Document bQ1a0m0YDv19br8B3mvE9byy

CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION April 21, 1987 Dar Vinyl Chloride Panel Meabers: In his January 30, 1987 letter, Dr. Bill Gaffey discussed a course of action the Panel can take in response to the final report "An Update of an Epideallogic Study of Vinyl Chloride Workers." In the report, the Environmental Health Associates identified 37 deaths from liver and biliary cancers. Only 15 of these 37 were diagnosed as angiosarcoaa on the death certificates. . Two plausible explanations for this finding are: 1) vinyl chloride causes liver and biliary cancers other than angiosarcoaa, or 2) the deaths were due to angiosarcomas that were misdiagnosed as other liver and biliary cancers. Dr. Gaffey feels that undertaking a case control study would not provide the information necessary to resolve this issue. A copy of Dr. Gaffeys's letter is enclosed for your ready reference. As mentioned in ay February 17 letter, I contacted Dr. Ishak of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology to explore the possibility of AFIP undertaking a study to confirm the types of liver tumors that are identified as angiocarcomas and other liver and biliary tract tumors In the EHA final report. AFIP has agreed to review the liver and biliary cancer death cases at no cost to CMA, if we provide the tissue samples or slides froa these cases. (See enclosed letter from AFIP). After receipt of the AFIP letter, I contacted Dr. Otto Wong at EHA for a proposal to collect the histopathologic material for submission to AFIP. EHA's proposal is enclosed for your review. Please note that EHA proposes to bill CMA on a time and material basis. I anticipate the final cost to be around $15,000 rather than the $5,629 estimated in the EHA proposal. The Panel currently has approximately $50,000 in its account and therefore can undertake the study proposed in Dr. Gaffey's letter without additional financial commitment. Please complete the enclosed commitment form to indicate your decision for or against undertaking the proposed study and return it to me by May 15, 1987. Sincerely, Has Shah, Ph.D. Manager Vinyl Chloride Program CMA 021173 Formerly Manufacturing Chemists Association--Serving the Chemical Industry Since 1872. 2501 M Street, NW Washington. DC 20037 Telephone 202/887-1100 Telex 89617 (CMA WSH) CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION VINYL CHLORIDE RESEARCH PROGRAM Commitment Form My company agrees to undertake the study proposed in Dr. William Gaffey's letter of January 30, 1987. I understand that the study will be completed from the existing funds and no additional financial commitment will be required. My company does not agree to undertake the study proposed in Dr. Gaffey's letter. Management Contact Name (Signed) Name (Typed) Title Company Address Panel Renresentative Name (Signed) Name (Typed) Title Company 4 Address Telephone Telephone Telecopier Number Telecopier Number Please return the completed form by May 15. 1987 to: Has Shah, Ph.D. Chemicgl Manufacturers Association 2501 f!*Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 CMA 021174