Document pe6Ox9j2ZmmZdaROYeRn02QK7

FILE NAME: Shell (SHEL) DATE: 1948 Nov 11 DOC#: SHEL005 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meeting Minutes of the Subcommittee on Carcinogenicity MINUTES ?L /V' &8 F I SUBCOMMITTEE Oil CARCINOGENICITT November 1 1 , 19^8 A semi--annual meeting of the Subcommitee on Carcinogenicity was con vened at 11:00 A.M. Thursday. November 1 1 , 19*18, in Private Dining Room #1 of the Stevens Hotel, Chicago. MEMBERS PRESENT l.E. Curtis T.M. Frank A.E. Hoag J.P. Holt W..R. Levis M.N. Newquist C.A. Swan Mclver Woody VISITORS L.C. Beard, Jr A.E. Dooley H.G.M. Fischer H.R. Warrick H.H. Zuidema G-UESTS V.C. Baird W.W. Brooks F.F. Boys Kieffer Davis B.B. Reeves E.W. Adams R.C. Oole N.J. Gothard Dr. Robert A. Kehoe - University of Cincinnati Dr. Francis P. Heyroth -- M * " Dr. A. Wesley Horton - H " Dr. W.D. Seyfried - Humble Oil & Refining Company Dr. S.S. Shaffer -- . m ii n n Dr. H.W. Stevenson -- Shell Petroleum Company, ltd., London Dr. W.J. Sweeney -- Standard Oil Development Company MEMBERS ABSENT Total in Attendance - 28 T.J. Kelly R.S. Bonsib A.J. Koewing, Jr. H.P. Lankelma 911230 BinEulM 01602 _ ,_ new "enters and guests, L.F. Curtis, C.A. Swan, R.A. Kehoe Francis F. Heyroth, A.W. Horton, tf.D. Seyfried, S.S. Shaffer, H.W. Stevenson W.J. Sweeney were introduced. nson' - .. * ?rv reported on the status of the exoerimental studies at the Kettering laboratory and pointed out the desirability of: 1 - Facilities adequate to select materials needed to be tested. 2 - Means whereby samples could be studied as to their relative potencies. 3 ~ ^ ta n !?he 1"cldence of malignancy in petroleum workers exposed to these materials. ,As to the PrSre8s of the building program at Cincinnati, he said that the new wing originally scheduled for completion in May 1948 would surely be fr cr 5aey *y " " < * W include a%,ecial S i i l " o u L on the roof, which has been designed for mice and other small animals which are used in cancer studies. He reminded us that this additional space J | S e eo" TM f t o be installed therein was made possible by the recent A.P.I. grant f0r capital expense and he assured us that this space, or its equivalent elsewhere in t S building, would be reserved for our work. T j . ?r: i* yesley Norton, who has just been appointed as Assistant Professor e f t i ^ U t< ^ f t ne,A Wa! *ntroduced D r - Heyroth, who explained that his entire time would be devoted to our problem. In making this appointment they have selected an organic chemist with practical experience in polycycHc'c o S u n d s Inft S J t e l ^ S . Ch" rt,t,T " 4 " 'maerst" dl"e industrial p r i s m s * ons of the t h r ^ o u t s t M d l ^ ^ i d e m l o l I g i l t f l r t h f c l r a l r y ^ i l f b e a h l e ^ dsrots half his time to the A.P.I. project during the c o m i ^ year. Dr. Heyroth then reported on the results o f tests of the eight A P I S t r i c t e r * " d h a r U 1,111 to^merahers^' .. ^r * recommended that a wider range of samoles be ntn/Ho^ .. those in the higher boiling ranges (above 700 F) and that waxes be investigated 7 also. He cited an article in the H.Y. Times of November 7 194R u.r..^ i r t t"iJs;f?8i n ' tthhIis1fieCl?ddP*erJferese^y has"fUohundthSthaUt',S -if the heEaevaylthoil^ is d"il"uitned *2? " LyTeral oil- tte aoUrtty ls re4acad * ** its .. . 'ew^'uist referred to recent statements in the literature whirl- finv that any skin tumor should be considered as potentially malignant. " *^ Dr. Frank thought it would he desirable to study the effects of these oilB following repeated applications and washings exposure of employees. thus simulating the actual -2 -k 911230 BinEulM 01603 Company IZll suggested that some ways be found to challenge Incorrect newspaper artlclS-" for example, a recent statement referring to paraffin wax as be?ng c a r c S ^ n l c . (England) S i ^ . s ^ f t ^ o l ! S d b ^ n t n . d l o ^ f a ^ t ^ ' ' T '1" ' the Medical Advisory Committee and describe the work being done i S s n S S S f Dr. Stevenson explained that any information civen Col a ia ,,,, prohiem in the United States would he considered confidential; that the Institute of Petroleum was similar to the A.P.I. t n t h e Institute therms! c r S i e d ^ r i a ^ * Ur. Kehoe and Ur, neyroth, in discussing future work, 1 - f S o S 1 oo"sl^ rat.l0 1" selecting samples for future testing taking ``J1" ?" olmt " le source, the nature of the crude, the temoerature 6 technica^advisers^b^5 Sh<m14 ^ oonsidered by Dr. Horton and the 2 - of epidemiological data by an exoert In that field Wh.le laboratory methods can determine the relative carcinogenicity of various materials, the final answer will depend on h ^ T ^ i t n c e . 