Document OEeNnRrqyEYzJDKjmN9v8ByBw

1 I, hi C' y-7-^7 J. B. JOHNSON 770 -306 Loc. 511 Ext. 4123 ------------------ ^ ^ c; ^ ^ /Wv^ . \A). /3 . /^TV -v^< /S . i. - tJlprTT grr-.v'"~ ^ -t k k*-? *.: .- iVLi> APR 12 1977 R N WHEELER R t ' i .. / t?+*irts `%n$. ' uctf " '" ^'1 041252 'i CHEMICALS AND PLASTICS P. O. BOX 8361, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA 25303 To (Nam*) Division location Copy to cc: Dr. W. B. Ackart, 312 Mr. H. M. Bartlett, 701-125 Date Dr. T. K. Brotherton, 701-324 Originating Dept. Mr. C. H. Carder, 720-34 Mr. K. D. Cavender, 720-132B Subjeci Mr. F. DeRosa, 707-202 Mr. R. J. Hanna, 720-129 Mr. J. R. Hazle, Tucker Mr. J. B." Johnson/ 770-306 H Dr. J. E. Johnston, 720-128 Mr. K. G. Morlock, Alsip Mr. ff. I. Wertz, 312 Dr. F. G. Willeboordse, 312 Mr. R. T. Wood, 706-206 Mr. R. W. Annonlo, NYO-33 Dr. D. L. MacPeek, 701-246 Mr. J. J. Smith, 740-4422 Mr. W. E. Whitehurst, 701-247 March 28, 1977 Research and Development Vinylidene Chloride Toxicity Gentlemen: Attached is a letter from PPG which updates the studies on vinylidene chloride monomer (VDCM) toxicity. PPG continues their recommendation that concentrations of VDCM -in the work area be maintained below 10 ppm at all times. They also recommend that the eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) concentration be main tained as far below 10 ppm as practical. Mr. MacMillan's letter states that this information should be passed on to our customers. UCAR Vehicles 4590X, 4591X and 4592X are currently being evaluated by our customers in can interior topcoat applications. The latest results that I have seen on residual VDCM levels in three samples of 4590X are 5.4, 7.1 and 1.3 ppm. Based on all of this information, I am requesting an opinion from Mr. J. B. Johnson and Dr. W. B. Ackart on whether the information from PPG should be sent to these customers. Very truly yours. TLD:noh Enclosures T. L. Dawson rECEIVd APR 11 1977 ^ C. KlJRYL/\ received MAR 31 1977 J. B. JOHNSON ucc 041253 INDUSTRIES ' PPG INDUSTRIES, INC./ONE GATEWAY CENTER/PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15222/AREA 412/434-2515 JOHN L* MmMILLAN Vie* Pr*id*nti 3lt Distribution Industrial Chemical Department Chemical Division March 18, 1977 Dr. Tom Dawson Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics P,, O. Box 8361 * South Charleston, West Virginia 25303 Dear Dr. Dawson: In January, 1977, I wrote you concerning vinylidene chloride monomer (VDCM). In my letter, I mentioned a letter dated January 17, 1977 from the Manufacturing Chemists Association (MCA) which informed PPG of new preliminary information developed independently by the European Study Group for Vinylidene Chloride Toxicity. The information that PPG received was not detailed; however, it was reported that some of--the-test--(Swiss)--mice- exposed to VDCM developed kidney tumors while test rats and hamsters did not. The . European Study Group further announced that Professor Cesare M. Maltoni, the Study Group's principal investigator, would present his preliminary findings at the Technical Association of the Paper and Pulp Industry (TAPPI) meeting in Hamburg, Germany, on January 26, 1977. Since being notified of Maltoni's preliminary findings, an attempt has been made to obtain additional details. Professor Maltoni did not provide a formal written report of his findings at the Hamburg meeting; therefore, information thus far obtained by PPG is subject to further confirmation and verification. Our current information is that Professor Maltoni exposed (via inhalation) groups of 30 mice of each sex to 1, 10, 25, and 50 ppm for four hours per day, five days per week. At 50 ppm, the mice had a high mortality incidence. There fore, a second group of 120 mice per sex was then started on exposure to 25 ppm. Hamsters were exposed to 25 ppm, while groups of rats were exposed to o, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 ppm ucc 041254 PPG INDUSTRIES CHEMICAL DIVISION ONE GATEWAY CENTER PITTSBURGH, PA. 15722 VDCM. At the 82nd week, there were no kidney tumors reported in the hamsters or the test rats. Male mice exposed to 25 ppm were reported to have a kidney tumor incidence of approximately 10 per cent, while only one female mouse was similarly affected. The tumors in th male mice were unilateral (one kidney) while the one female kidney tumor was bilateral (affecting both kidneys). The mice exposed to 10 ppm