Document 0qk4qxO3zd6QJZVmQeEbV74Rb

Information needs on production, distribution, containment and loss of polychlorinated biphenyls: 1. Production of PCB's. To the extent it is possible, it would be useful to describe the u x amounts produced for each of the chemical categories of PCB's. Records as far back to the 1930's as possible would, of course, be helpful. 2. Distribution of PCB's. Here, it would be helpful to have some idea of the relative dis tribution of each of the PCB chemical categories into each of the several generic classes of industries or products (transformer dielectric materials, adhesives, heat exchange fluids, etc. ) Again, serial estimates with time would be most useful. 3. Estimates of losses of PCB's. a. Losses during the manufacture of PCB's, including both unavoidable losses and those resulting, prior to the construction of the Monsanto incinerator facility, from the disposal of scrap PCB's. What were the quantities and compositions of any materials disposed of in previou^_^e<ars^ and what was the previous accepted disposal,'^ method? b. Losses during the production of PCB-containing products. 1. Such losses could be estimated by major users of PCB's from the difference between purchases of Aroclors and the Aroclor content of products. Preliminary information that must be available to Monsanto are the major uses of Aroclors and amounts used. Loss figures would need inputs from Monsanto's customers. 2. What are the quantities of Aroclors being recycled to Monsanto by different manufacturers? What was the end fate of these recycled materials before the initiation of the Monsanto reclamation program? ; c. Losses from products used in sealed containment. DSW 333876 STLCOPCB4080453 0 2- - 1. Current losses from these sources are probably small but documentation would still be useful to help alleviate concern. Most principal users maintain sufficiently detailed records to per mit evaluation of losses from the difference between cumulative pur chases and inventories. The difference is the sum of the amounts returned to the suppliers for reprocessing and losses. Estimates of losses would be useful. In the past some utilities have used waste PCB's for miscellaneous uses which could have lead to environmental contamination. Can Monsanto make an estimate of such losses? ' fluids? fluids? 2. Can a profile be established on the loss of heat transfer What was the traditional method of disposal of contaminated - d. Loss of fTan^tieinah'fluids. What were the significant uses of Aroclors for non-flammable functional fluids? Can losses for these uses be established from pur chases of make-up or replacement fluids? e. Losses from Aroclor-containing products. 1. What is the loss of Aroclor from PCB-containing products? , What function of the Aroclors for such discontinued uses as plasticizer ^ ^ J ^ were leached out of the product? At this stage, the use pattern of j PCB's might indicate which products might be of concern. It is diffi-A jrW* cult to believe, however, that the.rate of return of loss of PCB's can ' be significant enough to contribute to more than a localized problem. Presumably Monsanto had some data on losses which lead to the with- / drawal of the specialized products. f. Losses from the disposal of PCB - containing materials. / l> There has been speculation concerning the vaporization of PCB from incineration or the leaching of PCB's from dumps. No evidence for such losses is available. Has Monsanto any data on these possible sources of losses? oS\M STLCOPCB4080454