrombop ny is also sc caused, but it is probable that It deals with a turnover disturbance or an increase in disin tegration in the periphery. It was observed in the anamnese that three patients re ported recidivisic pain in the left upper abdomen and one patient reported pain in the right upper abdomen and a f 1ing of fullness, as earlier diseases of "Leber and Milz," yet long-time intake of medicines or extreme alcoholism were not * discerned. However, three patients without the scleroderalike skin condition and acroosteolysis had record histories pointing to a chronic liver ailment (Esophagus varices bleed ing, splenoral anastomosis;portal hypertonus; esophagus varices, splenomegaly.). The bromosulfaline retention was clearly increased, but by comparison the values for serumtransaminase and-phosphates were for the most part nothing out of the ordinary. This discrepancy could also be proven in the other ten patients. Four patients had esophagus varices, and in twelve cases splenomegaly was proven scintallgraphically. The laparoscopic and liver biopsy results of five patients, which were available to us at the end of 1972, showed remarkable agreement: surface area of the liver clearly or finely waved, capsule fibrosis, increased bloodand lymph-vessels, histologicaly a slight to clear fibrosis of the portal system and indifidual cell necrosis, and slight coarse fat droplets. The result, that we could further ver ify at this tine let us express the following theory:'Except UCC 000046 7 for the slightly toxic alterations of the liver cells, this results from the expansion of the connective tissues in the portal system into the diffuse circulation in the liver. In advanced stages this leads to an interhepatic block (most like ly because of the hinderances in the height of the portal system, possibly similar to a sinusoidal block), with esophagus varices. It remains to be found if the splenomegaly is only is a secondary condition or if this primarily the direct 'result . of toxic changes. Of nine patients examined in the lung functions (anamnese, x-rays, spirometry, entire body plethysmography, and blood gas analysis) after references pointed to mainly ri<es* trictive alterations, eight of these patients showed partial insuffi ciencies. Further research must be undertaken to determine if these disturbances can be traced back to the fact that similar changes occur in the lungs as in the collagen and elastic supporting tissues of the skin, that is, that a * ' beginning diffuse lung fibrosis is the cause of these* dis turbances. The Initiating Factor This paper is concerned with an industry-caused.disease, in which the symptoms include (arranged in order of most common occurrence) thrcmbopeny,.splenomegaly, toxic liver damage, ventilation blockage, circulation obstruction, and skin and bone alteration. This complex of symptoms has not yet been UCC 000047 8 teen assigned to a known syndrome. It is unexplained etioiogically and pathogenicaliy. Is it possible to obtain a certain insight In the etiology and pathogenesis by a comparison of our results with thos previously recorded in literature? What is then possibl to be the initiating factor? At a simultaneous pressure and temperature increase, liquid vinylchloride is polymerized to polyvinylchloride with ^ the addition of water and various additives, depending upon the different properties desired. In different countries, Independent of the additive type, the Raynaud syndrome and acroosteolysis was present in workers cleaning autoclaves* The symptoms appear so characteristic that it lead in the past year to the disease designation of "occupationallyconditioned acroosteolysis" and was advanced to a diagnosis position (28). It is not assumed that the additives, differ ing by type, country of production and methods, play an import ant role, but the harmful combination of these with the vinyl.chloride can not be completely excluded. Therefore vinylchloride, the substance present in the largest amount, be comes the main point of our Interests. The monomer vinylchloride is pumped over a closed system of an autoclave. The exit possibilities of the gas - and thus the inhalation possibilities - consist then in more places within the pro duction process: 1. Permeability of the autoclaves (intake and offtake) ucc 000048 9 during polymerisation and recovery processes* 2* In the discharging and opening of the autoclaves as veil as in the drying process of the finished polyvinylchloride. The residual gas consists of up to 90% vinylchlorid (6) and often leads to leaden tiredness and short-lasting disorientation in the employees. 