Document nNyZYMrN2vp7myV0gJng99aR

From the Desk of: SUSAN G. AUSTIN, Sc. D. CORPORATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST 212-551-6998 -w frcbMjs J<Ul. t ucc 054014 vuw' ? High tumorrate in By Victor Cohn and Joanne Omang Washington pt Svrvica Galveston .area, which -isdibpie to a number of plants that make 4>r pro cess petrochemicals, go fkr^,federal WASHINGTON -- A high incidence of brain, cancer has been discovered in two Texas petrochemical plants, and federal officials fear they may find brain cancers among' workers inVemigators have'n$- been able to pinpoint tte responsiblechemlcal -r or, more likely.a group ofchemicals or a process -x.although there are - severaltmduirsospiefon." " . elsewhere in the huge industry, that makes chemicals from oil In an investigation initiated in early 1979,25 brain tumor cases --34 of them fatal so far -- have been dis covered among recent and former workers at a Dow Chemical Co. plant in Freeport, Tex. Eighteen more fatal The brain cancer incidence.among workei^ln .theplants innljepast 24 yeare is tyrtpe the. level considered nonnalWtl}V!E^yHl^^46n> 7axw8l& of the Nation- & Institute of OcaWatibnal Safety and Health (NIOSH) Vaid yesterday. Allthe victims are ihp;few'women cases turned up at a Union Carbide work in theplantt.', .4*: , plant fn Texas City, Tex. - Investigatprs burn the two federal Both plants are in the Houston- agencies involved -- the Labor De partment's Occupational Safety and Health. Administration r<OSHA),and the Department' of Health and ' Hu man Services' NIOSH -- bav&notyet been able to look in. detaU.at other plants, although they have started some inVe$tigattotia.V-> They have reports,-they_sai<l;of possible concentritiora oi Similar brain cancers, in plants at Beaumont and Port Arthur, Tex^Charleston,. ' W. Va., Louisville and Sail Francisco, and atone plant in Canada. ~ "There's no reason to suspfect all petrochemical plants,"- Waxweiler said. But Dr. Victor Alexander of OSHA said theremaybe "five or six others." at least, and J. William Lloyd, an OSHA epidemiologist, said: "There may be any numberof chemi cal plantsinyabfed."4-` V , Petrochemicals, made pertly from oil, include hundreds of products such as antifreeze, cholerine, latex, ethylene and vinyl chloride. . Spokesmen. fw .both. compahles noted.that the results oftesting so far are ihconcluXive. "We see tfo` com' mon .thread that would' Suggest (that) exposure to any particular material or location in the plant" is involved, sald'James HansenVoI Dow. "There is nothing so far to connect specializes in perfects, " and closeouts of na- the workplace to the brain cancer." DamonJSngle, manager Of Union Carbide's Texas City plant agreed ided family clothing-- -value. So stop in soon. that the incidence of brain cancer among petrochemical workers may be higher than the national average worth Ave. Roosevelt Malt Knights but said that, it has not yet been i. 3:h67/ Nri. EedaHstiounu Rnudt. Anmnbiwlewr 1sr7w2 E. proved to be higher than the inci ~~*le Shopping Plaza Rkhbom Cross: dence in the geographicarea. "If it is, vovidenoe Road Btyo Mmw flM WT we're jtet|ir anxious as anybody to e Plaza get to the bottom of it" he said. " RECEIVED AUG 4 1980 Bd X Boros 9/Wl f~ Panel recommends labeling Sevin as possibly dangerous agpSKsapBiTs TTM "'p* uSTSi lde Sevln- commonly -!.b.le ganger to pregnamnottwhso,moseno.o1,o08s8s1i* in*0?Zer-016 PaneI *> stud existwL 2^*"*- that Sevin `taerous to human health than many other pestkadies. i he panel stressed that more infTM- "anS * - development was be drawn. Theapnayneinl,cmluasdieounpsocfosucldi- " entists recommended by the National Science Foundation and the National nstitute^of.jfeajth, advises the EPA TM nfA RECEIVED AUG 0 7 1980 A. A. PUECII UCC 054015 y\. ^ - V>V - -j ^' 1 Piul - High tumor rate seen R 2 C "; V li D AUG 4 1980. H* X Boros in i 1 K 1r (Jc^ YcrJL-flC* By Victor Cohn >. yy: ^ Galveston area, which is-home to a and Joanne Omang '`T' S- number of plants that make -or pro WosJti*|v#ii Pott Service cess petrochemicals. So far,/federal WASHINGTON -- A high incidence investigators have not been able to of brain cancer has been discovered in two Texas petrochemical plants, pinpoint the responsible chemical -r or, more likely, a group of chemicals and federal officials fear they may or a process -- although there are find brain cancers among' workers ' elsewhere in thebuge industry.thqt., makes chemicals troth In an investigation initiated In several under suspicion.' ' . The bratocancer incidence.among Wrkersimthe'plants ifinhe-past 24 yearr is iwlce the level considered * -*--------- early 1979,25 brain tumor cases--24 normalTorthe rest of the population. of them fatal so far -- have been discovered among recent and former Dr. Bichard Waxweiler of the Nation al Institute of Occupational Safety workers at a Dow Chemical Co. plant and Health (NIOSH) said yesterday. - - -wiuiucHus laDeling Sevin as possibly dangerous in FreeporvTex. Eighteen more fatal cases turned m> at a Union Carbide All the victims are then; few women work in theplants^ "\ plant in TexasCity,Tex.