Document oeBkQxVn87DMydY9ayqD2aRLR

MEMORANDUM TO: ALL SUPERVISION Repauno Plant August 3, 1976 There have been many reports in the newspapers in past months concerning cancer in industry and more recently cancer in New Jersey. Last weekend the newspapers reported that a Congressional Committee was seeking information about Du Pont's cancer experience. Since that information was given to the Committee starting July 27, and the newspapers will also have access to the data, we wanted to inform you firsthand about this subject. At Repauno, based on the data currently available as detailed later in this memo, we conclude that there is no job-related cancer problem. Since 1956, Du Pont has maintained data on the number and types of cancers detected among employees. The data system is believed to be the first of its scope and kind in industry. The data system has two major purposes: " To maintain a data base on' cancer," the second leading cause of death in the United States, to determine if there is an unusual incidence of cancer among employees compared to average Company figures and other population groups. To provide information that can be used to determine whether any cancers are related to exposure to harmful substances in the work environment. The facts are: 1. On July 27, as the first step in meeting the subcommittee's request, Du Pont provided cancer data compiled from 1956 to 1967. The data are based on 2,106 cases of cancer recorded among Du Pont employees during this period. Du Pont is completing compilation of data which will be based on approximately 4,000 cases of cancer recorded from 1956 through 1974. 2. The death rate due to cancer for all Du Pont employees during the period was 17 percent less for men and 13 percent less for women than the national rate. 3. Not included in the Du Pont incidence rate are 339 cases of bladder cancer which occurred in present and former Chambers Works employees as a result of exposure to beta naphthylamine. Du Pont stopped'manufacture of the product in 1955. DUP 1005011 DU 050798 2. As would be expected when developing averages, as has been done in Du Pont's case, many plants will be above average and many will be below average. Chance clustering of cases in a given time frame or geographical area does cause a statistical variation. In addition, other factors can produce a high cancer rate among a specific population. Other factors to be considered include diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, exposure to sunlight, heredity, as well as exposure to' some chemicals. The cause of most cancers is unknown. At Repauno from 1956-1974, there have been 51 cancer cases. This is approximately five cases less than expected when compared to all Du Pont employees, and 15 less than would be expected based on a National Cancer Institute (NCI) survey. Since 1974, we have had three additional cases. We will continue to search for more complete and representative comparison data. We are especially interested in local area comparisons. We have studied the cases here at the plant by type of cancer. There have been 15 cases of lung cancer vs. the expected 13.5 based on the Du Pont average which is less than would be expected compared to the N.C.I. average. There have been five cases of bladder cancer vs. an expected 3.2 based on the Du Pont average. One of these involves a person who is believed to have been affected by exposure to beta naphthylamine when he worked at Chambers Works before coming here. The remaining cases include six malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, vs. 1.6 based on the N.C.I. average which is about four more than predicted. Cancer research has not associated this type with occupa tional exposure, however. An examination of the available work assignment histories of the people involved revealed no common work-related experience in these cases and the timing of occurrences led us to conclude that it is highly unlikely these cases resulted from a work-related carcinogen. We are continuing to study these cases together with all others. The Company has established guidelines to provide assurance that employees, customers, and the public will be protected from carcinogenic effects of chemicals we handle and produce. Haskell Laboratory, in cooperation with the industrial departments, reviews all chemical substances made or used within Du Pont, with continuous updating as the information is developed, both within the Company and by various groups outside the Company. Based on the evidence obtained from these reviews, we determine whether the substance meets any one of the classifications which would cause it to be termed a suspected carcinogen. When this determination is made, employees are advised of the hazard and precautions being taken to maintain their exposure at a safe level. a c TJ Oooon to DU 050799 3. There are two suspect carcinogens under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's regulations present at Repauno, but only in trace amount. These are 4-aminodiphenyl and benzidene in the aniline still heels. OSHA's regulations do not apply to mixtures containing less than 0.1 percent by weight or volume. Therefore, their presence in the heels in trace amounts does not present a hazard. We are continuing to accumulate and evaluate additional information that would identify any areas of concern with cancer occurrence in our employees. You will be advised of any new in formation or developments. CEB:Id Attach. DU 050800 U P 1005013