Document ybYOVYVOye6nMeGKQZYnpj7KD

INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE UC t 49-- Z SOLVENTS AND INTERMEDIATES DIVISION # To: Mr. J. B. Browning Mr. A. G. Voress Mr. J. W. Whittlesey Mr. L. A. Wilkinson Mr. R. L. Yelton P. O. BOX 471, TEXAS ClTY, 'TEXAS 77S90 December 18, 1980 Copy to: Attendees - December 3rd Meeting Mr. J. W. Thompson You are aware that a group of us met on December 3 to outline possible responses when NIOSH reports on the Texas City brain tumor study. These possible conclusions by NIOSH were examined: 1. No increased Incidence or association 2. A. Increased incidence - no association B. Correlation with a specific chemical C. Correlation with two or more chemicals 3. Study inconclusive - NIOSH recommends further study 4. Government agencies split on conclusions 5. The two NIOSH studies (cohort and case control) are not released at same time 6. Report identifies another form of cancer We then moved to list logical actions for each of these eight possibilities. The list: of thirteen possible actions needs further refinement and annotation to make sense to you, and will be available later. However, we listed seventeen action steps that various attendees should undertake. Several of these are discussed briefly below: 1. An article for the Carbide World has been drafted by Ann Haughton. 2. A "backgrounder" paper for UCC personnel has been drafted. 3. An interim press release, to be continually updated, is being prepared by Cox and Ritchie. UCC 097865 2 4. An update for plant employees was published on December 10 (copy attached). 5. A random low-key survey was made of employee attitudes. In general, all employees are concerned, with older employees trusting the Company, but young employees unsure whether to believe us, or the worst of the press statements. 6. A special adversary skills (interviewing) workshop has been designed by Cox and is being evaluated. 7. A "Q & 'A" sheet is being prepared by Ann Haughton. 8. When NIOSH notifies us a report will be ready, a team will go to Cincinnati to "clear it for trade 'secrets" to shorten OSHA lead time they would otherwise enjoy with the press. 9. Texas State Health Commissioner Bernstein has agreed to come to Texas City in January for an update before he decides on involvement by his office. We will suggest he look at the "Blue Ribbon Panel" approach Governor Carey used in the Love Canal matter if he insists the State of Texas should do something. One of our most difficult problems is to keep the internal search for an answer moving along - that is, the scientific investigation, without aiding the plaintiff's lawyers in the "discovery" phase of the pending litigation. I am aware of the concern which Walter Conrad of Baker and Botts has and I do not want to weaken his position as our defense attorney. At the same time, we cannot place our internal epidemiology studies in limbo until that litigation is completed. This issue will require continued helpful guidance from John Whittlesey. Overall, this is a very fluid situation. Something changes almost every day. For an update, please contact Dr. Austin, Ms. Haughton, Dr. Glenn, Ron Ritchie or me, as appropriate to your question. / cs Attachment VCC 097866