Document aJd62qKgkzBOp0gd2mmN7xVMX

(a INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM j&5 ghtarf tI . VV -r ~ "I V, "" 1 August 1978______ OSHA Suspect Carcinogen Inventory To From, C. E. Blades D. R. Hartter Adnlnlstration (LACitkon. Ortaniution. or OoMrtmont) Nitration Products (LKtUM. Or(lniUUn, r (MHfVlWiI) cc: A. J. EHgllo H. U Harwell A. T. Katsaros/P E. Zecchlnl/2.8 Toxicity - DNT J. C. Novak R. L. Plester/T. V. Ptllltterl/2.8 OSHA W. T. Rector R. H. Schenck W. M. Smith J. T. Wharton T. E. Whyte The OSHA suspect carcinogen Inventory referred to In the attached C & EN article was published on 10 July. Review of this "preliminary list" which contains 269 Category 1 chemicals, 218 Category II chemicals, and 396 Category III chemicals, reveals that TDA 1$ on the Category II list and DNT Is not Included on any list. Given that these chemicals have been grouped using the original OSHA Category definitions, I question our basis for ever assuming that TDA would fall into Category I. DRH/cjf Attachment D- R. Hartter (320) AP00047845 Chemical, up 15%. Smaller gains oc- rurred for W. R. Grace, up 6*%; Union Carbide, up 4% (regaining the plus mluznn a quarter earlier than it in dicated in recent forecast*);: and American Cyanouid. up 1%. On the other side of the profit* ipectrum. some of the drops ran much deeper percentagewise than did the largest ains. Unfavorable earn ing comparisons with second -quarter 1977, some influenced by one-time factors, are reported by Ethyl Corp., down 2%; Olin, down 69s; Monsanto and Texasgulf, down 7%: Diamond Shamrock, down 25%: Allied Chemi cal, down 43%; and fertilizer-plagued First Mississippi, down 51%. Chemical product lines showed the same wide variability in performance as did these profits figures in the second quarter. The most diversified chemical companies reflect this patchwork performance in their summarise. For example, Celanese president, John D. Macomber, points to unproved performance in inter national fibers, U.S. cellulosic fibers, worldwide plastics, and worldwide polymer specialties. However, earn ings slipped in U.S. polyester and nylon fibers and in worldwide chem icals. At Union Carbide, strong first- half 1978 sales gains came in specialty products, gases and related products, and batteries and borne and auto motive products. Metals and carbon sales went up at about the same 11% rate as did the company's overall soles. But chemicals and plastics soles just held even with first-half 1977. Industrywide, major product lines showing better earnings than a year ago in the second quarter were fibers, excepting textile types, many plastics, pesticides, and many specialty lines. `The earnings results in large-volume basic chemicals were very mixed, with notable weak spots such as chlorine and caustic soda, an important group mentioned by several large producers. At the bottom was fertilizer, which disappointed all producers. After this generally improved but still hard-won profits standoff in the second quarter, chemical companies have no illusions about the rest of 1978. Executives are uniformly cau tious. Observes Monsanto chairman John W. Hanley, "In general, the operational results for the first six months of 1978 were acceptable. We anticipate that we may he operating in a somewhat more difficult eco nomic environment over the balance of the year with uncertainties in cluding unresolved matters of the federal government's approach to tax policy, inflation, and energy policy. Despite these factors, 1978 continues to shupe up as another satisfactory year for Monsanto." Dow tests clear A study of a large number of male methylene chloride employees exposed to up to 135 ppm methylene chloride for up to 30 year* at Eastman Kodak in Rochester. Methylene chloride is neither muta N.Y., shows lower mortality rate genic nor a human carcinogen, ac among exposed persons than for the cording toanolvsisof a two-year ani population of the state. Death rate mal study by Dow Chemical and a from cancer and heart disease among human occupational exposure study these persons also was lower than that at Eastman Kodak. These findings of the state population. Kodak is re could encourage continued growth in luctant to discuss details of the study, the use of methylene chloride in pending publication in a peer-re- aerosol propellant*, flexible urethane viewed journal. foam-blowing agents, paint strippers, A similar study of employees ex metal cleaners, rapidly drying paints posed to methylene chloride at Cei- and adhesives, brush cleaners, and