Document KJy04aK2Gdq8wjkE8gdRn82xx

TO MR* TODD WALKER POTESTOVN SUBJECT tPe;tfoa(S vJ INTEROFFICE V date JAITUART 14, 1976 from DR. L. H. BALLOU REFERENCE Attached, is a copy of Mr. Bommarito1s letter to Dr. Finklea relative to the January 5th meeting. Lou Beliczky apparently authored it. It is quite favorable, I think. Bob Kassmiller and George Wilson agree. Attachment LH3:pk cc: Mr. B. Frazier 51373 r c. 1900 SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OF QUALITY AND SERVICE 1975 SPI-10573 PETER BOMMAfe P>eiidnt KENNETH OLDHAM Vie* President IKE GOLD, $*cr<*ry-Tr*surer UNITED RUBBER, CORK, LINOLEUM AND PLASTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA AfL-ClO. ClC 87 SOUTH HIGH STREET AKRON. OH'O 44)08 January 9, 1976 At** Cod* 216 376-6181 376-6182 376-6183 J76-6I84 John Finklea, K.D., Director National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Department of Health, Education and Welfare 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building Rockville, Maryland 20:152 Dear Doctor Finklea: This is relative to a meeting held in r.y offices on January 5, 1976 in Akron, Ohio* The meeting was called at your suggestion and at your direct response to a request for such a meeting made to your office by Dr. Lawrence Ballou, Corporate Medical Director of The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company* During the last three months or so, there has been considerable contro versy regarding the scientific release of dais generate' from a multipartite study (UI?.'//FirestGne/University of berth Carolina/I.I0SK/CDC) conducted at our URW Local Union bo. 3'6 (Firestone, PottstcwTi, Pennsylvania) during the later part of 197L. The basic issue raised by Dr* Ballou and Dr. KcKichael {UNC), was related to the information regarding "fetal wastage" and the presentation of the data at a meeting in Czechoslovakia. Their concern was that orener protocol was not recognized as outlined in the original protocol agreement, of July 5, 197h. On pages 1 and 2 of the protocol of the study (enclosed without appendices), the reference to the collaborative understanding is as follows: "It is the purpose of this study 1) to determine those diagnostic laboratory' procedures best suited for detection of liver disease among workers employed in VC polymerization and fabrication pro cesses; 2) to identify as completely as possible all current and former workers with liver atr.ormclities so that they may be re ferred for appropriate medical evaluation and therapy; and 3) to identify other medical illnesses conceivably related to either VCM or to polymerized VC (?VC). PRINCIPAL i:r.,:'5TrGAn,0R5: The study will be conducted jointly by the Bureau of Epidem iology (EL) (Cancer and birth Defects Division; and the National Institute for Occupational Safety anu Health (HICSIi) (Division SPI-10574 John Fin'clea, K.D. Pane 2 January 1976 of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations), Center for Disease Control (CDS) in collaboration vri-th the Occu pational Health Studies Group, School of Public Health, University .of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Principal Investigators trill be: 1* A. Scott Grivas, Jr., K.D*, EIS Officer, Cancer and Birth Defects Division, EE, CDC. 2. Joseph Mallov, K.D., Medical Investigations Branch, Bivison of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations, NICSH, CDC. 3. A. J. McUichael, M.D., Department of Epioordology, Occupr.tioral Health Studies Group, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. k. Henry Falk, K.D., HS C-fficer, Cancer and Birth De fects Division, 3D, CDC. 5. Clark W. Heath, Jr., K.D., Director, Cancer and 3irtb Defects Division, EE, CDC. 6. Joseph K. Wagoner. S.D., Hygiene, Director, Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations, IJIOSil, CDC. 7. Rick Waxweiler, Assistant Director, Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations, HI OSH, CDS.1' Also enclosed for your reference is a copy of the URW-Firestone ''Memorandum of Agreement" regarding our 1970 negotiated Joint Occupational .Health Program. Our tripartite understanding and commitment is quite clear. In our initial meetings regarding a polypnrtite involvement, vc had hoped that cur corritnent and stated feelings vere to be honored. I am aware of the Public Information Disclosure Act nnd that the data prev iously referenced v;as, in essence, "outlie information." I am also av;are that total commitment cf the collaborators was a matter of a "gentleman's agreement." Dr. Inf.ante was not aware of the July ?, 197k protocol since he only joined HIGSH in August of 197k. The above issue v?y rluvrvd by rtatcr.rnt s from Doctors Brllou, Infante and Wagoner and further effort.'