3* From the polymer precipitation on the walls of the k ttles. Therefore, from the technical viewpoint, it is completely possible that vinylchloride initiates the hereby described disease. Some facts are already known about the effect of vinylchloride on human and animal organisms. The narcotic effects have long been recognized (22). Since 1958, reports have re- *' peatedly been made concerning the angioneurotic obstructions and the Raynaud syndrome in workers (1, 10, 21). In the literature one finds single references to the intoxication of vinylchloride, wherein a reversible dizziness, light to very noticeable giddiness, disorientation, skin appearing as a 2-degree burn, and lessened blood coagulation have been determined symptoms (6, 9, 11). One worker died as a re sult of poisoning. VIth the use of experiments involving animals, lung * * odem, blood congestion in the lung^ liver, and kidneys, as well as decreasing blood coagulation could be proven (20). In long term experiments it was possible to produce centrolobular degeneration in the liver and necrosis with foamy vacuolization as well as periportal cellular infiltration (26). ucc 000049 10 ( Recently, reports were made concerning skin, lung, end bone tumors and obstructions in the bone structure (27). Thes results, based on animal experiments, lead again in 1970 t a depression of the MAK (maximum occupation concentration) to 100 ppm (13). It is not yet known to us the regulations concerning gas concentrations at the occupational site. The symptoms related in the framework of this diseas (Raynaud syndrome, toxic liver changes, obstruction in th . bone compositions and prenarcotic syndrome) may then be pro duced by vinylchloride. Thus, in the knowledge of the occu pational site we can express the conjecture that long term exposure to vinylchloride is at least a, if not even the disease-initiating factor. The fact that the name "occu lt patlonally-caused acroosteolysis" hints only at a not necessarily determining symptom shows that a new name should be coined. We have proposed the designation "so-called vinylchloride disease" for this syndrome because this disease, influenced by the participation of numerous organs, obtains the character of a system disease. Pathogenesis The pathogenesis is, as before, unexplained. On.th basis of our research we discussed the theory that the diseas as a pathogenetic principle in the furthest sense is caused by an obstruction on the connective tissue or the vessel connective tissue. In addition, as our theory shows that the toxic agent is effective not only per inhalationem, but iinn 000050 11 also perkutan, the fact exists that only uncovered main arteries exhibit scleroderma-like coatings and that the band-like os teolysis is only found on the finger phalanges. We saw sclerOderma-like skin alterations as well as acroosteolytoeis only in workers who had worked a long period with the cleaning of autoclaves. This can perhaps be explained by the fact that 600-1000 ppm of vinylchloride could be measured in the area of the autoclave walls (5). As an indication based upon the obstruction of the connective tissues, we saw the qualitative and quantitative alterations of the skin and the multipli cation of collagenic fibers in the portal system of the liver. The increase and expansion of the capillaries was visible by capillary microscopy and histology in the upper cutis, in addition to the peripheral circulation obstruction proved clinically, angiographically, and thernographically; Even the alteration of the bone (osteolysis as a result of trophic