3 - Study of the reproducibility of results and the effects of dilution. # The following report to the Medical Advisory Committee was approved: OnJbehaif of the Subcommittee on Carcinogenicity, I present to the m TM l + T7 CoTM 1itee {or transittal to the Safety Committee of the Board of .. 8 fr ^ ^ t i o n hy the Executive Committee of the Board o f Dlrertn the following report and recommendations; ard 0f Erectors, 1 - f a c t i o n of Dr. A. Wesley Horton for Dr. Kehoe's staff is acceptable to us. 2 - 8election of the epidemiologist for Dr. Kehoe's staff is acceptable to us. That an additional $25,000. will be necessary to continue *heT^rJSJ f a at the Unlveraity of Cincinnati during 194Q o f ^ 50? 0W6d ^ an0ther $25*000* fo r the t V n t h . -3 - 911230 B jn E u lM 01604 h - That the fundamental chemical and physical studies that are indicated to investigate the operational technical aspects of this problem may require considerably more money than anticipated; and it is recommended that the technical advisers group consider the problem again and present their recommen dations to the Subcommittee on Carcinogenicity. 5 - That the carcinogenic program which the American Petroleum Institute is sponsoring at the University of Cincinnatishould include: (a) Biological testing program to determine the carcino genicity of various samples. (b) Biological or other experimental studies for the purpose of developing quicker techniques for determining the carcinogenicity of these materials. (c) Esperimentation directed toward defining protective procedures that might be used to protect Individuals who may come in contact with these oils. (d) Epidemiological studies of this problem in the industry. (e) (Deleted by the Medical Advisory Committee). (t ) Investigation of solid and semi-solid natural petroleum constituents such as red wax. A.E. Dooley SECRETARY McIVER WOODY, M.D. CHAIRMAN 911230 BinEutM 01605 Sy i s U c s fla Cancgr Among Workers in the 011 inrWt.r7 ^Prepared by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company at the request of Dr. Hoag and Mr. Beard) We have reviewed the mortality studies available to us and have ; TM d ^ *iteratare a the subject o f cancer among workers in the oil indices &a ef?eral mortality from cancer is concerned, the evidence G ^ e X TM fate S r 011 VrkerS 18 Frol,al!ly " higher than the verage. Gafafer s report on the occurrence of cancer among employees of an Mr feflJ}ery Pul3lished in Public Health Reports for August 23, 19Z+O, to which Ter t Z T J l l in hiS letter f May 26th* Sh0W8 cr^de delth r S e for the oil workers was no higher than average. We have calculated the ex- ? f Cdeath^tesfr thS " T 5 th6Se U workers ae8 V to 69, on the basis of death rates from cancer by ages prevailing among white males of the general population in the years 1933-1938. The calculated number of deaths e L K ? e d q rf,t ? % 8iX Jf1* P*51"104 vras 52. 6, whereas there were a ctu a lly only W r e a th s O? t h e ^ r ^ r / 8 n cancers *7 8ite in the o r i e la a / a r t i J la ! S p r e e s of the oil refining company show relatively more cancer of the digestive^ystem than occurred among the adult male population, while the proportion of cancers IfSTllZ'u system is 8omewhat less. We wrote to Dr. Gafafer to see that%hea419XreXt * ** he ad* 8ed matter E tLT regardless of the exact occupation, was 36 per 100,000 years of life exnosed ? 