From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Fri Jan 29 1999 - 22:59:28 MST
Levi Strauss Quit Cancer-Case Site
Levi Strauss Quit Cancer-Case Site
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Levi Strauss & Co. abandoned a building at
its headquarters after seven women working there developed breast
cancer, a company spokesman confirmed Thursday night.
The jeans company began an initial inquiry in January 1997 after
several women were diagnosed with breast cancer while working at
the four-story Saddleman building at Levi's Plaza, Levi spokesman
Clarence Grebey said.
The investigation later expanded to include cancer researchers
and Patricia Buffler, former dean of the University of California,
Berkeley's School of Public Health.
No link was found between the cancer and the building, but with
employees concerned and the company restructuring, Levi relocated
200 employees from the building last October. The remaining
furniture was removed from the building last week.
``All of the reports to date have shown that there is absolutely
no evidence to suggest any link between these illnesses and the
workplace,'' according to an e-mail message sent to employees and
obtained by the San Francisco Business Times in a story published
Friday.
``Despite this, we fully understand the unacceptable level of
anxiety that this ongoing issue has caused,'' the memo continued.
``Consequently, we have decided to relocate employees in the
building as soon as possible.''
The women all worked in desk jobs and did not work with
hazardous chemicals or special machinery, Grebey told The
Associated Press.
``While it is alarming that a number of women developed breast
cancer, the cancer researchers said that random occurrences like
this happen throughout the general population inexplicably in
various surroundings,'' Grebey said.
Despite assurances by the company that the building was safe,
employees wanted to be moved.
``The feeling among employees was that there was a hex on the
building,'' said Diane Dito, a former process leader in Levi's
Prevention Health and Safety Team. ``Some people felt very strongly
that it was the building, and the only way to satisfy them was to
get them out of there.''
The building is owned by San Francisco-based Blue Jeans Equities
West, a development firm that conducted its own independent
research and concluded there was no building-related cause to the
breast cancer cases. At least two companies have considered moving
into the building, the weekly newspaper reported.
No lawsuits have been filed.
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