Document XONxBy7vEdZDpDoeR013kjKOR

fth t 14k * INTERNAL i ORRE PONDEN E------------------- EMICALS AND PLASTICS SOUTH CHMtEXTOM SUHT f. 0. MX S004, SOUTH CHMLESTON, W. VA. 25303 Ta (Naata) Civilian Location Copy to Mr. T. W. Carmody, NYO-31 Data January 28, 1974 Mr. J, 4. parvajal, 514 Dr. C. U. j De mehi, NYO-4 OrlglnHi9 Dpt. Mr, M. E. Eisenhour, 515 Dr. D. H. Glenn, 515 Answering lottor Mr. R. E. Graebert, 511 Dr. R. W. Holland, 514 Dr. E. Q. pull, 511 Dr. Kenneth S. Lane, NYO-4 Dr. A. B. Steele, NYO-28 Dr. N. L. utty / Subiact Meeting of Technical Talk Group oh Vinyl Chloride Research Manufacturing Chemists Ass ciation Washington, D. C. January 25. 1974 Mr. R.i E. Gulick, NYO-32 Attached are my notes from the Technical Task Group Meeting on Vinyl Chloride Research, held in Washington, D. C. on January 25, 1974, along with a suggested statement for general infor mation. RNWJr/ra Attachments /? ft; 14/ R. N. Wheeler, Jr. 1 UCC 083262 MEETING OF TECHNICAL TASK GROUP ON VINYL CHLORIDE RESEARCH | MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON. D. C. JANUARY 25. 1974 Mr. Alston Vitone, President of B. F. Goodrich, discussed the attached Presq release briefly. (See also the article from the Wall Street Journal dated January 24, 1974. ) Dr. Cr(eech, Medical Director for B. F. Goodrich's Lousville, Kentucky plant noted last summer that liver problems of employees warranted a study of live^ function tests. Testing of 400 employees were given the SMA-12 blood {test series of which four are related to liver function. Dr. Creech was identified as having previously noted the occurrence of acroosteolysis in B. F. .Gopdrichemployees. Strict interpretation of th t st results identified 55 employees who are to be given additional follow-up. Diagnosis of angiosarcoma in the liver is possible only by liver biopsy. The liver problems noted involved four employees-- one 49 years f age with 24 ye4rs Company service, one 38 years of age with 16 years of Company servijce, one 58 years of age with 29 years of Company servic , and one 43 years of age with 19 years of Company service. One case of angio sarcoma has bpen verified, two have been diagnosed, and one previous death from liver canper is suspect. Angiosarcoma is rare with approximately 21 cases per year in the United States. Previously it has been believed t be caused by a material used in gallbladder X-ray technique (Thoratrast) or by intake of heavy) metals. It is a tumor of the blood vessel lining. Because of functions of thd liver with regard to blood, it is generally affected by th dis as . Because early {diagnosis is very difficult, the disease is universally fatal. Other symptonfs are upper intestinal bleeding or apparent cirrohosis of the liv r. The meh involved had been operator helpers or operators in the Vinyl R sin Plant. None had shown any symptons of acroosteolysis. The plant used vinyl chloride,'Ivinylidene chloride, and methyl ethyl acrylate monomers. It is B. F. Goodrich's oldest plant. Operating area ventilation is not as good as later plants. Employees at the plant were not given routine physical examina tions. B. F. Goodrich also makes butadiene polymers at this plant. Exposure to vinyl chloridle at the Louisville plant is estimated to be 15-20 ppm TWA. Ventilation of operating areas was less than 6 air turnovers per hour. Dr. Creech became concerned about the employee liver problems before Christmas and! consulted with Dr. M. N. Johnson. Dr. Johnson, on January 14, 1974, employe4 Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, Inc. to study the epidemiology in depth, to prejvide help in the industrial hygiene area, and t act as a consultant. UCC 083263 2. The Stat of Kentucky requir s the reporting of occupational deaths or suspected deaths within 48 hours and, as a result, as soon as th evidence was reviewed and Confirmed, F. Goodrich reported to NIOSH on January 22, 1974 and to the Statje of Kentucky on January 23, 1974. Dr. M. M. Key of NIOSH was apprised of th^ study data that the group had obtained from the European studies. (Permission to release was secured from the European companies.) On January 23, 1974, the Plant Manager informed all employees of the situation. This was done by sitting down with small groups (12) and dis cussing what Was known. Employees with specific personal questions w re referred to Drj. Creech. Plant Managers at other B. F. Goodrich resin plants will show Pre^s release and hold meetings with employees. All customers of B. F. Goodrich are being mailed copies of the Press release. B. F. Goodrich feels this is a Worker problem and will not involve customers. Dr. Tabershaw reported that the ongoing MCA epidemiology study had covered 4, 400 people