Document OEnnxRB5xYvvpDBoDz5D9YY8M

097 BFG10460 e. 6100 OAK TREE BOULEVARD B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company A DIVISION OF THE B . F. GOODRICH COMPANY CLEVELAND, OHIO 44131 PHONE 216-524-0200 EDWARD BOSBORNE OIVISION VICE PRtS'OEHT. MARKETING February 6, 1974 Dear Last week we sent to you a public statement by The B.F.Goodrich Company concerning our investigation of the deaths of three employees at our Louisville, Kentucky plant from a rare form of liver cancer, and the possible connections between these deaths and their work over a number of years in our PVC polymerization operations. Later search of available medical records revealed that a fourth employee had died from the same cause, angiosarcoma of the liver, in 1968. Our public statement on this case is enclosed. At the time of issuing our first statement on January 23, B.F. Goodrich provided all data we had at that time to the Kentucky Department of Labor, representative of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These agencies are currently investigating these cases, are carrying out industry wide epidemiological studies, and are in contact with European governments with major PVC industries. We are continuing to co operate fully with these agencies. Also cooperating with the government are 19 producers of vinyl chloride monomer and PVC under sponsorship of the Manufacturing Chemists Association, 1825 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C. 20009. This group is sponsoring lengthy and in-depth toxi cological and epidemiological studies on vinyl chloride and workers. OSHA has called a hearing to investigate this subject further. For your information, we are enclosing a copy of the Federal Register, BFOl04M 21128098 For immediate release LOUISVILLE, Jan. 29 -- B.F.Goodrich has received, at its request, a preliminary report indicating that the cause of the 1968 death of a former employe here has been tentatively identified as angiosarcoma of the liver. The cause had previously been reported to the Company as an unspecified type of cancer of the liver. As part of its continuing intensive investigation of available medical data, the Company last week requested a review of the findings from an autopsy that was performed at the time. Identification of angiosarcoma as a cause of death can only be determined by autopsy or from hospital records when surgery is performed and a pathological examination of the affected organ is made and reviewed. The Company has virtually completed a preliminary review of insurance death records of all former employes in PVC operations. To date no similar cases have been found. A program of medical tests for all other employes is in progress. The Company will voluntarily provide to the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety and the Kentucky Department of Labor any significant new information as it develops. 0- - 1-2974 BFG10462 21128099 2 page 3874, January 30, announcing this hearing. One of the stated purposes of this hearing is to determine whether OSHA should issue revised work standards. As yet no definite connection has been established between these four angiosarcoma cases and any of the some 50 chemicals which may have been used in polymerization of PVC or its compounds at our Louisville plant. Vinyl chloride monomer, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, is a primary suspect due to the fact it is a major raw material of high volatility to which our employees have probably had the greatest ex posure. It should be pointed out that searches of medical records at our other five plants have revealed no similar cases, and no others in the United States have been reported. As you may know, some residual unpolymerized vinyl chloride monomer remains in commercial polyvinyl chloride polymers and compounds. The levels in Geon resins, plastics and latexes range from virtually un detectable levels to those high enough to suggest the possibility of detectable vapor concentrations in closed storage or in some pro cessing steps, such as heated mixing equipment. B.F.Goodrich is not in a position to recommend specific precautions for your manufacturing operations. However, we believe you will want to review your own procedures and take appropriate action. We would like to point out that the present investigations are con fined to polymerization operations, where the amount of vinyl chloride, the starting monomer, is much higher than it would be in any process we know involving finished polymer or compounds. In our plants we have reduced exposure to levels below 50ppm of vinyl chloride. It is not the intent of this memorandum to state that the cause of angiosarcoma of the liver is exposure to vinyl chloride monomer but to point out to our customers that small, variable amounts of this raw material remain in the polymer in unchanged form and that it is one of the suspected chemicals. We will do our best to keep you informed on this subject as investi gations proceed. Sincerely yours, E.B.Osborne/ja BFG10463 21128100