Document wg5vM7Xjvyeb5V7Yj4gmvQebQ

UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION P O. BOX BOOA, SOUTH CHARLESTON, W VA. 25303 Silicones and Urechane Intermediates South Charleston PlBnt ' December 18, 1986 TO: All Employees and Retirees of the South Charleston Plant SUBJECT: Kanawha Valiev Epidemiology Study As you may know, NIOSH and Union Carbide researchers have, for several years, been studying the causes of death among Union Carbide employe s at three facilities In the Kanawha Valley, namely the South Charleston plant, the Institute plant end the Technical Center. An overallmortality study of 29,139 employees has now been completed. This study involved the cooperation of NIOSH and Union Carbide epidemiologists, company management, and local officials of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Work rs that represent workers at the plants. The study population Included all men who worked at least one day between January 1, 1940 and Oecember 31, 1978. More than 96% of the employees were successfully traced through 1978 and Identified as to being alive or deceased. Cause of death was obtained for 95% of the deceased former employees. To date, the mortality experience has been examined by cause of death, length of employment, time from first employement, and date of deatn; but not by facility, work areas or specific exposure agents. OveralV mortality observed In this large population of chemical workers was found to be slmlla.r to that seen for the United States white mal population. There were 5,785 deaths observed during the study period compared to 6,148 expected deaths based on United States white male death rates. There were 1,083 observed cancer deaths compared to 1,159 expected cancer deaths. Among the more than 80 causes of death studied, two have been Identified as being In excess. One of these causes of death Is liver cancer (Including angiosarcoma of the liver). In follow-up of this finding a review of liver cancer deaths has been undertaken among long-term vinyl chloride polymerization workers In the South Charleston plant. This review suggests that past vinyl chloride exposures may explain the 10 excess liver cancer deaths seen In the total study population. The link between vinyl chloride exposure and liver cancer was first recognized during the mid 1970's. At that time employees were Informed and steps were taken to control potential vinyl chloride exposures In the workplace. The liver cancer findings of the present study were also described In a January 1986 communication to Kanawha Valley employees. * -1 v UCC 097463 'I The second category of deaths found to be In excess was Lymphosarcoma and Retlculosarcoma. These are cancers of the lymphoretlcular system, that Is. cancers which arise In the lymph nodes. It Is not presently known whether or not this observation Is due to factors present In the work environment or due to chance. This question will be Investigated by further study of the employment and exposure histories of men with and without these Illnesses. In addition to a more detailed examination of the two causes of death found to be In excess, several studies of employee subgroups are already being undertaken. As part of the original study plans, mortality data will be evaluated for men who worked In the coal hydrogenation unit and for those who worked In ethylene oxide production areas of the plants. Union Carbide and NIOSH have also agreed to examine mortality data for employees assigned to 1.3-butadlene production areas. v If you have any further questions we urge you to contact Or. Teter In our Medical Department. 4 Plant Manager Medical Olrector BULLETIN BOAROS: UP: 12/18/86 DOWN: 01/03/87 3478Y UCC 097464 /