with 1,600 more to cover. There had been 122 deaths in the 4^400 with no specific cancer outstanding. The data was not refined yet an<3 more would be reported on February 20, 1974. Individual, companies may obtain a summary of data on their employees, if they desir and if they pay Tabershaw-Cooper for the cost of preparation. (UCC's Texas City data has bjeen given Tabershaw-Cooper Associates; South Charleston data will be supplied January 30, 1974.) B. F. Goodrich is attempting to minimize employee exposure to vinyl chloride monoitier by extensive testing and strict control of process leaks and vents. Th*y have established a task group to reduce exposure levels to a maximum of 50 ppm. A report on instruments for monitoring vinyl chloride concentrations |is attached. Dr. B. M. G. Zwicker said they would have a final report on monitoring systems about February 4, 1974 and would supply the report to interested companies. The address is : Dr. B. M. G. Zwicker B. F. Goodrich Company 6100 Oak Park Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44131 Periodic gas testing prior to 1973 showed VCM concentrations well below 500 ppm. The samples showed, however, a high degree of variability. More intensive testing showed that VCM tended to layer in the air and diffuse very slowly as it was carried to exhaust systems. They also noted that exhaust system vents tejnded to be picked up by intakes, thus, they felt the proper con trol technique W&8 to eliminate leaks and vents. They do not feel that permanently installed systeifis are useful in leak control. UCC 083264 3. B. F. Coodrich recomm nds th Century Organic Vapor Analyzer, Century Systerps Corporation, Arkansas,City, Kansas. The cost is $2,000 to $3, 000 per instrument. It uses the flame-ionization principle and is portable. It isj not, however, specific for vinyl chloride, and backup testing with flame-ionization chromatography is needed. In their Louisville plant, they have full-time leak testing and repair. Operation of the Century analyzer is a . skilled job. The instrument is called intrinsically safe for explosive atmospheres. They have found no good way of determining employee exposur on a TWA basif (time weighted average). Genera) discussion identified the following governmental agencies that could become involved: Center for Communicable Disease National Cancer Institute National Institute of Safety and Health Food and Drug Administration Department of Labor OSHA Department of Transportation Consumer Safety Group The feeling generally expressed was that the problem would be best handled by NIO$H and that it would be to the industries advantage to keep it within NIOSH. ! i NIOSH people are at Louisville reviewing conditions and will report to a NIOSH meeting in Washington on February 1, 1974. i The Technical Task Group discussed and agreed on the following: 1. MCA will prepare a low key statement for the Press bu|t will not release it unless pressed. 2. MCA will draft a letter to Dr. Marcus Key of NIOSH, reaffirming industry support and cooperation as offered in the meeting with NIOSH last summer. The letter will include a request for suggestions in how the MCA group can support NIOSH uji the work required. UCC 083265  3. I'd continue MCA's postur of lead rship in this area, three subcommitt s wer d signated. Th se are identified as: (a) Diagnostic and Medical Surveillance (b) Work Practices (p) Analytical Procedures 4. * The Medical Committee named was: `1 Dr. M. N. Joljinson -Chairman The B. F. Goodrich Company Dr. E. Q. Hull Union Carbide Corporation Dr. C. U. Dejfnehl Union Carbide Corporation Dr. George Rc^ush, Jr. Monsanto Company Dr. Ernest Di^con Allied Chemical Corporation Dr. B. W. Duck The British Petroleum Company Dr. R. W. Mc^umey Diamond Shamrock Corporati. n Dr. David P. Ihiffield i Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd The Wojrk Practices Committee named was: i Mr. R. N. Whjseler, Jr. 1 Dr. W. J. Boyne -Chairman Union Carbide Corporation Borden Chemical, Division of Borden, Inc. Dr. Z. G. Bell, Jr. Dr. W. Mayo ^mith Mr. A. W. Barnes Mr. Howard Lj. Kusnetz Mr. Richard ^aier PPG Industries, Inc. Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd Shell Chemical Company Stauffer Chemical Company i UCC 083266 f The Analytical Procedure Committee named was: 5. Mr. R. Henderson Dr. Z. G. Bell, Jr. Dr. B. M. G. IZwicker i Mr. Flynt Kennedy i1 Mr. A. W. Baines Mr. H. Hoyle -Chairman Olin Corporation PPG Industries, Inc. B. F. Goodrich Company Continental Oil Company Imperial Chemical Industri s Ltd Dow Chemical Company The various subcommittees will report at the February 20 meeting on their plans of Action. RNWJr/ra Attachments / ;; mL&A R. N. Wheeler, Jr. " UCC 083267