Document geMV4YgzZGGn97mKX98OMp3Q

Hillhouse Sits PO Box No 4 Thornton -Cltvsleyt . Blackpool FY5 4Q0 Telephone: Cleveley* (STD Code 0253) 856161 Telex 67483 Icipiast Clvtys Industries PLC Dr Carol Stack Chemical Manufacturers' Association 2501 M Street NW WASHINGTON DC 20037 USA Medical Department Your ref Our ref BB/MO Tel ext 332 Date 8 Nov 84 Dear Carol, Thank you very much for meeting me in Washington and for giving me so much of your time. When we met, I promised to send you a copy of the OK VCM Code of Practice and the Guidance Note which goes with the Code of Practice, and the document "VCM and you", which is a document which will be given to each worker who works with VCM. The first two documents will be issued in the near future and, it is believed, in the present format. The latter document, "VCM and you", I anticipate will be altered, though the information will be in a similar vein. The changes I anticipate are on page 2, and the words, 'similar to Banti's Syndrome' will be removed, and on the penultimate page, health checks will not be offered to individuals if they cease to become a Registered worker. (In my area, we do offer medical examinations to individuals who remain within the Site perimeters, even though they are not registered. I am the only Works in the UK that offers this service). I am also enclosing, as promised, the IOM Vinatex full and published report, along with Geoff Paddle's critique for you to use in any way you see fit. I would like to mention the various surveys which are ongoing in the world at present with reference to VCM. I did mention these when we spoke, but feel it might be better to detail these for your information : 1) C.M.A. I have written to Sir Richard Doll, asking about the possibility of he himself reviewing all the epidemiological data base, in order to perform a critical review for industry. I will forward the reply when I receive it. 2) Sir Richard Doll and myself are in the process of writing a Paper for publication with reference to the ASL Register. We are being helped by David Forman, who works for Sir Richard Doll, and therefore his name will go on the Paper. I myself have insisted that John Stafford's name should also be included. /Over CMA 007220 Rggiitgnd in England No. 218019 flatfitgrad Offlct - Impgrlgl Oirrteai Homo, Milltwnk, Lentton SW1P3JF. Hfl 2004 From Dr B Bennett To Dr C Stack 8 Nov 84 2- - 3) I have been informed by Norsk Hydro that the Scandinavian countries, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, have asked Mdme. Heldaas to prepare a critique of all the Papers associated with VCM, in order that a Panel, the members of which we do not know at present, can prepare a document with reference to definite and possible VCMrelated diseases. Mdme Heldaas has been given only several weeks' to perform her task and the document is planned to be finished during 1985* (This is Mdme. Heldaas of melanoma fame). 4) Ecetoc (European Chemical Industry Ecology and Toxicology Centre) (Brussels) is setting-up a task force to write a review of the carcinogenicity of VCM. This will take into consideration human and animal data. This has been triggered-off by the fact that, in Holland, a study has been performed on animals, which were fed VCM by mouth in the diet, and this study showed liver cancer occurring at low levels, and much lower than had been suggested before. Holland is trying to convert this ingested animal dose into human dose terms. This task, I believe, is difficult, and it is virtually impossible to convert ingested animal dose into human terms. Holland are then moving a stage further, and suggesting - and even trying - to lower the hygiene standard (TLV) of VCM to an extremely low level. The Working Party has been Bet-up to combat this project. 5) Fox and Collier up-date. The Statistician who is now up-dating this study is called J. Hodgson. The Study is job related, rather than Site related, the jobs' relation meaning exposure related. They are 9956 of the way towards completing the Study, and it is expected to be completed by the middle of 1985* I have heard, unofficially, that there is nothing coming out of this Study which is expected to cause us any anxiety. 6) Tabershaw and Cooper up-date, which you mentioned to me when we were talking. You also mentioned that the VCM workers are lumped together, irrespective of whether their exposure was of 1 ppm or 1000 ppm, whereas the Fox and Collier up-date is more exposure related. CMA 007221 /Over From Dr B Bennett To Dr C Stack 8 Nov 84 - 3- I hope to acquire the results of all this ongoing research when the various projects have been completed. I will therefore forward copies to you when I receive them. Likewise, I will send a copy of the Norsk Hydro Asbestos/Melanoma Paper, and the letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Norsk Hydro, refuting the Heldaas conclusions, when these are to hand. 1 have just received from Geoff Paddle a copy of the letter from William R. Gaffey, Monsanto, with reference to the Heldaas Faper, which appears to be in line with the Geoff Paddle thinking. I should be grateful to receive any such documents which you feel will be of interest to me in the future. I am also enclosing, as promised, a copy of the ASL Register. Once again, I would like to thank you for meeting with me during my visit to the States, and if 1 can be of any help in the future, please do not hesitate to let me know. Kind regards. Yours sincerely, B BENNETT Site Medical Adviser encs PS I have spoken to some of the UK PVC/VCM producers, and I am getting a positive response to funding of the CMA Study. (Similar correspondence to : Dr M N Johnson Dr T S Torkelson) CMA 007222