.: pna endc'"'ors regarding the 1 Pottotown1 study would, in the future, be collaborative involving the principal investigators. . SPI-10575 ,John Vinklea, K.D Page 3 January 9 1976 The significance of the data on fetal wast-orc was discussed and all parties agreed that a preliminary reference should be subratted to Lancet for publication ns so.n as possible* The meeting will also reflect on the paper to be published as part of the Czechoslovakia meeting proceedings* The CDC representative. Dr. Heath, seemed reluctant to consider the conelusions reached' fr<^n the questionnaire as either valid or significant. His consent of "p.arbnre in-garbage outI11 was' generally unfavorably received and leads me to wonder if he was referring to the CDC, MICSH, or the UPC inputs, and, as stated, seems to reflect on all three groups of scientists. Of concern is the fact that the continuity of the principal investigators was broken when CDC and HI OSH personnel left to pursue further studies at Harvard, the University of North Carolina, or Pittsburgh. The total study conducted at the Pettstovn plant has never produced a final report. The preliminary reports were relatively negative and avr.it final" evaluation either by NIGS:*, CDC, lliC's Jchocl of Public Health, or all three. The excerpted ''fetal wastage" is only a small part of the total effort. Numerous cements regarding the terrato anecity and r.utagenecity of Vinyl Chloride were made, hut ncr.e were adequate to help me in communicating with our membership or relieving the fears or concern of our workers (cr their wives) regarding birth malformations or fc-tal deaths. If this is a significant finding (end I have no reason to doubt the finding), it would not be "unique" to just the Fottstovn workers. I therefore urge that investigations be made at other facilities where VC}` exposures have occurred (3. F. Goodrich, Goodyear, Union Carbide, etc.). If this is just the chance, accidental occurrence of the misleading use of numbers, then this too must be documented. If the data are real, and 7CH is in fact a human mutagen producing fetal wastage, then this becomes a matter of public health concern and props, notice and dissemination of such information must be made. Ames tests certainly indicate that VCM is a mutagen. Studies are. being conducted in other countries to evaluate the human mutagenic effect (Norway). I appreciate Dr. Butler's effort in setting up a meeting in Akron. I feel that much was accomplished in maintaining credibility among the scientists involved, and that a?.l have a be'-ter understanding of theirs and r.y respon sibility to workers end the si;yiir'icnnce an.; impact of the data discussed. Ve are hopeful that you will expand your efforts to other VCM users or FVC producers to resolve tiiis situation. I also wish to thank NICCH for thrir ir. we hare encountered at. the EACr-'-yonicv be implicated. Further study regarding workers would be helpful. ai .and conccm regarding the problems a plant whora Yirylidcne Chloride may hepatic injury' of these and other SPI-10576 ,John Finklea, K.D , Psyo 1; January 9 1976 I wish to thank the HIOSH representatives for taking-tine from their busy schedules to r.eet with us in Akron, and I will expect a copy of Dr* Butler's notes regarding the netting. Yours very truly, . /' . /v ' ` ' Peter Bomarito, International President PBipJs opeiu 329 PC: International Officers Director of Incustrial Hygiene Eeliczky Industrial Hygienist Carolyn Bell 2rirestcne Coordinator Jd:e Killer Lawrence Eallcu, II.D., Corp. Medical Director, Firestone P. V, Hassrdiler, Manager, Labor Helncionc, Firestone Id Paler, Assistant Director, MICDII (F.cckville) Bobby Craft, Ph.F., Divisicji of tVc-mical Services, Ml OSH (Cincinnati) John Butler, II.D., HICSH (KocVville) Robert Harris. Hh.D., Director, Occupational Health Studies Group (UKC) A. J. McKichael, K.H., Occupational Her 1th Studies Group (UHC) Clark VI. Heath., K.D., Center for Disease Control (Atlanta) Joseph HV.por.er, D.oc., Division of Fi.ld and Clinical Studies, HICSH (Cincinnati Peter Infante, K.D., MIG3K (Cincinnati) Hector Blejer, K.D., HICSK (Cincinnati) David J, Senser, K.D., (CDC, Atlanta) William Flynt, K.D., (CX, Atlanta) Enclosures: 1. Protocol (Medical Screening of Vinyl Chloride Vlorkers) 2. Joint Occupational Health Program Memorandum (Firestone) SPI-10577