Document oep485oEZkxeLpRkRqvV2nLpX

FILE NAME: Oil Industry and American Petroleum Institute (API) DATE: 1948 Nov 22 DOC#: API141 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo RE Paper Read by Dr. W.C. Hueper on the Subject of Occupational Cancer Before the APHA November 22* 19h8 gubjecti p a p e r .r e a d b t d r . w . o . h o e p e b o h t h e s u b j e c t or OCCUPATIONAL CANCER BEFORE! THE APHA Dear Doctor Voody A paper entitled Prevention fu d Control of Industrial Cancer was read by Dr. . C. Huepar, Chief, Environmental Cancer Section, Cancer Control Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md*, before the Industrial Hygiene Section arid Subcommittee on Medical Care of the American Public Health Association; The occasion was the ?6th Annual meeting of the . APHA and an audience estimated by the writer at 200 - 3^0 people were in attendance at Talbot Hall, Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts at 2*30 P.M., November 11, 19^8, In his preliminary remarks, I)r Hueper indicated that research on the etiology of cancer indicated a strong link between environment and cancer incidence* Recent evidence has pointed out a definite correlation be tween cancer incidence and exposures to ultra-violet radiation, aabeatoB, benzol, certain organic amines, paraffin oils, as well as heavy petroleum distillates and degradation products such aa tare, cokes, and pitches. He . then discussed an idealized approach to the control of the problem which would involve the following points: 1) Evaluate the carcinogenicity of suspected compounds and materials through animal experimentation, 2) Investigate vital statistic records for Cases of cancer and trace the employment history of these individuals. In certain . instances It might be necessary to employ Social Security records to follow the employment of the individual. 3) In case that the foregoing provides evidence pointing to an un usual incidence of cancer in a certain industry, the plant rec ords of that industry will be Investigated to determine what activities and exposures within that industry produce the higher Incidences of cancer. h) Medical diagnostic procedures must be improved as a great many caeea are being missed at the present time. Considerable work of th^s type is being done in private laboratories E in d the 911230 BinEulM 01610 D o c to r Woody loveaber 22, 1948 Public Health Service in B etting up such a laboratory at Georgetown University, Washington, D. G. 5) Initiate preventive measures as noon as possible since the ldentlficatlou of the offending gent is not necessary. Industrially, the approach would be as followsi a) Through technical control aim at the complete elimination of the exposure, or, b) Mlrimize the exposure by seeking improved industrial ap paratus such an leak-proof equipment, closed systems, etc. c) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such ae glcwaa, boots, impervious clothing, etc. d) Provide adequate sanitary facilities. This would require an expansion of locker facilities in most existing plante. ) Instruct the workers ia the proper use of the protective mefi.sures provided and tell them why their cooperation is required. f) ioi certain operations in industry the exposure nay be mlilmized by the use of teams, trained to perform their duties with a minimum of exposure, and provided with special safeguards* 6) Madi.cal control programs must be set up, not only for current diagnosis and treatment, but aimed at following the worker through out a latent period which may extend for 15"20 yearn. 7) A governmental factory inspection system would be net up to insur that the foregoing requirements are met. 8) Protection for workers in interstate commerce would be secured by setting up standards for containers and suitable warning labels* 9) Registration and licensing by a government agency vould be re quired for those factories handling known carcinogens. 10) Amendirg of present State occupational disease laws to provide suitable compensation for.occupational cancer and to insure the industrial control of exposure. Industrial Hygienist 30 BinEulM 01611