Document NG0wQ8xNk4vZKoVmp4w2zgxMy

to t j. hoodrick FROM: W. M. BRANAN "V -(Hip * - -- -gyg-SU 4S* January 11, 1980 ;*' `s 1 *V^.a* * t*-V-rfv`*. ,< SS - i. y m 4 'v;-:-.:^-='-J *g This revision contains changes by A. T. Gentiluc6i^ia^^ myself to accommodate 6. F. Curtin's recommendations. i-dd^*J `think we've changed what you want to say - only a little. how you say it. If you agree, we'll start it by Milker,- Cur.tjLhp^|' yelton/Ruppe. Let me know this p.m. if possible.. ^ i 5 pi* , . p Jp-a h,&Js .v - +*r> -** ,,*lvr*Sewr!.vx,4n - v'1 ' ~? .'TS- - -': DU 009558 co TO O 00 o CO o i'.T< ..' \:py *..S*V- **. st`* .STATEMENT TO EKPIiOYEES STATUS OF VICTORIA PIANT CANCER STUDIES ?' The purpose of this memo is to report to you updated *4wd4iiigg in the Medical Division's continuing study of cancer amongcVictoria Plant employees, and to share some general obifl^f^^]^rvafci.oiis on the causes of cancer by today's medical authorities. -Although all the causes of cancer are not known, the .information on the very important role that lifestyle its occurrence may be of interest to you. Daring' the last 10 years researchers have concluded that ent of all cancers are caused, by-environmental factors, e the air we breathe, the food we eat, the things we "well!a3 where va live and work. Sons researchers believe much as -75% of new cancer cases are related to our eating, .iknd drinking habits. The National Cancer Institute, says ^"chas40% of cancer in males and 60% in females may be 'diet -- an excess of meat and other fatty foods and too Cigarette smoking is also considered a serious cause. --jan Cancer Society believes as much as 80% of lung cancer L?pS?attributed to smoking cigarettes while the National Cancer gyrate says that some 30-50% of male deaths from cancer of the - "" , kidney, bladder and pancreas have been shown to be ^smoking. . .Radiation, mostly from sunlight, is estimated by the %OLticer ..institute to account for about 8t. A '( ' V '.< . `- 'i ' ' `fjfwHfthxsspy:; ./ . /; & Wilmington Medical- Division, has for several examining Victoria employee cancer cases to determine arsi any - links between cancer and employee 'work environ- been our policy to inform you of results when they fele< .A memo, was issued an September 8, 1976, describts of; a study of incidence of cancer among all active employees over the 19 year period from 1956 through memo updates these results and reports .on an additional DUP 0811031 DU 009559 r r An npdivtod study o cancer incidence rates anon^ active* *)'. male", Victoria Plant employees shows no significant difference K" 'V S'/:between the overall cancer incidence rate at'Victoria and the -.average- incidence rate for' the Du Pont Company. A similar study of fv'-CS'.-^eath rates from cancer among male* active# pensioned# and trans-- ;.:.C erred^Victoria Plant employees shows the sane results. The study 'cancer death r&tcs also shows that there are no significant fe.rences between`overall rates in the Victoria Plant group ;andfthose for Victoria County. However, both studies did show an of brain cancer among male', salary roll emplovees com- average Du Pont Company experience. This observation had 4pVfetfloiisly reported to you in our memo of 1976. As we report- . ye!-1 have .reviewed the work histories of the three individin this study who have contracted brain cancer and ' j^und-lno. reason to suspect that there were any occupational contributed to these cancer cases. The three ih- iiial|s. worked in accounting and patrol jobs. There have been o cancer reported among, female employees at Victoria.. ore aiso aware of three additional cases of brain can'WSt<S^qccitrring among former employees who left employment with-V ;ion>; and another occurring in a current employee. We have 'led any. specific occupational factor which could have con^these three cases. We plan to continue our study and illance of .the incidence of this and other types of cancer. Plant employees. use of the interest that the National Institute of Safet jt' (KXOSfl) has shown in tho occurrence of brain cancer in the p:,area,;we are reporting our own cancer experience to them. iNCiDHHCB, ACTIVE EMPlkOYSES, 1956-1977 * The initial study of cancer incidence among active Plant employees has been updated through 1977. These jsjjsiSsf are based on cancer diagnoses reported through Du Pont *' ^' IHand Health Claims. - `era 24 -cases .