Document R4MqqJw06kw4DdwL3VB08g08

feh R. J. DeLargey Stamford, Ct KKOU S. Cupach AT Assonet WALL STREET JOURNAL - JANUARY 24. 1974 bCBJBCT ANGIOSARCOMA i r/i l//ft#A MPa)7/) t-- date Januar/ 29, 1974 COPiyY TtOo 1L*. A*. Baker R. A. Chartier Dr. M. R. Gasque Dr. R. Henderson D. D. Palm R. A. Pendergast W. M. Dugle Copies of the Wall Street Journal article and the outline of information presented to Assonet personnel are enclosed for your review and file. As of Tuesday, January 29, 1974, all Assonet employees have been made aware of the situation. In addition, Mr. R. A. Chartier, Assonet Quality Assurance Manager, has been assigned the responsibility of preparing and implementing a complete monitoring program of our resin and PP&F facilities. The initial meeting, aimed at preparing the program, was held in Assonet on Monday, January 28th. Those in attendance were Dr. L. A. Krause, Mgr. Environmental Hygiene Services; I. A, Capuano, New Haven Section Mgr.; W. A. Nichols, New Haven Analytical Dept.; R. Tope, PP&F Technical Sales Rep.; and ; Mr. R. A. Chartier. The final program will be distributed to all concerned. I would like to thank Messrs Palm, Pendergast, and Dr. Henderson, for their help in preparing the statement presented to the Assonet employees. SC: j aa Attachments Manufacturing Manager, PP&F OLI 2592 STATEMENT TO ALL EMPLOYEES As you may be aware, the Wall Street Journal printed an article in its January 24th issue suggesting that it is possible that angiosarcoma, a rare fora of cancer, may be related to the PVC Industry. The article cited the B. F. Goodrich Company in Louisville, Kentucky, as having experienced cases of angiosarcoma,among its workers. A study is now in progress in an effort to determine the extent of angiosarcoma in the United States and foreign countries with similar manufacturing processes. An official of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health said, that best information available shows that only 21 deaths per year in the Unites States are attributable to angiosarcoma. Angiosarcoma is quite rare and studies show that is is seldom seen in humans. From a medical standpoint, Olin intends to continue to pursue research in this area and to contribute to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health studies in every way possible, offering its medical and industrial hygiene people, as well as financial support. Through the assistance of our Corporate Industrial Hygiene Department, our local Quality Assurance Department has been monitoring our plant air for quite some time. The primary sampling areas have been at strategic points in each of our three Reactor Buildings. Our studies have continually found our plant air to be within the Federal limits and approximately 757, of the time, the exposure has generally been well below the acceptable standards. Over half the time the exposure has been as much as 507, below the standard. OLI 2593 2- - In addition to our Quality Assurance Department's in-plant studies, our i plant is presently participating in an extensive VCM study sponsored by the Manufacturing Chemist Association, as well as other studies both in the United States and abroad. Olin, in general, has pioneered in the field of occupational health and studies concerning the effects', if any, of VCM. Our plant exposures have been generally low. High exposures are not common and are most always of short duration. To further insure the health of our employees, Olin will begin extensive study of plant air by utilizing research people from New Haven as well as our local chemist and laboratory facilities. Every employee's exposure level will be studied and it is quite probable that we may require each employee to submit to medical tests in addition to their regular examinations. We are reviewing medical records and work histories of all employees including those who are no longer a part of our work force. As you know, three of our employees have suffered from Acroosteolysts, a disease which primarily affects the finger bones. In all cases, the disease appears to be arrested. These employees are still examined regularly by medical people who specialize in this area through research conducted at Brown Universi ty in Providence, Rhode Island. Our medical and research personnel tell us that there is absolutely no correlation between angiosarcoma and acroostelysis. There is no reason to believe that any of our people are physically suffering from angiosarcoma or any other disease which could be attributed to vinyl chloride monomer exposure. OLX 2594 -3The purpose of this meeting is to inform you of these most recent findings and also to communicate to each employee that studies are being carried out by the Manufacturing Chemist Association, B. F. Goodrich, and Olin. It is very possible that the news media will communicate the Goodrich story, but 1 wanted our employees to be kept informed by us at all times. Our plant physician. Dr. 0. J. Squilhante and our nurse, Mrs. Jean Shea, RN, are available to answer any medically oriented questions you may have. They are more than willing to be of help. Should there be any further developments, I will communicate them to you as quickly as possible. S. Cupach Manufacturing Manager, PP&F OLI 2595