Document zQ4XMEXJ1NLrwVEB43nQNQeen

f MAIL MEMORANDUM TO: New York - R. M. Berzok J. W. Goetz D. S. Hirshfield R. Leviton M. C. Lewis South Charleston T. D. Epps H. J. Karawan R. F. Kayser R. G. Link S. F, Stowers Danbury - S. G. Austin Piset, J. B. Browning Pzwo2 J. M. Fallon03 Dr. T: A'. Lihcofh-KTB^i J. v. Murray E. W. Van Den Ameele A. G. Voress-"PAfcoy J. H. Wilson "KWLjL Texas City D. L. Engle Dr. D. H. Glenn Washington K. A. Richards Austin - H. W. Kacy, Jr. CC: A. S. Hart December 2, 1981 RE: Texas City Epidemiology Study - Media Coverage FROM: W. E. Hoerger Please note the attached memo re a UP1 wire report, which A. S. Hart forwarded to the Management Committee this morning, December 2, 1981. c*v- -- t t-rv.Ty.ffr.'T' ''rr" > ,r ' ucc 053452 MEMORANDUM ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: A. S. Hart FROM: W. E. Hoerger RE: Texas City Epidemiology Study - Media Coverage December 2, 1931 United Press International (UPI) is expected to file this afternoon a wire report on Union Carbide's results and NIOSH's reaction to our recently completed epidemiological studies made public in Texas City on November 11, 1961. The reporter is Bill Inmann, UPI Southwest bureau chief, Dallas. We can reasonably expect a balanced story that may receive widespread pick-up by national print and electronic media. Further, the article will undoubtedly draw attention to differences in conclusions or statistics reached separately by Union Carbide and NIOSH. Based on current information, they appear to be differences among the groups studied and are as follows: STATISTICS Through 1977, Union Carbide observed 12 deaths due to brain cancer among 6,588 white male employees vs. an expected 7.42. NIOSH is not disagreeing with the numbers for this particular group, which they initially indicated would be the employee population under study. Apparently, NIOSH later decided -- without notifying UCC -- to include black employees and figures through the year 1979. As a result, they are reporting 23 deaths due to brain cancer vs. an expected 10. The ratio of deaths reported in the two studies is not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Union Carbide could find no relationship between deaths due to brain cancer and occupational exposure to chemicals used or produced at the Texas City plant since 1941. NIOSH does not claim to have established an occupational relationship, either. However, they are not ruling out that possibility and have suggested further studies are in order. NIOSH has also stated publicly that a two-fold excess of deaths due to brain cancer exists at UCC-South Charleston. They are referring to a very preliminary study, the results of which are simply not valid for drawing epidemiological conclusions. NIOSH and Union Carbide have just completed estaDlishing protocol for the Kanawha Valley epidemiology study, the results of which are not expected until the first quarter of 1983. Management in tne Kanawha Valley have been alerted to the possibility they may receive questions on this issue. All media inquiries will be fielded by w. E. Hoerger, Corporate Communications, NYC, or D. E. Engle/Dr. D. H. Glenn, Texas City. UCC 053453