Document a4bJ6rpdaDvYGvQEX3J0yrQYM

Monsanto from (name,location,phone): Terry L. Leet, A2SL, 4-8845 date: January 20, 1992 subject: reference: TO: Paradichlorobenzene Study Worker Notification Letter Thomas Blank - 1740 Kevin Cahill - G4WD Patrick Conner - A3NB James Downes - G4WR Barry Friedlander - A3NA Max McCombs - G4WT Edward McCormick - 1740 Greg Penny - G5NL cc: James Collins - A2SL Garth Fort - G4WT Attached is the first draft of the worker notification letter that we agreed to send to former Monsanto employees who were included in the original p-dichlorobenzene (PDCB) epidemiology study. With the exception of the last paragraph, the letter is very similar to the version that was printed in the Krummrich newsletter a few months ago. Please review and return your comments to me by Friday, January 31. The epidemiology group will assume responsibility for mailing the worker notification letter and tracking whether letters were successfully delivered. Once this is completed, we will share with you how successful we were in contacting former Monsanto employees about the PDCB epidemiology study. Meanwhile, we are obtaining addresses for former PDCB-exposed employees and are using the Monsanto payroll and pension files. Health Care Finance Administration and retail credit agencies to complete this task. We estimate sending letters to approximately 200 retirees and 200 terminated employees from the study. DSW 134230 STLCOPCB4034188 santo Monsanto Company 800 N. Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis. Missouri 63167 Phone: (314) 694-1000 ENVIRONMENT. SAFETY & HEALTH DRAFT January 20, 1992 name of employee street address city, state zipcode Dear Mr. employee's last name: In 1987, the Monsanto Department of Medical and Health Sciences began a study of employees at the W.G. Krummrich plant who were exposed to paradichlorobenzene (PDCB) to determine if any adverse health effects resulted from that exposure. Based on the preliminary results from this study, Monsanto employees exposed to PDCB do not show any exposure-related health effects. However, the Department of Medical and Health Sciences plans to continue the study by expanding the number of workers. This will provide additional information on effects of PDCB exposure. So far, the study examined the causes of death for production workers who worked in Department 224 between 1946 and 1975. This examination included approximately 650 present and former employees who have been successfully traced. Based on company employment records, you were included in the study. Preliminary study results show the employees exposed to PDCB have a lower death rate than the general population. There were 211 deaths among the employees. Using the population of St. Clair County, Illinois for reference, there would have been 247 deaths expected. The number of deaths from all forms of cancer, accidents, and diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems were either the same or fewer than expected for a group of this size. There were five deaths in the study group from leukemia, which is one form of cancer. While this is somewhat more than expected, the leukemia does not appear to be related to PDCB exposure because (1) several different types of leukemia were involved, (2) the leukemia rate did not increase with higher PDCB exposures, and (3) the increase was not statistically significant. DSW L34231 STLCOPCB4034189 B.R. Friedlander - DRAFT 01/20/92 page 2 The expanded study will include approximately 1,000 present and former employees exposed to PDCB at the Krummrich plant between 1941 and 1989, including the 1946-1975 group reviewed earlier. The 1941-1989 period encompasses the years of highest PDCB exposure for Monsanto employees, including those who worked in die building where PDCB blocks were manufactured. The expanded study will also include a more detailed exposure assessment for PDCB and other workplace chemicals to evaluate exposure-response relationships. It will provide additional information on whether PDCB exposure has any effect on the health of workers. It is estimated that the expanded study will be completed in August, 1992. The results, will be shared with you and will also be submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. We do not believe that any individual medical action is necessary, based on the findings of the study. However, those who want further information may contact Patrick Conner, M.D., in the Department of Medical and Health Sciences. Please call Dr. Conner collect at 314-694-8807. Sincerely, Barry R. Friedlander, M.D. Director, Medical and Health Sciences DSW 134232 STLCOPCB4034190