Document KV2kXawaK3RXDMvddL8q9ZDw

SPRINGFIELD PLANT BULLETIN Jfonsaato lias received a mortality study of former Springfield Plant employees conducted By tlie University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health. The year-long study was Initiated at Monsanto's request to Insure that present and former employees remain free from concern vlth regard to workplace health. The study covered workers employed a year or more between January 1, 1949 and December 31, 1966 and examined the deaths which occurred la this group through the end of 1976, These years were chosen Because they provide enough time to discover any long-term health effects. Briefly, this extensive study confirmed the bindings of previous studies: - Fever deaths from any cause were found than expected. - Fewer deaths from all forms of cancer were found than expected. - Slightly more deaths from digestive system and genito-urlnary tract cancers were found than would Be expected. - No new evidence was uncovered to show any worker health problem at the Springfield Plant, - In all of these cases, the expected number of deaths was based on Hampden County, Massachusetts rates. Monsanto has given this information to union officials, federal and state authorities. Xn a second phase of the study, the University of Pittsburgh will examine the work histories of former employees who died of digestive system and genito-urlnary tract cancers. This part of the study will be completed In mld-1980. This additional work Is part of Monsanto's continuing program to Insure the health and safety of its employees* 3/7/80 Approved for posting: V. R. Caffey Manager, Epidemiology Department of Medicine and Environmental Health Monsanto Company Removal Date: 3/31/80 RSV0022928