> ' - Investigators Grom the two federal :--------- r^o^SS`en,ific Misery panel recommended yesterday that the ^vironmental Protection e^ Both plants are`In the Houston- -'V.W--:4";7'1 s'*'** : Jiir- '* agendas Involved--- the Labor De partments Occupational Safety and Health. AdministrationAOSHAl^and the DepartmentbfHealth^indiHtfe man Services' NIOSH -- havenotyet been able to -look in detail at other plants, although they have started some investigations..; " They have reports, they aaidr of -possible concentrations bf^Mmilar brain cancers in plants at Beaumont and Port Arthur, Tex^ Charleston W.Va,, Louisville and San Francisco, and arone plant iih Canada. "There's no reason to suspect all petrochemical plants," Waxweiler said. But Dr. Victor Alexander of b^^LreqnlTMiJnion Carbide?*^* SM* commonly _____gypsy <Whs. as a possi- - Wuf""ger Pregnant women. inv ^er'tte panel also said exist"___ todicated that SeJfe dangerous to human health than many other pesticidiex ____ m^pnelstressedth"`moreinfor. nms anS *.ffects 00 cell strucm*dJh?rnTeM devctopment was bedttwiftk6an^""olaslonscould-/ Panel, made up of sci- ^ SriL^i0m7e?ded by the National! bcience Foundation and the Nation.i ---------- Institute of Health, advises S r OSHA said there may be "five or six Children** jamas *2 ea.{,j!l others," at least, and J. William Lloyd, an OSHA epidemiologist, said: "There may be any number of chemi V cal plants involved.' Petrochemicals, made partly from oil, include hundreds of products such as antifreeze, cholerine,' latex, ethylene and vinyl chloride Spokesman . for both companies noted that the results of testing so far are inconclusive. "We see no com mon thread that would suggest (that) exposure to any particular material or location in the plant" is 7^ M- involved, said James Hansen of Dow. "There is nothing so far to connect specializes in perfects, ~ and closeouts of na- the workplace to the brain cancer." Damon Engle, manager of Union Carbide's Texas City plant, agreed lded family clothingvalue. So stop in soon. that the incidence of brain cancer among petrochemical workers may be higher than the national average *-orth Ave. Roosevelt Mall. Knights 367 N. Easton Rd Ambles 172 E. but said that it has not yet been proved to be higher than the inci RECEIVED le Shopping Plaza Richboro Cross- dence in the geographic area. "If it is, evidence Road Bryn Mawr 934 W. e Plaza. we re just as anxious as anybody to get to the bottom of it," he said.' AUG 0 71980 ucc 054016 A. A. PUECU Piul -, High tumor rate seen r-c=;vzd AUG 4 W 5) M Boros p ' ' - ' \ '. -- .. . . - -V ByVietorCohn - ~- Galveston area, which is-home , to a and Joanne Omang Wuimiwi Pan Jtrvte* T number of plants that make or pro cess petrochemicals. So far,/federal WASHINGTON -- A high incidence investigators have not been able to of brain cancer has been discovered pinpoint the responsible chemical -- in two Texas petrochemical plants, or, more likely, a group of chemicals and federal officials fear they may or a process -- although there are find brain cancers among' workers several under suspicion. -------- , elsewhere in the hngp; indusayjhat*; The brain cancer incidence among makes Chemicals fromoU?? workereinjheplants inthepest.24 In an Investigation initiated In yearaiswcethe level considered early 1979.25 brain tumor cases--24 riormalWthe rest of the population. of them fatal so far -- have.been dis DrHichard Waxweiier of the Nation covered among recent and former al Institute of Occupational Safety workers at a Dow Chemical Co. plant and Health (NIOSH) said yesterday. in Freeport, Tex. Eighteen more fatal' ^AITthe victims are mem fewwomen cases turned up at.a Union Carbide work in thejdm??*i; V#*' plant in TexasCity, Tex...* .j. ; 'S~ Investigators from the two federal Both plants are in'; die' Houston- agencies Involved-- the Labor-De partment's Occupational Safetyand Health. Administration, (OSHALand ' -I'- i " : tilt Department -of Health^andjHpmanServices'NIOSH -- havdsfficyet been able to -Jook in detati,at'x>ther plants, although they have started some investigations; *" ' -- & -j. They^have reports, they said^.of possible concentrations'-bf"similar brain cancers in plants at Beaumont ' andPort Arthur, .Tex^ Charleston. W.Vi^Louisvflle and Sen Francisco, and arone plant inXanada.' ` - "There's no reason to suspect all petrochemical plants,"" Waxweiier said. But Dr. Victor Alexander of OSHA said there may be "five or six ^others," at least, and J. William Lloyd, an OSHA epidemiologist, said: "There may be any number of chemi