Document VYE3n9rVBJoMnLmJ88rQJBJK

Government -1 Final rules set for exposure to carcinogens New rules may force plant shutdowns but labor and industry groups are challenging the rules in court for opposing reasons After some 20 months of winding their way through the federal bureaucracy, permanent rules to protect workers from exposures to 14 carcinogens are slated to take effect today, Feb. 11. But the long regulatory battle is by no means over. Winning the race to the courthouse, four chemical trade groups and nine chemical firms are jointly suing for judicial review of the Occupa tional Safety and Health Administra tion rules. No less upset, a labor union and a Ralph Nader-affiliated group joined the legal fray for review just a week ago. ' Hardly anyone is surprised that these legal steps were taken. The rules, OSHA's first major effort at developing standards, for chemicals, have major health and economic ramifications. Precedents also will be set for covering other work-place carcinogens at a later date. Some 600 carcinogens (in humans or animals) Eire now on the toxic sub stances list of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, OSHA's research arm. By OSHA's rather conservative esti mates, potentially some 2000 workers are exposed to the 14 chemicals. Pre cise data on occupationally linked deaths and cases of tumor development are not available. Only seven of the 14 chemicals were still in commercial production when OSHA released its final environmental impact study in September 1973; They are benzidine, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine (DCB), a-naphthylamine (1-AN), (5propiolactone, chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME), 4,4'-methylene-bis(2chloroaniline)--commonly referred to by its tradename, MOCA--and ethyleneimine (El). The other chemicals apparently are used chiefly in research. OSHA foresees plant shutdowns for the commercially produced carcino gens, particularly those operations in volving small firms. The agency also Cancer hazard and volume used vary for 14 chemicals under OSHA rules In its final rules, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration judges the carcinogenicity and po tential employee exposure for: 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). Carcinogenicity demonstrated in animals. Animals and humans both produce the same, more carcino genic metabolite. A/-hydroxy-2-AAF. Thus, it seems reasonable to con clude that 2-AAF is carcinogenic in man. Research uses: 10 employees potentially exposed. 4-Aminodiphenyl (4-ADP). Potential to induce bladder cancer in humans has been established in epidemio logic studies. Research uses now: previously, a rubber antioxidant and dye intermediate. Fewer than 20 employees potentially exposed. Benzidine and its salts. Epidemio logic investigations clearly demon strate it is carcinogenic in humans, inducing urinary bladder cancer. Used as a dye intermediate (U.S. production. 1.5 million pounds in 1972). About 62 employees poten tially exposed. 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (DCB). Shown carcinogenic in controlled animal studies: metabolism in man unclear. Used as pigment interme diate and curing agent. (In 1971 U.S. production was 3.5 million pounds, imports were 1.4 million pounds.) 250 to 2500 employees potentially exposed. 4 - Dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB). Carcinogenicity demon strated in animals, including dogs Very hazardous animal carcinogen (aromatic amine metabolism is in parts-per-million amounts. Epi similar in dogs and man). Dye uses demiologic studies -indicate high in past. now research uses/M probability of lung cancer. Lab use Twenty-six employees potentially and intermediate. Can form sponta- exposed. ' fy neously from formaldehyde and (\-Naphthylamine (1-NA). Contami ' acid chlorine ions in humid air. 81 nation of 1-NA with ij-naphthyl- employees potentially exposed (low amine (2-NA) confounds epide estimate if spontaneous formation miology, Metabolites are carcino of BCME is a hazard). genic in animals. Used in dyes and Chloromethyl methyl ether agricultural chemicals. About 200 (CMME). Carcinogenic potential in employees potentially exposed. animals demonstrated for chemical u-Naphthylamine (2-NA). Epide ly pure CMME. Epidemiologic in miologic investigations demonstrate vestigations strongly implicate it as clearly that 2-NA is carcinogenic in a human carcinogen, but concomi man. Not known to be produced in tant exposure to BCME (contami U.S. Possible use in cancer re nant in commercial grades of search or as an analytical standard. CMME) cannot be discounted. 27 employees potentially exposed. Used in making ion exchange res 4-Nitrobiphenyl. Structurally similar ins. Approximately 169 employees to 4-ADP. Fluman bladder cancers potentially exposed. attributed to 4-ADP may be due to 4,4'-Methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline). this compound. Possible research Clearly demonstrated as an animal uses. At most. 20 employees poten carcinogen; studies on workers tially exposed. . cannot be relied upon to assess the /V-Nitrosodimethylamine (DMN). hazards of occupational exposure. Broad spectrum of carcinogenicity Tradenamed MOCA, it is widely in animals: thus, a potential human used in elastomers. Estimated U.S. carcinogen. Used in research, as a production in 1972 was 7.2 million solvent, and in making rocket fuel. pounds. A "best guess" of potential 23 employees potentially exposed. employee exposure is 10,000 d-Propiolactone (BPL). Epidemio- - employees. logic data on human carcinogenici Ethyleneimine (El). Carcinogenicity ty unavailable. Demonstrated car rests on extrapolation to humans of cinogen in animals. Intermediate findings of two separate, controlled for acrylates and as a sterilizing animal studies. Wide variety of agent, especially for vaccines. 