Document 1gX7RKokxoa1zJkkqkJVow17X

DRAFT 2 - Q AND A For Use in Response to Media Inquiries Regarding Wall Street Journal article ' b Aug. 20, 1976 Os WHAT IS MONSANTO'S REACTION TO THE MOBIL STUDY INDICATING THAT PCBs CAUSE MALIGNANT MELANOMA? At The Mobil study is very preliminary as was pointed out in the Wall Street Journal story by an epidemiologist at the Occupational Health Institute. The implied findings are inconsistent with any data of which we are aware. Qs IS THERE INCIDENCE OF MELANOMA AT MONSANTO'S PCB PRODUCTION PLANT? A: Our employe examination program has not revealed any evidence of melanoma. We will, however, investigate the significance of these preliminary findings. Qi WHAT ARE MONSANTO'S MARKET PLANS IN THE FUTURE FOR PCDs? As As you probably know, we are in the process of withdrawing from the PCB business. In our January 26, 1976 press statement, Monsanto said it wants to shut down its PCB manufacturing operations and exit the business as soon as possible. Our position remains * -moreHONS 056091 Page 2 unchanged. The exact timetable for accomplishing this shutdown, however, must be consistent with and in a large part dictated by our customers' ability to convert to alternate products. We would hope that conversion to alternates can take place in time to permit us to shut down production by year-end, 1977. NOTE: Additional media questions concerning the general subject of PCBs would be answered from the recently revised risk/benefit dilemma statement. MOWS 058092