cal plants involved." :. i Petrochemicals, made pertly from oil, include hundreds of products such as antifreeze, cholorine,' latex, ethylene and vinyl chloride. : . Spokesmen for both companies noted that the results of testing so far are inconclusive. "We see no com mon thread that would suggest (that) exposure to any particular material or location in the plant" is involved, said James Hansen of Dow. "There is nothing so far to connect specializes in perfects, and closeouts of na- the workplace to the brain cancer." Damon Engle, manager of Union Carbide's Texas City plant, agreed tded family clothing-- that the incidence of brain cancer ;alue. So stop in soon. among petrochemical workers may be higher than the national average worth Ave. Roosevelt Mall. Knights but said that it has not yet been 367 N. Easton Rd. AmblCT 172 E. proved to be higher than the inci le Shopping Plaza Richboro Cross-ovidencr Road Bryn Mawr 934 W. dence in the geographic area. "If it is, we're just as anxious as anybody to e Plaza. get to the bottom of it," he said.' 00 054017 ........... - Panel recommends labeling Sevin as possibly dangerous EnvTtronmental-Protectk.n>ehS usedles/rM!, **** ey*n> commonlrr Stssr*- -- SsSSSSf&SKsSaff&Sfse-, *The panel, made up 0f s -s3Ssfes;-5^sa.-aaR-*l ___ * 1 RECEIVED AUG 0 '/1960 A. A. PUECII CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT 270 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10017 Date: 10/30/80 To: Dr. Michael Utidjian From: Anne D, Haughton FYI -------------- ------------------Comment --------------------- Action----------------------------- ucc 054018 UHIOH CARBIDE CORPORATION PHONE 940--5582 DAVID H. GLENN. M. D. MEDICAL DIRECTOR GULF COAST AREA P.O. BOX 471 TEXAS CITY, TEXAS 77590 October 21, 1980 Dear Carbider, For the past year and one-half Union Carbide management has periodically updated you via Forecaster articles and letters to your home on the progress of the epi demiology study that has been underway at the Texas City Plant. The purpose of my letter is again to update you on some developments in this area. Next week, at a cancer symposium to be held by the New York Academy of Sciences, OSHA will present a paper on the Texas City Epidemiology Study and NIOSH will give their preliminary conclusions of the Case Control Study. Dr. Vic Alexander (OSHA) is expected to give a historical chronology on how they became involved, the initiation of the study and the methods used in case identifi cation. Dr. Sanford Leffingwell (NIOSH) has given me a draft of his presentation. He makes two statements of considerable Interest to us: "So far in the course of this investigation, no convincing association has been found between any historical exposure and the development of brain tumors at this plant." % He concludes his paper by stating: "Finally we must ask whether we are really seeing an effect* of occupation-. The excess of observed over expected reported earlier, combined with an apparent excess when compared to ,, local rates could be the result of chance." We are continuing to work locally on refining departmental and job codes and developing a computer program to make it easier to work with the data. When this task is completed. Dr. Susan Austin, our Corporate Epidemiologist, plans to do an in-house study to parallel NIOSH's Case Control Study- The latest prediction for completion of the full study by-NIOSH is January 1, 1981. DHG/lb David H. Glenn, M.D. Medical Director, Texas Gulf Coast Area UCC 054019 VOL 40, NO. 42 Absentee Voting nds Friday, Oct.31-5.p.m. Friday, October 31st, at 5 pm is the deadline for absen tee voting. If you think you are going to be out of town, or cannot meet the 7 am to 7 pm deadline for voting on Tues day, November 4, you'd better Mfce plans to vote absentee at one of the official county de signated courthouses or an nexes in the county in which vou live. What's Going On ? by RON RITCHIE Employee Relations Manager The ptets, radio, and television, starting Monday evening and into Tuer day, have been carrying reports about the epidemiology study currently un der way at the Texas City Plant. Or. Victor Alexander of OSHA waa quoted by several newspapers as saying that in his opinion there is evidence that the brain tumor deaths observed here were occupationally related. Medical personnel at Union Carbide were surprised by Dr. Alexander's statements since that has been no scientific evidence lepotted to us which a. supports hh allegation. In bet, NIOSH, the agency which it actually con ducting the study, has told us that there has been no convincing association found between worker exposures and the development of brain tumors. If you are confused at this point... so are we. As additional data is dev eloped we will continue, at we have done since the study started, to keep you informed. ucc 054020