Document x171jKZM5rvOB2zG3egydQ2G0

American Petroleum Institute 1220 L Street, Northwest Washington, O.C. 20005 Committee Correspondence To: Workgroup on Asbestos From: Wil Jung, Chair Elizabeth Treanor, API Staff Re: Asbestos Epidemiology Date: August 22/ 1984 Reply to: For your information, API has submitted to OSHA, NIOSH and EPA a copy of the MBSD study entitled, "The Occurrence of Mesothelioma in a Mortality Study of Petroleum Refinery Workers," which identifies and assesses nine cases of mesothelioma in a cohort of 20,000 refinery workers. A copy of the submittal letter and draft API press release are enclosed; call Beth at (202) 682-8476 if you want a copy of the study itself. Enclosure ASS-006966 LANI 025941 >*** American Petroleum Institute 12201 Street. Northwest Washington. D.C. 20005 202-682-8000 C+iC Al TO: FROM: DATE: MBSD General Committee General Committ< Neill K. Weaver Ronald L. Jones August 14, 1984 ning We enclose for your information the August 7, 1984 preliminary report, "The Occurrence of Mesothelioma in a Mortality Study of Petroleum Refinery Workers" by Dr. Samuel D. Kaplan, which presents the identification and assessment of nine cases of mesothelioma. This preliminary report has been generated as a part of the second update of API's "Mortality Study of Petroleum Refinery Workers" (OH-1). The original study, begun in 1970, was an historical follow-up mortality study of a cohort of men who worked at least one year, from January 1, 1961 through December 31, 1971 in a sample of petroleum refineries. It involves 17 refineries and a cohort in excess of 20,000 men. A first update of the study followed the cohort through 1976. A complete report of the second update is expected in September, 1984. In accordance with API's policy of providing the Federal Government with copies of reports of API's health research, the report by Dr. Kaplan has been forwarded to EPA, OSHA, and NIOSH. In addition, it was sent to the member companies whose refinery population included the mesothelioma cases. A short, non-technical statement of the key features of the preliminary findings and a copy of the letter transmitting the report to the federal agencies are also enclosed. NKW/RLJ/sjs Enclosures (3) LAM 025942 ABS-006967 American Petroleum Institute 1220 L Street. Northwest Washington. D.C. 20005 202-682-8330 N K Weaver. M D . F.A C P and B<o>ogica' Science Duetto- August 15, 1984 J. Donald Miller NIOSH 600 Clifton Road/ N.E. Bldg. .1 3007 Atlanta/ GA 30333 Dear Mr. Miller: In accordance with API's policy of providing the federal govern ment with copies of reports of API's health research/ we are en closing a copy of a preliminary report: "The Occurrence of Meso thelioma in a Mortality Study of Petroleum Refinery Workers"/ by Dr. Samuel D. Kaplan (SRI Project LSC-2183, August 7, 1984). This preliminary report has been generated as a part of the second update of API's "Mortality Study of Petroleum Refinery Workers" (OH-1). A final report of this update is expected in September/ 1984. The original study/ begun in 1970, was an historical follow-up mortality study of a cohort of men who worked at least one year, from January 1, 1961 through December 31, 1971 in a sample of petroleum refineries. It involves 17 refineries and a cohort in excess of 20,000 men. A first update of the study followed the cohort through 1976. Copies of reports of the original study and first ypdate are included for reference. The^findinas of mesothelioma reported in this second update have not been discovered previously in this research, in some cases because death has occurred since the first update, and in others, as explained by the investigator, because of ambiguous disease classifications. API will undertake a detailed review of these preliminary findings, including the investigator*s recommendation for follow-up work. We will keep you apprised of the progress of this research, in cluding providing you a copy of the final report of the second update as soon as it is completed by the investigator. If you have any questions, please communicate with me. Sincerely, NKW/MD/lmp Enclosures An aaua' oooonumtv emotove- LAM 025943 ABS-006968 * IF ASKED 9 WASHINGTON -- The American Petroleum Institute, in accordance with its long-standing policy, this week supplied the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Labor Department (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Institutes c: Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), with a preliminary report on the results of an updated study of mortality rates among refinery workers. The study, sponsored by the API and conducted by SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., found that mesothelioma, a relatively rare malignant tumor caused by exposure to asbestos, was listed as the cause of death of nine male workers. This is considered statistically significant by medical researchers because the predicted number of deaths from this cause among males in the general populaticr. would have been between three and four. The original study, begun in 1970, involved 17 u.S. refineries, and more than 20,000 male workers employed for at least one year during the ten-year period after Jen, 1, 1961. A first update of the study followed the workers through 1976. The current update, the second, had a closing date of Dec. 31, 1980. The findings of mesothelioma were made during the course cf the second update as a result of at least four of the deaths having occurred after the first twc studies. Other cases were discovered because of reexamination of death certificates in certain disease classification codes. Under the system established by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which is generally ABS-006969 * LAM 025944 followed in reporting deaths, mesothelioma fatalities could be reported under any one of several codes. As the SRI report explained: "In addition to being coded under benign neoplasms, they (the mesotheliomas) can be coded as cancer of the peritoneum; cancer of the lung; cancer of other respiratory organs, including pleura and mediastinum; or, if stated on the death certificate as malignant mesothelioma, with the site not mentioned, under ICD code 199." The SRI report also said: "The diagnosis of mesothelioma is difficult. According to anecdotal information, even experienced pathologists have trouble with the diagnosis unless they are throughly familiar with the histologic appearance." Asbestos was formerly used in refineries as insulation for piping and process units. The industry stopped installing asbestos insulation some years ago in favor of fiberglass and glass materials. Active programs to remove asbestos from refineries have been in place for sometime. In addition, inciviaudai companies have industrial hygiene programs to monitor and control worker exposure from any remaining asbestos. The SRI report noted that it is not known to what extent workers covered by the survey were exposed to asbestos in the petroleum industry or elsewhere. A final report of this second update is expected in September 1984 ana will be supplied to relevant government agencies and to petroleum companies. API is undertaking a detailed review of the preliminary- findings of SRI, and is considering SRI's recommendation for follow-up work. 8/14/84 LAM 025945 ABS-006970