Document v1Zj7YzdQ4rjGBGaB5Yxen4nY

UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION SOLVENTS AND INTERMEDIATES P.O.BOX 471. TEXAS CITY, TEXAS 77990 November 9, 1981 TO ALL TEXAS CITY UNION CARBIDE EMPLOYEES: As you know Union Carbide Corporation and the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) have been conducting long, complicated studies to investigate whether there might be an excess of primary malignant brain tumors among employees and, if so, whether they are associated with an occupational exposure to chemicals in this plant. We are still awaiting the results of the NIOSH Study, but we would like to take this opportunity to share the results of Union Carbide's Mortality Study and Case Control Study which have now been completed. These studies indicate that Union Carbide employees at Texas City have enjoyed better than average health. The overall incidence of death has been significantly less than the national average, as have been deaths due to all forms of malignant cancer and circulatory, respira tory and digestive diseases. Of 6588 employees who worked or are working at Texas City since the startup date in 1941, there are 4 or 5 cases of brain cancer that could not be explained by normal background brain cancer rates. We believe that this may represent a chance occurrence and that these cases are not due to chemical exposures at our plant. There are three reasons why we believe this. First, we have not been able to associate these brain cancer cases with any particular chemical exposure. Second, the types of brain cancer are present in the same percentages as that seen in the general population. Ordinarily, chemically caused cancer is a specific and often unusual type, different than those seen in the general population. Finally, excessive brain cancer has not been confirmed in chemical plants similar to ours in other parts of the country. Brain tumors are a rare cause of death and while there must be concern over any increase in incidence, there is no cause for alarm based on the results of this study. We firmly believe that our present standards and practices in the Texas City Plant provide more than adequate protection from known health hazards. We will continue to follow the health of our employees to learn when and if some unfavorable health experiences occur. UCC 097023 2 We expect that the result of the NIOSH studies, when released, will basically agree with our conclusions. We will keep you informed. We want to express our appreciation to Dr. Tom Lincoln, Corporate Medical Director, and Dr. Susan Austin, Corporate Epidemiologist, who have given their total cooperation to make this study possible. We are also appreciative of the affirmative review of the detailed findings by their consultants, Dr. Brian MacMahon of Harvard University and Dr. Philip Enterline of the University of Pittsburgh. Gulf Coast Medical Director /mm UCC 097024