obstruction by damage to the vasa nutricia) and the lung (restrictive and obstrictive ventilation blockage) can be synonomously explained. The prognosis of the disease judged quite optimistically by earlier literature-appears quite serious to us, especially with respect to thrombcpeny, 'splenomegaly, and portal hypertension. According to our observations of alterations in the bone, this disease should be judged with reserve. Consequences for the Practice The triasslc formation of this disease system, serious ucc 000051 v 12 prognosis and relatively high mortality (from our investigation c? certainly more than 10%) has led prevailingly youn men to sol icit us to place the following suggestions: 1, Execution of epidemologic and preventative medical experi mental tests. In our opinion, it is not sufficient any more to search for only Raynaud syndromes and knotty skin alter ations because these symptoms , as characteristic as they are, already show the advanced stage of disease. Perhaps mor a . important, controls to determine the thrombozytlc count in regular time periods should be given to all employees of PVCproducing industries. This should take workers with a con stant thrombopeny out of this branch of the industry, as this appears to be the first objective symptom, before further and more serious internal damage occurs. 2. No employment given to those with liver diseases or circu latory problems. 3* Regular gas concentration measurements in different work sites to avoid exceeding the MAK limit. Experienced tech nical improvement with the goal of greatest possible automation, andimprovement of the ventilation conditions to reduce the possibilities of gas inhalation to the lowest amount possible. if* Compensation to diseased workers and recognition of this disease as liable to indemnity by inclusion in the list of BKVO. / 5* More research, especially with animals, using vinylchloride with special consideration to the skin, bones, lungs, liver, and spleen. UCC 000052 13 BIBLIOGRAPHY: Liwratuc^ (|| Anghc'c'-w. 1 . M. Otimm, f,, lkbri- Afitij, L. q QoKfii^.uv. V. Circa1 r<)A*iJt*rj<ii climco-painjenuc a>vp'j f.nomcnuiui Raynaud la dm mdutttia poltclorum de Med. intern* (But.) it (1*49>. 47J, (2) Batalacv, A. V.. A. N. Vaim, A. 0 Kochetkov; On the pathogemi* of change* developing due to a lungtetm captivate to the effect of vir.yldilortde. C |. Tc. prof, Zabvl. 14 (1972). . <3| Chatelain. A,* P. Moulkm: Un tndromc d'icMittMl)u pmfcteionclU ct de euntttimn nouvtlk tn France. J. Radiol. Elctvrul. 44 (19(7). 277, (4) Cordwr. J. M.. C. Fievei, M. J. Lifivtt, A. Itvrin: Acruoaccfttyie *t Ifdeat cutance* UMorn che* ikut rntfitn iNtfitt tv nettoyage d'autn* dive*. Cali. Med. Travail 4 (1944), J, (J) Cook. V. A., F. M. Cwvcr, B. 0. Diifluii. H. J. Mafnuton: Occupational ecfgoateolytis. !! An indvifful hygiene study, Artk, covironm. Htch 22 (1971), 74. (4) Danaiger, H.: Accidental puttoniag by vinyl Alohdt. Caoad. med, Aatoc. J.2(I90,:. (7) Dinman. 1. D., W. A. Cook, V. M, Whitchouae. H. 1. MipuiaiMi Occupational umvttli*i. 1. An epidemiological uudy, Atdi. nvituao. HIUi 22 (1971). (I. (I) Dodaon, V, N., B. 0. Dinman. V. M. Whitehouae, A. N. M. Naar. H. J. Magnuton: Occupational attoo* tfeolyai*. 111. A clinical *tudy. Arch, mvinim. HI* 22 (1971). S3. * (9) Dublin. L. J.. R. J. Van*: Occupa tional huardi aad dugnoatn; kmKt. Bulletin No. 512 (1933). Bulletin No. l (1941), ll.S.A* Dcpr. Labor, uticrt in; Dantigcf (b. aariolation. Fortdiungthertd.tc dt* Lan* det Kordrhcin-4'ckt/ilen. Nr istj (Wevtdcurwhcr Vcflag. Kotn 1944). (li) Juhe, S.. C. Vcitman. Zw,* kl.n.k Jcr ug Vinyh.ltlind*Kr*V*`,e*t 1, Inter* n^emnaka Sympnnum det Icrkiartte def dcmitdita Induitnc, 27. 4. 1972. (10 Juhe 5, C-E. Lange; Sa trvJennir artige Hautvetandcrungcn, Raynaud* Syndrom und Akrom'eoi'** bet Arbcicent dvr PVOhcnicllendeo Industrie. OttJt. mcd. Wadtr. 97 (1972;. 1922- (17) Juhe S.. C.-E. Lange. G. Stein, G. Vdtman: Zur Klmk der g. Vinylhlond<Krankhctt. J ihmTtfirf Dmtyhy Ceutiadiaft fur Arbeiitmediiin, 24* 10. 