Document nkay3LB2wy5LwvJ8KGo0m3z9R

sofJ.Tec /. LOUISVILLE, Ky. fUPJ) - Block - said the' National use ItTJn speh a way as, to much stricter than the federal An official of the Kentucky institute of Occupational Safety expose their employes to It. He government's."^ The company Occupational Safety and Health and Health, made thg decdfin said authorities estimate that said it enforces standards Administration reports that the to label angiosarcoma as an as many as 6,500 workers have allowing a maximum exposure federal clared government has de a rare liver cancer occupational disease during an all-day meeting in Washington beenDo"sedto vtoyfchloride|! 50 parts per million parts of thro-u-g--h--o--u-t--'-t-h--g---U--n--i-t-e-d----S--t-a-t-e--s------ 'air, compared standards of with 500 government parts per which has taken'the lives of Friday. :*. . *' Block said national, health part* air. four Louisville R . Goodrich Block said twe prominent officfals are placing special Co. employes as occupational disease. i new , .. pathologists t.ra_m the N..ation*} emphasis nerf week on of results fcrt6er expected t^g 4,Kight now, the only Jour Institutes of' Health and - the 55- workers In the Louisville known cases of this disease are National Cancer Institute con Goodrich plant, whose previous right here is Louisville, but this finned that angiosarcoma, the blood tests showed- abnor thing has' tremendous implies- liver cancer, took the lives of malities. They were- among 271 -H^r-a n-at.i.o..n..a...ll.y. 'a-Tndj in-t*e--r-n--a- - four employes who worked in employes tested at the plant. . itanajlvl^ said Dr. J. Bradford the polyvinyl chloride process . TV Louisville facility uses ' Block, medical consultant for at the Goodrich plant here. vinyl chloride in the processing the Kentnaky Occupational He added that 13_ plants of a plastic for manufacture of Safety and Health Administra across die nation manufacture ph_ onograph records and some tioo.' . . vinyl chloride and ,anQther l5(fr'rf`rtntiiiirrTr" - --- ---- * I. Block said Goodrich v Co. irds show at least 29 foyes at its Louisville tallktlcn have 'died of cancer ince the facility went into, iperatioij In the 1940s. Of that humber, 22, worked with vinyl chloride, Block said. J Hf paid (be four whose deaths have been attributed to angi osarcoma all died within the! last six years and all probably Svere .exposed to high concen trations of vinyl chloride during Rearing operations.1, > Goodrich . officials said the, (company's standards regarding exposure vinyl chtorideT are! APOOOI5469 OlfrSLOOOdV i \ V- ) ' 1 | 20 TH5 LOUISVIILE T1MSS, SATURDAY. FE3RUAHY 2, .1?^-- 1 m tr.> ri> U.S. officicls vow more protection Wev/ cancer Is linked to Goodrich deaf r.i u.iniistNcr.Air C,.n! ,.|<-.,.,i- & *..-*! $Mlf 'V V-' 11.'V'JTl'\ -- J-V-.i-rd Ple'ix-g] of. fit -I- ! t l.-il 'll- deVlis uf I ten-C >1 a It. F. lb otlrich I-' : in l/.u; .!!. n uiMr-i from a ''new'' .<c im-i .-m! i-ii'ir r iii mtiir 5,|'ft0 u t*M b; Ibn I'nil >1 M-rli'i inay be ex- p. .1. '!':r ''. e.f aegiir-Vfwrw <if the l:.,r, vM.il v. ;i; al..| tn Ihtee and jinskl- b';. f--:r s* a rrc-n- cr'-upa- ci`i-i* V.J-. n: do kp-tctiliin* In- I.-r. .V-ii-v r.t. Kvy. ten* of (lie .Vjiin'v! livo-f-r for <Jrcup i;if>:n-l Safety ai'l t.V'l.sr'l, .W'r-r a T>i-i"i;ia r.ltl* state. federal, in- j :.'mI lali-ir n-jircM-ntatlives fvre, Sr' -ii-'ii-hv-I a serin (if "pnsUive" 'll* 1 "' t:,l:en In jiruTorj |ni(\Wfiyl x**: *?! * ' -ni l l" rather mciL* v:t- r -it.r -;i a-ti-it.i tin >ina. the til's'. I'itf liver nn i*r> Hie liTit I'-uiv. i[(i- flfdlu br-twccn Jv-KUod--r f07J and t;-<l Ihvi'niliiT, v oio md [Hitilfclv Imbed uji(H a il -il-i'li r-ii'i'iuniem'*:'.' t.i\| v.e.