were not reported to have kidney tumors in either sex. Professor Maltoni also had placed on test, rats that were 4 receiving VDCM by oral gavage. Dosage levels ranged as * high as 20 mg/kg/day. After 24 months of dosing, there' were no reported increased incidence of kidney tumors. The preliminary verbal report by Professor Maltoni should be put in proper perspective. The exposure level used formice was near the lethal level, was toxic to the kidney, and was administered to a strain of mice that is inherently susceptible to a high incidence of spontaneous kidney disease. Professor Maltoni recognized that further research should be undertaken using another mouse strain that has a low incidence of kidney disease. On February 22, PPG learned that Professor Maltoni had also given his preliminary VDCM report at a meeting held in New York City. Dr. C. Hammond,, officer for the American Cancer Society, called a press conference where this informa-, tion was released. On February 23, 1977, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News and The New York Times carried the story and I am enclosing copies of these articles. In further developments, PPG has received a tentative agenda of a conference on Comparative Metabolism and Toxicity of vinyl Chloride and Related Compounds to be held in Bethesda, Maryland on May 2-4, 1977. This Conference is being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety (NIEHS). Both Professor Maltoni and P. L. Viola are on the tentative agenda. Since VDCM is to be one of the chemicals discussed, PPG contacted the NIEHS Associate Director, Dr. Hans Falk, to suggest that the MCA VDCM industry-sponsored toxicity research also be included on the conference agenda, we are optimistic that NIEHS will favorably consider the industry request. ucc 041255 PPG INDUSTRIES CHEMICAL DIVISION ONE GATEWAY CENTER - PITTSBURGH, PA. 1J222 In summary, PPG does not have any evidence that VDCM has produced cancer in humans or any aminal species except Swiss mice. VDCM has been reported to have minimal toxic effects to the liver of rats at 25 ppm in the MCA study. PPG continues our recommendation that concentrations of VDCM in the work area be maintained below 10 ppm at all times. It is also recommended that the eight-hour time-weighted n average (TWA) concentration be maintained as far below 10 ppi as practical. As more information becomes available to PPG, we will continue to keep you advised. ** * The above information should be passed on to your employees and customers. Yours very truly. /kf Attachments UCC 041256 18 rilK WAl.l. -STRKKT JOURNAI WrdtirMlay, Feb. 2.1, I*f77 Study Says Chemical Used in Food Wrap Gave Mice Tumors t t Findings by Italian Scientists Raise Concern Over Effect Mr. Moore's opinion stems from an Insti tute study of a BASF Wyandotte Corp. plant 1 Of Substance on Humans < - In South Kearny. NJ. The company was alarmed at the results of a 1B7S screening of liver functions It had.done on If employes It By Gail Bronson SIaft Jrrpartrra/TMC Wall Street Jookhal NEW YORK - Italian scientists have found that vinylidene chloride, used In plas tic packaging! of food, causes kidney cancer knew to have been exposed to vinylidene chloride In the past Last February workers requested the institute to study the situation further. NIOSH official Bobby Craft said hy gienists found '-"moderate liver changes (among workersl but wa don't know the sig In certain atralna of mice. The initial etudy nificance yeL" . . ' ' results arouse concern that the chemical Hygienists examined' 339 workers at the may possibly causa human cancer. plant which no longer produces vinylidene Vinylidene chloridfTl* a chemical used In chloride. The Institute plans to do a mortal combination to make many plastic wraps ity study of plant workers In the next few and plastic containers used largely In food months. packaging. The chemical la molecularly re* BASF Wyandotte Is a division of BASF lated to' vinyl chloride, used In various household plastic products, which was deter* mined to cause human liver cancer four years ago. The study, conducted at the University of Bologna by Dr. Cesare M Maltonl. found AO. the West German company that spon sored Dr. Maltonl's work. Dow Chemical Corp.'s Europe division. Imperial Chemical Industries of Great Britain, and Dolvay of Belgium also contributed funds to the re search along with the Italian government. that 30% of 130 