8r110 - 'l00 a U ^ t o general occunatlongrouoin^w hich those in the oil industry have been classed. Detailed data by cause of death are not given in recent Intercompany Group reports. omnntr M i O diSaiy ,Department mortality experience is limited so far as cancer T 18 conceraed` However, while we cannot calculate the " u o the n ^ cted deaths frm cancer among them, the facts presented in rwi!* i 1 Occupa^ion stU(3y. 1928,* indicate that in a group of oil and gas ield foremen and miscellaneous operatives represented by 51,000 life years of exposure, the cancer mortality was average or below average. ^ arp ant Ind^ t r i a l Department experience is quite limited, and the results *5.^ relative f into With foHa 0ther !! s studiee* Unlflc? f - ,In The number "" P of deaths is so erld W37-1939. few, however the standardized "! " " rlc hv work by There Is a considerable literature on the occurrence of Bfcln cancers ? J ; th ' 811 ln d U 8 try - 0 t e s t r e p o r t, o f vh lo h ve have a" ecord S o h m r f16 " dt'"Panylg ^ e e t . P a r t ic u la r a tte n tio n 1 , c a l l e d to th e Schwartz, Tulipan and P eck. Published by the Actuarial Society of America and the Association of Life Insurance Medical Directors. 911230 B in E u lM SELECTED REFERENCES Haagensen, Cushman D. Occupation1 neoplastic disease. Vol. XV, April 1931, p . 6^1. The American Journal of Cancer. * Heller, Imre Occupational cancers. The Journal of Industrial Hygiene, May 1930, Henry, S.A. Occupational cutaneous cancer attributable to certain chemicals in industry. British Medical Bulletin, Vol. 4, Ho. 5-6, 1947, Hueper, W.C. Occupational tumors and allied diseases. Publisher. 1942. p . 896. Charles C. Thomas * Phillips, Charles The relationship between skin cancer and occupation in Texas: a review of 1569 verified lesions occurring in 1190 patients. Texas State Journal of Medicine, January, 19^*1* p* 613, Schwartz, L., Tulipan, Louis, and Peck, S.M. Occupational diseases of the skin. Chapter XVL - Dermatoses caused by petroleum, p. 232. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia 1947. U.S. Public Health Service Disabling morbidity, and mortality from cancer among the male employees of an oil refining company with reference to age, . i*** dliratlon, 1933-38. inclusive, by William M. Gafafer. Public Health Reports, August 23, 1940, p. 1517. 911230 BinEulM 01607 e x c e r p t s f r o m c o l o n e l S. J. M. AUED'S LETTER OF AUGUST 6, 19i|8 The subject of the relationship of petroleum to industrial carcinoma and indeed to cancer in general has developed rapidly uring the last year or so and appears to be taking on an importance -which may seriously affect the nature and provision of mineral oil products and therefore warrants our close attention from those aspects as well as from the serious pathological outlook which is concerned* ^ , During the early part of the war the matter was rela tively quiescent, but came to the front again in respect of the alleged carcinogenicity of textile oils because of further work by Twort and the official adoption of the Twort "safety*1 formula based cm a specific re- fractivity relationship. Special oils were set aside by the Petroleum Board in order to permit this formula to be met, but at the same time, and possibly due to the traversing of the Twort work from different sources, a movement was made to apply a test in vivo, which related carcinogenic activity to change in refractive inHexlj? oils injected into the living animal. 5 . . Towards the end of 19k3 the matter suddenly came Into still greater prominence, via the Ministzy of Labour, both in connection with the provision of mule spinning lubricants and the use in increasing quantities of petroleum extracts as replacements for products of different types which were in short supply, particularly rubber extenders and drying oil substitutes. _ As a result, the Petroleum Board, through its Tech nical Advisers, embarked on biological work in the Pathological Department of the University of Birmingham for the express purpose of developing the whole subject on a reliable basis of observation. Around the same time discussions were started between the various Ministries and