Document ZO9XBVe2wnGawwmMYe85V720
Regional & District Sales Managers Director & Regional N/A Managers All Salesmen
June 25, 1974
Attached are copies of the proposed testimonies of A. Vittone, P. J. Weaver, R. W. Strassburg and M. N. Johnson that will be presented at the OSHA hearings in Washington this week. Proposed testimonies of J. L. Nelson and Dr. Condict Moore (University of Louisville) will be forwarded as soon as available.
These copies are for your information only.
W. S. Lodge
WSL/cs
(.
Attachments
cc:
A. Vittone
R. D. Scott
J. L. Nelson
E. W. Harrington
H. Waltemate
B. M. G. Zwicker
G. Pow
W. J. Wilcox P. J. Weaver
copy
J.
R. B. Downey E. B. Osborne R. P. Kenney - A. L. Hatfield - C. R. Flynn
K. Greene All Plant Managers
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Statement of Anton Vittone President, B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company
Prepared For Presentation At Department of Labor Hearings On Vinyl Chloride, Occupational Exposure Standard June 25, 1974
My name is Anton Vittone. I am President of B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company, a Division of The B.F.Goodrich Company. Our headquarters are at 6100 Oak Tree Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio. I graduated in Chemical Engineering with a Masters Degree in 1939 from the University of Washington at Seattle. For the past 32 years I have been employed by The B.F.Goodrich Company. Most of my experience with Goodrich has been in the fields of manufacturing, development, and engineering having started as a shift foreman in manu facturing. Since April 16, 1974 I have served as chairman of the Society of The Plastics Industry's Committee of Vinyl Chloride Monomer and Poly vinyl Chloride Producers. Members of this Committee represent over 90 percent of the current United States capacity for the production of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride resin.
I have prepared a statement in behalf of SPI and the Committee which I will read and submit for the record of this hearing. More detailed testimony concerning certain aspects of my testimony will be presented by others in behalf of SFI. My statement represents the views of the majority of the Committee, however, different positions will be expressed on certain sections of the proposed permanent standard by industry members in the course of this proceeding. The Congnittee is unanimous in its position that the proposed permanent standard is not technologically feasible and, if adopted, would shut down the industry.
The PVC and vinyl monomer producers are aware of the experimental work of Professor Maltoni and Industrial Bio-test Laboratories in which angiosarcoma of the liver has been reported in both rats and mice at long-term exposure levels as low as 50 ppm. We are also aware of the fact that in recent work reported by Professor Maltoni the angiosarcoma which developed in rats following long-term exposure at 50 ppm occurred at the end of their normal life span.
Dr. Marcus Key of NIOSH, in his letter to the Department of Labor on March 11, 1974, made the following comment and I quote -- "Based on theoretical considerations there is probably no threshhold for carcinogenesis although it is possible that with very low concentrations the latency period might be extended beyond the life expectancy? -- end of quote.
The recent results of Professor Maltoni of rats exposed to 50 ppm indicate that the latency period was approaching the life span of rats which we understand is equivalent to an 80 year human life span.
In turn, we all must be aware of the inherent uncertainties of extrapolating from animals to humans and also from high level of exposures that existed in our plants in earlier years to those that exist today.
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The exposure of workers to vinyl chloride has varied with the age of the industry. In the 1940's the degree of exposure of workers to vinyl chloride was no doubt greater than in the 1950's and, in turn, the 1950's versus the 1960's, etc.
Unfortunately records are not available on the precise level of exposure with respect to periods of the industry's history. In order to get some estimate of exposure levels in history we must depend on the recollections of employees as to levels of odor and work practices and to reconstruct today, conditions considered to exist 30 and 20 and 10 years ago. To the extent that this has been done, we believe that the average exposure in the decade of the forties could have been some forty times greater than they are today. With respect to peak exposures they no doubt were some 100 times of today's emergency standard of 50 ppm since employees were known to have become mildly intoxicated from exposure to vinyl chloride.
On the basis of this background of information, it is only prudent that we continue to decrease the level of exposure of our workers. While it can be argued that there is no safe level of exposure, the basis of the proposed standard, it can similarly be argued that there is no data showing that exposure levels as provided for under the emergency standard are not safe or of low degree of risk. The current levels of exposures, when considered in the light of past exposures especially in the decades of the 40's and the 5 0's, certainly must be considered in judging the degree of risk of a standard above the no-detectable level. It is simple to assume zero exposure and, therefore, zero risk. The only practical way of accomplishing this is to shut down the PVC industry or to impose work practices which will create a greater immediate risk to health and safety than exposure to low levels of vinyl chloride.
