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Show v r w$tr W"" -- W wV'.i.'V V' Saw Environmental Origin Years Ago rflLy" The Sait Lake Tritium, Friday, November ?, 7 1976 Cancer Pioneers Prediction Came True nation of the use of By Kathy Sawyer Washington Post Writer WASHINGTON Dr. Wilhelm Carl Heinrich - in Huepers apartment Bethesda, Md., is remarkably uncluttered, almost sterile. He gave away a good many of his nnH hnolrs MAninOQ v u papers particularly last year when he thought he was about to die. He has hung on to his anger, though. Precise and professorial, it warms the room as he speaks in the Lingering accents of his native Ger- many or writes at his small desk about the subject that has preoccupied his life: the mushrooming problem of cancer hazards in our environment and why, in his opinion, nobody has done nearly enough about it. Cancer Pioneer Frail but mentally energetic at 82, Hueper has been recognized by cancer experts around the world as a pioneer in the study of cancer-causin- g agents, partic- the growing in- ularly number attributed to dustry. Though most of us have never heard his name, he is a in the genius, words of one former top government health researcher. He was alone in the entire world with his idea that this problem could have such a major impact . . " says a leading environmental expert, a disciple of Hueper. And it has all come to pass. Hueper also had a ' reputation in some circles as a curmudgeon, an abrasive sort who appalled some colleagues by publishing lpg scientific findings in the Police Gazette. Hueper had trouble getting either government or industry to listen to his warnings and when people did listen, some were less interested in dealing with the exposure of citizens to cancer than in curing themselves of Hueper. But, f though he was harassed and persecuted, accord-- , ing to his admirers, he never backed down. Predicted Cause More than a decade ago, Hueper predicted that 70 to 80 percent of cancer cases would turn out to be environmental in origin. He urged government and industry to undertake studies to identify and set up legislation to control the production and use of cancer-causin- tain cancer-causin- cer- drugs by the dye indus- try; legislation such as the Delaney Clause, which prohibited the use of any known cancer-causindchemical in food; and what he sees as mounting public pres- buiciui luivlict avuou. It was in Berlin in the g early 20s that Hueper first studied the environmental causation of cancer, particularly the increase in lung cancer since the turn of the century around the industrial cities of Central Europe. (Hueper says he hasn't smoked cigarettes since 1938, though he maintains that smoking is overestimated as a primary canuse of lung cancer.) Classic Text In the decades after he emigrated to the United States in 1923, he pro- duced a number of pioneering studies and g case reports in areas, according to his colleagues, as he pursued his research at institutions in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York. He made his reputation with the publication in 1942 of his classic wide-rangin- still a standard textbook. Occupational Tumors and Allied Diseases. book, g Duty" iie says of his efforts with a faintly smile, gesturing toward his typewriter, toward the small glassdoored bookcase beside his desk. Filled with some of his published works, it is the only part of his once-larg- e library he has not given to institutions or friends. At one point in the 30s he worked as an assistant director and pathologist at the Du Pont Co.s Laboratory of Industrial Toxicology. There, he recalled, he had one of his first-han- encounters d with some of the prob- lems and attitudes industry. of He saw the Du Ponts dye production facilities and advised Du Pont concerning the danger of an epidemic of biadder cancer among the workers, such as had occurred in Switzerland, Germany and Britain. Mr. Du Ponts first answer was a denial of the problem. Three months later, the director of the research sta- - tion came to our lab and said, We have them now. Twenty-thre- e cases of tal cancer section of the National Cancer Institute. During his years at NCI, he accused public health officials of attempting to censor his papers concerning occupational cancer hazards, interfere with his research, restrict his bladder cancer. After that, they knew they had to face it the same as the Europeans. Tragic' Period A spokesman for Du Pont said the company considers this period of its history tragic adding that "it could be debated whether we took longer than we should have to take action." He said the company had notified its workers of the hazards and he disputed Huepers contention that the company had not published information on the subject. The companys current policy, he not to use said, is hazardous chemicals unless we can do it safely. lec-tnr- and nim from giving correct testimony before congressional committees. Officials justified at least one case of cnesorship, he said, as necessary to maintain harmonious relations with industrial management." According to Dr. John R. Heller, who was head of NCI while Hueper worked there and who was involved in some of Bill was his disputes. usually right about what he said. But the way he was right was wrong, He As Hueper was among the first to point out, cancer can have a lag time of up to several decades between exposure and the appearance erf the first symptoms. He became concerned about the legal rights of workers in such cases. In 1948. Hueper became a "government scientist. He took a job as chief of the envirorunen- - rrvpnf was abrasive, especially I adto industry mired him. But be was controversial, misunderstood. He irritated the devil out of the hierarchy of command. Harassed, Persecuted ... i Dr. According Harold L. Stewart, to former chief pathologist at NCI, Hueper was harassed and persecuted for his forthright statements of his convictions about the callousness of industry and government towards exposure of people to carcinogens . . .But he has been able to tolerate persecution and to testify correctly about his knowledge. Hueper has been honored with awards from several scientific organizations. He is especially proud of the World Health Organizations United Nations Award, which he shared with a Soviet scientist in 1962, for his research. But not a word of congratulations from the Public Health Service, Hueper notes. Hueper retired from his post at NCI in 1964, though he has remained active writing, speaking, working as a consultant. He recently completed his memoirs. Almost exactly a year ago, his wife Martha died of a heart attack. They had been married since 1924. beautiful A woman, says Hueper, falling silent. A women who understood his work, say those who knew her. Wajhlnoton old Dr. Wilhelm Carl Heinrich Ilueper is recognized 82-ye- ar -- Pet PtwW as a pioneer in tne study of environmental causes of cancer. Arrow- - 9.S9 The First Name in Shirts Brings You The Last Word In Sales sub- g stances (carcinogens), to minimize the exposure of industrial workers and consumers. Today researchers acknowledge that 70 to 90 percent of all cancer is related to such factors substances made or used in industry, pollutants in our air and waterr, chemicals in the food we eat, in cigarettes. Having failed to find any real cure for the disease (though some forms can be controlled), the cancer establishment, according to Hueper and other critics. still is not moving with responsible speed toward the alternative to cure prevention. Hueper, who suggests to his visitors that they come to see him in the morning when "I am more alert," sits forward in his chair, gesturing with his pale hands. He says that, though the public has been made aware, the battle lines remain economic pressures the same and political versus the common good. Do Nothing Industry "There is no individu- agency or proposal that the public can look to to protect its interests, he says, adding with a thin smile, not even researchers, not all of them. Industry, he says, "will do nothing voluntarily. If we have laws, they will do just the amount they are forced by law to do; if they can cheat, they will. al, As ad- technology vances, new hazards will continue to emerge, he says. Cancer will be an And eternal problem. yet he chides the pessimists. The public's frustration, the feeling that we are all helpless, is not valid. The danger can be minimized . . . Ive this for 50 years and 1 think we got somewhere." Among the advances that encouraged his own efforts, he cites the elimi fought America's top manufacturer of shirts brings you the ideal Christmas gift at a price you can't resist. Long sleeve sport shirts in shades of blue, green, tan, burgundy, brown, and yellow, an excellent assortment of fashion styles, with leisure collars, variety cf solids and patterns. Polyester blends and nylons in sizes Reg. 16.00 to 24.00 Men's Sportswear,, all 9.99 ea. Enter the holiday season with 100 polyester knit slacks from a famous maker. 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