Document o3VaxaQNyjKmLyYqLLKZw2xX

To: From: Cc: Bcc: Received Date: Subject: Clegg Patsy PM [Shell] <PH197432@MSXSCC.SHELL.COM> Sexton JR (John) <JRSexton@equiva.com> 2000-09-2816:08:31 GMT FW: Proposed epidemiological and human health studies in China Sensitivity: Confidential 'Nell, I gUess we can say there are many people confused as to vvho is doing '<vhat I thought you might find the concerns raised by 8eeft informative prior to your trip over to London, John Sexton Manager - Product Stewardship Equiva Services SH&E Room 130 U - Northborough Annex 281-874-4745 -----Original Message----- From: Steup DR (David) Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 10:55 AM To: Sexton JR (John) Subject: FIN: Proposed epidemiological and human health studies in China Importance: High Sensitivity: Confidential John, Here's the note from Geert De Jong. I don't have specific answers to his issues, although I know that many of them have been raised in the preliminary discussions. I will acknowledge and forward his inquires and concerns on to the API coordinator and Pat Beatty. Note also his comment that Tony Mallett (toxicologist in London) will be convening some type of review for Royal Dutch Shell. Dave -----Original Message----- From: De Jong, Geert G SI-HE/2 [mailto:GeertG,deJong@SLsheILcom] Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 10:23 AM To: Steup, David R Alliance Cc: Ransdell, Jerry JD SCC; Mallett, Anthony AK SC-CHSE-TM; Owen, David DE SC-CHSE-DO; Fraser, Alistair AE SHLOIL; Tsai, Shan SP SHLOIL-SPS; Priston, Robert RAJ SC-CHSE-BP; Clarke-Sturman, Tony A SIPC-OMF/4; Huisman, Bernard B SI-HE; Gaasbeek, Aart AP SI-PXE; Kulak, Linton L SCAN-HSSD Subject: Proposed epidemiological and human health studies in China Importance: High Sensitivity: Confidential David, I understand that you are the Alliance representative in the API benzene working group, which is involved in above project proposal. I attended a presentation by Dr. Pat Beathy (Chevron) and Dr. Rob Schnatter (Exxon Mobil), which was held on 26th September at CONCAWE offices in Brussels. I attended as member of the CONCAWE Health Management Group. Tony Mallett attended on behalf of Shell Chemicvals London. SH ELL-MCCLU RG-060502 It is obvious that the studies provide an unique opportunity to examine health effects among highly exposed benzene workers in China. The scientific aspects of the studies, as well as the potential benefits (to the oil I chemical industry in the USA and Europe viz-a-viz regulatory developments etc.) were well explained. The total cost of the project would be about 7 million US$ (during a 5 years study period). However, there are important ethical considerations. The presenters were aware of (most of?) these considerations and they indicated how these would be addressed. However, a detailed plan on how these are going to be addressed is not available. Some other aspects may not have been examined carefully enough by the researchers, including the following: what are the benefits to the community in China? (in addition to the laboratory which is already being set up in Shanghai) what is the Chinese component of the overall project (in other words how much will be invested in China, how much for the researchers in the USA) how will the study help to improve working conditions ( in a sustainable manner). is there a plan with clear deliverables etc. addressing this? how will the study contribute to local capacity building (apart from training of some local lab technicians) how will the study help to improve occupational health management and infrastructure in China etc. etc. Potential reputation issues have insufficiently been addressed so far, in my view. I have discussed this amongst others with Dr Gordon Ebbon of Texaco Europe. He will raise the issue through his channels in Texaco. Above considerations are probably not new. The reason to alert you and others is mainly to make sure that various interested parties in Shell get involved in the discussion and that we come up with a common point of view when individual business sectors are approached with the request to sponsor the study. Tony Mallett will be setting up a meeting within the next few weeks to discuss the 'chemicals' view on the proposed studies. Your comments and of those copied are most welcome, kind regards Geert de Jong Shell International Health Services (SI-HE/2) The Hague tel.: +31 70377 2516 mobile: +31 655124123 SH ELL-MCCLU RG-060503