-of cancer in the group studied compared to 21.0 Ba Pont Company experience. The number of cases *va to Save been at least-31 for the difference between the imker and the expected number to be statistically signifi ed 'were 14. cases among wage roll employees compared to . inudber of 9.8 and a minimum number of 16 for the $e6ween: observed, and expected to be statistically signifi "" f f>r- , . *} - '' j[ lK . * ^breakdown of the cancer cases according to primary - ' cancels again shows an excess nuaber of brain cancer stale Salary roll employees. There were 3 brain cancer this' group,, compared to an expected number of 0.4 based ^experience and a minimum number of 3 for the difference prvod and expected to be statistically significant, hfi tamo 3 cases, reported in 1976 in the .initial study, histories of the individuals involved: havo been reviewed ~ r These people had very little costact with the operating sf.ahd'hcnco a cause and effect relationship with chemical opera- is Unlikely. tffclrJ-4- 1 * J . - > ac TJ 0o0 GO N> DU 009560 ISMfai STATEMENT TO EMPLOYEES STATUS OF VICTORIA PLANT CANCER STUDIES 1$ PAGE 3 (Revised 1/10/80) A summary of the data from this study is shown Ln T&lsi CANCER MORTALITY, VICTORIA PLANT ACTIVE,' PENSIONED, AND MALE EMPLOYEES. 1957-1978 ' ^5Stf3Tj/.- To further investigate the cancer experience cf `oa^SianS we have also analyzed deaths among active Victoria Planfc ^ttplwe^s^ pensioners, and transferees from 1957-1978. la M stud^vTd^tti ^ from all causes as well as from cancer among male actv/^'*penioiif and transferred Victoria Plant employees were ccm?aredwide and Victoria County cancer mortality. Deaths from ai in the group studied were less than expected compared to^kv^wwsiF Company experience (S5 vs. 66.9) as wall as Victoria Coontvfe^^^^ periencc (55 vs. 90.S). ^r There were 17 cancer deaths compared to 15.1-e from Company experience and 15.0 expected from Victoria;&__x_aM experience. For both Company and county comparisons, thesis .of cancer deaths would have to have been at least 23 fnr -hh difference between, observed and expected to be statistical^^p fleant. There were 8 cancer deaths among male.wage rollhe " " compared to an expected number of 6.6 based on.Company^ and a minimum number of 12 for the difference between. " and expected to be statistically significant. There were.-Stfoi deaths among male salary roll employees compared to an. ex number of 8,5 based on Company experience and a minimumT 15 for the difference, between observed and expected to Jbe/iit _tically significant. K breakdown of cancer deaths according to priwr^yq|| site shows an excess number of brain cancer deaths among stale' salary roll employees.. These are. the same three hrain cax&c&fg reported in the cancer incidence study summarized above... T '$ brain cancer deaths .in this study compare to an expected ___ 0.$ based on Company experience and a minimum number of 3"1 difference between observed and expected to be s tatis significant S?Sglii*SS A summary of the data from this study is shewn iniT^bl^Il FOLLOW-UP We are also aware of three additional cases ofvbrajffican?rfs^g^ cer, two occurring among former employees who left employmentiwithOn^^^ a pension, and another occurring in a current employee. Weihdve^SsSf,i* not identified any specific occupational factors which couldjhaw -r?;$-ZzS$g:CTi s DU 009561 STATEMENT TO EMPLOYEES STATUS OP VICTORIA PLANT CANCER STUDIES PAGE 4 (Revised 1/10/80) v-fs= contributed to these braitt cancer cases. Nevertheless, weplaa/ to continue our study and close surveillance of the incidence of this and other types of cancer among victoria plant employees^il^i *. . v- i -c.*>' j.g , - Toward this end, we have expanded the cancer rortalitij^V study to include former employees along with active employees*; pen sioners, and transferees. This study, like previous studies"/ iill be conducted by Wilmington Medical, and because of its a&gnittiiSa'^'; and complexity will require about two years to complete/::: ing with our policy I will inform you of the results of when it is complete. We will continue to take whatever steps are see that no one suffers any harm to their health from ex^p: our operations. You are encouraged to discuss any ques have with your supervision. Plant Medical, or the Plant al Health Coordinator (Jim Kayser, 1397). 'ra.nv*.? Because of the interest that the National Safety and Health (NIOSH) has shown in the occurrence of i ' cancer in the Texas Gulf area, we are reporting our own " experience to them. ... - ,v. -a . ? - 'Sf'eV-Vir* * ** sS&glsssP oc TJ ooo oC4 DU 009562