Document VJw71DepQEg1LrrkbE70aMQvZ

AR226-1392 CC: Manufacturing Superintendents Process Superintendents Maintenance Superintendents ' Chief Chemist Research Superintendents Power & Services Superintendent J . R. Fanner, Construction December I S , 1981 TO: FROM: FLUOROPOLYMERS-5UPERVISION R. J . BURGeW J S ------ C-8 (FC-143) STATUS REPORT On April 1 we advised you that 3M, in a preliminary study, had observed birth defects 1n the eyes of unborn rats when C-8, also known as FC-143 or ammonium perf1uorooctanoate, was fed to pregnant female ra ts. Based upon those fin d in gs, we decided i t was necessary to exclude female employees o f childbearing capability from areas where there is potential for exposure to C-8. We indicated that further studies by DuPont and 3M would be undertaken promptly to determine the sig n ifica n ce , i f any, o f the findings as they might relate to employee exposure. We would lik e to share with you the results from these studies that we have to date. Thus fa r , based on our review o f the results of these further stu dies, i t does not seem that the observed e ffe c ts 1n the eyes o f the unborn rats were due to C-8. Also in the new stu d ies, rat pups delivered by C-8 exposed females showed no eye d efects. Rather, it is believed that in the original stu dies, 3M*s technique for the very d iff ic u lt job of preparing the fe ta l eye tissue for microscopic examination resulted in the alterations noted. 3M has another toxicological test underway that w ill be completed the f ir s t quarter o f 1982. At that time we expect to have a ll the data available and w ill assess i f i t is necessary to continue excluding female employees of childbearing capability from areas of potential exposure. Until a fin a l determination 1s made, we continue to advise that employees defer giving blood until the blood level of C-8 returns to background le v e ls . We also advise that females who have an organic fluorine level above background should consult with th e ir personal physician prior to contemplating pregnancy. We w ill provide pertinent Information we have on C-8 to employees* personal physicians. DDJUU172U :ckc Attachment Ref:3962A EID089462 000178 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (To be used by supervision as needed to answer questions.) I f there are any questions not answered below, they should be referred to Plant Management. 4 Q1 - Will women who le f t the area be allowed to:return I f they choose? A1 - Not at the present time. This w ill be re-assessed in early 1982 when further toxicology tests are conpleted. Q2 - Well, what i f you decide i t ' s okay fo r women to work in the area? How w ill the women who le f t get back 1n? A2 - I f 1t Is fin a lly determined that C-8 Is not a teratgen, then females of childbearing capability w ill be a l l i e d to return to the area. We are reviewing the procedure for return and w ill have an answer by the time the fin al studies are conpleted. Q3 - What w ill the Coopany do for those female employees who decided to become ste riliz e d ? A3 - We strongly recommended against s te r iliz a tio n for job -related reasons. Each woman was told that her employment, her pay rate, and her benefits would be fu lly protected and there was no need to consider a surgical procedure. Any decision for surgery was a personal matter, and the Company cannot assume responsibility for i t . Q4 - It looks lik e the people in the laboratories may have fouled up. What do you say to that? A4 - The people at 3M conducting the experiments had the responsibility of trying to relate the effects seen In animals to those that might occur 1n humans. They needed to be very cautious. In th is case in the preliminary study, they believed they saw an abnormal e ffe c t. They are required by law to report the preliminary results even though, as in th is case, they knew further testin g was required. Q5 - Why did you act on just the preliminary study instead of waiting for final results? A5 - We recognized that the test was prelim inary, but i t was a precaution we took until results of a ll follow-up studies were av a ila b le . EID089463 000179 DDJ001721