Document dnM6770ggLb0JJmGEk8ewEmjB

MONSANTO - John t. Fog - 17 : i> lltetat June 12, 1*74 f Cltv. Texas --' r r**' . "`-S" V .-`.is; The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that several people had contacted a rare type of liver cancer believed to be the result of many years of occupational exposure to high concentrations of vinyl chloride related to polyvinyl chloride resin production units. Although the level and type of exposures around the old VCM unit (Depts. 21, 22 and 23) are considered quite different from those in other companies where the cancer has been discovered, Monsanto is offering the blood screening program recommended by OSHA to all of our employees who worked for an extended period around the VCM unit. OSHA suggests five tests that should be carried out on the blood sample but since there are other tests that eaa easily be performed at the same time you will also get the benefit of the additional tests. A total of fourteen tests will be reported. It should be understood that the blood screening test gives an evaluation of liver function and Is not an actual test for cancer nor does It reflect that any disfunction shown is necessarily related to vinyl chloride. If the test results are not within prescribed normal limits, further evaluation would then be recommended. -a >, Our records reflect that you worked in the VCM area. If you desire the blood screening test, it will require tbt you come to First Aid to allow the nurse to draw a sample of your blood for analysis. The one requirement is that you do not eat any food for a minimum of four hours prior to the blood test. Water,* soft drinks and coffee without cream are permissable within this period. Also, please note that alcoholic beverages consumed within 18 hours prior to the test will sometimes interfer with the results. The following times have been set aside by First Aid. A Beeler-Mantke laboratory technician will also be here during these periods to assist our nurses. Wednesday, June 19 8:00-11:00 A. M. and 3:00-4:15 P. M. Wednesday, June 26 8:00-10:00 A. M. and 3:00-4:15 P. M. Wednesday, July 3 8:00-10:00 A. M. and 3:00-4:15 P. M. If you are absent from the plant during the above periods, contact First Aid for an additional time schedule. You will be individually notified of the test results within two to three weeks. RSV 0005504 BLOOD TEST * C n Pm Z tf you do not deslrs tho Ut, ptiu so indicate by signing below tad returning this lstter to ms* John E* Fox Loss Frsveatioa I do not dssirs ths tests Nome * Badge No* . Dte, I- { -A e < * \ h \; i4 \i ,s \-i v*? it** RSV 0005505 f e K { ) 1I I ;< * Ton may htvt ma the recant publications in regard to torn* cases of liver canear which have occurred in a Goodrich polyvinyl chloride plant. At this time there ie a known.total of six cases of such illness. Thie is a total of six at come 37 plants, with a total of 6500 employee# In the polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride operation#* In the six known Instance#, there was an average of 20 year# exposure per employees* There is a great deal of testing going on at this time by a large number of organisations trying to determine the eauaes of the problem* One of the many chemicals being questioned, of course, is vinyl chloride; however, in the polyvinyl chloride operations where the incidents occurred, the workers were exposed to a larger number of other chemicals in the polyvinyl chloride process* Since we use vinyl chloride in our processes to make EVC, we are interested in determining what the level of exposure to VCM is for our employees* We want to make it clear that we have no indications of any problems in EVC nor do we feel that we will find such problems after we have tested for such ex* posure* We are going to begin testing for such exposure as soon as possible* The testing will be handled by John Fox in the loss prevention department* Two methods of testing will be used to determine the level of exposure in SVC RSV 0005506 >* Vinyl Chloride Testing Page 2. First* ma infra-red portable analyser will be used to determine monomer level in several of the department areas. These include the nitration* drumming and control house. We expect these tests to begin this week or next as soon as equipment is calibrated. Second* we will do personal exposure monitoring and need your assistance and cocyeratioa for these tests* This will involve the wearing of a portable pump and air sampling unit similar to that used for asbestos testing by insulators* We expect to have equipment and test Evaluation procedures available to begin tests within approximately two weeks. This will involve EYC operators* pumper-gaugers, pipefitters and instrument personnel assigned to EYC unit. Production and maintenance foremen will also participate. To reiterate* we want to make it clear that we do not feel we have a problem* but want to determine what levels of YCM* if any* do we have in our EYC operations. We will keep you informed of any information that develops and is pertinent to our particular situation. 2/25/74 RSV 0005507