It is the position of the industry, which I will detail later, that it will commit itself to lowering exposure of its workers by a combination of lower levels of vinyl chloride in the work atmosphere and work practices. Such a commitment cannot be accomplished overnight since, in certain areas, the technology for accomplishing it is, as yet, not developed and, when developed, facilities must be Installed requiring time for engineering, procurement, and installation.
We fully recognize that there are those who will say that the industry can do better than it says and, therefore, tighter restrictions should be imposed than proposed by the industry. It should be recognized that the proposal which I will make later has already taken into consideration projections for improvement which are not in hand but depend on new developments and additions to facilities.
Polyvinyl chloride represents a large industry which, in 1973, had an estimated world-wide output of 18 billion pounds and a United States output of 4.6 billion pounds.
The initial impetus for the growth of PVC in-the United States came from the requirements of national defense in World War II. The fire resistant
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properties of PVC made it a superior insulation for electrical wiring for naval vessels and other military applications* It provided a degree of protection against fire that had not previously existed. There is no doubt that these PVC uses helped save many lives during the War and, since then, in similar military and commercial applications. Following the War, many new uses were found for PVC because of its versatility and inherent performance qualities. Today, it is used in hundreds of PVC products and also in the production of essential components for many other assembled products. Hundreds of thousands of workers are employed in industries that produce or depend on PVC for the manufacture of countless products.
The production of vinyl chloride, its polymerization into PVC resin, and the processing of PVC resin into semi-finished or finished products is treated in the proposed permanent standard as one industrial health problem. However, each is an entirely different manufacturing operation posing its own problems, permitting and requiring different solutions. Of the hundreds of thousands of workers whose jobs are dependent on PVC only 6,500 are involved in the manufacture of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride resins.
Furthermore, that segment that involves the production of polyvinyl chloride is not a monolithic operation. Several different processes are utilized with many process variations and with a wide variety of polyvinyl chloride resin products. Current installations are extremely varied and do not lend themselves to the simple solution of a restricted area where employees would only work for a brief part of the work day and, thus, be able to utilize self-contained breathing apparatus as provided for in the proposed permanent standard. The imposition of the no-detectable level as provided for in the proposed permanent standard would require the full-time utilization of self-contained breathing apparatus during the work period in vinyl chloride and PVC resin producing facilities. This would impose a severe and unnecessary physical burden on our workers as well as a potential health and safety problem^ Further, because of space limitations, it is impossible to use self-contained breathing apparatus in cleaning reactors.
Historically, the greatest exposure of workers to vinyl chloride has occurred in the polyvinyl chloride production segment of the industry.
Currently the level of exposure is lower in the vinyl chloride production segment of the industry. Nevertheless, the imposition of a no-detectable level standard for this segment of the industry, as proposed, would, as in the case of the PVC resin plants, require the full-time utilization of self-contained breathing apparatus with the problems and potential hazards I have already mentioned.
The third segment of the industry is that of processing and fabrication where the level of exposure is the lowest. Available data indicate that worker exposure in most work areas is at no-detectable levels as defined by the proposed standard.
The areas of potential exposure are those Involving bulk unloading, storage, and mixing areas. Even in these areas it appears that level of worker
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exposure can be reduced to low levels by known engineering addition, the reduction of residual vinyl chloride monomer by the PVC resin producer will further lower the potential exposure.
solutions. in the PVC of worker
In resin
Since the problems :f worker exposure in processing and fabricating plants are limited and engineering solutions are available, this segment of the industry should not be subjected to the full coverage of the proposed permanent standard.
With respect to PVC resin and vinyl chloride, the producers have stated that a no-detectable level for vinyl chloride, as defined, would shut the industry down.
As stated earlier, iz is not feasible to require workers to continuously use self-contained breathing apparatus.
Therefore, there are only two ways to seek a no-detectable level: to eliminate all losses of vinyl chloride or to dilute losses through ventilation.
Neither of these alternatives is feasible, in our judgment, because losses from processing equipment will always occur. Some are identifiable and others are fugitive losses.
The fugitive losses are those losses which occur from mechanical equipment, such as valves, pumps, flanges or fittings, column manheads, reactor manheads, etc. and impossible to quantify. All plants have hundreds of valves, pumps, flanges, etc. all of which are a potential source of a small leak and which must receive constant attention. This is especially true in older plants with small reactors. The industry has, for years, tried to improve its losses from this sor.'ce, has made progress and should continue to make progress. Nevertheless, this one type of loss will, in today's plants, provide detectable levels of vinyl chloride in many work areas. This is the primary source of vinyl chloride in the work atmosphere of today's polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride plants.
