Document Qk1qO3w2k3kOnZ8Gq0gGmGgJE

MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20009 (202) 483-6126 June 18, 1974 RECEIVED JUN 21 1974 R. N. WHEELER, JR. To: Technical Task Group on Vinyl Chloride Research Management Contacts, Vinyl Chloride Monomer Subject: MCA Board Action on Vinyl Chloride Research Proposals At its June 5, 1974 meeting, the MCA Board approved the proposed "Research and Study Program on Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards of vinyl Chloride" a copy of which is enclosed. Sincerely, KDJ/mb Enclosure Kenneth D. Johnson, Ph.D. Secretary Technical Task Group on Vinyl Chloride Research UCC 000841 m I Proposed Research and Study Program on Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards of Vinyl Chloride Background Since action by the Board on January 9, 1973, author izing a special project to clarify the status of vinyl chloride monomer as an alleged carcinogen, it has become apparent from both animal studies and occupational health experience that this chemical must be so regarded. OSHA has promulgated temporary emergency standards and has proposed still more strin gent permanent standards for vinyl chloride* Purpose MCA members and other companies involved in the synthesis and polymerization of vinyl chloride, who are now supporting the current project, consider it essential to expand and accelerate research to ascertain conditions necessary to assure the safety of workers involved in the manufacture and use of these products, and of the communities in which they are made. Program The Technical Task Group on Vinyl Chloride Research established by the 1973 Board action has recommended the sup port of the fallowing contract research projects: 1. a study of the metabolism of vinyl chloride, 2. a study of teratogenesis by vinyl chloride, 3. chronic inhalation studies at concentrations below 50 ppm, in an effort to identify a "no-effects" level, and 4. an acute inhalation experiment in which animals will be subjected to a single, acute, massive exposure simulating conditions which might be experienced by a community fumigated by a tank car rupture in a transportation accident. The animals would then be observed for the remainder of their lifespan. ucc 000842 Projects (1) and (2) would be conducted by The Dow Chemical Company/ with support by, and on behalf of, the project sponsors. Projects (3) and (4) would be conducted by Industrial BIO-TEST Laboratories, Inc. The Technical Task Group on Vinyl Chloride Research and its working subgroups, as'" appropriate to further the purposes of this program, would also develop and make pub licly available technical; reports on work practices, indus trial :hygiene moriitoriiig' and analysis, and the medical sur veillance' of exposed-workers. Funding Funding commitments are now being received from the thirty-one sponsors of the current program sufficient in the aggregate to 'cover the $400-; 000 to $500,000 estimated to be required for the completion of the indicated program. Because of the fluid status of scientific knowledge and regulatory climate with respect to'vinyl chloride, upward revision of this cost estimate may be necessary to permit desirable modifications of test protocol's. Any such cost increases will be funded by the sponsors. Supervision The program is to be'supervised on MCA's behalf by the Technical Task Group bh Vinyl Chloride'Research composed of one technical representative from each subscribing company, plus an MCA staff representative to serve as secretary. Stipulations The scientific information developed from this program is to be fully disclosed, without restriction. For purposes of consistency and control, however, all releases are to be made solely through MCA, normally based on Task Group rec ommendations as to nature and' timing. This requirement would not preclude private scientific interchange of non-competitive information useful to advancement of the program, nor relevant non-competitive private communication within and among sub scribing companies. It would be an obligation to inform the MCA staff representative on a current basis about all such mterchanj and communications other than those internal to the company. ucc 000843 -3Recommendation The staff recommends approval of this proposal. MCA EC - 5/14/74 BD - 6/5/74 UCC 000844