-|(, ..el off H >'iri '! ti";n->'>e *n llm [vilvvf-.yl pro- r i c!ii'iij T1'- y.-'1) |;.:i dirl Jr* /. .'viye'r-'H sai'J afler ypslr- day's merlins (list nfhrr workers at the rtrllf '.ane CnMrieh plant liavc rei^ivl'Hl liver pm!lv:tii'i that may Ijv Jlnt'cl lo their pinpjnymciil in areas tv'icc poly vinyl chloride vajK-rs are prevalenl. Key's nMJrr, the inectlnj lluil - tlnM'il t<i llie |>r<-si. ictr-ased a slate- tnrr>l r|UOlinc (lie N10S1I direrlnr as any- luc (fieac n-Hbins arc l*eini> taken in re- 5|)onsi! tn llie silnnlion; *o> N'lOSff it rrcrt'iPipn/Jins that inter|o> i-ntustrinl-l'yBietV! pr^cmitUms nnd cnn!r(d<s Ire irtsllfiitcd at tJis Gootlrlth pbnt. Ttie frilera! Oppupationtl Safety and lli'nllb Adiuinlslration (OSliA) currently cnfnrppt r stnrrhrd of 500 partn nf pnly- vinyl clilnrhte vatiurs per iStllinn paits pf air. ixil tl>o oJa.'K'nni l.t aluicrt at IreaHh effovia n;||i*r then nijinsjrennia. whHt until i"W J:ad nft been linked l-J the etimdcn). y' NlOSli will "acfcleraic'' an indnrtry-widc epidcrttlnln^icai study in an cff'iri to prn<luce inor- Information on the emitc-aiiil-cffrct rriationsliip of polyTiny! ctllorirh opd an;;b>naix-oma. *" In conjuKcltcn with ltie Naltoita! Carreer institute, NIOSII will start lorticntnitical studies udtip latroralnry ani mals to cel mriro int.ineallon. The ear liest of the results vnjl',1 not Ire nvallaMo bir si b-n.kl a ycor, a KlOSJt spck"smar said. Ailditlonntly, tHr* nceney reportwt that tire Department of ILcaliK, Kducalion and Tomorrow might be renamed Ratnday It's poins In 1-c a Rrent weekend for jjolf--If you want to waleh the Hawaiian Open on television. Tire weatherman predicts '-Imuly rklet for toniulit with cbnitcc of rain, ?wt mure of the some to- rn"T#w. Tlie low tempcntiirn toniubl is expeclnl to be near ItO. The Idcii tniunrrow will be in the upper JCs. The low tent* perautre last niplu w*s 51 No Mitisbinc is expected unlit bfenday. The Nallnnsi Weather Service sava that ihorc't f'l P^r rent chance nf rain tonir'tl amt an i*er rent i-bsmec tomori'iw. Full weather tlali "n t'oee AS, Welfare has ronvcit thmitch official chinnets In obtain the release of toxtcolORrral date from a Unity not yet completed in Lumur. A summary table of early rinla from the Kiiprjiean study iiutiicitcs that vinyl chloride, ttldeh Is usril In tire manufac ture uf polyvinyl dilnrhle, ts proliubly Ihe , chief sci.pcct amoic t/re more than f*0 cheinirat auhxtanec-t to which jxiljrmerirati'in wurlcem are expnswl. (I'nlyvlnyl ehtoHde is ud to tnVe plmmisraph reconls and plastic pipe, : ami-nc other IhlmjO Key's statement yesterday uld that pa- thnlstsls at Hie govtrnmeafs Naiionat ; Institutes of ffealth clinical center had reviewed the Louisville death cases and confirmed the anel<rrwma diagnoses made Independently in Kentucky. An ind>t*.lrbi!.hv"iere team from NtOKif and dm KrniurKy DopaiTmenl of Lalmr visitcil the Bolls l.sne plant last week and Hindu hilerim recommenilalfons to Goodrich for llphtcnlnj; controls and Reo 'NlilT* Hack c'l. 4, this section , i I 'Nov/ cancer and Goodrich Continued From I'ajre One reihirinc wnrker exposure to vlnM chlo ride to an absolute minimum. Alcan** hi l<\ Ib-te were eiher devel opments in the ca-o: * The AFI. an hi' *< I'filuUd n T- lug hi .M.ron. Ohio. fi-r Feb. I-. v.h e |tiiliik'r>v<i'li> hnplirjlton* uf the C- .