Document KJzjkz2aee045XxgRXxYXKevo

R E Evans Refinery Manager MAY 2 2 1985 May 22, 1985 Union Carbide Corporation P. 0. Box 471 Texas City, Texas 77590 Mr. F. S. Provenzano For your internal management information the attached letter and bulletin board posting is being sent to all Amoco Oil Texas City refinery employees on May 23. In-plant dissemination of this information is beginning on May 22. If you have any questions I will be glad to elaborate on the points that I can. My phone number is 409/945-1171. Robert M. Bishop Attachments UCC 097473 R.E. Evans Reftnerv Manager Amoco Oil Company Post Office Box 401 Texas City, Texas 77592-0401 409-945-1011 May 23, 1985 Dear Employee: The enclosed bulletin announces the results of a comprehensive epidemiological study conducted by Amoco Corporation's Medical Depart ment and involving employees in Amoco refineries. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution of health and illness in human populations. An epidemiologist compares an event, such as an illness or specific cause of death with the occurrence of another event or condition to see if the two are related. The Medical Department study included all employees who worked at an Amoco refinery any time from 1970 through 1980, Over 10,700 employees were included. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was an association between cause of death and employee exposure to crude oil components and other chemicals typically found in refineries. There were 983 deaths recorded from the study group. Overall, the study found a lower than expected number of deaths for all causes when compared with the U.S. population as a whole. There is, however, one cause that was found to be higher than would be expected skin cancer, specifically melanoma. Of the 983 deaths, eleven died of skin cancer. Three of the eleven had worked at the Texas City refinery at one time. Only 5.5 deaths would have been expected from a similar size group of the general population. These findings support a 1982 NIOSH study of Texas City employees where some evidence of increased melanoma rates were found, but were not statistically significant. While we at Texas City have always encouraged minimizing skin contact with petroleum products and chemicals, I want to reemphasize the importance of this practice. It is Impossible to identify what petroleum materials or chemicals, if any, are related to skin cancer. Therefore, the wise course of action for all of us is to arrange our work procedures so that actual contact with such materials is minimized. Since some exposure is inevitable it is important to exercise good personal hygiene, and, where significant contact is made, to promptly wash it off. Over the next few weeks the company will be reviewing procedures and methods for reducing employee exposure and will review possible Improvements in wash up facilities for employees in the field. UCC 097474 Page 2 Let me assure you of my commitment to a safe and healthy workplace. As I've said before, it takes all of us working together to achieve excellence. Therefore, I am asking not only for your increased efforts to minimize your personal exposure to petroleum materials, but for your suggestions on improving your workplace and procedures. A second phase of the study, to begin soon, should shed more light on this complex subject. The second phase will take about two years to complete. In the meantime, we must all do our part to reduce the potential exposure. If you have any questions about the study or suggestions for improvement do not hesitate to discuss them with your supervisor. R. E. Evans Enclosure BULLETIN NO. 3182 AMOCO OIL COMPANY TEXAS CITY, TEXAS MAY 22, 1985 Results fom an epidemiology study of Amoco Oil Refineries' employees are now available. The study was based on more than 10,000 employees who worked In an Amoco refinery any time during 1970 through 1980. Since 1970, 983 of the people in that group have died. This number of deaths is low when compared with the number expected according to death rates of the U.S. population as a whole. Finding fewer than the expected number of deaths is not unusual in this type of study. The study also found that deaths from leukemia, brain cancer, and lung cancer were lower than expected from these diseases in the U.S. popu lation. Greater than expected numbers of deaths were seen in three disease categories; benign tumors, digestive system cancers, and skin cancers. There were a total of six deaths from benign tumors. The tumors were of different kinds and four of the deaths were from the Whiting refinery. However, in that part of Indiana, the incidence of benign tumors Is higher than in the U.S. as a whole. The 97 digestive system cancers were also of different types and those deaths could not be related to exposure. Therefore, the benign tumors and digestive system cancers do not seem to be associated with refinery work. However, these two diseases will be Investigated further in the second phase of this study which will be completed in about two years. There were 11 skin cancer deaths (three at Texas City), ten of which were melanomas, which are of particular concern because they seem to be associated with jobs where employees have the most frequent potential for exposure to petroleum materials. The key to preventing skin cancer is to minimize contact. Therefore, we are asking employees to take additional steps to minimize contact with petroleum materials. The company will continue to develop and Implement procedures to further minimize contact. Findings of the study have been reviewed with our Safety and Health Committee, and copies have been forwarded to the appropriate government agencies as well as the OCAW office in Denver. Please direct any questions to R. M. Bishop, Manager - Employee Relations. Plant Council Bulletin Boards UCC 097476