Document rBEOMOMeezkkJYpVa6vkgBBe0

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AN'O FUULIC AFFAIRS American Chemical Society 1155 SIXTEENTH STREET. N.W. WASHINGTON. D.C. 20036 Phone (232) 872-4600 Mr: rch 29, 1971* 120-02LA-71* } memoraiidum TO: Members, ACS Committee on Environmental Improvement "ROM: Dr. Stephen T. Quigley ZJ. Proposed OSKA Emergency Temporary Standard on Vinyl Chloride `{ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the Department of ! a::- is expected to issue a proposed revised emergency temporary standard on vi chloride in light of severed reports of fatalities end a study implicating 'i j vinyl chloride as a cause of angiosarcoma of the liver. ^ 197** jThe proposed rules should he published before April 5, ia the Federal- Register. The emergency standard will lower the ceiling exposure for vinyl chior- \ \ ide from the current level of 500 p.p.n. to 50 p.p.m. The "permanent" standard Is expected to set 1 p.p.m. as the ceiling for exposure. Most polyvinyl chloride J \ plants are believed to operate their polymerization sections (vher** the recent fatal closures .have occurred) at exposures of about 50 p.p.m., although rece: tly couj plants claim to operate at a level of 10 p.p.m. 0 j< To date, at least 11 cases of liver cancer have been linked tc vinyl chloride exposure. Vinyl chloride is known to cause other liver dir- ases and changes in cir- tation and bone structure in fingers end toes. Polyvinyl chloride is suspected c* causing lung damage. A 1961 study shows that a level of 500- p.p.m. of vinyl chloride causes cancer in animals. A recent study by Professor Cesare Maltoai, supporJ -d by a consortium of European firms, reveals that liver angio sarcoma found in fatal deaths of vinyl chloride - polyvinyl chloride workers can be ind. ccd in rats by exposure to vinyl chloride. 5. F. Goodrich Co., the parent company of B. F. Goodrich Chemical Co., has announced that it is funding a medical research program on angiosarcoma at the University of Louisville. i ; ! ' A brief chronology of the events leading to the issuance of a revised stan dard on vinyl chloride is as follows: January 1971*: Announcement of an investigation into the cancer deaths of three workers at a B, F. Goodrich Chemical Co. plant in Louisville, Ky. RSV 0002712 Members , ACS Committee on Environment Improvement 2- - March 29, 19T1* 120-02LA-74 February 197U: Administrative rulemaking hearings held by the Department of Labor; Industry witnesses supported a revised standard on vinyl chloride exposure, not as an emergency temporary standard, but through ordinary rule-naking procedures; Labor representatives and university scientists supported the emergency standard. The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Board added vinyl chloride to a list of cancer-causing agents, o March 197^: The I/ational Institute of Occupational Safety and Health developed recommendations on analytical method.' for detection of vinyl chlo. '.le under plant conditions, OSKA announced that an emergency standard would be issued by early April 197*W B.F. Goodrich Co. announced funding for a medical research pro gram on angiocarsoma and related liver diseases. Does the corns Ittee wish to review the emergency temporary standard on vinyl chloride and develop a draft ACS policy statement for presentation at- a rulemaking hearing? Dr. R. W. Cairns Mr. H. H. Fawcett Dr. R. L. Kenyon Mr. H. A, Merrell Dr. C. G. Overberger RSV 0002713