Document Lmd46e68GN63rQDqQ3erdDwX

ABDOOO19445 May 3,2001 Review of Acroosteolvsis Literature We were asked to review the scientific literature on acroosteolysis The eight studies listed as references (and the abstracts or publications of which are attached) provide useful information on the disease Pertinent information from these studies is discussed below Acroosteolysis is a condition associated with occupational exposure to high concentrations of vinyl chloride during its polymerization It is characterized by the painful degeneration of the bone and tissue of the fingers and toes According to scientists, the disease is self-limiting, i e , symptoms that include clubbing of the fingers disappear after the occupational exposure is removed Lewis et al "Vinyl Chloride and Polyvinyl Chloride," Occ Med 14(4)719-741 (1999), Harris & Adams, "Acro-osteoloysis Occumng in Men Engaged in the Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride," Brit Med J 3 712-714 (1967) Onset of symptoms can occur as early as one month after first being exposed Lewis et al (1999) suggest that, because the condition was not observed until the early 1960s (20 years after polyvinyl chloride production began), it is more likely related to the combined exposure of vinyl chloride and other chemicals than to vinyl chloride alone Symptoms subside when exposure is discontinued, and scientists report that tissue and bone appear to heal in some cases Harris & Adams (1967), Lewis et al (1999) Acroosteolysis is associated with high levels of exposure It is unlikely to occur in workers exposed to the concentrations allowed in workplaces since the mid-1970s Nicholson et al, "Occupational Hazards in the VC-PVC Industry," Prog Clin Biol Res 141 155-75(1984) Attachments Louis J Alex ABDOOO19446 References Hams & Adams, "Acro-osteolysis Occumng in Men Engaged in the Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride," Brit Med J 3 712-714(1967) Kind & Homstein, "Acro-osteolysis in a Worker Exposed to Vapours of Synthetics," Etsch Med Wochenschr 100(18) 1001-1004(1975) Lewis et at, "Vinyl Chloride and Polyvinyl Chloride," Occ Med 14(4)719-741 (1999) Nicholson et al, "Occupational hazards in the VC-PVC Industry," Prog Clin Biol Res 141 155-75(1984) Pietruck, "A New Occupational Disease (Vinyl Chloride Disease)," Z Allg Med 52(32) 1646-1649(1976) Sadick "Special Communication - Polyvinyl Chlonde/Vinyl Chloride Disease - An Occupational Health Hazard," J Pak Med Assoc 26(2) 37-39 (1976) Szadkowski, "The So Called Vinyl Chloride Disease, Clinic and Pathology," Fortschr Med 94(26) 1412-1415(1975) Viola et al, "Oncogenic Response of Rat Skin, Lungs, and Bones to Vinyl Chloride," Cancer Research 31 516-522(1971)