Document NNknJp7G5xdZaNj9LXxokxjLR

Jan. 29, 1974 SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS FTTH ICI :lP5SSENTATTV5S Jan. 28/29 BM52 to Dr. David Duffield 11:00 ESDT (16:00 U.K.) Jan 28, 1974 BFG would be willing to send a representative to Europe to convey directly our facts convening the Louisville cases to encourage broader participation by then and especially the German PYC producers in the epidemiological study, BFG would in particular welcome an exchange with the European PYC producers on work practices, epuipment and analytical methods for reducing worker exposure to vinyl chloride in production plants. Dr. Duffield welcomed this offer and stated that Don Elliott, Production Manager of the MOM) Division had met with Dr. Frieseleben of 'Wackerchemie while he and Dr. A.K. Barnes, General Manager, were in Washington for the MCA meeting. Dr. Frieseleben welcomed the advance information from BFG and returned to Germany to redouble their efforts to develop some type of epidemiological data in their plants as well as those of Hoechst(50# owners of Wackerchemie) and Chemischeverke Huels. He was also going to try again to bring BASF and Dynamit Nobel into some type of cooperation. Don Elliott, Production Manager, MCND would by our contact for response to the offer. Don Elliott to Bl-GZ 11:30 ESDT (15:30 U.E.) Jan. 29, 1974 Dr. Frieseleben immediately accepted for Wackerchemie (and probably Hoechst). He peuld poll the others but encouraged ICI to make the arrangements. Dr, Frieseleben outlined the German problem for epidemiology--medical certification of death is a private document by law, restricted to the attending physician ana the hospital. However they are making progress in their own plant areas with the physicians and hope to come up with some useful information in due course. Some dates were requested from BFG which could be used by ICI in setting up a seminar meeting during February. ICI would like to invite at least Solvay in addition to the German PYC industry. There have been some press reactions this veek, especially in The Morning Sun, a London newspaper alleged to be Communist inspired. ICI is now working on their own press release and will communicate it to us when we respond today with the suggested dates for the VCM Seminar. (This will be late because of a dinner.) BMGZ to Don Elliott 28:10 ESDT (1:10 U.K. l/30) Jan. 29, 1974 Don Elliott dictated the attached ICI Mews Release. Preference dates for the Seminar were Thurs. and Fri. Feb. 21-22 or Mon.and Tues. 2/25-26, immediately after the MCA Vinyl Choride Monomer Task Force meeting in Chicago Feb. 19-20. Elliott confirmed that Dr. Duffield and probably another ICI representative would be at the latter meeting. BFG agrees to invite others at the disecretion of ICI to the Seminar. In addition to Solvay, we suggested the other participants in the European animal study-- Rhone-Progil and llcntedison. Both of us had thought of at least one Scandinavian representativef which could include Lonza if Cheaanord were to come. At this time the Seminar would avoid medical peers since we are fully engaged at home, but we would have some type of medical pass out for attendees and their sponsors. A subsequent medical Seminar prior to the Florence ICR meeting is probable. This Seminar would focus on what we can t- help each other limit worker exposure. Attached are items BFG suggests for possible inclusion in Agenda. BFG01884 T 201UOUU1 RELEASE TO NATIONAL PRESS, UNITED KINGDOM DateXme 4.*d:uu u.t\. Lxiua uua <., (liOO p.m. EDST) by ICI LIMITED LONDON, England ICI IN COLLABORATION WITH MAN^ OTHER COMPANIES IN THE WORLD-WIDE PLASTICS INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A CANCER RISK FROM VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER, AN INTERMEDIATE IN THE MANUFACTURE CF FV6, ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST EXTENSIVELY USED PLASTIC* SEARCHES OF THE RECORDS OF ITS OWN EMPLOYEES TO THE END OF 1972 DISCLOSED NO INDICATION OF SUCH A RISK. ICI HAD CONTINUED TO SPONSOR LABORATORY WORK WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COMPANY AND TOOK STEPS TO EXAMINE AND SO STILL FURTHER REDUCE EXPOSURE LEVELS IN ITS PLANTS. IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AN AMERICAN COMPANY WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN INVESTIGATING CASES OF DEATH AMONG ITS EMPLOYEES HAS TRACED FOUR CASES OF A RARE FORM OF LIVER CANCER WHICH MIGHT BE CONNECTED WITH THE EMPLOYEE'S WORK IN ONE OF ITS PLANTS W'ICH USES VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER. THESE CASES ARE STILL UNDER INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION BUT ICI HAS TAKEN STEPS TO INFORM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE TUC, ITS OWN WORKERS AND ITS CUSTOMERS. A SINGLE SUSPECTED DEATH IN THE U.K. IS ALSO UNDER URGENT INVESTIGATION. VCM AND PVC HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WORLD WIDE SINCE 1931 AND THIS IS THE FIRST INDICATION OF A RISK OF THIS KIND. -0- Received by telephone from Don Elliott, Production Manager, ICI Mond Division BMGZ/l-29-71 2 0 i0 0 0 0 3 FG,1885 I BFG01885 r Items Proposed by SFG for Agenda Consideration Jan. 23, 1374 European Seminar on Vinyl Chloride ^ ICI Sponsor--London, England Jaerf 21-22 (or Jam 25-26} 1. Distributionrf midical letter(confidential) concerning Louisville cases-to be published in a Medical Journal, (Dr, Creeech, Dr. Johnson, Dr, Tabershav?) 2. Distribution of analytical deviee study and recommendations for portable and fixed VCM monitoring in production plants,(Same as that to be distributed at MCA VCM Task Force meeting in Chicago Jan 19-20), 3. Distribution of press releases to date--BPO, NICSH, Dow, MCA, others? (for accuracy). 4. BPS program review for analytical, emission controls, safety equipment, work practices and engineering standard guidelines. 5. MCA program ?nd committee organization for communications in C.S.A. en medical, engineering and exposure procedures leading to improved work practices. Don Elliott of ICI approved these suggestions as fitting their own ideas. He was told to set up the meeting arrangements and agenda without further consultation with us and that we would like to see his final format as soon as it was available. He agreed, Both of us will maintain intercommunication as developments occur on both sides of the Atlantic towards a constructive response to our mutual problems. BMGZ/1-29-74 20100003 BFG01886 T