Document 0LogBDvVJyQRvbQ9YOn8pbZLJ

St. Louis Olstrlot Office December 10, 1968 jwwunnriT E. C. Wild* B. V. w. f. ..........................TM.ic s PILE On November 25 Oeorge Weston, the Purchasing Agent at Interchemical's Presstlte Division here In 3T. Louis, phoned to Inform me of a plant strike at their opera tions here In St. Louis. Apparently two men were over come by Aroclor 4465 fumes Friday, Noeember 22 and caused a union strike within the plant. The Aroclor fumes originated In the heating apparatus where they heat the drums of Aroclor 4465 In order to ex tract the material. We have not been shipping them the special drums which are heavy guage steel but have been shipping the Aroelor In thin walled drums. The drums be come damaged during shipping and result In weaknesses In the steel whtAh have leaked and caused the Aroclor to exude onto the floors of the heater, thereby causing fumes in the oven. Upon receiving this Information I contacted Oene Wilde and he In turn called Nr. Wheeler In our Medical Depart ment who talked to Mr. Rataczak at Interchemical about the aoeldent from a mddlcal standpoint. Mr. Wheeler In formed me that Interchemloal does not have special ventila tion over the ovens but feels that they have adequate local ventilation throughout the plant. Exposure would not re sult In chloroaene for employees who were overcome by the Aroclor fumes. Mr. Wheeler said that he would follow up with a latter to Interchemloal to prevent any future litigation against Monsanto. I called Cuming Paton and Bill Sturm and we will ship a new shipment of Aroclor 4465 In the spealal drums on or about December 4, 5 or 6. This answer satisfied Oeorge Weston at Interehamloal. 1 made a call on Interohemleal on Tuesday, November 26 and talked with Oeorge Weston, who Informed me thatthe plant wAs still on strike, but they felt that with the heavy guage drums this problem would not come up In the future. They did not hold Monsanto to blame as they had been Informed about the thin guage drums. For the time being. It seems as though the problem has been corrected. /ng James H. Schuch MONS 096767