Document bq0DKZKg2LZKmvNge5J8eky0

Or. N. L. Zutty, Dr. R. J. Kerr, NYO-32 etc. On January 23, 1974, B. F. Goodrich Company announced that they had had three suspected occupational deaths from liver angiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels) at their Louisville, Kentucky Vinyl Chloride Resin Plant. A fourth death earlier from diagnosed liver cancer was being studied. The men involved were generally long-service (20-year average) production operators. Angiosarcoma is a very rare type cancer with only about 20 cases per year recorded in the entire United States; therefore, these cases occurring in one area in men of the same occupation was con sidered statistically significant. Animal inhalation atudiee with relatively high concentrations of vinyl chloride monomer over long periods have shown that cancer develops in livers and kidneys as well as in certain other areas. B. F. Goodrich has employed Tabershaw-Cooper Associates as consultants in study of the problem and has reported the suspected deaths to the State of Kentucky and to the National institute of Safety and Health. RNWJr/ra 1/29/74 ucc 005007 2. The announcement of three possible work-connected cancer deaths by B. F. Goodrich Company is potentially very serious for the vinyl chloride resin industry* The classification of vinyl chloride as a carcinogen could lead to restrictions on human exposure that would make manufacture and use of these valuable resins prohibitively expensive. To date, however, preliminary re sults from an industry-sponsored MCA epidemiological study covering 4,400 workers plus Union Carbide's own extensive medical record indicate that the problem is confined to B, F. Goodrich's Louisville plant. Until there is evidence to the contrary. Union Carbide will act based on the following precepts t 1* There may be an occupational health problem related to worker exposure to vinyl chloride monemer. 2. Vinyl resins supplied by UCC for coatings and for organosol uses contain no measurable amounts of free monomer. Other vinyl resins contain such a small amount of t free vinyl monomer as to be innocuous in the r^sin use* Vinyl resins have been shown to be very inert in aninial metabolism. The potential human hasard will now, however, be ignored. Union Carbide Corporation reaffirms its participation and leadership in the following aroast i tr UCC 005008 1. Industry-sponsored research programs administered by the Manufacturing Chemists Association. 2. Employee medical surveillance and industrial hygiene ranks high in the industry and is being continually upgraded. 31 Employee exposure to vinyl chloride monomer is minimised as a safety policy. 4. Governmental agencies concerned with health safety and environment are receiving wholehearted support and cooperation. RNWJr/ra 1/29/74 ucc 005009 Under die leadership of Dr. A. B. Steele, we will formulate programs to achieve the following results; 3* 1. To reassure our customers that no hazard exists to their employees or to their customers from the use of Union Carbide Corporation's vinyl resins. 2. To ensure that our employees are adequately protected from hazards resulting from the use of vinyl chloride monomer. 3. To limit vinyl chloride losses or discharges to the plant and surrounding area environment. 4. To comply fully with current and anticipated regulations from governmental agencies regarding vinyl chloride. 5. To cooperate fully with other industry participants in programs to increase our knowledge regarding the effeot of finyi chloride on the human organism* RNWJr/ra 1/29/74 ucc 005010 A rough estimat f the coata involved might look like the following* depending on the ultimate reaulta of studiea now in pr greaai 1, Industry-sponsored research $10,000-$20,000 per year. Current expenditure ie approximately $15,000 over a two-year period. 2, Improved industrial hygiene and medical surveillance. $50,000/year 3, Capital investment for emission and leak control $2,000,000 Some return on this investment would be achieved thr ugh improved raw material efficiencies. The amount of capital investment is contingent upon exposure levels that can be achieved with existing facilities and upon the exposure level deflhod as being lntrinsiely safe for employees and others. 4* Additional operating costs for new facilities and revised operating techniques. $50,000/year RNWJr/ra January 29, 1974 ucc 005011