Document jgNLRpaGa8o9nRM9qX0gmGj0N

-4- CP SC; CPSC Votti Tough Sw Carcinogen Rules On June 1, the CPSC voted unanimouslv to establish formal procedure* f r screening, classifying, evaluating and regulating potential cancer-causing agent* ... by Its action, CPSC became the first Independent federal agency to develop a formal carcinogen policy .. the Commission will use test results from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) or an ther, unspecified, laboratory ... with the new policy, the CPSC will take a more aggressive stance ... for example, under the new rules the Commission can take "precautionary actlot without establishing proof of a chemical's harm. The New CPSC policy calls for categorizing all tested substances Into one of four i baaed on the strength ,of the evidence of carcinogenicity ... Category A. "potential carci g ns." would be banned outright ... Category B, "suspected carcinogens" and Category C, "questionable carcinogens" would be subject to continuing Investigation and may be subjec to warning labels or other Immediate regulation depending on the danger posed ... categoi D, "negative carcinogens." would require no action by the agency. Barbara Franklin, one of the commissioners. termed the CPSC rules a "tough policy t the side of public health and safety** but said other factors would be taken into consIds; tlon "like economics, social aspects, and the Ilka" in determining regulatory action. CPSC Bans VCM in Self-Pressurised Containers On Hay 30, the CPSC published In the Federal Register confirmation of Its final ore banning as of June 22. 1978. the use of any self-pressurized container containing vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) ... the final order which was issued March 24, 1978, classified VC as a "banned hazardous substance" ... the order covers "self'pressurised products intendc or suitable for household use manufactured or Imported after October 7, 1974, that contal vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) as an Ingredient or propellant." PSITC; PVC Imports Likely to Hurt Domestic Industry On April 12, the United States International Trade Co^lsalon (PSITC). rep rted t Secretary of the Treasury that the domestic Industry is being or Is likely to be Injured the Importation of certain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet and film from the Republic of China (Taiwan) ... the Commission's Investigation began In January 1978 under section 20} of the Anti-Dumping Act of 1921 ... the complaint which led to the Investigation was flit by counsel representing the Plastics Import Action Cotittee. ON THE MEDIA FRONT SPI Terns "New West" PVC Article "InflsMStory" "The article 'The Great Saugus Cancer Scare* In the June 5 issue of Hew West n t a contains serious errors of fact regarding polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride but by It VC 1099 -5- inflammatory language can .proAce fear and undua concern among the citizens of Saugus and elsewhere." Edward J. Collins *f the Soclety"of the Plastics Industry (SP1) wrote to the editor of New West on June 16 the article, which Included such Irresponsible phrases as "(PVC) ,.f\*es wafting ground Its homes and schools" and "like someone leaving a high v lpage wire lying u^tft^d&.o^the sidewalk," described "cancer-causing gas aalssl ns fro a neirby chemical plant" drifting Into the schools and coaamlty of Saugus, Calif rule. Tk The sentence "A little ctacer shouldn't stand In the way of an Industry accounting directly and Indlrectly'for 700,000 lobs and one percent of the CNF." was the"most lrrespoo slble" statements In the article. Mr7 Collins said ... ftit Is grossly unfair to a responslb Industry that brought this occupational health hatard to the attention of the government and the public and has spent literally millions of dollars In research and development t meet rigid governmental safety end health standards." ON THE TECHNICAL FRONT New Laser Seneor Can Monitor VC From Afar A new light sensor that can Identify and measure harmful gases from Iona distances ha been developed by Stanford University engineers ... among the substances the "tunable" laser can monitor, according to Its developer. Prof. Robert L. Byers, is vinyl chloride ... h re's how it works: the laser sends out pulses of light at different wave lengths ... each type of gas has Its own vibration frequency, like a fingerprint, at which It absorb^ the light hitting it ... the atmosphere reflects the light back, like radar, and It Is gathered by a 16-inch telescope and measured and analysed by a computer ... since the laser beam can be timed it can be set to transmit at different frequencies to Identify specific molecules ... the national Science Foundation has sponsored the Stanford lasir pr Ject. Background Papers on Vinyl Chloride Health Effects Two new basic background papers on vinyl chloride health effects have been prepared by the SPI for members and other interested parties . . ."the first. "Vinyl Chloride and Birth Defects." deals with the Issues of birth defects In covunltles adjacent to PVC plant and that of stillbirths and miscarriages among wives of PVC workers ... the second, "Vinyl Chloride and Community Safety." the question of vinyl chloride air emissions end the entire EPA situation ... three additional background papers -- on occupatl nal health problems, the FDA situation and a general risk-benefit backgrounder -- .are ia preparatioo . Coplam of the first two papers can be obtained from John Lawrence at SPI. ### VCl100