Document bB1DG1d3R6bOR3yyV08qYep6D

UCC 096913 CUT THIS 1INE ve> LIFELINES' 1. CAJflfeHEAtTH AND SAFETY NEWS 0.10 ^Ofc. IBMKlan . 1981 1 *AHouihy Envtronmsnl OemaodsoHMHhy Worfcptaoi Brain Cancer in Petrochemical W rk rs Brain cancers among workers in the petrochemical industry was the subject of a two-day conference October 27-29 spon sored by the New York Academy of Sciences. At the conference* researchers reported on a number of studies of various plants in Texas and Louisiana which show almost a iwo-foM increase ia brain cancer deaths among workers lima would be expected. Clues to Jobs and Brain Cancers Aluminum Workers Lead Smeller Workers OB Refinery Workers Petrochemical Workeve Babbit Workers Vinyl CMarUt Worker* Following are some of I be specific studies diansisfB at the conference OCAW Oil Werkart The National Cancer Institute, ia eooperalion with OCAW and the National Institute of Occupational Safety aad Health (NIOSH) expanded its study of OCAW active deaths in include retirees. NCI researcher Terry Thomas, reported that lhere were 27 deaths among active and retired members from malignant brain tumors at the three Texas refineries studied, In each of the ihrce refineries; Teuco, Port Arthur* Gulf, Port Arthur* and Mobil, Bcaumoni, TX., ihere was a two-fold excess of brain lumor dealhs among active union members. By looking carefully at 14 cases of brain cancer reported by NCI in its first siudy, ihere were ihrec employment categories here at least four brain cancen were recorded These are: Motor some second-step refiningoperations such as babe oils* puafTin wax* and some solvents; Maintenance and Labor* end Receipt and Movement* which covers pumping stations, ship aad truck loading and unloading and all processes necessary to move crude and products from one point to another However, ell of the brain cancer cases need to be evaluated in depth before staking any conclusions aboni job categories. OCAW is currently attempting to obtain the informa tion needed from the three companies, In aoolher study of OCAW members working at tbc Amoco and Marathon ptani* in Texas Ciiy, NIOSH and NCI researchers found tentative evidence of a two-fold increased nsk of brain and skin cancers compared to the normal population. The study group was u>o small to give conclusive statistical results Other plants in the area reported on at the conference included: Union Carbide* Texas Cuy. where OSHA/NIOSH scientists found the incidence of brain cancers twice that of the eurroundiag community; Dow Chemi cal, Freepprt, TX., with a possible two-fold excess incidence of tumors, and a atudy of Operating Engineers employed at Dow, Freeport; Cities Service* Lake Charles* La ; and two Union Carbide plants in Texas City* which also showed an excess brain cancer risk. What Do** It Maan? Tbs Ngnfflesore of al Ihm reports of extern brain cancen Is that the people afflicted did work In the petrocWaihsI industry* aad Ihere hs a poaslbdly Hut aometUng In fee working eaHroaneal ef these plants may csnlilbaU lo 0m cancen. Since the working cnvtronmmi a the strongest link in all the cancers, ii sukes sense lo look carefully at each case of bum cancer and sec where the victims worked, what the exposures were during the working lifetime and find oat if there were common exposures. Thu ii what OCA W is stlemptingiodoti followup to the initial findings of ike NCI among OCAW members te oil refineries -- find out more about each brain cjikct cue to find the common links. Not everyone, however, thinks lhat brain cancers are a problem in the pelrocheaical industry Industry h countering with its own stud mi showing there it noexcess cancer nsk in tbc industry. A good example of bow industry works b the Gulf Ofl study reported on st dr conference which showed no excess risk among workers at (he aame plant where the NCI dM ditonr a two-foM rfct. Why were there each different results from a study of the same plaatT Number*. The GaVOflstwfj Included a much larger group ef workers, not just Iboee In production, but abo secretaries and engInsets and other office people, people wbn were not Hfcety lo suffer exposure to toxic substances. When yon have a larger group, Iht results are diluted and the eiceasea may be concealed.