Document yr4OYn8j0qggZwDoGyQ0NMNeD

CONFIDENTIAL March 23, 1973 MEMO TO: Mr. W. S. Ferguson FROM: W. A. Knapp SUBJECT: VCM Talked with Dr. Torkleaon of Dow whom I consider the driving force in MCA program for toxicology of VCM. In his trip to Italv accompanied by a Dow patholo gist, he had hoped that they had mis-read slldeB; thiB hope did not become the fact since Dow pathologist could not disagree with any of the findings which have been reported. The hope remains that exposure of food and litter to the gas may be a contributing factor, but Dr. Torkleaon thinks the odds against this changing the result materially. lie has suggested that Italians investigate this angle but has no way of knowing what they will do. Food was something like our Purina Chow but, of course, made from native oil, etc. Percent fat in diet is not known. Dow Management is extremely worried about this ^development and one of their executives is about to contact other producers (and presumably users) so that the industry (with permission of the European group) can aB a group take all the data known to NIOSII. They do not want to act unilaterally. Dow uses nnd has adviBed nil of itB customers to use 50 ppm as TLV for VCM. It would like to get out of Bale of VCM as aerosol propellant but doesn't know quite how to do it. Thinking behind this was not explored but sur.pect that fenr is of spot-lighting the health concern. Dow no longer makes PVC nnd there is less than 1 ppm VCM in SAJIAN. With respect to possible disclosures from European VCM investigations, there is to be n European Beminar on carcinogenisiB next month which Dr. Maltoni will attend, is not authorized to discuss his studies being conducted for the European chemicnl group, but he is described ns an out going individual. The work of Dr. Viola's associate at Rome will bp discussed at n symposium in the fnll of 1974. If nothing develops before then, it nay be expected that Maltoni work will have been comploted and the Industrial Biotest work ASI 00006847 Mr. IT. S. Ferguson 2 - March 23, 1973 Tar enough along to give bobs indications. Also, epidemio logical study here will have been completed. Since Solvay et Cle is a member of the group supporting Dr. Maltoni and Dr. Viola la a consultant to Solvay et Cie, it vould appear that Solvay et Cie should have the best idea of shat is happening. Dr. Torkleson also said that he overheard a conversation in which sputum tests with VCU workers were suggested to have given positive indications in first test and negative results in second test. Relating this to Dr. Duffield (ICI), Dr. Duffleld stated that there were no indications of slufflng off of tissue. ^ WAKrmd W. A. Knapp ASI 00006848