The identifiable losses are those losses which take place from our processes which are inherent in today's plants. While we know of their existence, they are not precisely measured but can be estimated. Technological improvements requiring time for research and development followed by procurement of equipment and installation can reduce these losses. Any timetable projecting lower levels of exposure is dependent on projection of technological achievement.
The industry has made progress in reducing its losses of vinyl chloride as well as polymer from its processes. I am aware of newer PVC resin plants which have reduced total losses of PVC resin and vinyl chloride to 2%. This compares to an approximate 5% for the industry, in total.
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The industry recommends the following standards for polyvinyl chloride resin plants as representing the maximum reduction which a majority of the industry believes feasible:
Effective October 5, 1974, a ceiling level of 40 ppm of vinyl chloride and a maximum daily time weighted average of 25 ppm. Levels above 40 ppm would require the use of practical and effective respiratory protection.
Effective October 5, 1975, a ceiling level of 25 ppm with no time weighted average. Levels above 25 ppm would require the use of practical and effective respiratory protection.
Effective October 5, 1976, a ceiling level of 25 ppm with a maximum time weighted average of 10 ppm. Levels above 25 ppm would require the use of practical and effective respiratory protection.
That sequential monitoring be required of work areas with proper alarms to limit peak exposures to those recommended. The peak exposure levels would be determined by the sequential monitoring system with a built-in 10 minute average sample and/or by a 10 minute grab sample. Instantaneous readings for determining exposure levels are highly unreliable.
The location and number of sampling points would be determined by statistical methods to make certain that the measurements represent the work areas.
The state of the technology today is one where excursions of vinyl chloride in the work atmosphere for one reason or another do occur, although the average level of vinyl chloride in the work atmosphere throughout the day is considerably below the level of such excursions.
The imposition of the 40 ppm ceiling will require the utilization of respiratory equipment for those periods of time when such excursions occur and when corrective action is taken.
The utilization of respiratory equipment for this purpose would not be excessive and, therefore, feasible. The adoption of a 25 ppm time weighted average exposure as of October 5, 1974 would, in practice, result in substantially lower time weighted average exposure for the working population than indicated by the 25 ppm time weighted average since this is a time weighted celling."
The adoption of a 25 ppm ceiling as of October 5, 1975 will require industry to make substantial progress in reducing levels of exposure during the one year period. A 25 ppm ceiling will further substantially reduce the time weighted average exposure. Theoretically, it could allow for an occasional 25 ppm time weighted average. However, exposure in such event is highly unlikely and would be rare.
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The further imposition of a 10 ppm time weighted average standard on October 5, 1976 would, again, provide assurance of lower levels of exposure for, again, the 10 ppm time weighted average would become a ceiling by this method of measurement and, in practice, would result in substantially lower time weighted average exposure for the working population.
The industry believes it is feasible to operate under more restrictive standards in its vinyl chloride monomer producing operations.
The industry recommends the following standard for levels of exposure in its vinyl chloride monomer producing plants as representing the maximum reduction which a majority of the industry believes feasible:
Effective October 5, 1974, a ceiling of 25 ppm and a maximum time weighted average of 10 ppm. Levels above 25 ppm would require the utilization of practical and effective respiratory protection.
Effective October 5, 1975, a ceiling of 10 ppm and a maximum time weighted average of 5 ppm. Levels above 10 ppm would require the utilization of practical and effective respiratory protection.
As in the case of the polyvinyl chloride resin plants, the adoption of a time weighted average standard will result in a practical exposure below these ceiling time weighted average values.
It should be recognized that these proposals represent ambitious, difficult levels of operational exposure dependent on large expenditures of money, reduced capacity and the development of technology not currently in hand. Many companies will probably require variances of time or methods, therefore, provision for such variances should be made In the permanent standard.
Xt should also be recognized that medical and epidemiological data may be developed in the meantime which will require or allow a re-examination of the proposed levels.
We will present testimony later in these hearings as to the feasibility of utilizing canister masks for protection over short periods of time. It is recommended that the utilization of canister masks be permitted when adequate.
The proposed permanent standard calls for the utilization of self-contained respiratory apparatus and an air-supplied impervious suit when cleaning vessels and doing other types of maintenance work. Such a proposal is not feasible, is potentially hazardous, and is unnecessary.
It is recommended that air line supplied respirators be permitted for such operations and, further, that water impervious clothing be used Instead of air-supplied suits.
Earlier in this testimony I pointed out that the processing and fabricating segment of the industry currently has a low level of exposure and that problem areas can be solved by engineering methods.
