Document Ozj8Vj64gb1y69oeQpE58OexQ

'tpf- Jb)L- NEWS Wayne Interchange Plaza II, 155 Route 46 Wesf, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 For Immediate Release DCW RECEIVES VINYL INSTITUTE SAFETY WARD Contact: Nora Jacobs Edward Howard & Co. (216) 781-2400 X So CO WAYNE, New Jersey, June 26, 1986 -- Dow Chemical Company has received the Vinyl Institute's second annual safety award for its work in two areas related to the safe storage of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and for the developnent of a universally applicable risk potential index for chanical manufacturing plants. William H. Shoun, vinyl industry marketing manager for Dow Chanical USA, accepted the award from Institute chairman Steven W. Schaefer at the Vinyl Institute's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., May 27. Dow received the award for a presentation made to the Vinyl Chloride Safety Association by Robert Oubre, technical manager of Dow's technology center in Texas, that included a worldwide survey of VCM and FVC (polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl) storage and loading facilities. In addition, the surv^ generated data on the distances between these plants and nearby residential areas in order to determine the potential risk posed by on-site storage facilities. (more) The Vinyl Institute, A Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry 2- - Dow's work also includes the developnent of a formula that can be used to determine the risk presented by any chemical, at any plant, under any manufacturing condition. Ihe formula assigns values to a variety of items, including toxicity, concentration, distance and seme physical factors, to obtain a numerical index that can be used to compare the relative hazard presented by different chemicals. Shoun explained that the index can be used by manufacturers and plant site communities to assess the potential risk to local residents presented by the possibility of a leak or spill, and can match emergency preparedness to the relative hazard of the chemical involved. The index already has been used by the Enviromental Protection Agency, to develop its Chenical Emergency Preparedness program, and by Dew in its CMA-sponsored CAER (Community Awareness and Emergency Response) program. The Viryl Institute annually solicits nominations from its membership of PVC and VCM producers for outstanding contributions to safety. Hie program is coordinated by the Institute's health, safety and environment committee. The Vinyl Institute is a trade association representing the leading manufacturers of IVC and VCM. It is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. R&S 029239