`-r oiilbri ak in Louisville Mill t* discussed. Tl<; onion ftfrc ulj- ha< a (.is k force In- vcMi"*tfn^ (n (lie polyvinyl cliloriJe in dustry. v* f>s'IIA announce! llint ll will bold nn Inforinatift'tal and fact-find::-; hearing (n VV9iung*m at the DeP*ni!icrt 'if labor on Felt. IS to (.`ether mure Jaj.i in Connection with settme federal worker- lirok-cti'Mi standards. ftlHldmi Samuels,` an Indoftriat-hyr.iene expert at iho AFWIO. said yesterday that he and othrr labur offiviaU are "aravcly coi'erctie'l" alunii the I.i*u>i!le silitMl-m and that workers arc "very - seit`d." He said lh.it since 1SK31. fur pxstjnpb*. ttM> DW Cheiuicni Co has vuhiniarily cn-j form) a iianilartl in il* onn plants that is ] 10 litres lower than the current federal' standard of 500 parts of polyvinyl chlo ride vapor. Tmw cnncluilf'it there were effects on the wnifcers at :t lease ICO lorls I - Il licit and th*\v sc*, a fOpaitvper <>n siamlanl f.ir liK'Hi-ebes.'' S.imuHt>ad. CiUndvivH idiii'i.-ils have cunti-ntivd that they, too, see iniferejiij a sJ.in.Jsrd in thwr Ijftuisvllle plant ami in four .divers arnhnd the e-oHHey lint 1* Jar betnw the nia.sluiinn nmu>it p.-iiiiittnl hv t'Sil,\. ' "We think the l.nuinill.- siliislinn will Cftine Hit.Ur omlrol." Stimurls said, "amt we think the n-ne'n uf the e:ii,w>sy will be minmnL-le. They ore not to be criti cized mi this." yamiioJs. however, Iwd harsher words for the government, ffe charged that J1IOSH and the chief or ils tnxivelncical branch. Ur. Il-rbtvl K'.ntkiiteer. have not biu-n r-'S[>ou.'lvv tn the i*-i|rvjn>I eltlnride nUiftti'iit in i.lonfs .'Mit'it'* tile 'Spnkiii'vr >t; t!ie nrr?i:nl -If.iuiuM-.'* K.'l-iUi'ii *`;i*iW ll" r-(~'f,:*J e.ij )." a 1 .i-| front fin In kV In is Ihi- >miv r ho is ri,-i.i** il.|>- f >r iv' -tiig the llir.v j.taiiilaril. M.- find, nil v!-*1 the most m'x'irlrr*I-ntia-i . Hants to i!u ; ij'l )U'-n lie >!: it at tii-.l u.c-l'' IZbSlOOOdV A 10 Tin: tioutiui-jot hyu, SATirruiAY, ixr......ary 1971 ,Investigation of rare liver cancer gets imtiona international attention By cn.\r,i.i:> ft. BIBCOCK C**ntr-JvcMi ill" KrJtr Tic investigation of the chemical be lieved to have caused ihc rare liver can cer that Jailed fo r workers It the Lcaivillc B. F. Goodrich plant has takes on national and international scope. Dr. J. Bradford Block. nodical consultant for the Kentucky Occupational Safely and Health Administration (OSHAi. re ported last rirh: the fellow ir.;; iction* from an all-day rncc!:n< at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSll j in Washington: ** Two leading pntholosisls, from <tic Kitional Institute! of Health and the Nt- lional Cattccr Intutuie. confirmed that all four men died ef angiosarcoma of the liver, an unusual form of cancer. ** Acting on the belief that the cancer was caused by the men's exposure to the cheminl vinyl chloride. NIOSll declared it a new occupational disease. ** Dr. Marcus Key, director of NIOSll, set up task forces ef the 25 medical and Industry exerts at the meeting to make a worldwide study of the use Of the chem ical and its effects on workers. Special emphasis will he placed on further test ing of 55 workers at the Louisville plant whose blood has shown abnormalities jo early tests. `Right now, the only four known e*c* of this disease are risht here in Lou-** villc,*1 Block said. "But tins thin;: has tremendous implications nationally :;J internationally.'' He noted that statistics tiled at the meeting yesterday show that 13 plants in the United