1972* (10 Lange, C-*E , S* Juhe, G. Sf*in, G* Vehmati: Die arg. VinylAlotid* Kranklieit - one bcnihbtsu'.gu Syitem aklert<e2 Int. Arch. ArbctttttctL, iot Drudu (19) Lange, C.-E.. S. Jiihe. H. J. Mar. ite|kt, R* MaKer, G. Velrnutt Ubtr* idiidcn im Rahmcn der log. Viityb chlond-Knnkheic. jahresttraog Detstdie CetellKhaft fur Arbeittmednio II. 5. 1972. (2d) hlaatfuinattco. .. A. )L Fiaher, H. Chmtic, H- Daniiger. Aeueo ntha* lation loaieity of vinyl blr,Jc to laboratory animal*. Amcr* iaduatr^ Hyg. Am. J. 21 (19(0| 294; liaiett ioc Maitcti, K. R. L. Ziclhuaa (ed.)t Indtfttrtal Tonieologv and OermarolotP in the Production and Pro^etaaog of rtiuio (Rlaevitrt AmHcrdasi 1944). (21) O'Curtner. R. B.: A nrv occupation* nal diaenae i* bom. J. occup. MotL 12 (1970), 224. (22) People*. A* S . C. D. Leaker The ancitheiic action of vinly dJanh* J. Pharmacol, cap. Ther. 4g '19*3), 214. (22! Stem, G., S. Juhe, C-*. Lange, C. Vcltmant Bandfdrmige Ovtcolyaen in den Endphalangcn dc* Haedakciettv. Fonadir. Rborgcnatf. Ill itfTJ), (Ol (10) Filatova, V. S,, L- J. Balakhonova, L $ Owubtf|: H> picnic condition* m the production uf vm*l chloride. Gig. Tr* ptol. Zabol t (I9il|, I; xmert in Public Health Ertgia, Abaev. 40 (tHO) No, 4, p, 4. Oil Harrit, D. R: Health problem* in the manufacture and ute of plaioc*. fteif. J. indvttr. Med. 10 (1923). US-, titietc in: MaJ.eo, K. t., R. L. Zxlhuit (ed.); Industrial TviKolufy and Dermatobgy ia (he Production anj Prutri'ing oi Ptaanca (Elsevter; Amtrerdam 1*44), 141. 119 Hard*. D, K.. V. C. P. Adamai A&io oirenlyti* occurring in men encaged io the polymer.aattvn of vinyl dtlutiJt. Brit. med. |. 19(7.2, 7t2. (U) Hcntdder. H. (Hr*g1: Cctund. heioidijiibjw A'bcitiunr'c. Tunkulm giadi'jrbe tvmed tmHhe Brgrundung von MAK'M'riTta (\;Hag Chtne. 4cm* beta 1972) (14) Jacoby. H>; Pcnphem Durchblu* funpLranbPctten i.n $?wg:l dr Mikro* (24) Stem* G, S. J'ih*, C-E. Ungc, G. Veltman: SVelettverinderahteo bed der aof. VtnyUhloruMsfinhhot. Rdfitgcnprasi*. un DmdL (22) Sueiu, I*, J. Drtjuaa, M. Vataakai: ContributU la arudiul imboloavifdoc produK de durvn de vim). Mai. inrema (Buc.) li (1943), 9C. iU) Tnrkelaoo. T. R., P. Oyeo, V. K, Rowe: The toiity uf vinyl dilondt it determined by rvpeared eapoaute tu USnratgry animal* Amcr. Aoduttr. H>r. Ail. J. 22(1941), 2J9; ucteft tot Malren, R. E., R- L. Zicihuit (J.)t Irfuttriil Tviitulvf* and Dermatology in (he Production and Protecting of flattica (Clteviee: Amatetdam 19*4). (27p Vula, P. L, A. Bigoeai. A. CTaputOt On^gtme rcaponte of rat tkao, lung*, and bone* to vmyl dilond^ Cancer Re*. 31 (1971). 114. (2D Vitaofi. R. H.. W. C. McCormbh, C. P. Tatum, J. L. Crctdi: Occupational acmrarcolyata. J. Amer. med. Aae* 201 (1967), 277. Dr. Suianne TiiSe, Dr. C.*E. Lsn^c, Dr. G. Srem, Prof. Dr. G. V;Itmjn Un:vers:tari*Mau:l(!intk 53 Bonn 1, Venu;bcrg Ucc 000053 CONFIDENTIAL. Copied by MCA. January 30, 1974 Translations Unit/TR.12.897b/-'MnB/VS 8 January 1974 PVC GAS: 40 MSN TAKEN ILL Doctors say: "Very serious" Reference: KHlner Stadt.-Anzeiger, 14.12.73 EB Troisdorf - More than 40 workers at the Dynamit-Nobel Works in Troisdorf bei Siegburg have been attacked by a severe illness which is brought on by gases released during the production of the plastic polyvenyl (sic) chloride (PVC). Doctors at the Ronner UniversitNtskliniken (Bonn University Teaching Hospitals), who have been studying the PVC-sickness for some time, describe it as very serious. It can, in severe cases, prove fatal, particularly in younger men. The most serious symptoms are said to be sensations of giddiness and cold, headaches, swollen finger joints, bone atrophy, difficulties in breathing, reduced blood clotting capacity and liver damage. (Bee Panorama) Circulation Mr 9 J Sleddon, Df.0-320 Dr D Winter, F-11 Translations Unit, R-J/9 ucc 000054 Copied by MCA. January 30, 1974 Ref; Weser-Kurier, No. 300. 