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7 The proposed permanent standard calls for labeling of polyvinyl chloride containing detectable levels of vinyl chloride as to its containing vinyl chloride, a cancer suspect agent absorbed by breathing and through the skin. Such action would essentially require that all polyvinyl chloride be so labeled and is inconsistent with prior standards with carcinogenic chemicals. In view of the data which has been obtained in fabricating plants, it is recommended that appropriate labeling, as has already been discussed by Mr. Heckman, be required of polyvinyl chloride on October 5, 1974 only when the level of vinyl chloride in the polyvinyl chloride exceeds 0.1 percent. The industry realizes that it is prudent on its part to reduce levels of vinyl chloride in the polyvinyl chloride resin and, therefore, will attempt in a short period of time to carry out the necessary research and development activities and, assuming success, procure and install the necessary facilities to reduce the vinyl chloride monomer content of polyvinyl chloride. We believe it difficult, but feasible, by October 5, 1977 to have the major volume of polyvinyl chloride resin produced with less than 100 ppm of vinyl chloride in the polyvinyl chloride. The labeling level could then be dropped to 100 ppm.
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Statement of John L. Nelson Vice President-Manufacturing, B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company
Prepared For Presentation At Department of Labor Hearings On Vinyl Chloride, Occupational Exposure Standard
July 8, 1974
I am John L. Nelson, vice president-manufacturing of B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company, a Division of The B.F.Goodrich Company. Our headquarters are at 6100 Oak Tree Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44131.
I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1939. My experience in the chemical industry covers a period of thirtyfive years, all of which has been with Goodrich, and most of which has been directly or indirectly connected with the production of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride. I was located in our Louisville plant for nineteen years, during the last ten of which I served as plant manager.
Seated on this panel with me are all of the Goodrich representatives who participated in the presentation by The Society of the Plastics Industry, who will be available to answer questions on our testimony. They are:
- Mr. Anton Vittone President, B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company
- Mr. Philip J. Weaver ^ Director of Industry Affairs, B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company
- Dr. Roger W. Strassburg Director of Environmental Affairs, The B.F.Goodrich Company
- Dr. Maurice N. Johnson Director of Environmental Health, The B.F.Goodrich Company
Also included on this panel is Dr. Condict Moore, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Moore will present a statement summarizing the program which the University is initiating pursuant to a grant from Goodrich.
The main purpose of my testimony will be to examine the question of technical feasibility in the light of our current engineering and scientific knowledge. In addition, I will discuss on-going research and development programs directed at the reduction of vinyl chloride losses from our manufacturing operations. Our goal is to reduce vinyl chloride exposure to the lowest feasible levels and to preserve the jobs dependent upon this widely used and versatile plastic material.
We will discuss these subjects in terms of our own extensive experience. Specifically, we will review:
1. Vinyl chloride exposure levels in Goodrich plants.
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There are many variations within these types; solutions applicable to one type of process, product or plant are not necessarily applicable to other processes, products cr plants.
The equipment used i~ the conversion of monomer to polymer in all three processes consists of multiple units of vessels, pumps, piping and valves, with thousands of potential sources of small fugitive or elusive leakage of vinyl chloride gas. The process is batch-type and, after each reaction is completed, the vessel in which it is conducted requires varying kinds of purging, entering, cleaning, and preparation before the next batch can be started. These vessels, which we call polymerizers or reactors, have gone through an engineering evolution over the past thirty-five years.
During our first twenty years in the business, we used 1100-gallon reactors of stainless steel construction, which required entry and manual cleaning after every charge. Ihis cleaning took about one hour, during which time workers cleaning vessels were exposed to vinyl chloride levels of an estimated 200-500 ppr- The worker would clean an average of five vessels every eight-hour work shift. We can only estimate early exposure levels, since the analytical'sophistication to determine low levels of vinyl chloride in air has only been available in recent years. Our estimates were based on fragmentary data and interviews with employees to determine how often odor was evident, if and when they were aware of the intoxicating effect, and what level of explosimeter readings they might recall. While this method used to estimate exposure levels may seem crude by today's standards, our estimates are consistent with other similar testimony presented in this hearing.
Peak exposure levels ten and twenty years ago were one hundred times today's emergency standard, and probably averaged forty times today's average levels. My personal PVC experience goes back to when levels of exposure were of this magnitude.
Beginning in 1959, we experimented with glass-lined polymerizers and revisions to agitators and baffles to minimize buildup and cleaning time and did, as a result, reduce cleaning time to 20-30 minutes.
The next engineering breakthrough occurred in the late 1960's, with the Goodrich development of hydraulic reactor cleaning. This is a programmed high pressure water mechanism which is inserted into a polymerizer to remove buildup almost completely. This has greatly reduced human entry into polymerizers for manual cleaning. On some of our products, human entry has been reduced to as few as 3% of the batches. On some products, entry is still required after each batch. Over our total product mix, entry is required in about 10% of the batches.
