Document emaVDvNYDDxRaOvMqQ9Kyqrom

H*> / - Cly^ MANUFACTURING CHL..------- 1872 A CENTURY OF SERVICE 1972 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20009 (202) 483*6128 RECEIVED GEORGE E. BEST Vice RRI8IDENT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR BT CERTIFIED KML March 26, 1973 STRlcm MAR 28 1973 R. N. WHEELER, JR. NT. A. B. Steel* Cheelcel end Pleatlee Union Carbide corporation 270 Perk Avenue See 70x1c, ftv TOrk 10017 cotipehtial Deer Mr. Steele This letter is being sent to the management contact for the vinyl chloride research project of each of the 20 sponsor ing companies, BP Chemicals international Limited (England) having just joined in such participation, with information copies in each case as indicated. As the technical representatives are already aware, if the preliminary indications from animal exposure tests under the European project should be further confirmed, a possible toxic ity problem could be presented. Considering that potentiality, one of the sponsors has found support among several others contacted informally, for the point of view that the credibility of the scientific findings from the MCA-administered program just about to get under way would be much enhanced if U.S. Government representatives were included from the outset in its surveillance, probably in an advisory role. Obviously, this reasoning derives from the in evitable suspicion about results of research managed solely by parties at interest, and the possibility of a highly precaution ary reaction. There is also the aspect of moral obligation not to with hold frois the Government significant information having occupa tional and environmental relevance, and the desirability of industry taking the initiative rather than at some later time having to defend another course. Such consultation with the Government in a meaningful way would necessarily involve discussion of the present state of UCC 001998 -2- I knowledge, which importantly includes European data disclosed on a confidential basis to assist in coordinated planning of the MCA program. The second aspect of the proposal this letter places before you is to seek permission from the European proj ct sponsors to release the information for the purpose indicated, and indeed to invite them to participate in the consultation. Coming so soon after our liaison has become established, you will appreciate this issue is highly sensitive, since there is full sympathy with the attitude that information to be openly released should be well substantiated. What is in mind, therefore, is that no more than three or four participating company top executives arrange to discuss the proposal with their counterpart heads of European project company sponsors. To save unnecessary correspondence, this letter is being sent by certified mail to ensure its reaching you, and no reply is called for if you concur in the proposal. If you should have any comments or suggestions to be taken into account, may I please have them by April 6. Sincerely, \ cc*\ Mr. r. Perry Wilson W. *. v. wheeler ucc 001999 7Hs a ~h - c>j / Manufacturing Chemists Association Minutes of M eting VINYL CHLORIDE RESEARCH COORDINATORS Hospitality House Arlington, Virginia April 4, 1973 MEMBERS PRESENT; T. R. Torkelson, CHAIRMAN T. R. Aalto for Marvin Rosen Z. G. Bell, Jr. w. o. Harris N. V. Hendricks C. A. Johnson, M. D. Flynt Kennedy w. A. Knapp A. B. Lindquist R. L. Maycock w. e. McCormick w. E. Rinehart George Roush, Jr., M. D. H. L. Schmidt, Jr. W. M. Smith R. N. Wheeler OBSERVERS PRESENT* R. A. Asti J. J. Bergin C. H. Demehl, M. D. W. S. Ferguson W. r. Gaffey M. N. Johnson, M. D. D. A. Rausch B. M. G. Zwicker MCA STAFF PRESENT* A. C. Clark K. D. Johnson The Dow Chemical Company Tenneco Chemicals, Inc. PPG industries, Inc. UNIROYAL, Inc. Exxon Corporation The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Continental Oil Company Allied Chemical Corporation Stauffer Chemical Company Shell Chemical Company B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company Ethyl Corporation Monsanto Company Borden Chemical/Division of Borden, Inc. Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. Union Carbide Corporation Stauffer Chemical Company Ethyl Corporation union Carbide Corporation Allied Chemical Corporation Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, Inc. The B. F. Goodrich Company The Dow Chemical Company B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company MCA MCA UCC 002000 -2- 1. Minutes of the Meeting f November 14. 1972 There being no corrections or additions offered to the subject minutes, they were ordered approved as distributed. 2. Amendment to Industrial BIO-TEST Laboratories, Inc.,- Contract The proposed protocol for an added experiment in the Industrial BIO-TEST project, in which food, water, and bedding weald be present in the cages during vinyl chloride exposure, was approved without change. The Task Group asked that the necessary authorizations be expedited as much as possible. (The test protocol of the contract amendment implementing this action is included as an appendix to these minutes.) 