anese Fibers Co.'s Rock Hill, S.C.. food and spice extractants. plant is still in progress. Dow indus In the Dow study, nearly 2000 rata trial hygienists who are assisting and hamsters were exposed to atmo Celanese in carrying out the study say spheres containing 0, 500,1500. and that preliminary* results show no ad 3o00 ppm methylene chloride, six verse health effects. hours per day, five days per week. At These encouraging findings to date the end of six months, animal cell may help methylene chloride to re samples were analyzed for chromo cover ground lost in 1977. Industry* somal damage. At the end of the ani sources attribute a 12% drop in pro mals' Livee, bodies were autopsied and duction from 1976 levels to increased slides of tissues examined. solvent reclamation efforts by user*, No greater number of tumors was a tripling of imports, and a falloff in found in experimental than in control exports. Strong growth of the U.S. Soups of hamsters. The rats, which economy may produce an increase of ive a tendency to develop sponta 17% to 553 million lb for 1978. neous mammary tumors, were found to have an excess number of benign tumors in the experimental groups but not of malignant tumors. Com pany scientists escribe the excess Chemical carcinogens list released by OSHA number of benign tumors to meta bolic stress. Exposed rats suffered As promised several weeks ago, the liver effects, but company spokes- Occupational Safety & Health Ad parsons say that these were not severe ministration has released a prelimi enough to shorten animals' lives, and nary fist of chemicals classified ac severity did not progress between the cording to the system the agency 18th and 24th month*. No evidence of proposed last year for regulating chromosomal aberrations was found cancer-causing substances in the in cell samples taken after six workplace. Lengthy public hearings months. on the proposal are now being con ducted and it was at these hearings *r, t y- i- ii* %: f" t Cr rt i 5- r In a sense there are no suprises on i the list because it is based on sub stances listed in the 1976 edition of the National Institute for Occupa tional Safety & Health's inventory* of suspected carcinogens. The list was t t l prepared for OSHA by Clement As sociates, a Washington, D.C., con sulting firm hired to conduct a pre i liminary review and categorization of substances in the NIOSH Inventory thatare found in U.S. work places. The Clement list places 269 chem-_ i i icals in QSH.Vs Category I. which is j s'^ t~ comprised of substances that are i ~ ` confirmed carcinogens based on human data or on tests in two mam* | mahan ep*rfjr* flf>* tn^ri^-T if ^ P tho^e results have been rewlicatw. i-istecl in Category I are chemicals such as acetamide, benzene, carlxn tetrachloride, chloroform, tannic acid, July24, ISraCXEM T AP00047846 t and trichloroethylene; minerals such as asbestos, beryllium, chromium, Hoechst narrows focus iron ore. and nickel: and drugs such as of research efforts daunomyctn, estradiol, and proges terone. The Category I list a (so contains a Hoechst A.G. will be concentrating its research efforts on jus t & few a rem number of sulistanees, such os various nitrotamine compounds, that are of special concern to the chemical in dustry. Although the substances themselves are not commercial products, they may appear in trace amounts as contaminants in com mercial products. Under OSHA's proposed policy, there will be no ex in the near future. Dr. Klaus Weisserrael, director of research of the West German chemical company, I told a press conference in New York City last week. The areas deceiving the greatest R&D push over the next few years are pharmaceuticals, plant protection and animal nutrition, reprography technology, and fine clusion for contaminants present in trace quantities, as there is in most OSHA regulations. Thus, if the car cinogen policy proposal becomes final chemicals. The biggest R&D spending will go to pharmaceuticals. Weissertnel pre dicts that this area, which makes up in its present form, commercial about 16% of Hoechst's sales, will re products that contain only traces of ceive about 39% of the company's Category I substances might have to $454 million research budget. ba regulated and handled as con According to Weissermel. these firmed carcinogens. areas of concentration may shift be ^ The list also places 21S chemicals In OSHA*s Category U. comprising cause of changing strengths within Hoechst. However, the total research subs^nces whose carcinpeequpnv >]a* basis of emotion and politics than budget will not change verv much. been reported but for which the evb science.'