Concurrent with the evolution of polymerizer design and mechanized cleaning, we installed additional equipment to improve the removal of vinyl chloride from the reactor prior to entry. With our current multi-step procedure, we have reduced vinyl chloride levels in open polymerizers down to the ambient level in the buildings today. The worker is further protected from vinyl chloride release from PVC resin buildup by use of an air line supplied respirator during the cleaning operation.
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Also included with this statement (EXHIBIT 3) is a six-months1 history
of area measurements of vinyl chloride levels by plants and by buildings showing the percentages of readings above 50 ppm and below 10 ppm.
This improvement is the result of aggressive and comprehensive programs carried out in each of our PVC plants and in our VCM plant to identify and correct leaks, initiate operating improvements and emphasize increased employee communications. Here are some of the more important parts of these programs.
Leak Reduction
Leak reduction has been the single greatest source of reduced vinyl chloride levels. The indispensable key to this progress was diligent monitoring on a 24-hour a day, seven days per week basis to record concentrations of monomer and track down the exact source of each leak. Early in January, personnel were assigned in each plant to do nothing but measure and record monomer concentrations and identify sources of the concentrations. Then, corrective action followed swiftly. OVA monitoring is still being done to locate sources of leaks.
Now, continuous recording fixed Bendix organic vapor analyzers are installed in all polymerization buildings In all plants. The Bendix instrument shows a higher reading if there is a significant leak anywhere in the area. The leak is tracked down with the portable OVA and repaired.
Operating Improvements
We have also made many operating improvements that have helped to reduce vinyl monomer concentrations in the work area. These include:
Vessels and pipelines containing monomer such as polymerizers, strainers, tank car unloading lines and Hamer blind installations, are being more thoroughly evacuated to recovery pumps before opening.
New procedures have been implemented for opening reactor manhole covers which reduce emission to the work area.
Regular vinyl monomer recovery operations have been improved and monomer efficiency raised.
Number of entries and time of each entry into polymerizer vessels for cleaning has been reduced.
Better manhole lid closure seals have been developed for polymerizers.
General ventilation has been greatly improved in many buildings. Localized ventilation has been installed at some repetitive trouble spots, such as pump seals.
Compressor and vacuum pump seal water have been put into closed systems.
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Although this new facility incorporates our latest technology, we fully expect to make additional improvements resulting from our on-going research and development work. It is expected that some of these improvements will take up to 24 months after the completion of the developmental effort.
Research and Development
Goodrich is doing everything it can with current technology, as rapidly as possible, to reduce vinyl chloride exposure levels. Further improvements and reductions in levels will come from the engineering changes and work practices we outlined previously. Improvements beyond these can only be achieved through future technological breakthroughs. In the past five months, we have redirected and greatly accelerated our research and develop ment efforts. We have 135 scientists and technicians at our Research and Development facilities and in our plants working on process and product improvements directed at lower vinyl chloride losses and reduced exposure. Our goal is to approach negligible losses of vinyl chloride from all sources.
About a quarter of the research and development effort is involved with analytical techniques and equipment, analyst training, and developmental analyses directed at worker exposure and residual monomer content of resins. During 1973, this effort resulted in selection of direct reading portable and sequential continuous monitoring equipment which have been essential tools in our efforts to reduce vinyl chloride levels in work areas of our production plants. Current effort is being directed toward more precise and rapid measurement of worker exposure.
About half of this research and development effort concerns fundamental process improvements to reduce losses inherent in our present processes. To our knowledge, there is no FVC production plant in the world operating in a completely closed polymerizer mode because of the buildup problem ' in reactors. Our programs toward this end include investigations of the fundamental mechanisms leading to resin adherence to polymerizer surfaces and a wide variety of methods aimed at eliminating adherence, chemically and/or mechanically. It is difficult to estimate how soon, if ever, we might achieve our goals in a practical way.
The balance of our research and development program includes reduction of monomer losses beyond the polymerization area. This is the development of a process by which the vinyl chloride monomer is removed from the PVC resin slurry before drying, thus increasing the recovery of vinyl chloride monomer.
This would also result in lower residual vinyl chloride in our finished resins when proven in production plant installations. We can foresee completion of this work and installation of facilities in two to four years for the majority of our resins.
Finally, in order to reach levels below . 01X residual vinyl chloride in sozze PVC resins, we see the necessity for some basic changes in our manu facturing technology and the structure of PVC particles. This will take time to complete the small-scale work and scale up to production facilities.
