Document LJp4NL2Jo3E02KE0Ep93Kj87g
CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
February 25, 1994
Son Gilbert Westlake Polymers 2801 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056
Dear Mr. Gilbert:
The Chemical Manufacturers Association Vinyl Chloride Panel la considering a second update of the vinyl chloride epidemiology study. This is a very important undertaking to resolve some scientific issues arising from the first update. The original study was comprised of employees working in vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride operations from 1942 to 1972. The mortality experience of these workers was updated to 1982. The following documents are enclosed to familiarize you with the study and scientific issues concerning the update:
1) Vinyl Chloride Panel commitment form;
2) February 14, 1994 Record of Meeting;
3) December 9, 1993 Record of Conference Call;
4) November 5, 1993 Record of Meeting;
5) December 2, 1993 letter from CMA to ENSR;
6) February 10, 1994 letter from ENSR;
7) Final Report, "An Update of An Epidemiology Study of Vinyl Chloride Workers, 1942-1982";
8) February 1989 ENSR Reassessment of Liver Cancer Among Vinyl Chloride Workers;
9) An Industry-Wide Epidemiologic Study on Vinyl Chloride Workers, 1942-1982;
10) Letter to the Editor, "Diagnostic Bias in Occupational Epidemiologic Studies"; and,
11) Letter to the Editor, "Diagnostic Bias in Occupational Epidemiologic Studies: An Example Based on the Vinyl Chloride Literature."
2501 M Street. NW, Washington, DC 20037 Telephone 202-887-1100 Fax 202-887-1237
CMA 114598
CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION Vinyl Chloride Panel Research Coordinators Coaaitaent Fora
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My company commits to contribute $3,000 for administrative and consultant services for the Vinyl Chloride Research Coordinators Task Force. The Panel is conducted under the policies and procedures outlined in the CHEMSTAR Panel Guidelines (as noted on the reverse of this form).
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While appreciating the opportunity, ay company declines to participate.
We are required by law to tell you that contributions, gifts or membership dues paid to CMA ere not deductible as "charitable contributions" for income tax purposes. This law does not affect the deductibility of these payments as a "business expense."
Panel Representative
Management Contact (optional)
Name (Signed)
Name (Signed)
Name (Typed)
Name (Typed)
Title
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Company
Company
Address
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Telephone
Telephone
Telecopier (Type, Make, Number) Telecopier (Type, Make, Number)
Please return signed fora by December 31, 1993 to:
Hasaukh C. Shah, Manager Chemical Manufacturers Association 2501 M Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20037
CMA 114599
Mr. Gilbert February 25, 1994 Page 2
Currently, there are nine producer companies of vinyl chloride in the U.S. Eight of these companies, except Westlake, are members of the CMA Vinyl Chloride Panel. Your predecessor, BFGoodrich, participated in the original study and the first update. The Panel members invite you to join them in the second update of the vinyl chloride epidemiology study. Please complete the enclosed commitment form for $3,000 if you decide to join the Vinyl Chloride Panel to update the study. Each comany's pro-rata share for the actual study will be determined at a later date.
If your current workers are included in the study cohort through their previous affiliation with BFGoodrich, the proposed update will provide you with important scientific information. On the other hand, even if your more recent workers are not included in the study cohort, your participation in the proposed update will provide your company with information on current scientific issues to aid in better risk management.
I understand from Mr. Frank Borrelli that you plan to attend the next Vinyl Institute meeting in March. I will be happy to meet with you at that time to discuss any of the issues arising from your review of the enclosed material.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (202) 887-1192.
Sincerely,
Enclosures
Hasmukh C. Shah. Ph.D. Manager, Vinyl Chloride Panel
CMA 114600
By accepting aembenfaip in the panel, the pattidparing companka
a madia the panel accordbg to CMA general peUdas md proeeduee a> described Id dear Guidelines, and ^pliable sections of tbe 04A Committee (Mdr;
e accept iwpooaibiliry Car all operating coets limiting fcom activities ofthe panel, indndtog liabilities for toon and onlanooa. and btigdioQ against fire paad;
o disdote to (be CMA Office of Ocneral Cmmeel all pcaendsl conflicts of inter**;
o amoge for employment of any oaeded retained cooasel and coosoltwa through CMA, by and with the coocnmace oftbe QAA Office of General Counsel;
o accept CMA management and dsbnnemcnt ofpanel binds. at tfat paatl'i direction, within the adnimstnbve aad financial guidelines of tbe Association;
o follow CMA procedures for nleaac of iafooBadoo about tbe pantL fTbii commitment (ball not preclude individials or cntporatioci from releasing information without CMA dear* aoce where tbe law imposes meb reqpoodbility opoa an aodividual or corperatiooX and.
o Bike final aqd.atfDificant interim environmental, health aad safety research results, as well u other reports having a similar impact on tbe public welfare, available to tbe public, wbea legally permitted. [Access to raw data is granted opoo receipt of a request which docoments a valid need for socb data. (Keqoens that involve additional costs to the participating companies, and possible compensation due to such companies, are reviewed by tbe companies in advance ofany commitment to release the raw data.)]
CMA 114601