Document wr1KvkX7oXdN3xxbENEGeMqx6

ca ' b Chemicals and plastics________________________________________________ 7 NEW YORK. NEW YORK To: Mr. M. E. Eisenhour Mr. R. N. Wheeler t/ cc: Mr. B. B. Cowser Dr. W. L. Larcamp December 5, 1972 CONFIDENTIAL * With reference to our recent conversations relative to the possible hazard from exposure to vinyl chloride monomer, I have discussed the matters of concern with Carl Dernehl to reach the following generalizations and conclusions: That the sections on Industrial Toxicology within the National Institutes of Health are aware of the findings of Viola and others, but not particularly concerned due to the high concentrations involved in the exposure studies and to the limited animal population used in the studies and as controls. That the present project within the MCA holds promise of defining the problem in terms of degree of hazard vs concentration vs the type of carcinoma, if any. That the second phase of the MCA study if required, would, indeed, involve a demographical survey on an industry basis. Such a survey would be more significant than a review of only the UCC population associated with vinyl chloride since the UCC population would be too small for a statistically valid conclusion. The effect of exposure to vinyl chloride monomer is obviously very limited -- small if any deviation from the normal. That UCC should compile and keep evergreen the list of people assigned to the vinyl chloride and vinyl resin operations so that it would be possible to identify quickly the population within our plants should there be an industry-sponsored survey. That beauty operators applying hair spray on a daily, routine basis might actually be a better population to examine than chemical plant operators. * UCC 004966 -2 In summary, I would hope that a listing of employees working in the monomer and resin areas at both Texas City and South Charleston could be compiled quietly; updated from time-to-time as operators are assigned into the polymer units, and kept safe for future use, if needed. We shall look to Dr. Demehl and Mr. Wheeler for a progress report on the MCA study as the results become available. A. B. STEELE w ucc 004967