States manufacture unyl chlo ride, and IS more plants use it its such a way that employes could be expired to it. ft is estimated that a total of CIO') vord ers at these plants could have beer. ex posed. "And they make a lot more use of vinyl See FROUE Back page, toL 1, this section Probe of rare liver cancer gains witter attention Conliuucd From Page One chloride in Furopc." Block said. "1 think when people ston loosing back at lr.eilicai records in other places wc'rv sure to find more deths from this particular dis ease'' The Louisville plrr.i uses the chemical to make I'Olvvis.yl chloride. a plastic used for such thitv* a* phonograph records and voire food ecr.i.;rcr. The federal rood and Drug Adminis tration was represented at yesterday's meeting. Bind: noted, because of the use of poiyxlr.yl rhtande in food containers and WTii'Pcrs- 'There'* no reason to be lieve there's ar.v danger 10 the gcncml public," he ta.(!,'``bui FDA warts to stay informed." The B.r. Cnedrich jdsr.l in Louisville reported le>: week that li in vestigating the cancel' deaths of ihioe men <o fourth v.:< later added) t. s-.- il they were rris'.ed to thcii v.o:k. State and federal Or-ilA officials then joined in tiic search. Block said 1.1' state staff will work v.iih the company ;.nri the Center for Disease Control in Aii.trr.a to continue tt-etrch Into past ric-iirat records at the Louts- vilie plant tine! to complete tests cut the other worker* at the pior.t who haw been particular!} oxp.'svd tQ viny] chloride. l'ne declor said Ihut Goodrich records show it least SB workers at the plant have dif-d of cancer since the in-Li#, v.-ber. it opened. Vhs is no; ar unusurJJy hiih number. Block empha*iicd. Of ihoe, however, 32 had worked with \my1 citio- ride. At the plant only about 270 of seme 1.2GQ worker* ire involved In the vinyl chloride ntr.r.xfaclunn; process. ` It'* )ust another area i c'l! haw to so baV and do more work on.'' Block said.. Bloc!: $sid that fi. F. Goodrich Ijcgon testing the blood of 271 workoj* it: the viryl chloride section of the plant last September. Of thoe, 55 were found to have sonic form of abnormal liver func tion and re-teitlr.g was compk-tcd this week. When the result* arc in. probably sonic time next week. Block laid, doctors will be able to determine Sf more should be den:. Other organization* repre*eotc:l at the meeting in Washic.stDn yesterdnv viil continue the investigation of vinyl chlo ride on the notional and iiiturnetioual levels. Black added. The State Department is eor.taclinc at I least or.o European country which is re- J ported to have done research mi x in; l j chloride Hist ha* not boon published in i the Weil. The Manufacturing Chemists A*orL ation, which lied already been conducting a study of industry u-c of l!<r dicmical, w ill broaden ar.i! iniensify il* rcst-tircli. NIOSll i.i starling a worldwide liter ature Search for medical ur. ihe chemical and the rule angiosarcoma it's now linked v.iih. Among thi- questions the e:.nr rts are seeking sr,**crs it> arc whctiin- long Icicls of low cxpo'uro nr brief period*. of high exposure to the vapors of t'.o chem ical lend to the e-nicer. Hoik said. Tins four men who died were alt vet ern em ploye* v. ho were probably rx,<ncd to h:Ji conu-Mraiions during cKm.iuf oper- ]-iifit fctiirxl rcculatinns set stan- dare-- I'i no mi''- than 5UV pari* of vinyl chloride per mtllmii pars* of nr, Cloud- rich ofiu-iais suv their plant sljiirtanl is muih *..