Document ROrNJRv8r2aeezY6kL58Qpgv

. G. AUSTIN, Sc.D. UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION old ridgebury road, oanbury, ct OSS'! 7 TotN^nrt Ofviion Location Foley Provenzano Copy to o. onamwBDwi aTM sublet May 11, 1983 Corporate Medical/HS&EA Danbury, P259A Texas City/South Charleston Epidemiology Projects Status Report - May 11, 1983 Dear Foley: I thought it might be useful for you to be brought up-to-date in our epidemiological investigations in which you obviously have a vital interest. I asked Susan to prepare a summary which Is,attached. I am reasonably sure you are finding following these activities fairly frustrating because many complex technical (epidemiological) issues are involved; progress is slow and results are often equivocal. You have the problem of "meeting the press" and communicating with your people. There you would like to have facts not statistical relation ships. I have the same problem that you have but 1 guess because of my long relationship with uncertainties in clinical medicine, 1 tolerate uncertainties in epidemiology fairly easily. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call Susan or me. Sometimes we may assume understanding that doesn't exist. Your questions will help us know whether we are keeping you adequately informed. Dave Glenn is your primary resource but don't hesitate to call us directly. Thomas A. Lincoln, M.D. Corporate Medical Director TAL:cms attachment ucc 052966 Tbxa* City and South Charleston Epidemiology Projects Status Report - May 11, 1983 Corporate Epidemiology Brain Tumor Investigations - Texas City Since the question of brain cancer excesses in chemical and petrochemical plants was raised in 1978, our department has conducted and published an independent case-control study of 21 brain cancer cases and an independent analysis of the HIOSH/UCC cohort study. In addition, we have and continue to keep abreast of the findings of similar studies in other chemical and petrochemical plants, especially in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Because explanations for the observed brain tumor excess at Texas City have not been found, our cohort study is scheduled for periodic updating. Specifically, the Texas City employee cohort is being updated with vital status information through 1981 and a new report will be available sometime in late 1983 or early 1984. Ethylene Oxide - Texas City The recent UCC "8-(e)" report on EtO stimulated reevaluation of the evidence regarding the relationship, if any, of EtO exposures to Texas City brain tumors. The results of the case-control study were clearly "negative", i.a., did not indicate any association. Disussions with Mr. Provenzano and other plant personnel resulted in a decision to conduct a cohort mortality study of EtO operators at Texas City. This study would supplement the evidence derived from the original study of OCC ethylene oxide operators conducted by Dr. Joyner and the update of that study, currently underway, regarding observed effects from EtO exposures at Texas City. vinvl testate - Texas City Questions have been raised about the adequacy of existing exposure standards for vinyl acetate in a 2-year toxicology study conducted at BRRC. Because of the importance of this chemical to OCC, its historical use at Texas City and the relative ease with which a cohort mortality study could be performed, a decision was made to develop a protocol for such a study. A draft for this study has been developed and will be sent to Dr. Glenn shortly. South Charleston Activities OCC and MIOSR are jointly sponsoring and conducting a cohort mortality study of OCC employees at Kanawha Valley plants. This study was stimulated by proportionate excesses of certain types of tumors recorded on death certificates of former employees. One of the sites in excess was the central nervous system, i.e. brain. No case control studies are currently underway although these may be indicated if the results of this study confirm these excesses. Due to interest in possible carcinogenic effects of EtO, analyses of mortality in a sub cohort of EtO exposed workers is planned as a part f the overall research effort. Follow-up of former employees, which includes tracing of employee deaths, is as yet incomplete. The results of this study are not expected to be available until December, 1984. UCC 052967 2- - This brief overview highlights the similarity of research efforts at Texas City and South Charleston and the need for coordination and int r communication. We have attempted to keep Hr. T. E. Lawrence abreast of our activities at Texas City in the event news releases in Texas should heighten concern in the Kanawha Valley. Once the KV study begins to show results* we intend to reverse the channel of communication to keep the Texas City management up to date on developments there. Respectfully* SGA/cas *2889B Susan G. Austin* Sc.D. Corporate Director of Epidemiology UCC 052968