20.12 1973. p. 11 Insidious Disease Chemical Workers threatened bv Hideous Disease due to PVC Gas Poisoning Bonn Ministry sets up Special Committee of Enquiry Bonn (our own correspondent). Chemical workers directly engaged in PVC autoclave production in large chemical factories are threatened by a new and serious disease. At least 40 employees of a Troisdorf factory are reported to be poisoned by dangerous vinyl chloride gas. "A serious prognosis" for the victims, according to the Bonn skin specialist Professor Gunther Veltmann. Mortality from PVC gas poisoning is reported to be "relatively high" and particularly serious in young male work rs. According to the medical specialists the frightening consequences of the gas poisoning are reflected in the softening of the bones in hands and feet, enlargement of liver and spleen, severe effects to blood formation and coagulation, and as sociated grave lung disorders. The victims have increasing difficulty with breathing, and varicose veins can form in the esophagus. This previously unknown disease, according to Professor Veltmann, is "irreversible," i.e. incurable. No remedy has so far been discovered, and the only thing that can be treated is the defective organ. The victim can only look forward to in creasing disablement and insidious encroachment of the disease. Experiments on animals are now being commenced to study the causes arid course of the illness and to find antidotes. This evil disease is not even recognized yet as an occupational illness. As a result of the alarming medical reports. Federal Labour Minister Arendt has set up a special committee to in vestigate and report back. The more seriously affected victims are now claiming disablement pensions. However, they have as yet no entitlement to a pension, since this particular illness is not yet officially recognized as an occupational disease by the health authorities. The Committee for Dangerous Raw Materials of the Federal Labour Ministry considers that regular medical inspectiori of workers engaged in plastics production is essential. Guidelines UCC 000055 2- - for technical countermeasures in respect of health hazards are also being drawn up. Local factory inspectors have already ordered individual firms to introduce appropriate safeguards. Meanwhile, the Troisdorf workers have levelled the serious accusation that they were used as guinea-pigs. One employee, aged 39, a sufferer for some 18 months, is reported to have swollen hands and feet with no more feeling left in them, and is afraid to venture on the street because of dizziness. He first became aware of the unusual symptoms when cleaning out a PVC autoclave three years ago. Another 47-year-old chemical worker attributes his chronic liver trouble to the poison. According to Professor veltmann, the effects of the gas on the liver resemble the liver complaints suffered by chronic alcoholics. The 160 workers on the Troisdorf autoclaves have become particularly uneasy about the situation. However, both manage ment and works council have emphasized that the employees directly involved are not really worried, in view of the fact that none has accepted the offer of transfer to other work on the site. A different explanation, on the other hand, is that these same workers are the top earners in the industry. It is they who are responsible for producing the material which is subsequently processed by their other 2,500 colleagues. PVC is one of the most widely used plastics, with countless applications in the home and in industry. However, medical specialists emphasize that nobody can suffer ill effects due to contact with PVC products. The only people at risk are the workers directly engaged on the plants in which the colorless vinyl chloride gas obtained from petroleum is liquefied under pressure and converted into powder in large reactor. The danger arises from the gas, which can escape during the process either as a result of leaks, carelessness, or during the cleaning of the reactors. The maximum permissible concentrations of such leakage gases have repeatedly been reduced by the responsible authorities. According to the Troisdorf works, "nobody has yet died and production has not been irresponsibly pursued at the expense of workers' health or safety; moreover, no efforts have been spared to safeguard the interests of their employees." Hans Wullenweber UCC 000056 " TR 12902 Translation from Der Spiegel