Document v1a048a3neeBzgzOYDrZrrXa9

R&S 008776 Dear Dr. Waggoner: We are pleased to hear of your continued interest in epidemiological studies which have been coordinated by the MCA. We had received no information since the correspondence of January 4, 1978, in which it was indicated that if an acceptable protocol was provided we would investigate the possibility of transmitting the data you requested. Since the data pertain to employees of the 31 cooperating companies it will be necessary to arrange for release by the companies involved, hence the need for a protocol which describes what is needed and how it is to be used. You will be pleased to know that the Technical Panel on Vinyl Chloride Research is currently pursuing this study from several aspects. They are discussing with potential investigators the possibility of a five year follow-up on the original study. This was one of the recommendations of the January, 1978 report by Equitable Environmental Health. The excess in brain cancer is also being approached and preliminary research protocols have been requested for these studies. When a investigator is selected and a formal protocol has been received we will be pleased to discuss it with you and other epidemiologists. We have been informed that Equitable Environmental Health no longer conducts epidemiological studies so another investigator must be found. R&S 008777 There are several adminstrative matters that need to be resolved in the mean time. Because of antitrust and other considerations, the MCA and the sponsors are not aware of the form of the data or even which companies employees were included. Neither do we nor the 'sponsors know which plants are involved. We have, of course, been made aware that the Union Carbide Texas City plant population was included and have been informed that those men were not part of the 11 cases of brain cancer recently reported in that location. Since there are so many companies and plants involved it is essential that formal protocols be available if we are to discuss release" of the data the sponsors. The Technical Panel will expedite the investigation and it is anticipated that the investigation of the 12 brain cancers can be completed within a reasonable time and as is MCA's policy the results will be made public. Sincerely, 41CA