Notes from Meeting of MCA Vinyl Chloride Research Project - Union Carbide Internal Correspondence 13feb73

CHEMICALS AND PLASTICS SOUTH CHARLESTON PLANT P.O. Box 8004, SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. VA. 25303

To (Name)	  Mr. M. E. Eisenhour, 515   Date		February 13, 1973
Division	  Dr. Kenneth S. Lane, NYO-4
Location	  Dr. W. L. Larcamp, 514
Originating Dept. Dr. A. B. Steele, NYO-28 
		  Dr. N. L. Zutty, NYO-32    Answering letter date

Copy to					     Subject  MCA Vinyl Chloride
						      Research Project

Attached are minutes of the last meeting of the Research Coordinators on the MCA Vinyl Chloride Research Project. Items of particular note are as follows:

1. Doctors T.R. Torkelson, Mac Roy Gasque, and Richard J. Kociba of Dow Chemical Company reviewed the work on the European study. They report it is of excellent quality and the results on rats are probably undeniable. A summary of European data, to date, is attached.

2. The Research Coordinators decided to proceed immediately on the annual inhalation studies planned and the U.S. as per the attached protocol. The studies will cost at least $200,000, sauce, an additional 20% will have to be subscribed by the sponsors. UCC has pledged $6,765. The 20% increments would be $1,353. The Basic Contract with Industrial Bio-Test is for $172,000 plus the cost of monomer and other items.

3. In view of European study results, The Coordinators agreed to immediately determine the feasibility of an epidemiology study on plant workers. February 20, 1973 was set as a date to discuss such a study with representatives of the University of Michigan, University of Nebraska, University of Cincinnati, Tabershaw-Cooper Associates, and Harvard University. Preliminary data on number of workers and exposures has been requested from the sponsors by February 16. The nature of the study and its costs are yet to be determined. Both Dow Chemical and Imperial Chemical Industries have attempted such studies on their employees without significant results to possibly to the small population. (Attached is a copy of the report on Dow's study.) The tentative plan is to collect data from all U.S. producers to secure significant results.

1. The acceptable (NIOSH) threshold limit value for vinyl chloride will shortly be reduced from 200 ppm 50 ppm, based on Dow's recommendations and reported studies.

2. If vinyl chloride proves to be hazardous to health, introducing company's liability to its employees is limited by various Workmen's Compensation laws. A company selling vinyl chloride as an aerosol propellant, however, has essentially unlimited liability to the entire U.S. population.

3. Essentially all data on animal inhalation studies now in progress in Europe will be made public to Florence, Italy, during October 1974. Some public discussion may occur in Bologna during May of 1973 of Viola's studies and work in progress.