No 50/1973 Copied by MCA January 30, 1974 MEDICINE Dangerous Plastic A new and deadly occupational disease has been discovered by Medical Specialists in Bonn: workers engaged in the production of FVC risk incurable diseases of the liver. Pipes and Venetian blinds, curtains and films and whole host of articles in common use are made from PVC, a hard, durable plastic which can be moulded into almost any product- German producers alone have distributed almost a million tonnes of polyvinyl chloride over the country in the last year. PVC has so far been responsible for the death of as yet unknown numbers of chemical workers. For the production of this much desired material, wlich can be combined in so many different ways with plasticisers, fillers and pigments that it has become one of the leading products of the plastics age within the last twenty years, is apparently very much more dangerous than had been previously been assumed. Medical specialists of the Bonn University Clinics have this year diagaos d a "vinyl chloride disease" in at least 40 of the 120 PVC workers in a Labouring chemical factory. However, the number of cases is probably considerably higher than this. According to preliminary comments made by the doctors this newly discovered "occupational illness" is characterised by a "serious prognosis and a relatively high mortality rate in men of predominantly younger age groups". According to Prof. GUnther Veltman writing in the "Deutsche Medizinische WochenschrLft" : "Certainly more than 10$ as revealed by our enquiries". This occupational disease first came to the notice of dermatologist Veltman and his team in the form of characteristic changes to the skin, particularly in the fingers. However, they were soon forced to the conclusion that still worse was to be revealed by this already well-known PVC symptom : vinyl chlorice harms blood and blood vessels, bones, nerves, liver and lungs. As summed up by V ltman : "A disease of the system". This plastics material apparently places at risk only those individuals actually present when the colourless vinyl chloride gas, obtained from mineral oils, is liquefied under pressure and compressed to form powder in the large reactors known as "autoclaves". This "polymerisation process" is necessary to produce the PVC which is then sold as "Hostalit" (Farbwerke Hoechst) or "Vinoflex1' (BASF): Products which are not toxic as far as the end consumer is concerned, uni ss, in the words of plastics experts, "Plasticisers migrate from them". Those cases in which these toxic substances have been liberated from such materials hav indeed been reported for a considerable period of time. On the other hand, the "closed system" of the autoclaves gives rise tc dangerous leakages. The Bonn Medical Specialists have been investigating "possibilities of gas leakages and associated inhalation risks" at numerous points ir the production process. VC-gas escapes when the reactors are discharged r.nd opened as well as through "leaks in the autoclaves". For many years doctors have been aware of the toxic nature of the gas and its narcotic effect. Almost without exception personnel engaged on the cleaning of autoclaves complain of feeling "dopey", giddiness and headaches. For this reason the "maximum allow .bio concentration" ("MAK") of the VC gas has been repeatedly reduced. According to Veltman, however, "we have so far not been aware of regular gas conce.tration measurements being carried put on production sites." ucc 000057 Personnel responsible for cleaning the autoclaves - such as the majority of the diseased chemical workers - apparently inhale many times the quantity of the acceptable tolerable dose of the toxic substances. Industrial doctors in America have repeatedly measured gas concentrations of 1,000 ppm * in the neighbourhood of PVC autoclave walls, which is ten times the MAK value. The symptoms suffered by the diseased Bonn workers show that the air in German chemical factories is not very much better. The following changes in bodily organs has frequently been observed after only 18 months employment : Enlargement