Government Departments concerned, representatives of the Spinners* Operatives (the trades unions), the Master Spinners, and the Petroleum Industry. At these meetings the representatives of the Oil Industry were Mr. J. A. Oriel of the Shell Company and myself. One of the matters thereby brought into consideration and now coming to a head, was the suggested adoption of technical white oils as textile lubricants. " At a recent meeting the significance of this move ment was closely canvassed and the Petroleum Representatives pointed out that whilst the research work subsidized by the Oil Industry had in successive reports indicated the biological inactivity of so-called tech nical white oils, it was necessary to express a warning that their adoption should not be regarded as the final step in either the investigation or the practical consideration of the occupational carcinoma concerned. Indeed, recommendation of the adoption of near white oils, wherever workers were subject to direct contact with petroleum products, might be misleading and dangerou8 because of the assumption that nothing else needed to be done. 911230 B in E u lM 01608 Page No.2 Moreover, the question of supplies, costs, etc., might render the situa tion impracticable. It might be far more important to develop the use under such conditions of solvent-treated oils of low biological activity combined with special attention to the avoidance of oil dispersion and to personal cleanliness. ** With the demergence of the Petroleum Board arrange ments have been made for the research work, such as that at Birmingham, to be continued under the supervision of the Institute of Petroleum with funds bequeathed by the Petroleum Board and likely to be added to as required by the individual Oil Companies in the future. In accepting this responsi bility the Institute of Petroleum appointed a special Research Group which has been placed under my Chairmanship and includes representatives of the major companies and certain University workers. " Within the last month, quite separately, the Medical Research Council - a body of the highest standing and working directly under the Privy Council on grants allocated by the Treasury, has decided to investigate fully the question of the carcinogenicity of Petroleum Products. In this connection Sir Edward Mellanty, the Chairman of the Medical Research Council, has approached me as representing the Institute of Petroleum for the purpose of effecting contact and establishing co-operation with the Petroleum Industry in general and the I. p. Research Group in particular. From our conversations it appears that such collaboration will be arranged. " _ I am informed that the Medical Research Council's interest in the subject has not developed from the textile considerations known to you but largely from observations made by the Medical Officers of the Government Factory Department indicative of dangerous and fairly wide spread symptoms arising from the use of certain mould oils in Scotland and from work carried out on automatic tool operatives in the Midlands because of similar or allied occurrences presumably arising from contact of workers with cutting oils. " . The organization proposed ty the Medical Research Council -will be of a high standard and will bring in all the specialists in allied spheres of work in the United Kingdom. It is intended that the investigations shall be laid out as a succession of long-term projects. It is thought probable, however, that the ad hoc research work on which the Institute of Petroleum Research Group is prepared to embark may well fit as a particular phase of the bigger investigation. " The Petroleum Industry here has noted with great interest the growing concern of the A.P.I. in the cancer problem in relation ship to oil. " Tt seems, therefore, of great moment that steps should be taken to correlate the work in the two countries not only to assist in the prosecution of the pathological investigation but from the broader important practical outlook of the Petroleum Industry in its relationship to health." y 911230 BinEulM 01609