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Interoffice Communication To (see below) From F. Kennedy Date August 31, 1973 Subject VCM Epidemiological Study Please find attached Progress Report No. 1 from Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, Inc. Flynt Kennedy lm enc Distribution: JJL-(JDBr-LJS)-KLS-(JDBu-JMcC) (LNV-GDJ)-(RDG-JDM)-GFT-EMS N VVC 00000117^ MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION 1625 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20009 (202) 483-6126 To: TECHNICAL TASK GROUP ON VINYL CHLORIDE RESEARCH Subject: Progress Report No, I from Tabershc^wr-Cooper Associates, Inq, Gentlemen: Distributed herewith is the subject report. Please note responses have not been received from five of the 51 plants initially solicited for participation. We would hope that the questions of their eventual participation in the study could be resolved promptly. Sincerely CHEMICALS RESEARCH AUG 2 71973 1~ __ _W^g___________ pr't A" * IV Kenneth D. Johnson, Ph.D. Staff Representative Technical Task Group on Vinyl Chloride Research KDJ:mb Enclosure cc : Dr. D. P. Duffield Mr. D. M. Elliott Dr. Tiziano Garlanda Manufacturing Chemists Association VCM Epidemiological Study Progress Report August 20, 1973 Prepared by Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, Inc. 2180 Milvia Street Berkeley, California 94704 vvc 000001176 Manufacturing Chemists Association VCM Epidemiological Study Progress Report August 20, 1973 Introduction The VCM Epidemiological Study is an investigation of mortality among workers exposed to vinyl chloride, for the purpose of (a) comparing their mortality with that of the general male population, (b) comparing their mortality with mortality in other occupational group, and (c) comparing mortality within the population of vinyl chloride Workers based on estimated occupational exposure. The Manufacturing Chemists Association has identified 51 plants, belonging to 19 companies, as potenital participants in the study, and has provided TCA Inc. with a data sheet (Ex hibit A) for each plant giving the name, location and the name of a plant contact. Progress to Date A brief questionnaire (Exhibit B) was sent to each plant in order to get an estimate of the exposed population- to find out how far back in time records could be obtained for each plant, and to find out whether job histories were available for retired and terminated workers. Forty six plants nave responded to date. Four of these were dropped from the study because they had been in operation less than 5 years as of the end of 1972, and therefore would contribute little or nothing to a study of chronic effects. Table 1 shows the distribution of all the responding plants by the length of time over which usable personnel records are available. I/an foe Olil fvc h**r*^~ Table 2 shows the distribution of the 42 plants actually included in the study by size of current exposed work force. The total active work force in these plants is approximately 5200. It is estimated that there will be about lOO0retirees and termina tions, bringing the actual study group to about 6200. Tables 1 and 2 show that the typical plant has less than 100 exposed employees and has usable records going back 10 to 15 years. The estimated number of person-years represented by the study group is about 60,000, out of which one would expect, depending on the age distribution of the population, about 500 to 800 deaths. Preliminary results from the first few plants indicate that it VVC 000001177 is possible to determine the present status of about 90 percent of the study group without going beyond the plant records and the personal knowledge of the plant personnel or employee relations manager. However, in seven plants, representing about 10 per cent of the study group, job histories are not available for re tirees and terminated employees. These plants will be included in the overall mortality analysis, but not in the analysis by estimated exposure. Future Plans Visits to plants are now being made. Some concern has been expressed by plant employee relations personnel about the ad visability of photocopying employee data with the individual's name included. Therefore, a work history form has been prepared so that the data can be transcribed from personnel records without the identifying information. Individual plants will be offered the option of (a) having their records copied as originally planned, (b) having TCA Inc. personnel transcribe their records onto the new form, or (c) having their own personnel transcribe the data onto the TCA Inc. forms. Periodic data on the status of the follow-up process will be provided beginning with the next progress report. vvc 0000011T8 JL. 1 Table 1 Distribution of 46 Plants by Number of Years for Which Personnel Records Are Available Number of plants Total 46 Number of Years *5* 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25 + 4 12 19 4 43 *Dropped from study. Table 2 Distribution of 42 Study Plants by Size of Current Exposed Work Force Number of plants Total 42 Number of Workers *50 50-99 100-249 250-499 500+ 13 14 9 33 i VVC 000001179