Document jNakmMonGDqoQ6GX7nDzDo53k

Tenneco Inc. (COMPANY) (J . INTEROFFICE COMMUNICATE TO: TOC P&M Employee Relations FOR: Paul Cravey FROM: E. J. Bernacki, M.D. RE: VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER (VCM) ^ - DATE: October 3, 1985 Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have determined that there is a preponderance of evidence which suggest that vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a human carcinogen (IARC, 1982, NTP, 1982). While the literature is replete with evidence of carcinogenicity, the teratogenic potential of VCM lacks scientific support. Infante, et al (1976) studied pregnancy outcomes (fetal loss) among wives of VCM exposed workers. Infante found a significant excess of fetal losses in wives of exposed workers when compared to a control group. Paaole (1976) and Downs, et al (1977) found errors in th study design of the Infante work and suggested that the resulting analysis lead to possible biased results. Their conclusion, after weighting the evidence, was that there was no demonstratea effect of VCM as alleged by Infante, et al. ' The potential reproductive effects of VCM have also been studied in animals by Schwetz, et al (1975), Anaerson, et al (1977), and John, et al (1977). No teratogenic or reproductive effects were found to be associated with VCM exposure. In conclusion, the available literature does not support the presumption, that VCM causes teratogenic or other reproductive effects in animal or man. This lack of scientific evidence lends support to the assumption that workers of either sex are not at increased risk of reproduction effects when exposed to VCM at or below the current OSHA limit of 1.0 ppm. The VCM monitoring program both stationary and personnel which are in place at the Tenneco P&M polymers operations, appear to characterize adequately the exposure condition present atr these facilities. Given the low level of reported exposure to VCM and the lack of evidence suggesting that VCM is associated with adverse reproductive effects, there appears tq be no rational for excluding workers who may be at a high*Yisk of1 pregnancy. EJB/ra 0855C cc: J. Heussner L. Kettler P. Hughes JyT5l iver jjBharlie Brown LTEN200A Paul Cravey Page 2 October 3, 1985 References Anderson, Diane, M. C. E. Hoage, I. F. H. Purchase, 1977. Dominant Lethal Studies with the Halogenated Olefins Vinyl Chloride and Vinylidene Dichloride in Male CD-I Mice. Environmental Health Perspectives 21:71-78. Downs, T. D., R. A. Stallones, R. F. Frankowski, et al, 1977. Vinyl Chloride, Birth Defects and Fetal Wastage. The Society of Plastic Industries. Infante, P. F., J. K. Wagoner and R. J. Waxweiler, 1976. Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Teratogenic Risks associated with Vinyl Chloride. Mutation Research, 41:131-142. International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1982. Iarc Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Volume 1-29. John, J. A., F. A. Smith, B. K. 0. Leon, et al, 1977. Th.e Effects of Maternally Inhaled Vinyl Chloride on Embryonal and Fetal Development in Mice, Rats, and Rabbits. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 39:497. Paodle, 6. M. (1976) Genetic Risks of Vinyl Chloride, 1976. Lancet 1:1079 Schwetz, B. A. B., K. J. Leong, F. A. Smith, M. Balmer, and P. J. Gehring, 1975. Results of Vinyl Chloride Teratology Stuoy in Mice, Rats, Rabbits. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 33:134. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 19Q2. Third Annual Report on Carcinogens. OCC 6108