Document qd21Mq8pEmykggVp6yd4mo3j5

A r TO: Distribution Z&r. ^61: Mf^l: W XF: _________ IntroHlf CMnmunkatlM FROM: DATE: SOBJ: T. C. Crumbles August 24, 1989 NIOSH INVESTIGATION AT THE LCVCK PLANT VISTA Attached ere the employee letter regarding the subject and the NIOSH request sene today. We'll keep you Informed on progress. T. C. Grumbles dlj .739 Attachment Distribution: T. H. Huffman, J. A. DeBernardl, R. D. Caablln, M. S. Reynolds, W. L. KcClain-Houston J. Frlend-LCCP, J. Ware-LCLAB, R. W. Seymour-Aber, H. D. Garrlson-Okc ll VEV508445-1 Page 001 VEV-50B445 A Vista QumicoJ Campon? 900 Throodnaadto HowWon. Tam 7707? (713)588-3000 CERTIFIED HAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED August 24, 1989 9.0. 8o 1907? Houma*. boat 77774 Fob (713) 588-3734 Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies NIOSH 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 Dear Sirs: Vista Chemical Is requesting a NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation at it's Vinyl Chloride Monomer production facility in Vestlake, Louisiana. This request Is being made to Investigate the Incidence of cancer and particularly brain tumors at this manufacturing location. A plant profile is attached that describes the plant operation and provides details about the plant size and history. The evaluation is being requested as a result of recent events in the current employee population. Two employees have recently been diagnosed as having cancerous brain tumors. According to the information available to us, one employee's tumor was a Glioblastoma Multlforae (astrocytoma) and one was an Adenocarcinoma (metastatic) . Both employees have been employed at the plant for more than 15 years. Based on the facts available to us at this time, it appears the two tumors are of a different type and not related in any way. However, the occurrence of two brain tumors in- a short time has raised employee concerns regarding the relationship between chemical exposures and brain tumors at the plant. For this reason, we believe an independent assessment of Che situation would be beneficial. Please contact the undersigned at 713-588-3445 if you have any questions concerning this matter and to provide information concerning the next step to be taken by NIOSH. Sincerely, Thomas G. Grumbles, C.I.H. Environmental Quality Manager dlj Enclosures VEV508445-2 Page 002 VEV-508446 A Lake Charles VCM Plant Vista Chemical Company Box 605 VCM Plant Road Westlake, Louisiana 70669 Telephones VCM Plant Office VCM CoatroL Room 318/494-5030 (7 am. - 3:30 pm. Monday-Friday) 318/494-5070 (Day or Night) Employees Approximately 120 employees. Major Materials Produced Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) Ethylene dichloride (EDC) Process Capadty 700 million pounds per year. Product Facts VCM is produced from ethylene fed to the plant from Vista Chemical's ethylene unit (part of the Lake Charles Chemical Plant), located in the same chemical complex. Vista's VCM is utilized in the production ofVista Polymers' PVC resins, compounds and dryblends and is also sold into the merchant market. When VCM is processed into PVC, the resulting resin can be manufactured into such products as siding, pipe, furniture, apparel and packaging. VCM is a colorless gas at atmospheric pressure and is the basic raw material for making polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic resin. Ethylene dichloride (EDC), the other basic ingredient for the manufacture of VCM,-is produced on site as part of the VCM manufacturing process. After it is made, it is held in tanks until needed. EDC, a colorless, oily liquid, is not routinely shipped outside the plant. VCM from this facility is transported to Vista's PVC plants in Aberdeen, Mississippi, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is also sold to other companies. Facility Description The Lake Charles VCM Plant is located adjacent to the Lake Charles Chemical Plant on an 80-acre tract, of which 25 acres are utilized. It contains rail and trucking facilities, with access to water transport facilities. Facility History 1967 - Constructed from a Stauffer Chemical Company design. 1968 - Brought on-stream. The plant was the largest single-train VCM plant in the world. 1981 The plant completed a major modernization project in 1983. VEV-508447 1984 Vista Chemical assumes operations of the plant after the company purchased assets of r.mnrn PVpmiVo1 VEV508445-3 Page 003 A Lake Charles VCM Plant Page 2 Incoming Supplies (Feedstocks. Raw Materials) Chlorine Transported to the plant in gaseous form by pipeline from the nearby PPG Industries Plant and limited quantities in Liquid form by t*nk ear from other chlorine manufacturers in the southeast. Only on-site storage of feedstock is for liquid chlorine. Qi^h concentrations of chlorine gas cause severe damage to the respiratory tract. With long exposure, death may result. Gas or liquid contact can burn skin ana permanently damage eye tissue. . Ethylene Transferred to the plant via pipeline from LCCP. Ethylene is a flammable gas which has an anesthetic effect on humans. HCIGas (Hydrogen Chloride Anhydrous) Transferred to the plant as gas by pipeline. It is a colorless, nonflammable gas. Eyes and respiratory tract are susceptible to irritation if inhaled. Tissue damage may occur with exposure to high concentrations. Handling of Outgoing Materials Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) The major product from this facility is VCMt totaling 700 million pounds capacity per year. On-site ta-nk farm capacity is 27 million pounds maximum. VCM is shipped from the plant by railcar* ship and pipeline. VCM is a colorless gas and a liquid under pressure. Vapors can form flammable mixtures in air. Burning VCM generates hydrogen chloride gas. VCM is a recognized human carcinogen. High levels ofexposure over long periods of time can cause cancer inhumans. Ethylene EDO is used on site and is not routinely shipped outside the plant. Dicnloride (EDC) EDC is a clear liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. EDC va pors can form flammable mixtures in air. Burning EDC generates Kydrogen chloride gas. EDC is classified as a suspected carcinogen. High levels of exposure over long periods of time can cause adverse effects on the liver and kidneys. Regulated Waste Substances as a Result of Manufacturing Operations Heavy Ends Light Ends Muriatic Acid Generated from the VCM process and Is sent off-site to PPG Industries for recycling. Generated from the VCM process and is normally sold in the market as a product. Generated from the VCM process and is either sold as product or neutralized in tanks to be rendered non-ha2ardous. llllllllISlIIIRUIIIIIlllllllillllflll VEV508445-4 Page 004 Sec. 16 4/87 2 VEV-508448