Document NY8z55jaQ7ramOXMGq38MORg

MflR 14 '85 09:45 UNIROVflL MIDDLtbUKV- rvi^ PJ(l+ffc*^|<1 Wlr r ' 1- Crt- Q&n.QRFfCgl^1 J^...i-~> 3Uvffr? Sft^k i/ituO March 13/ 1985 The Honorable Howard M, Metzenbaum United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources Washington/ D,c. 20510 l:ir Senator Mct2enbaum> Your letter of March 1/ 1985 to Joseph P. Flannery/ req';*sting information as to what measures Uniroyal/ Inc. has , taken to make employees at our Painesville, Ohio plant aware of ' potential health hazards has been referred to me for response. Please be advised that Uniroyal has an on-going program of long standing to address the concerns raised in your letter, as more y fully discussed below. I The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health * iNiOSE) study of the Painesville plant referenced in your letter rOitically refers to vinyl chloride. As background, we wish . c r.ote that production of vinyl chloride monomer at that plant -/`13 discontinued in 1961, and the use of vinyl chloride monomer - .r polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production at Painesville ceaaed in 'ifiry 1976. Despite our exit from PVC manufacture. Uniroyal *c:.tinued cc support and supply information to the Chemical - uf.tecurers' Association in its ongoing vinyl chloride ir.Mrtality study, Unj.royal has had an extensive health monitoring and medical -j. veil lance program in place at the Painesville plant since *v?4. This program includes an annual physical examination (made available to all employees), which includes comprehensive h.lcod analysis, hemoccult blood tests, pulmonary function test, :hest x-ray, and actual hands-on physical exams. A personnel monitoring program wherein employees wear a gas badge or its fequivalent to automatically monitor their exposure was initiated ;>- 1974. Results of this monitoring are recorded and .to. la tamed. Additionally, a computer controlled on-line area r..o:.itorlng system has been in place since 1976. ONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT PRODUCED PURSUANT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER MhlR 14 '85 0 9 s ` When the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for vinyl ;:hioride was issued in 1974, all present and former employees of tha Painesvilie plant were formally notified by letter of the ..,:u:erji3 relating to vinvl chloride exposure. A similar 'v.rifficaflon was prov ideriffin* jtJtb , when an ETS for acrylonitrile" .ms issued. Present and former employees of the Painesville 0. 3n*. are very aware of the potential effects of exposure to vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile in the work place. We also wish to note that a mortality experience study published in May 1979 by the University of North Carolina indicated that the Painesville plant has a better health profil then the general population in the United States and the State cf Ohio. No statistically discernable excesses were noted. In our estimation, our existing efforts meet, and even exceed, all applicable state and federal requirements, including the requirement for annual employee orientation and training relating to the chemicals in use at Painesville. There is also ar. active joint program with our union, local #553 of the United ?.ubosr workers, regarding health and safety concerns, 1`niroyal trusts that this information adequately responds . v'ir inquiry. We believe that our efforts at Painesville .'p.strv'te fully Uniroyal's commitment to the health and safety ) ou employees. All past and present employees have been and r 'vuntinue to be advised as to the potential effects of j1 v .closure to vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile, and their current ^poscre levels, if any, through an active on-going program that 13 screeds applicable federal and state requirements. We will continue to attempt to develop methods to further reduce exposure to acrylonitrile. Uniroyal is proud of its programs and achievements in this e/ea. We would be happy to have you visit our Painesville plant ~o observe first hand what we are doing to protect the health a'-.d safety of our employees. If you wish to visit, please call jt (203)573-2153 to arrange a convenient time. Very truly yours. fi. R. Leach CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT ) PRODUCED pursuant to PROTECTIVE ORDER