3. Epidemiology Project grotacol* Dr. W. R. Gaffey, of Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, Inc., presented a fuller exposition of the background, facilities, and staff competence of TCA, and explained how these would be employed in the performance of the proposed study. He stressed that only three or four TCA employees would see the raw data, thus assuring close control over confidential elements of such data. All data manipulation will be by computer, and input punch cards will be coded. In the performance of the study, TCA will work through plant contacts designated by company managements, who will be asked to assure their full cooperation with the project. TCA will, in each instance, provide such contacts, on a timely basis, with the data and records it will require, and with the schedule for their plant visitation. . *9 ' TCA was asked to submit proposed contract language, specifying with greater particularity the specific tasks to be performed under the basic contract, for review by MCA during the period required for Association approval of the project. if 11&11X1 Alt ucc 002001 -3- 4. Management Approval of. and Commitments of Support forthe Epidemiology Project The Task Group agreed that requests to their managements for project approval and support should be couched in terms that would permit MCA to execute a contract with Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, Inc. without waiting for 100 percent participation of all sponsors of the animal exposure project. It was proposed that requests for such support identify a maximum contribution which might be required if a minimum number of companies agreed to participate, and full expenditure of all con tingency occurred.. A minimum cost figure would also b listed, calculated on the assumption that no contingency funds are required, and that all companies participate. A suggested company commitment form was drafted that would accomplish this goal, i.e.x " Company commits itself for its prorated share of the costa of an epidemiological study of employees exposed to vinyl chloride monomer, on the basis of total project costs not to exceed $92,340, and with our contribution not to exceed Mr. Clark agreed to expedite MCA management actions necessary to secure approval of the project, and author ization for Tabershaw-Cooper Associates to proceed with the performance of the study. 5. Vinvl Chloride Research Analysis Committee The Secretary informed the Task Group of the invitation of NIOSH to nominate candidates for appoint ment to research analysis committees on a number of chemicals, including vinyl chloride. It will be the function of these committees to review available data on these chemicals to identify any gaps in such data that may limit the ability of NIOSH to develop fully adequat criteria documents. Such gaps might then be filled by directed research. Drs. Bell, Rinehart, and Torkelson were named by the Task Group as appropriate MCA nominees. They were asked to submit brief biographical sketches to the UCC 002002 -4Secretary to accompany MCA'a nominations-. 6. Acroosteolvsia Report The Secretary was asked to make available to those members of the Task Group who were not partici pants in the acroosteolysis project, copies of the project report submitted to MCA by the University of Michigan at the conclusion of that project. Respectfully submitted Kenneth D. Johnson, Ph.D Secretary KDJimb July 6, 1973 Minutes Subject to Approval Appendix Attached ucc 002003 -5- APPENDIX TEST PROTOCOLS extracted from the Industrial BIO-TEST Contract Extension "This experimental group is to consist of 100 rats of the same sex, to be exposed to vinyl chloride vapors at a concentration of 5,000 ppm v/v. Food, water, and bedding are to be present in the cages in which the animals are exposed during the entire exposure period. Otherwise, experimental procedures, including exposure conditions, their documentation and control, and the handling, observation and necropsies of animals shall conform to those described in the Protocol incorporated by reference in the subject agreement, and hereby so incorporated in this agreement extension." KDJ:mb UCC 002004 1 RECEIVED APR 101973 R- N. WHEELER, jr. April 6, 1973 Mr. Coorgo *. **t Manufacturing fhil t Association 1325 Connectlcvt Atou Washington, 0. C. 20009 \ I v--'' I \Jr \ ij '' Door Mr. Bast: Union Carbide Corporation eoaalts Itself for Ito pro-rstod aboro of coat of apldoalological study of o^loyosa exposed to rinyl chloride nonoaar with llaltatlon of total projoet coat of $92,340 and onr pro-rated aharo to a of $3,565. Tory truly yonro BMtftv A. B. STEELE ucc 002005