* Weissermel predicts that it will rise cence is on iv suggestive, or is positive Whelan, author of "Panic in the only 4 to 5% over the next year--just ifrbmeednmrevpolincea,tespde. cIpiecsIuaiTmI in Cjaataetgsosryi Pantry," a book about food additives, and a frequent critic of what she enough to keep pace with inflation. Hoechst'a research budget, set at a Ii are substances such as fert-butyl considers to be scare stories about percentage of sales, is higher than peroxide, ethanol, methyl hv; chemicals and health, declared. "The that of most U.S. chemical com rjphthtlrg^i petroleum, vtol consumer advocates have dominated, panies- The figure io 1977 was about -diamino^and xyleno). and federal regulatory agencies have 4.1%, compared to an average of Jateeorv III has 396 substances succumbed to their pressure and about 2.6% for U.S. companies. with nr. nr at most, meager. evTcTgnce banned or restricted use of a number However, Hoechst's R&D as a per -of rarrinnyeme rik. of chemicals. Only rarely are the cent of sales figure probably will slip Qip, In re_le_a_s_i_n_v____ ----______ ___ voices of more rational scientists if the company insists on keeping the phaatzea that it is not intendedTobe heard in discussions relating to budget at its present level in terms of a^lhitlisL" OiHA says it is providing chemicals and health.'* Whelan is constant dollars, which will happen if 1 the list at this time because of nu executive director of the council and it is raised only in keeping with, the merous requests to do so and because a member of its board of directors. inflation rate. Although sales dropped it may serve as a basis for drawing up Also named as directors of the from 1976 to 1977, mainly because of criteria on how the agency could de council are Dr. Frederick J. Stare, lagging fiber sal-.-, this situation likely cide priorities for regulating the professor oT nutrition at Harvard; wilt not continue. If sales increase chemicals on the list. Joseph F. Murphy, executive vice more than inflation, the R&D per president of Continental Corp. (for centage will begin to Ua. merly Continental Can); Dr. Thomas In areas of research other than she Scientists form group to inform consumers H. Jukes, professor of medical physics four which were emphasized, Weisat the University of California, sermel says that Hoechst is doing Berkeley; and Nobel Laureate Nor more work in fire retardant materials. man E. Borlaug, now aresearcher at Last year the company introduced an A new group, the American Council the International Maize & Wheat inherently flame resistant polyes on Science & Health, calling itself "a Improvement Center in Mexico ter--Trevira 271 (C&EN, Oct. 31, new type of consumer advocate," has City. 1977, page f). Weissermel told the been formed to "combat the chemical The council's motives, however, do press conference that Hoechst is also phobia now rampant across the not go unchallenged. Dr. Sidney working on flame retardant polyole* country.'* Composed largely of uni Wolfe, director of the Health Re fins using chlorobromide for fire ree versity scientists including a number search Croup, a Ralph Nader affili lstancy, and polyamides using phos from Harvard University, the group ate, claims that manv of Whelan's phors. insists that it intends to remain fi previous statements about chemicals Another new development by nancially free from the food and and cancer have suspiciously sup Hoechst Is an auto exhaust catalyst chemical industries. ported industry positions. The that usee iwnnwoim,^ meteis ir***e^d Ata press conference in Washing council. Woilesays, "is probably more of ihe precious metals used in U.S.- ton, D.C., last week. Dr. Elisabeth M. interested in the health of the food produced catalysts. The catalyst that Whelan, a research worker at the additive industry... than it is in the Hoechst b working on can be used Harvard School of Public Health, said health of the public." Wolfe and HRG with leaded or unleaded gas. C&EN that the group has been set up be have been instrumental in pressing has learned that in the U.S., Ford cause "facts nbout chernicaLs are often for tighter federal regulation of footI Motor Co. is interested in the new distorted, the whole story not told, additives, artificial food colors, and catalyst, which probably will cost less and decisions are made more on the prescription drugs. to produce than existing catalysts.0 s C4EN July 24, 197 .1 j^* -j ii j \ 3 1 AP00047847