male mice subjected to Ufa* time Inhalation of vinylidene chloride, at 39 ppm (parts per one million parts of air), de veloped kidney cancer. In higher doses the animals died before they could develop can cer. said E. Cuyler Hammond, an American Cancer Society'officer who presented Dr. Maltonl's study at a news conference. Record of Employes Dow Chemical Is the largest domestic producer and user of vinylidene chloride, primarily. In its plastic Saran Wrap. Dow said It has records of 13S workers since IMS who have been exposed to the chemical, at anywhere from 10 ppm to 70 ppm. The com No Federal Standard Although no federal standard exists for the chemical, an unofficial organisation of industrial hygienists recommends maximum work exposures of 10 ppm. pany hasn't found any visible ill effects among this group. Dow said worker expo sure In its Freeport. Texas, plant, where the chemical Is made, and in Its Midland. Mich.. plant, where Saran Wrap,la mads, Is under 1 Dr. Maltonl's study also subjected mice' one ppm. to Inhalation of the chemical at 10 ppm for Dow Chemical Inhalation' studies In rats two years and they suffered no 111 effects: In' in 30-ppm and SO-ppm doses didn't result In studies of Chinese hamsters.and rats, expo any tumor growths. A Dow spokesman said sure to vtnylidene chloride causes no 111 ef-- there was a "mild dlscernable effect on the fects. Dr. Maltonl Is testing other, strains of liver" of rats given doses at M. ppm. The mice and hamsters. company is conducting Ingestion and repro Despite these scant findings, both the fed eral government and private Industry are duction studies In rats.: A major concent among health officials assiduously studying the possible cancerous, Is transference of vinylidene Chloride from effects of the chemical because of its simi plastic packaging to food.. Dow- Chemical larity to vinyl chloride. Dr. Maltonl's results said Its Saran Wrap contains up to 10 ppm of are considered significant by some because1 the chemical but that U hasn't found any mi "he induced -a^ cancer In mice ..which Is gration of vinylidene chloride to food when rarely formed spontaneously," ' says '`DrF studied at the most minute levels. ' John F. Flnklea, director of the National Tnj The Food and Drug -Administration said stltute of Occupational Safety and Health. the agency is conducting studies to deter Nationwide Mortality Study mine to what degree, If' any;'.vinylidene The Institute began a nationwide mortal chloride remains In plastic wrap after man ity study of workers exposed to vinylidene ufacture and If It transfers from the, plastic chloride last year. ``We are alerting all in to food. ' dustries and appropriate unions about Dr. PPG Industries Inc. In Pittsburgh is the Maltonl's data." says Roacoe M. Moore, the second largest producer of vinylidene chlor Institute's chief of technical evaluation-. "We ide. A spokesman said that in seven years it arc writing to all (company i medical direc hasn't seen any health problems among Its tors to get any data they have on employes' workers. Imperial Chemical. Solvay and liver or kidney disfunctions. Although the BASF officials weren't: Immediately avail mice formed kidney tumors, we believe It able for comment. -- may show up as liver cancer In humans." ucc 041257 NEW YORK DAILY NEWS February 23, 1977 Links Food Wrap Chemical to Cancer By.HUGH WYATT A chemical used in the manu facture nf certain plastics, includ ing some clear plastic food wraps, has been found to cause kidney cancer in male mice, new fin-lings kind" to humans, a Mount Sinai Medical- er Hammond, the chief epidemiologist Center scientist said. of the American Cancer Society, and Tile research was done by Dr. Ce- Dr. Irving Selikolr, the director of Envi sare Maltoni, the director of the insti ronmental Sciences and Laboratories at tute of Oncology and Tumor Center at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, Inter the University of Bologna in Italy. He preted most of Malloni's findings. The said his conclusions were based on two. visitor spoke mainly in Italian. t by an Italian research scientist revealed yesterday. The chemical, known as vinylidine chloride, is related to vinyl chloride, which already as been proved to have years of studying the Effect of the chemical on mice, hamsters and rats. During this period, some of the ani mals were fed the chemical through stomach lubes and others were made to inhale it in gaseous form, he said. Only Asked about the possible effects the chemical would have on humans, Sciikoff said, "It is -not known whether any danger of any kind exists. This information is new and we havo no cancer-causing properties tinder certain the male mice developed kidney cancer. (other) information." circumstances. V . .' ", ,, , . Maltofii .md- bis findings kpown,qt, V.. ThO .Food- and^Dwig Adminislralioo, But it is not known whether vinyliv- ' the- New -York'Academy of Science, at.2 .said it was studying Maltoni's findings dine chloride poses "any danger,.ol apy-; ,^63d St. Twp,Americans,, Or. E, Cuyl-, and woyld issue^.