Document bBwz89wQZDJ1ok7yL4aoO87bZ

SHANGHAI HEALTH STUDY Overview Purpose: To gain an accurate understanding of the true relationship between benzene exposure and the risk of certain hematopoietic diseases. This study is an important element in the product stewardship programs of participating companies. It can also lead to improved benzene-driven, health-based regulatory (e.g., ambient air, water & occupational) standards worldwide, by providing the regulatory and scientific communities with information for more accurate assessment of the risks from exposure to benzene. A unique set of circumstances exists at this point in time in Shanghai to conduct meaningful benzene research. These include a database of occupational exposures in a different regulatory environment, and willing and qualified co-investigators influential in local scientific medical, and regulatory establishments. Therefore, questions that have plagued benzene health risk assessment for decades appear to be answerable in Shanghai. The Studies: The program involves three inter-related studies: Case-Control Study - A hospital-based case control study investigating the potential relationship between benzene exposure and both Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), including an attempt to quantify the potency of benzene for the AML response. Disease Progression Study - A hospital/clinic-based investigation of the relationship between non-cancer diseases of the bone marrow and AML (cancer) to determine if effects on bone marrow progress through non-cancer stages to an ultimate leukemia. This study is also attempting to define the shape of the dose response for possible "precursor" diseases and could result in characterization of unique identifiers of benzene-induced AML. Molecular Epidemiology Study - Investigating if there is a quantitative relationship between benzene exposure and potential early indicators of both exposure and effect in a focused population of workers. The investigators are leading experts in their fields, coming from such well-known institutions as the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Fudan University Medical Center. The combined studies apply cutting-edge, 21 st century technologies in ways that will not only advance our understanding of benzene-induced disease, but may also identify potential prevention strategies for benzene-induced disease in individuals. Benefits: Information gained from this project will have a direct relevance for worldwide regulatory standards designed to protect workers and the general population from benzeneinduced disease. These include air and water quality standards, as well as hazardous waste and site remediation standards. These studies will assist contributing companies in achieving the highest product stewardship goals and in oversight of their risk management programs. Challenges: The proposed studies meet several technical, ethical, and cultural/political challenges. Technical - In order to stand up to scientific scrutiny, studies must be large, well-managed, and incorporate the latest technology. State-of-the-art research is absolutely necessary to make real progress in developing sound benzene risk assessments. To that end, a Scientific Review Panel made up of leading experts from a number of fields relevant to these studies has reviewed and endorsed the research protocols. Additionally, the protocols have been reviewed by Use of Human Subjects Committees (IRB) both in the US and China. November 13,2003 - 1- SH ELL-MCCLU RG-055955 SHANGHAI HEALTH STUDY Overview Ethical - To address the ethical issues, the study protocols have all undergone a thorough analysis to ensure that they meet international standards for research involving humans, including that the subjects and participating communities benefit from participating in the study; that confidentiality is preserved, and that researchers are working with local regulatory authorities to improve worker safety. An Ethics Panel is part of the oversight for the project and includes a Chinese bioethicist. Cultural/Political - A key to this program's success is local partnerships. Collaborators on these studies include researchers from the Medical School at Fudan University, the Institute for Public Health Supervision, and the Shanghai Municipal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the latter two are responsible for occupational exposure monitoring and enforcement in Shanghai). Funding: Funding for the project is being provided by a consortium of interested stakeholders, with shares determined by the size of the benzene related operations of the contributing organization. The funding formula was devised based on the assumption that most of the support will come from the petroleum and petrochemical industries. It is anticipated to take five years to complete the project, and that the costs are highest in the first years of the project. For More Information: Please contact anyone of the following individuals. Don Burnett Patrick Beatty Myron Harrison Chris Roythorne Lorraine Twerdok Bruce Jarnot BP ChevronTexaco ExxonMobil BP API API burnettdm@lbp.com patrickbeattv@chevrontexaco.com mvron.c.harrison@exxonmobil.com chris.roythorne@uk.bp.com twerdokl@aQi.org iarnotb@aQi.org + 1 630-420-5093 + 1 510-242-7037 + 1 972-444-1673 + 44 (0)2074964126 + 1 202-682-8344 + 1 202-682-8473 November 13,2003 -2 - SH ELL-MCCLU RG-055956