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in vinyl chloride monomer and polyvinyl chloride plants, including reactor
cleaning, where exposure is at low levels, regular work type clothes
(coveralls or pants and shirts with full length sleeves) should be adequate.
Vinyl Chloride Level in PVC
Goodrich supports the SPI proposal that appropriate labeling of PVC con tainers be required when vinyl chloride levels in PVC exceeds 0.1%, effective October 5, 1974 and, further, that the requirement for labeling be changed to 0.01% effective October 5, 1977.
Labeling
We support the SPI position that the language to be used on signs at regulated areas emphasize the precautionary steps to be taken, rather than "scare" language emphasizing the nature of the substance.
Similarly, we support the SPI concept of product labeling, both monomer and polymer, and agree that such labeling should be designed to provide information to those who need it, rather than a basis upon which to panic because of a potential disease characterization.
As part of our overall effort, on May 1, 1974, Goodrich made a grant to the University of Louisville Medical School Cancer Center. This was the result of Goodrich's desire to bring continuing comprehensive medical advice and consultation to the situation and to support a broad scientific inquiry into the problem.
At this time, I present Dr. Condict Moore, Professor of Surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, who will summarize the program which the University is initiating pursuant to a grant from Goodrich. Dr. Moore's statement is attached.
IN SUMMARY, then, Goodrich's position is as follows:
1. We are committed to reduce vinyl chloride exposure to the lowest level that is feasible through a combination of engineering changes, work practices, the part-time use of respiratory equipment, and technological development.
2. A no-detectable level of VCM in its monomer and polymer plants is not technically feasible.
3. Full-time use of respiratory protection by PVC and VCM workers is not feasible.
4. We will be forced to shut down our PVC and VCM operations if the proposed permanent standard is adopted.
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EXHIBIT 1 PLANT START-UP DATA AND ENROLLMENT
Plant and Location Avon Lake, Ohio Henry, Illinois Long Beach, Cal. Louisville, Ky. Pedricktown, N. J. Calvert City, Ky.
Type of Product FVC PVC PVC PVC* PVC Monomer
Total
*"
Start-up Date 1953 1965 1960 1942 1970 1950
*Also vinyl chloride monomer until 1968
Current PVC or Monomer Enrollment
481 76
100 465 118 250
1,490
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EXHIBIT 2
PERSONNEL MONITORING DATA
A limited amount of data have been taken during May and June, 1974. The data for various operations have been categorized to show the number of values In several ranges of vinyl chloride concentration. All data are time weighted averages over a four-hour period absorbed on carbon tubes and tested by gas chromatography. This data does not, in all cases, represent actual worker exposure since every worker wears respiratory equipment when the work atmosphere is greater than 25 ppm or where operations and experience show there is a risk of exceeding 25 ppm.
OPERATION -- FVC POLYMERIZATION
Charge Operator
Recovery Operator
Hydraulic Reactor Cleaner Operator
Poly Cleaner
0-5 22 12
6 3
PPM VC1 Ranges
6-10
11-20
21-35
55
2
8 13
Over 35 0 1
2 2.0
2
32
11
OPERATION -- MONOMER PRODUCTION
Furnace Operator VC1 Purification Operator Tank Farm Operator
0-5 2 7 0
PPM VC1 Ranges
6-10
11-20
21-35
1 10
00
0
2 12
Over 35 0 0 0
K
CO o *-- tn
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EXHIBIT 3
VCL MONITORING DATA
Area HeasureDencs Using Portable and Fixed Instrumentation, Measuring Total Hydrocarbons by the Flame Ionization Method
PLANT: AVON LAKE. OHIO
Building 451
Product
Dispersion Resin
461
Suspension Resin
464
Suspension Resin
463
PVC Latex
Month
January February March April May June
January February March April May June
January February March April May June
January February March April May June
% Readings Above 50 PPM
3.5 3.9 2.6 4.9 2.7 4.7
% Readings Under 10 PPM
8.7 14.4 23.4 42.9 65.2 72.5
4.7 3.3 2.5 3.4 2.2 4.9
24.1 37.9 21.7 14.6 59.3 57.8
5.1 3.1 1.1 0.0 2.8 2.8
11.1 10.3 34.8 58.9 71.2 82.5
0.0 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.4 1.9
70.9 91.7 97.5 97.6 86.3 82.3
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2 EXHIBIT 3 - Cont'd.