of liver and spleen with lasting destruction to the structur and function of their cells - collective tissues proliferate in th organs. Reduced circulation in the hands due to diseased narrowing of the arterial vessels. Finger bones gradually deteriorate, and were almost completely destr yed in cases of advanced disease. Blood formation and coagulation were affected and breathing was found to become increasingly difficult. The majority of these illness-induced changes are considered non-curable by reason of the fact that the increase in connective tissues in all vital organs is "irreversible". Specialists in internal diseases accordingly hope at the most for a "defective healing" in diseased livers.. The chemical workers are left with a thick-skinned and deformed organ such as that found in chronic alcoholics after many years over-indulgence in alcohol. According to Prof. Veltman, the necessary "consequence" is "compensation for all diseased workers" and the recognition of the illness as an occupational disease. Neither he nor his colleagues have so far ventured to estimate th numbers of the victims of the PVC disease. Basic research into the medical problems of VC is also badly lagging. In the 100 year after the ability of vinyl chloride to polymerise was first discovered in 1878 - the doctors in Bonn are now demanding "experimental investigations in animals on the effects of the vinyl chloride with particular reference to skin, bone, lungs, liver and spleen". PPM ; abbreviation for parts per million = parts (by volume) per million : a measurement unit used to indicate the quantity of trace sub stances eg in a gas mixture. Circulation: Mr G J Sleddon Dr D Winter Translations Unit ACH/WMB 9 dan 74 ucc 000058 Copied bv MCA January 30, 1974 Translations Unit/TR.12.897a/EMS/VS 4 January 1974 PVC DISEASE TO BE INVESTIGATED Reference: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 20.12.73 Bonn/Troisdorf 19 December Many cases of illness among persons employed in the PVC plant at Dynamit Nobel AG in Troisdorf have caused concern among the local population. As Dynamit Nobel AG confirmed on Wednesday, 43 workers so far have shown symptoms of the mystery illness, which is known only as "PVC disease" at present. Two foreign workers are said to have become completely incapable of working already. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a widely used plastic that is produced by a number of other chemical companies apart from Dynamit Nobel AG. How seriously the situation is regarded is apparent from a statement issued by the West German Minister of Labour on Wednesday to the effect that the government had instructed investigations to be carried out into the hitherto unknown causes of the disease. Details are to be laid down in January by a panel of experts. According to the Ministry of Labour, the relevant employers* association is working on the assumption that the disease is caused by vinyl chloride. It was stated that the Ministry of Labour Committee considers that operatives working in the neighbourhood of PVC autoclaves must be medically examined. When the various cases of illness became known local factory inspectorates ordered steps to be taken to provide increased health safeguards on the plant. The symptoms of the condition are unconsciousness, attacks of dizziness, changes in the hands and feet, headache and nausea. According to a report from the works in question, the first cases of physical damage to workers in the PVC plants were observed in Germany in the Spring of 1972. Dynamit Nobel have been producing PVC since 1951. The Press Section at the Troisdorf works stated that: The government industrial medical officer, in agreement with the Chemical Industry Tinployers* Association, has instructed Professor Rudolf Gross, who holds the chair of Medecine at the University of Cologne to examine some of the affected persons and to produce a report. 6 patients from the PVC plant have now been examined by Professor Gross at the university teaching hospital. A report on some of his findings will be issued in December. f ucc 000059