<: ii'id, omy ?0 j-.v** pci jr.vl- ho* Tr.r- fict-.c-rr.itcn: uiil hold a p'jl-.;i ii-'-r". I i;, <-.n \,1---iji"t i;. spo p::'- l-i .i i--i *i.iiiUnrd i j:|nix 1 ,i j :i i thmu II" i-'- !t ' - h mv Jivi- to a: -.i<- acd;iL>l lii..;:i.vi..i,g ihc it..n(Lird " tv.- eul. i . t APOOOI5472 SUN-DEMOCRAT, PADUCAH, KY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1574 PAGE WST-* ccapaaontm 7T>* iHi'O0-L0sV.*'*X?t$J''*v<?->'O*? WASHINGTON (AP) - A plications nationally and inter more than 500 parts ol vinyl because of the chemical's use in there'.'! any danger to the gen rnrc liver cancer fatal to four nationally." chloride per million parts of food packaging. eral public,'' lie said, "but FDA B.F. Goodrich employes In Block said statistics cited air. Goodrich officials say their "There's no reason to believe wants to stay informed." I^ubviMe,. Ky.. has been Friday showed 13 plants in the standard is more rigid, 59 parts mmed a new occupational dis nation make vinyl chloride, and per million. ease by the National Institute 15 more plants use it such that Block and his state OSHA of Occupational Safety and employes could be exposed. staff wiH work with the com Health (NIOSli). It was estimated that a total pany and the Center for Dis Pathologists from the Nation of G,5fl0 workers in the U.S. ease Conirol in Atlanta, he al Institutes of Health and the plants could have been ex said, continuing to check medi National Cancer Institute con posed, "and they make a lot cal records. firmed at a day-long meeting more use of Yinyl chloride in Other organizations repre Friday that the four died of Europe," Block said. "I think sented at the Washington meet angiosarcoma of the liver. when people slnrt looking back ing will probe the use and ef It was declared an occupa at medical records in other fects of the chemical an nation tional disease in the belief that places we're sure to find more al and international levels, it stemmed from exposure to deaths from this particular dis Block added. the chemical vinyl chloride. ease." NIOSH will begin a world The Goodrich plant at Louis ville uses vinyl chloride to mate polyvinyl chloride, a plastic used for phonograph records and some food contain ers and wrappings. The Louisville plant said last week it was investigating the cancer deaths of three men in recent years -- a fourth was added later -- to see if they were related to their work. wide-search of literature for medical data about the chem ical and about angiosarcoma ol the liver. The Manufacturing Chemists Assoclalion will expand and in tensify fls rerxMrcli on industri .Dr. Marcus Key. director of Block said the company test al use of the chemical. NIOSfr, organized 35 medical ed the blood of 271 workers In Fedora! Food and Drug Ad- and industry experts at Fri day's meeting Inlo task forces the vinyl chloride section September, nnd results arc last due mmistratlon rcpirscnlativcs also weit at ihe meeting, Block said, for a worldwide eludy of how next week of further tests on 55 the chemical is used and how it who showed abnormal liver affects workers. functions. -- ``Right no.v, the only four Records show at least 29 known cases of (his disease arc workers have died of cancer right here in Louisville,*' said since the plant opened in thej Dr. J. Bradford Block, medical HMDs, not an unusually high' consultant for Hie Kentucky Oc number, Block stressed. Of the cupational Safety and Health 29. though, 22 worked v/itli vin Administration (OSHA). "Jlut yl chloride. this thing lias tremendous im Federal standards allow no APOOO15473 i