27 uses, notably in paper and textile employees potentially exposed.- industries. About 82 employees po Bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME). tentially exposed. 12 C&EN Feb. 11, 1974 DSW 587843 k *- STLCOPCB4093179 International Canadian chemical firms chalk up great year The Canadian chemical industry prob- with 7.5% to give 5.8% for the year, ably turned in its best growth year of Next was Union Carbide Canada with the past decade in 1973. First reports 6.2% for the fourth quarter and 6.4% from the four largest chemical com- for the year. Then came Celanese Can- panies that disclose figures publicly-- ada with a much-improved 5% in the Canadian Industries, Ltd. (CIL), Cel- fourth quarter and 3.7% for the year, anese Canada, Du Pont of Canada, and Finally, CIL had 3.2% for the quarter. Union Carbide Canada--show sales up For the full year, CIL turned in 4.2% 20% and after-tax earnings up 60% over as a result of an exceptionally strong 1972. second quarter. These gains were the best fqr the The second and fourth quarters in four companies since 1963. The up- Canada show the same seasonal up swing means that Canadian chemical Swing as in the U.S. The spring period producers are finally into a booni after in Canada carries a particular domi- seeing recovery stalled in 1972. That nance. In the second quarter of 1973, year, sales rose 6%, and earnings 7%. for example, sales, profits, and profit The fourth quarter capped the year's margins reached their highs for the . rise with sales growth of 23% and earn- year for the combined results of the ings explosion of 95% over fourth-quar- four Canadian firms. Their combined ter 1972 for these four companies. Uri- profit margin in the second quarter of like the situation in the U.S., the final 1973 hit 6.1%. three months in Canada were the Factors behind the great jump in strongest of the year. 1973 earnings were much the same in The autumn sales surge ran quite Canada as in the U.S. Union Carbide evenly through the four firms. CIL Canada president John S. Dewar says pushed up sales 27% over fourth-quar- that his company's improvement came ter 1972 to $95.4 million for the period, from higher sales, near-capacity opera- Its sales totaled $382.9 million for the tions, and revised corporate tax rates, year. Du Pont of Canada made a 19% He notes that his firm's return on capi- increase in fourth-quarter sales to $85.3 tal from operations rose to 10.2% from million, pushing sales to $308 million 7.6% the year before, for the year. Union Carbide Canada However, Mr. Dewar does not regard ran sales up 22% to $68.7 million in the this rate of return as good enough, fourth quarter and posted $245.7 mil- "Further improvement will be neces-j lion for the year. And fast-recovering sary to justify the commitments of nev$ Celanese Canada had a 25% gain in funds to build facilities on a world;-?' sales in the quarter to $61 million, and competitive nature in the capital-in sales of $220.7 million for the full year. tensive, high technological sectors. In The earnings picture is slightly dif- addition, significant and immediate ferent. Du Pont of Canada kept its tra- government assistance is required to ditional lead, with earnings shooting combat rampant inflation at exorbitant up 60% over fourth-quarter 1972. Full- fuel and feedstock costs if Canada is to year earnings at Du Pont rose 24% to take advantage of its new-found poten- $17.8 million. Union Carbide Canada, tial to become a major factor in these usually just behind Du Pont as an high-value-added growth sectors of earner, saw its profits jump 31% in the world demand." fourth quarter to reach $4.3 million and $15.7 million for the year. GIL ran Troubled Canadian chemical earnings up 81% to $3.1 million in the earnings jump 60% in 1973 quarter and made just less than $16 million for the year. Celanese Canada Index, 1963 = 100 continued to snap back, making $3 2501---- ------------------------- ---- ----- ---- -- million profit in the fourth quarter to reach $8.2 million for the year. In both the fourth quarter and the full year of 1972, Celanese Canada had deficits. . Even with these remarkable gains, profitability of the four chemical firms still trailed their 1960's pace. In fact, the group as a whole has made up only 40% of the sharp drop in after-tax prof it margin on sales that occurred from 1964 through 1970. The four chemical companies' 1973 earnings came to 5% of sales. This compares with 3.7% the year before, 3.1% in the low year of 1970, and 7.8% in 1964, the previous peak year. 1963 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 In the fourth quarter of 1973, earn ings reached 5.4% of sales for these companies. Du Pont of Canada led a Combined results of Canadian Industries, Ltd., Celanese Canada, Du Pont of Canada, and Union Carbide Canada. . ENERGY CRISIS SPECIAL Tape Cassettes Hear Government Experts Discuss: Oil supplies Gas supplies Coal supplies An audio symposium complete with charts and tables Hear Scientists Discuss: Nuclear power-fission & fusion coal gasification desulfurized coal converting wastes to energy You get 7 cassettes--nearly 5 hours of tape--plus charts and tables for only $35! Send $35 to....... ENERGY SPECIAL American Chemical Society 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Dept. AP DSW 587844 Feb. 11,1974 C&EN 11 STLCOPCB4093180 THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP. MAYBE IF YOU KNEW MOREJOU'D DO MORE. This is a partial list of publications available from the help to clean up the environment. Multiple copies of those United States Environmental Protection Agency telling publications with prices given are available from the U.S. what's bding done, what needs to be done and how you can Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, 1. Health Effects of Environmental Pollution Booklet, 24 pages. A description of the various adverse effects that the pollution of the environment has had on human beings. This publication is ad dressed to the citizens who no longer are will ing to accept an environment that menaces their health and lowers their enjoyment of life. 2. Research and Monitoring ` Cornerstone for Environmental Action Illustrated booklet, 16 pages, 60#. A description of the work of scientists in EPA's Office of Research and Monitoring in determining pollution levels, the effects of various pollutants on health and the ecology and the effectiveness of control techniques. 3. Action for Environmental Quality Standards and Enforcement for Air and Water Pollution Control Illustrated booklet, 24 pages. How two of EPA's major programs--air and water pollution, work. The setting of stan dards, establishment of enforcement machin ery and assessment of their contribution to the goal of restoring the environment. 4. The Challenge of the Environment A Primer on EPA's Statutory Authority Booklet, 52 pages. EPA was created to coordinate efforts to com bat pollution and protect the environment. It combined the programs of 15 government de partments and agencies dealing with air and water pollution, pesticides, solid waste, radia tion and noise. This booklet discusses the major laws EPA is responsible to administer. 5. Your World, My World A Book for Young Environmentalists Illustrated booklet, 52 pages, $1.50. An attempt to instill young people of elementary and junior high school age with an understanding of environ mental problems, to explain some of the efforts being made by EPA and to suggest actions that can be taken by the young. 6. In Productive Harmony Environmental Impact Statements Broaden the Nation's Perspectives Pamphlet, 16 pages. Explains the impact statements required by the National Environmental Policy Act of JANUARY 1974 1969--when they are required, how they are prepared, who is responsible for reviewing them--and assesses the effectiveness of the impact statement process in reducing environ mental damage from Federal activities. 7. Common Environmental Terms A Glossary Pamphlet, 28 pages. A glossary for the lay person and student rather than the professional ecologist. Words and terms which are commonly encountered in discussions of environmental matters are defined. 8. Finding Your Way Through EPA Booklet, 48 pages. A directory intended to help people outside EPA find the insiders who can answer their questions. There are listings of key sources of information, an up-to-date organizationalchart and an index by subject interest all to be peri odically updated. 9. Highlights--The Federal Environ mental Pesticide Control Act of 1972 Pamphlet, 8 pages. a An explanation of the Federal role in regular ing the sale and use of pesticides under thifp law, which is designed to reduce the dangers of pesticides by placing strict controls on their application and use. 10. Highlights--The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 Pamphlet, 6 pages. An explanation of the most significant pro visions of the law that is aimed at regulating the dumping of pollutants into oceans and ultimately seeks an end to the practice. 11. An Environmental Bibliography Pamphlet, 20 pages, 150. A compilation of suggested reading intended to enlarge public awareness of environmental problems and to provide the information nec essary to influence policies and actions. 12. Citizen Action Can Get Results Pamphlet, 12 pages, 200. Citizen involvement is an integral part of the en vironmental movement. This pamphlet describes several case histories of successful citizen cam paigns and also contains suggestions for individ- ^ ual action. ^w - 13. Highlights--The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 Pamphlet, 12 pages. A digest and explanation of the provisions of the comprehensive environmental law that has as its major goal the cleanup of the Na tion's waterways. 14. Groups That Jpan Help A Directory of Environmental Organizations Pamphlet, 16 pages, 150. A partial directory of national, non-profit or ganizations working for the restoration and protection of the environment that can be contacted by individuals seeking information and advice. 15. Highlights--The Federal Noise Control Act of 1972 Pamphlet, 6 pages. An explanation of the major provisions of the law that gives EPA responsibility for setting and enforcing standards to control noise from a broad variety of sources. 16. Toward a New Environmental Ethic Illustrated booklet, 28 pages, 600. A basic role of EPA is to support, encourage and give direction to the development of an environmental ethic that benefits man and protects the ecosphere. This booklet discusses EPA's various divisions and what they are doing to fulfill this role. I----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------] I United States Environmental Protection Agency I Washington, D.C. 20460 j Please send me a single free copy of the following I tions on the environment. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IS 16. EPA j I did not find my particular concern on the list. 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