VCL MONITORING DATA
Area Measurements Using Portable and Fixed Instrumentation, Measuring Total Hydrocarbons by the Flame Ionization Method
PLANT: HENRY. ILLINOIS
Building 731
Product
Month
Suspension and Dispersion Resins
January February March April May June
X Readings Above 50 PPM
33.0 10.0
2.0 4.8 2.3 2.9
% Readings Under 10 PPM
20.3 17.4 27.9 69.1 82.0 79.1
(
PLANT: LONG BEACH. CALIFORNIA
Building 812
Product
Suspension Resin
Month
January February March April May June
% Readings Above 50 PPM
2.6 1.8
2.4
2.2
0.5 1.3
% Readings Under 10 PPM
Data not analyzed
ti ii
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ii ti
ii
ii ii
ii
n ti
it
84.4
ia o G P Z K
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3EXHIBIT 3 - ConcM.
VCL MONITORING DATA
Area Measurements Using Portable and Fixed Instrumentation, Measuring Total Hydrocarbons by the Flame Ionization Method
PLANT: LOUISVILLE> KENTUCKY
Building 121
Product
Dispersion Resin and Latex
Month
January February March April May June
% Readings Above 50 PPM
10.9 3.2 0.6 1.7 1.0 0.9
% Readings Under 10 PP1
0.2 5.9 40.8 62.0 86.2 88.3
111
Suspension Resin
January February March April May June
9.1 2.0 1.5 1.8 1-7 1.5
0.2 5.9 36.0 71.0 90.2 90.5
1
Suspension
January
Resin
February
March
April
May
June
3.0 0.6 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1
0.4 7.8 21.0 73.8 90.9 91.2
15 115
Copolymers Solution Resin
January February March April May June
VC1 Recovery Purification
January February March April May June
6.4 2.2 1.2 2.2 4.6 1.7
0.7 5.1 29.4 64.7 62.9 78.6
- Data Not Taken -
3.0
0.5
5.0
9.3
1.9
34.7
5.4
33.3
0.8
25.2
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EXHIBIT 3 - Coat1d.
VCI MONITORING DATA
Area Measurements Using Portable and Fixed Instrumentation, Measuring Total Hydrocarbons by the Flame Ionization Method
PLANT; PEDRICKTOWN. NEW JERSEY
Building 512
Product
Month
Mass Polymerization
January February March April May June
% Readings Above 50 PPM
5.1 2.0 1.1 0.6 1.4 0.6
% Readings Under 10 PPM
35.7 46.5 69.3 76.2 79.3 80.7
513
Suspension and Dispersion Resins
January February March April May June
3.8 2.4 1.0 0.7 1.2 0.5
39.1 66.0 81.3 78.8 75.2 75.9
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BFG30139
Statement of Dr. Condlct Moore Professor of Surgery and
Director, Cancer Center University of Louisville School of Medicine
Prepared For Presentation At Department of Labor Hearings On Vinyl Chloride, Occupational Exposure Standard July 8, 1974
My name is Dr. Condlct Moore. I am a Professor of Surgery and the Director of the Cancer Center at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
I received my B.A. from Princeton and my M.D. from Columbia University. I served my internship in Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn 1942-1943.
Following service in the United States Navy, 1943-1946, I completed residencies in:
St, Luke Hospital, New York City (Pathology) 1946-1947 Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn (Surgery) 1947-1949 Memorial Hospital, New York (Resident & Fellow in Surgery) 1949-1952
I was certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1952 and, that same year, joined the faculty of the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Following a series of appointments at the Medical School relating to Pathology, Tumors, Cancer, and Surgery, I was made full Professor of Surgery (Oncology) in 1969. In addition, in 1972 I was appointed Director, Cancer Center, University of Louisville Health Science Center. My complete Curriculum Vitae is attached.
For the past two years a group of senior faculty members of the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville has been organizing the Cancer Center as a new interdepartmental, multidisciplinary organizational unit and functional focus of effort within the faculty of the University. This Cancer Center effort has gained much impetus from a historically strong University effort in the cancer field and from considerable consultative and financial support from the Cancer Centers office of the National Cancer Institute. The Cancer Center has begun an effective direction of effort, created a productive unit among the various faculties and schools of the University that has mobilized many different disciplines and enabled them to mount multi-departmental approaches to various specific tasks, both in terms of clinical and research cancer matters.
