Document ba3LLNaowJ9j4rLyJKZX48awy

CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION Record of Meeting of the Vinyl Chloride Program Panel Place: Lobby Conference Room Date: January 27, 1982 Time: 9:00 A.M. Attendance Members Present Ted R. Torkelson, Chairman S.P. Tai (for C. Wen) Owen H. Kittilstad Vance L. Kirkland Flynt Kennedy R .Nick Wheeler, Jr. Eugene Skiest Jerry Lynch Maurice N. Johnson Ted J. Benya Robert Laundrie Zeb G. Bell Dow Chemical USA Gulf Oil Chemicals Company Certain Teed Corporation Shell Oil Company Conoco Inc. Union Carbide Corporation Borden, Inc. Exxon Chemical Americas BF Goodrich Company Ethyl Corporation General Tire and Rubber Company PPG Industries Inc. Carol R. Stack CMA Staff Members Absent John T. Barr William Gaffey Walter Harris D.H. Hunter C .A . Johnson P.E. Roggi John Semancik Mitchell Zavon Air Products Monsanto Company Uniroyal Chemical Company Tenneco Chemicals Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Stauffer Chemical Company Diamond Shamrock Corporation Hooker Chemical Company 1.0 Financial Review A recent financial statement for the epidemiology study update was reviewed (see attached). The Panel.presently has $303,000 in authorized funds for the total program. It is now proposed that the study be conducted in two phases and that a separate contract be drawn up for each phase. The cost estimate for Phase I (data collection and preparation for follow-up) is $99,000. Phase II (follow-up, analysis, and report preparation) is estimated to cost $120,000; however, this figure may increase or decrease depending on the outcome of Phase I. CMA 100934 For Distribution by CMA SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIVISION Ref. Mn. C-hior>d<L Date___zJjCllZr I s 2- - The Panel approved conduct of the study in two phases. This approach should alleviate contractual difficulties with Environmental Health Associates (EHA). 2.0 Review of EHA Proposal The Panel reviewed the most recent (December 1981) EHA proposal and suggested the following: 1) The original cohort should not be changed to include individuals inadvertantly excluded or delete persons incorrectly included. 2) The follow-up should extend through 12/31/80 if possible. Clarification is also needed on the question of whether or not EHA will pursue follow-up on persons whose work histories cannot be updated. The value of proceeding with the study update at this time was discussed. About 400 more deaths are expected and the industry will have the opportunity to pursue the associations observed in the original study. It is not expected that all questions will be answered but useful information will be gained. At the end of Phase I, the size of the cohort (dependent on the number of people that can be identified in the original cohort) and the approximate number of deaths will be known. At that time a decision can be made as to whether or not to proceed with Phase II. The Panel unanimously agreed to proceed with Phase I at the estimated cost of $99,000 (less $11,495 paid for completed tasks). 3.0 University of Louisville Study The final report from the University of Louisville study is long overdue and attempts by Drs. Torkelson and Stack to clarify the situation with the principal investigator, Dr. Carlo Tamburro, were unsuccessful. Subsequently, a letter written by Mr. Patrick Joyce, CMA staff attorney, to the University administration was responded to by Mr. X.J. Musacchia, Dean of the Graduate School.. Mr. Musacchia's letter provided assurances that the final report will be submitted to CMA on or about May 1, 1982. 4.0 Beaumont and Breslow Publication The Panel discussed what action should be taken on an article by Beaumont and Breslow titled "Power Considerations in Epidemiologic Studies of Vinyl Chloride Workers" published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (1981, Vol. 114). It was decided that the article should be critiqued by a prominent epidemiologist. The matter will be brought to the attention of an established SPI committee that reviews published reports of this type. A00935 CMA -3- 5 * EPA Update Dr. Torkeison mentioned that EPA had plans to update a 1975 assessment by Kuzmack and McGoway of angiosarcoma risk to populations living near vinyl chloride production plants. In the original study, no excess was found and there appeared to be no neighborhood connection. The update is presently a low priority item at EPA. 6.0 Canadian Epidemiology Study Mention was made of a study by Theriault and Allard of vinyl chloride workers in Shawinigan, Quebec. Results, published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine, showed a reduced incidence of lung cancer and no excess of other diseases. 7.0 Anarosarcoma Registry Dr. John Stafford of ICI Petrochemicals has continued to keep the ICI Registry of Liver Angiosarcoma Cases up to date. The registry presently includes 95 cases. No new cases have surfaced recently and it appears that the situation may have peaked. 8 .0 SPI Review Dr. Torkeison reported that SPI has available a British review by Dr. Crosby on the flammability of PVC. 9.0 Computerized VC File Daniel Boyd Associates has a computerized file on vinyl chloride publications available for use by SPI members. Dr. Boyd's group will search the file by subject upon request. The question was asked if the file was used and if it was kept up to date. Members of the Panel will inquire. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 A.M. Subject to Approval. Carol R. Stack, Ph.D. Administrator Vinyle Chloride Program CMA 100936