Document wrbNDQ0o72k3ymG7LJZO4B2jD

SC-iOG3(Cv !-40) HELL CHEMICAL COMPANY HEfencwce of - vc/pvc. - ^ a * strictly personal to Houston - Manufacturing 8c Distribution General Manager - Mr. A. J. Martin date July 30, 1973 from Manager - Houston Plant subject Vinyl Chloride We have begun disseminating the information recently come to our attention from the Manufacturing Chemists Association on vinyl chloride. It is being transmitted to employees through the Operating and Maintenance line management and was also given to the Health 81 Safety Committee in the July 26, 1973, meeting. We are stressing the points that (1) malignant tumors in rats were induced under extremely high exposures {30,000 ppm) for extended periods; (2) we experience exposures in the Plant in the 0-50 ppm range compared to the TLV of 200; (3) there is zero evidence of tumors in humans in the past 30 years experience in the industry; (4) we are imposing on our selves and recommending to customers that a TLV of 50 be observed; (5) we are taking steps to improve containment of the material; and, (6) the MCA is beginning an exposure study of animals in low concentrations in contrast to the extreme conditions used in item (1) above to make absolutely certain the environment is safe. It was also mentioned that a physiological testing program similar to that conducted on employees involved at BA, Specialities, Phenol, etc. would likely be started. When this information was given the Health &t Safety Committee, there was no emotional reaction. One member volunteered that the saccarin and cyclamates studies probably resulted in a grossly conservative conclusion. They were told that there are many, many commonly accepted substances which could cause physiological effects if administered in abnormal quantity and manner. You will be kept advised of any subsequent change in attitude or reaction. - -... E. S. Martin ASI 000021288 1 DRAFT SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY A DIVISION OF SHELL OIL COMPANY ONE SHELL PLAZA P.O. BOX 2463 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77001 July 6, 1973 k or-L/c/pvc- *** i >l To Shell VCM Customers Gentlemen: The necessity for limiting and controlling human exposure to high concentrations of vinyl chloride has been long recognized. The most recent Manufacturing Chemists Association safety data sheet for vinyl chloride recommends a ceiling value of 500 ppm vinyl chloride for exposures. A copy of this data sheet is enclosed for your information. The 500 ppm ceiling value also has been specified by the Department of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as the permitted employee exposure level to vinyl chloride. In June of 1972, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) adopted an eight hour time weighted average Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 200 ppm (vol/vol) for vinyl chloride. Documentation covering the considerations leading to the adoption of this value may be obtained by request to the chairman, TLV Committee^American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists P.O. Box 1937, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201. While the ACGIH adopted a 200 ppm level for vinyl chloride, the TLV Documentation acknowledges studies which recommend levels from 50 ppm to 500 ppm. As you may be aware, the Manufacturing Chemists Asr 00002 128 9 2 Association has contracted with consultants, on behalf of a group of vinyl chloride producers and consumers to conduct animal exposure studies and a comprehensive epidemiology study of vinyl chloride workers. It is hoped that results from these studies will aid in clarifying what exposure limitation would be most appropriate. However, until these results are available and in view of the range in recommendations, we thought you va''**;/ c^/or//e. would wish to know that we consider it prudent to establish a.JIV of ,50 ppm especially fa^ioh2^measurements-mad^+>xior *$& indicate that it is possible, at least in our operations, to *./( <Lt Ur's exposure levels ty^trppm,,v,iiio4-eW<w*4de^ (uL ptV~ * tigfcgfafcWly ymi hotegatjcujfcftftaftt consideration to the vinyl chloride exposure levels'which may be appropriate for your operations. We would be pleased to make available the techniques which to*" i A we use fonlow concentrations of vinyl chloride if you would consider them helpful. Very truly yours, R. J. Reynolds Shell Chemical Company Vinyl Chloride' Business Center Attach: MCA Safety Data Sheet AS I 000021290