Document wKVd6xKdreVLYbBnVEdz33zxB

Managers' Notice No. 934 March 13, 1974 Subject: MEDICAL RESEARCH The University of Louisville is making the following news release this afternoon: I/JUISVILLE, Ky. , March 13 -- A medical research program on angio sarcoma and related liver abnormalities is being organized by the University of Louisville's Health Sciences Center and Cancer Center under a grant from The B.F.Goodrich Company. Details of the program and Goodrich support for it were announced at a news conference today by Harold Boyer, D.D.S. , Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Louisville. "This grant affords the opportunity to serve our community by bringing to bear our already-existing scientific expertise and research methods in regard to the apparent occupational health problem that has developed here in recent weeks," Dr. Boyer said. "It is our goal to provide medical information that can be applied practically in the detection and treatment of liver ailments that may have resulted from worker exposure to vinyl chloride." Specific objectives have been established far the program, according to Arthur H. Keeney, M.D., D.Sc., Dean of the School of Medicine. They are: * to develop and implement medical examination and screening procedures. * to establish a registry which will be a computerized data bank containing all information pertinent to Incidences of liver disease and angiosarcoma. * to conduct clinical research and basic research programs directly related to the problem of angiosarcoma and related liver diseases through existing Cancer Center procedures*. - "The first year of the program will cost an estimated $300,000" said Keeney, "and will be funded to this amount by The B.F.Goodrich Company. However, it is conceivable that this program would lead to expanded medical studies on angiosarcoma and other liver diseases, for which broader, additional support from various sources would be sought, as necessary." "We will appoint a clinical coordinator for this project, establish a project office and set up review boards composed of medical and scientific specialists to review progress and procedures being 'used," he said. (over) BFG23513 Tr 23001001 2- Dr. Keeney*said close liaison will also be maintained with Dr. John L. Creech, Louisville B.F.Goodrich plant physician, and Dr. Maurice N. Johnson, the company's corporate director of environmental health, who is responsible for occupational health in all B.F.Goodrich facilities. Dr. Creech will serve on one of the review boards for the project. Speaking for the company. Dr. Johnson said: "Dr. Creech's discovery of several cases of angiosarcoma at our Louisville polyvinyl chloride operations and subsequent developments indicate the need for broad scientific inquiry into the possible causes, detection and treatment of this disease. "Our goal," he said, "is to do everything possible to resolve this problem and to prevent its recurrence. The funding of this project is one step toward that goal. "We are fortunate that here, where this problem first surfaced, we have the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center and its fine faculty, many of whom have through the years been engaged in research which will provide knowledge helpful in a study of this kind. The Health Sciences Center and the Cancer Center are well staffed and equipped to work on this problem." Although the initial program will concentrate primarily on the Louisville situation, the discovery of angiosarcoma deaths by three other polyvinyl chloride manufacturers, after B.F.Goodrich's initial announcement, demonstrates the industry-wide scope of this problem. It was noted that full use will be made of other resources which may have information relating to this research. This would include the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the National Cancer Institute and the Center for Disease Control, all under the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; the Kentucky Department of Labor; the Manufacturing Chemists Association, and programs sponsored by organized labor, among others. Please communicate the above to your employees. Distribution: cc: Cleveland Office Plants Sales Offices Technical Centers George Pow Director of Employee Relations B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company o 23001002 BFG23514 Tr