-report fater. .. ucc 041258 NEW YORK TIMES 2/23/77 Cancer Experts Warn of Dangers In Some Plastic Wrap Chemicals . By JANE E. BRODY The finding by & leading .IUliajt, .re Maltoni's findings. Dr, Hammond, a vice searcher. that a .chemical, used .in some president of the American Cancer .Soci plastic food wraps can causa cancer in ety, and Dr. Selikoff, director of environ-, mice prompted two American cancer ex- mental medicine at Mount Sinai Medical . pert* yesterday to alert the public and Center, said they saw no reason for the Government agencies to tha need for public to atop using saran products. But ; closer scrutiny of this and related chemi* Dr. Hammond suggested that industry cals. might try to remove residual vinylidine : At. a news conference at the New York chloride from the finished plastic Mfore . Academy of Sciences,TJr. E. Cuyler Hammond and Dr. Irving J. Selikoff said that it came into contact with food. " They said that Dr. Maltoni's finding warranted further examination by the the chemical, called vinylidlne chloride, Food and Drug Administration, the Na ' was closely related to two other cancer- tional Institute of Occupetionel Safety ; causing chemicals, vinyl chloride and tri- end Health and the National Institute of chloroethylene. Environmental Health Science* However, researchers at the Dow In a related development, the Natural Resources Defense Council has asked the i Chemical Company, the leading manufac* Food and Drug Administration to recall ' turer of vinylidlne chloride, said tha Hal* existing slocks of Coca Cola in plastic ian finding was of questionable signlf- bottles made from acrylonitrile, also i icance and cited a two-year, $1 million called vinyl cyanide and another chemical ' ! study sponsored by American industries that showed no cancer-inducing effect of relative of vinyl chloride. In response to suit brought by the council In 1975, the drug agency lest Friday rescinded its yinyfidine chloride in rats. approval of market tests of the plastic In addition, Dow researchers said that soda bottles. * studies of foods wrapped in plastics made from vinylidlne chloride had showed that recent findings that acrylonitrile causer none of the chemical migrated from the wrapping to the food. The test would birth defects and tumors in test anknait and that smalt amounts of the chemical letch out of the bottles Into the drink. have disclosed such contamination if It , exceeded 10 parts of vinylidine chloride in one billion parts of food. In the Italian study, oonducted by Dr. ' Cessre MaltOnl at the Institute of Oncolo gy in Bologna, rau, hamsters and mice were exposed to vinylidine chloride gas at much higher levels--starting at 10 i parts per million--for up to ono year. Kidney cancers developed hi about 20 -. percent of the male Swiss mice, but In : none of the other animals. | Three yean ago. Dr. Maltonj'* studies of vinyl chloride, another plastics chemi- t cel, showed it to cause cancer In ran I end mice. Shortly afterward the chemical I was pinpointed as the cause of a rare, I fatal liver cancer in exposed workers. Dr. I fMaltoni'siibidie* of. vinylidine .chloride ! were begun at tbt, behtit'-Jf; [ pean producers.* - [ Vinylidine chloride Is gaseous chemi- ; cal that, when polymerized with vinyl chloride, makes up Ssrtn Wrap,- a Dow product. (Other packaged plastic wraps are made of polyethylene.) Hie vinylidine chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer--celled saran--Is also used to wrep commercially prepared meats and cheeses. A Dow spokesman said that about one-third of the flexible plastic packaging for food in grocery stores is sSran, representing an annual market of between 150 and 200 million pounds of plastic. 1* efinnunrin* Ibnir rnnfffTl fthOUt Df* ucc 041259