When, in January and February of this year (1974), it became apparent that the relatively large numbers of cases of angiosarcoma of the liver dis covered in Louisville PVC workers of B.F.Goodrich would demand considerable clinical care and consultation and research investigation, the Director of the Cancer Center and the Cancer Center Steering Committee made some
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inquiries of Dr. John Creech, B.F.Goodrich Plant Physician, and Dr. Laszlo Makk, pathologist at St. Anthony Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky, who had been handling the clinical management of the affected workers. These inquiries were aimed at finding whether the University Medical School could be of help in any consultative or investigative way to the medical department of the B.F.Goodrich plant in Louisville. This struck a responsive chord, since Dr. Creech had been exploring with representatives of the Company the various possibilities of obtaining expert consultation and help in pursuing, managing and studying the problem which appeared to be of industry-wide and nationwide importance. Thus the two organizations, simultaneously, mutually sought out each other. The University was seeking to carry out its responsibilities for community health as well as seeking support for much needed research; the B.F.Goodrich Company was looking for clinical assistance and sophisticated scientific and academic guidance in medical surveillance and in medical consultation. Therefore, an agreement was reached within several weeks whereby the B.F.Goodrich Company would supply the University with funds through the Cancer Center organization to carry out a three-point program over a period of one year to eighteen months. The three points of this program consist of the following:
1. A medleal surveillance program in which a clinical team from the University would formally screen, with specially designed questionnaires and complete physical examinations, all employees of the B.F.Goodrich plant, under the supervision of a new, unique specialist, a hepatologist, who would be added to the faculty to be the director of the program. With his help a revised protocol of laboratory testing would be instituted on all employees. Medical consultation and help would be provided from a panel of university specialists whenever required.
We are particularly interested in developing an improved protocol, since there has been consensus here and in the medical community that the current protocol is simply not discriminating enough nor sufficiently predictive.
As a further protocol problem. Dr. Johnson has Informed us that Goodrich, in applying the SMA 12 to young applicants for employment, the test rejects an abnormally high number of young people who obviously are generally healthy and have had no VCM exposure.
2. The second area of commitment consists in establishing, with the help of a new epidemiologist and staff, a registry for all cases of diagnosed or suspected vinyl chloride-associated disease occurring at the plant in Louisville, a registry designed with the capability of being expanded throughout the industry, and open to participation by other companies.
3. The third part of the agreement was that the University would begin a University-wide, basic research program designed to study the toxic and disease-producing effects of vinyl chloride and related compounds, a program to be monitored by intramural and extramural scientific review committees.
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In short, we are addressing ourselves to finding out what vinyl chloride and related compounds will do to the human body, how we can predict pathological effects, how we can properly take care of people who have already had disease-producing exposures, and how to prevent other workers from getting a dangerous level of exposure.
The agreement was signed within the past month. Progress to date has consisted of the appointment of an outstanding hepatologist who will be on site within two months and who will make periodic visits within the next two months to help organize the program without delay. A team of clinicians has been formed and plans have been made in the medical department of the Louisville plant of the B.F.Goodrich Company to perform physicals and complete medical histories, and special questionnaires on all employees beginning July 1. This special clinical study should be completed by the middle of August. Input into the design of the questionnaire and the physical examination has been secured from numerous individuals in a variety of disciplines both within the institution and from the outside. Contact has been made with the several national and federal agencies Interested in this problem, including the National Cancer Institute, NIOSH, and EPA. Representatives of these organizations have visited Louisville and been apprised of our plans. The long-range aspect of this program is periodic re-examination, re-study and careful follow-up on all previous, present and future employees. In the area of registry establishment, a person accomplished in epidemiology and biostatistics has been employed to begin work by the end of July in the design of various studies. In this regard we plan to draw upon the talents of Dr. E. Cuyler Hannond, Vice President and epidemiologist-statistician of the American Cancer Society in New York City, who has agreed to be consultant to our program. He has visited Louisville and consulted at length with company statisticians and with our multidisciplinary groups at the University.
In the area of basic research, 17 research proposals have been received and reviewed by special survey and review committees within the University. After a series of critical analyses, seven proposals have been funded at relatively low levels of funding to stimulate small pilot studies in the approved areas of research. We hope these will lead to larger studies with funding from other sources within the next year. These projects Include the study of the value of electron spin resonance variations in detecting angiosarcoma and other changes In tissues exposed to vinyl chloride; the possible interaction between vinyl chloride and viral RNA or reverse transcriptase; electron microscopic studies of diseased liver tissue available to the University research group; measurements of sinus blood flow and Kuppfer cell function as a possible guide to early liver damage and malignant transformation; liver-specific studies looking for these as indicators of chronic vinyl chloride exposure; and the use of mutagenicity experiments to indicate carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride and its related compounds or their metabolites.
We expect to have mast aspects of this three-part program fully under way within the next year; that is, thorough, formal medical screening of all of the employees of the B.F.Goodrich plant in Louisville, a skeleton registry of vinyl chloride-exposed individuals begun so that it can be expanded and added to, and some indication of*which pilot studies in basic research are worthy of further larger funding and more intensive pursuit in the laboratory.
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