Document npdQrMp2KB1vXLKQ4o1xkbzJG

January 29, 1982 Dear Retiree: I'm sure most of you have seen or heard about a current article concerning Monsanto's approach to employee health In the Valley Advocate. There Is always a risk of lending credibility to outrageous publicity by attempting to defend against It or to worry families of employees. Nevertheless! X cannot and will not have our organization or myself accused of Insensitivity to employee health, evasion of the laws of the land, and even "getting away with murder" without a response to this so-called "Journalism." The article in the Advocate was lengthy and constitutes the latest in a long series of attacks upon, this plant by its editors, reporters and behind the scene supporters. These articles have been incorrect on many important points and conclusions. For that reason^ I have attached to this letter the latest in a series of bulletin board notices over the last 5 years which summarizes the facts. We have communicated with you on this subject numerous times in the past and will continue to do so every time new information becomes available. I hope you will carefully review this and further communications on the subject. In the last analysis, however, each of us has to assess the quality of the orga nization for which we work end determine whether we believe we are properly protected. If I had any reservations about that with respect to Monsanto, X would have left years ago* Few corporations have even begun to approach the commitment and investment in Medical and Industrial Hygiene Departments, En vironmental Health Labs, protective equipment and safety support services that ve provide at Monsanto. We are not perfect in employee health or any other corp orate activity. But I believe that ve are years ahead of most other organizations in the effort to safeguard our employees. Ho amount of innuendo, biased reporting or sensationalism can change that. X appreciate your taking the time to acquaint yourself with the facts in this matter* Fleas* contact myself or Paul Bureau, Personnel Manager,, "if you have any questions relating to this subject. /elm :att RSV0022924 announcement Monsanto has received a report of a mortality study of Springfield Plant workers in relation to their occupation. This most recent work was con ducted by a graduate student as a Master's thesis at the University of Massachusetts under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Rosenman. The thesis purports to find excess deaths from several cancers'. In particular, it relates to employees who have worked in Resins operations and who may have been exposed to formaldehyde. These results are not confirmed by a more comprehensive University of Pittsburgh study on formaldehyde which was the subject of our November 1980 bulletin (see attached). The University of Pittsburgh study con cluded that "the results Indicate no trends or patterns in proportional mortality that could be directly linked to formaldehyde exposure." Mon santo was again not consulted regarding any of che data used in the graduace scudent's thesis and is not aware of che details of the analysis. The graduate's thesis has been forwarded to Monsanto's Department of Medicine and Environmental Health and has been made available to the Union. 2/18/82 ) RSV0022925 POLYVINYL CHLORIDE The Springfield Plant began producing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the 1950s. The major raw material used in the PVC processes was vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). In 1970, the decision was made to get out of the VCM business for economic reasons. Consequently Monsanto's VCM operations was shut down at its Texas City Plant. This decision led to withdrawal from the PVC business. Monsanto announced this withdrawal in February, 1973. The VCM cancer link became known in January, 1974. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer. Its uses include piping, conduits, siding and gutters; raincoats, toys, garden hose and electrical insulation; containers for toiletries, cosmetics and household chemicals; coating for paper and textiles. Vinyl chloride (VCM) is a raw material used in the production of polyvinyl chloride and copolymers. RSV0022926 Cancer.-link hunted at 'Monsanto By A. DAVID GRAM ' Union Strf AMHERST -- A IK* study of can cer death* among former employees f the Monsanto Co. chemical plant In Springfield hi* found the fatalities may be linked to exposure to materi als used In making plastics. A team from the University of Massachusetts Investigating the deaths of 110 men who worked at the Monsanto plant In Springfield's Indian Orchard section found 34 were caused by cancer and may have seen work-related. Dr. Kenneth ftosenman. who leaded the study, said. "People who worked there longer, who had a the chemicals vinyl chloride and cancer deaths were .excessive but longer latency period, had higher polyvinyl chloride were used. could not be explained because "It risks of dying of al^malignant neo . between IS4I and 1975. was virtually Impossible to Isolate plasms (abnormal tissue growths)." The research team found one exposure to Individual chemicals." The study was the fifth conducted . death due to a liver cancer asso Ftosenman criticized the company- at the company since anion officials ciated with exposure to vinyl cblo- sponsored studies, however, saying began demanding an Investigation . ride and said several other forma- they "always looked at the total Into cancer deaths of former employ workers bad month, digestive, lym work force, not at Individual work ees In 1977. phatic and lung cancers. sites... diluting" the studies' results, Monsanto's epidemiology man Older waken were fobnd to have he said. ager, William Gaffey of St. Louis, a greater risk of contracting cancer, - Rosenman said his study, con said of the new study, "I think we'll even with a short exposure to the ducted with the aid of a group of Uni know within a couple of weeks plastics studied. versity of Massachusetts toxicology whether there really is any connec Monsanto Is also reviewing a simi graduate students, looked at two spe tion between these excesses and any lar study the company contracted cific work sites In the Monsanto past exposures In the plant."- with University of Pittsburgh pro plant. ' The study was of former employ fessor Dr. Gary Marsh, who fin The research team went* through ees who worked at the plant while ished that study last spring. He employees' medical records looking fa types of cancer linked In p studies with exposure to vinyl ch ride and polyvinyl chloride, he sx Another portion of the study to released shortly will look at a pa hie link between exposure to t chemical formaldehyde and extremely rare form of lung cam which already has been found in o former Monsanto employee w worked with that substance, Itasi man said. Roger Soucy, president of the lot chapter of the Intcrnatioal Union Electrical Waders said, "The thln( See MONSANTO Page 4 RSV0022927 \ f MONSANTO-- Continued frpm Page t between specific chemical and ca find perturbing Is that .everything we. cer difficult, he said. ran into by doctors or anybody else Monsanto, the nation's fourth L doing research is .that it may be this gesl chemical company, emplu or may be that. It could be that or It approximately 3,000 at Us Sprin could be this ... nobody ever comes field installation. out with anything definite." But Rosenman said. "It is very dif ficult In anything like this to speak in terms of absolutes. And you have to remember that many of these work ers worked with up to 200 other chemicals." which makes pinpointing causc-and-rffcct relationships The plant manufactures a wl< variety of plashes for consumer *i industrial uses. Including potysl ri-ne, ADS and SANS plastics, fan aldehyde rtsins and phenolic resin The Springfield plant Is part Monsanto Plastics and lleslus Co. *3