Document reJDmze65r9xXkJ0dkn2BYXnv

V, \V- \ Deamand Shamrock v March ?, 1976 APR 11 '976 g N WtfflER Mr. Robert I.. FcnMnlc IJ i. 11 . 6..Know! turn., -Inc- (jiiUi/ii, 33 ?h led Avenue New York, New York 10017 L:> ! /. \eUlrA; P ,! -vtr y \i. Dear Bob: Here is a scientific fact sheet issued internal]y hv our medical director, P.. VJ. McBurney, M.D. Thought some of the data might be useful for your Situation Paper. Use it as you see fit. S i >irf Y'r 1 y , KMA:hi a Attachment Director Advertising t Public Relation': Diamond Shamrock Corporation ucc 006960 J h.ivi1 ji i < p.n i iJ lIk- 11.1 ). ,v ;,d.iLj ,i:. g< n>' '-i 1 j 11 f or m.i L i on b.u.od on scientific f.ici.. It denis ui tli u 11 hualih effects of vinyl chloride monomer and cancer in general. 1 Vinyl Chloride Monomer - Cancer Ac high levels and long Lerm exposure causes a cancer of the liver (angiosarcoma). Cases now in U.S. 1<8, World 20. Total 38. Diamond workers present and past show no cancer cases nor do we feel their present health is other than that of unexposed workers. The low levels in our planLs now are recognized as safe by most health authorities. 2. Infant Abnormalities or Cancer of the Cenlral Nervous System in General Population it." r VCH-PVC Plants Eased on research internally at Diamond and by scientists at: the Federal Center for Disease Control there is no evidence linking vinyl chloride exposure and either birth defects or cancers of the central nervous system in the Ohio communities studied. 3. Increased Abortions in Wives of VCK-PVC Exposed Workers - Firestone, Pottstown Study We doubt the reliability of this study. Based on a small number of exposed workers at Firestone's Pottstown plant the workers were asked by several interviewers if they remembered any miscarriages in their wives. The study has questionable scientific validity. While not directly applicable, a study by Dow has shown VCM is not teratogenic in three species of experimental animals. However, if true the Firestone study does clearly demonstrate that at the low level of exposure now present such effects could not take place. SSxn _?.. A. C.mr i-1' iii i 11 Wi' i ) ii tin i l i -tl M ,u >-. a. There is no overall increase in cancer mortal)ty rates in the United States if the national cancer mortality statistics are adjusted for the growLh in lung cancer, 907. ot which experts believe is attributable to smoking, and for the increased length of life of Che population. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society. b. The United States is not a world leader in cancer deaths but ranks 19th of 44 countries in deaths from cancer per 100,000 male population, and 18th for women. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society. c. The overall mortality rate of cancer has increased in recent decades for men but not for womcii, Death rare; frnn all tyne.s of cancer per 100,000 population (age adjusted) declined 11% among women between 1947 and 1970. The rate increased 18% among men. This is mainly due to a large increase in lung cancer which American Cancer Society says is due to cigarette smoking. Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society d. Over a period of time, cancer has become a major cause of death ranking second behind cardiovascular diseases. Most of the increase would appear to be due to the increase in the average life span by cure or prevention of oncc-common "killer" diseases. To a smaller extent it may also be due to changes that have taken place in the living habits, diets and ocher environmental factors. Source - "76 Cancer Facts & Figures" American Cancer Society ucc 006962 % I c . C.u .c i - r I n - 'vr, In be : < 1 :i I nt to i ) i ii, i i` .1 J , <n "m c u p. I ! i on ! ! " f C' r it' a 1 i-1L i vc 1 y small ]u opur I i on nl' nl] c.incn (loss i li.in ]"/.), according to John Higginson, Director of l ho. International -Agency for Research on Cancer. The major types of cancer (lung, breast, colon-rectum) may be associated with various environmental factors such as smoking, diet, and cultural practices, but cannot be accounted for by more than a minor degree by nice; slional exposure. . Source - "76 Cancer Facts and Figures" American Cancer Society Dr. John Riggison - Essays in Toxicology (In Press) f. There is no clear evidence that industrial activity is linked to the incidence of cancer in th- general population. Some lesser industrialized countries luve higher cancer death rates than certain more industrialized countries. Source - "Leading Cause of Death in Selected /'r ear. of t he World" 1972 Report, Senate Coimittee on Labor and Public Welfare. g. Claims that the types of cancer most prevalent, in the general population are tied to industrial occupations cannot be supported statistically. Source - Congressional Research Service Memorandum January 23, 1975 from P. A. Fredluud Science Policy Research Division h. Age-adjusted male and female cancer death rates by sites. United States, 1930-1973 are duplicated. With the exception of lung cancer most trends are downward or stationary. Source: U. S. National Center for Health Statistics CA - A Cancer Journal for Clinicians - Jan-Feb 1976 UCC 006963 HATE PER !OT,0C3 FFL'A LE POPULATION Agp-Ad;uitcd Canrer Death Rate** fo: ,"cU'ctoJ Siler, f ctnalrs, Umiid St.itci 1030 - '973 60 YEAR Sources: U.S. National Center fur Health Statitliu and U.S. Bureau of (he Ccniut. Standardis'd un the ape distribution of Ihc 19-10 U.S. Census Population. ' CA-A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS UCC 006964 Apt--Adjusted Li-nci Iji *>1'i * .v.i 1 ` 're ;r< ! ii '-`..r *" iT rjt-'S':- YEAR Soutett: U.S, Nilivml Ccnlct foi Health SutiMict nd U.S. Buicju of the Centut Sundjidufd <m the jc diittibuiion of the 1940 U.5. ftnun Population. VOL ?t. NO JANUARY/rtORUARY t9?6 UCC 006965 i. No r.'.njoi or obvious alterations in uaL ionwidc mortality data c.nn now bo associated witli the period of on^nt o m.ijor use of modern pesticides. Source - National Research Council Report - February 5, 1976 FsWM :mk February 26, 1976 ,/ R. W, MeBuruey, H.D. t ucc 006966