Document 2qe21BDpKjGGYwQVQDGzRQ8dg

N MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY PHOSPHATE DIVISION, SALES DEPARTMENT June 29, 1953 TO: ALL PHOSPHATE DIVISION SALESMEN SUBJECT: AROCLOR--EXTREME PRESSURE LUBRICATINO ADDITIVE FOR GREASES A. TOXICOLOGY. Active interest has developed on the part of practically all major oil companies in the use of Aroolor, especially Aroclor 1260, as an additive to extreme pressure lubricating agents such as greases and gear oils used on farm machinery and in livestock feed-process ing machines, such as the pelletizing equipment, etc. In the past, chlorinated naphthalene (Halowax) has been used in these gear oil lubricants and greases, but, unfortunately, this specific additive has caused "X"-dlsease, Hyperkeratosis, in cattle. Thousands of steers have been diseased and according to the newspapers the losses run into millions of dollars. A typical excerpt taken from such a news item is quoted as follows: "Because highly chlorinated naphthalene has been a common ingredient in petroleum produots, cattle have been poisoned by merely rubbing against oily traotors, combines, bulldozers, etc. Cattle food pellets made with machinery where the gears were lubricated with oil containing Halowax have been a principal source of the harmful agent." To give you further background on the status of ohlorinated naphthalene, we are attaching a copy tf an article from the Ifcireau of Animal Industry in Washington. As you will note, this information has been submlttad to tha cooperators in the bovine Hyperkeratosis or "X"-disease of cattle research program. However, the Bureau of Animal Industry has not published this work but the results have been given to us providing that we do not use the information in publications, advertising relsases, or promotional material. We are passing this information along to you so that you can have an opportunity for a better understanding of ths problem. Also attached, and strictly for your own information about the status of Aroclora in connection with this project, is a report entitled, STLCOPCB4025080 2- - "Hyperkeratosls Investigations, Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station and United States Bureau of Animal Industry Cooperating Auguat-December, 1952". ' Subsequent to finding that chlorinated naphthalene causeo Hyperkera tosis in cattle, extensive testing of compounds that oilght be uaetl" in oil and greases, including Aroclors, haa been carried out at ' various universities and governmental agencies. All of this work has been coordinated at the Bureau of AnluAl Industry, Agricultural Research Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Dr. A. M. Lee of this agency has been appointed national coordinator of "X"-diseaae research. We have been in close oontact with Dr. Lee and also with Mr. B. T. Simas, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry. Our medical people asked these gentlemen for an official statement which might clarify the situation and make a matter of record their and our conclusions relative to the uae of Aroclor for the subject purpose. In a letter of June 4, 1953 Mr. Simms authorized us to quote the following statement to medical and technical directors of oil and grease companies: - "The Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry states, on the basis of present knowledge! that the proper uae of greases which do not contain highly chlorinated naphthalenes have not been a factor In the production of "X"-disease of cattle from pelleted feeds." This statement is clearly negative for the use of chlorinated napththalene but, on the other hand. It ia only an implied positive statement for other raaterials--lncludlng Aroclor. Mr. Simms has explained this by pointing out that the approval by the Bureau of any specific compounds for uae as an extreme pressure lubricant for lubricating pelleting machines might be misinterpreted by livestock feed manufacturers and cattle owners as an endorsement by tho Bureau for the consumption of such lubricating greases or oils by cattle. In other words, it would be unreasonable to expect the Bureau to endorse Aroolor or any other S.P. lubricating agent which may be regarded as being safe or relatively safe for the subject purpose as such endorsement would easily lead to complications rela tive to the poeition of competitive manufacturers of such agents. On the other hand, the Bureau does not want to injure the livestock pelleting feed industry or retard the uae and sale of pellets which are considered necessary to the present-day livestock production. We believe that you will agree that this is a very fair and commend able action on the part of tha Bureau. Strlotl.v for your own information and, again, not to be released officially until the results of the animal experimentation have been published, we feel at liberty to mention to you that Mr. Slama has told us in a telephone conversation that such high doses of Aroclors have been given to cattle without producing symptoms of '^"-disease, that all investigation of these compounds as a possible causative agent has been discontinued. TRAN 054093 STLCOPCB4025081 ; It is our suggestion that oil companies interested in the use of a-o~1 l'or the subject purpose and seeking clarification on the status of* ^ Aroclor for this use, should write to Mr. Sirams--or preferably to Dr. A. M. Lee, National Coordinator X-disease Research, Pathologl-al Division, Unites States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural * Research Administration, Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington 25 D C r B. PATENT SITUATION. In this subject application--namely, the use of Aroclor as an E.P. lubricant for gear oils and greases, it ia recalled that several of you have hesitated in the promotion of Aroclor sales because of fear or lack of underotending about possible patent Eolation, no doubt, particularly with reference to Lubrizol patents. Specifically, several tinea you indicated to us that to your knowledge imnunlty was indicated by the manufacturers of chlorinated naphthalene relative to the use of that E.P. additive. We have been asked, "How can ve er.pect to sell Aroclor unless we do the same thing?" If this question arises in your contacts with the oil companies, we do not think that you should tell any customers that we will guarantee them immunity against patent infringement, because, as outlined below,- the situation is such that wa don't regard it as being necessary. . If you are foroed to do something along this line by a prospect, please, refer it to us so that our patent people can prepare a carefully worded document and be sure that it will extend only to the use of Aroclor broadly in gear lubricant* and not Include specific Improve ment patents if there are any. In general, if a potential customer raises a question as to the patent situation, please, tell them that expired U. S. Patent 1,936,651 disc 1 sed and claimed the use of chlorinated biphenyl In lubricating compositions. Also, expired U.S. Patent 1,966,645 disclosed and claimed the process of reducing friction between relatively moving metallic p>rts involving a film of lubricating oil and chlorinated biphenyl. In addition to the two Ibregolng expired patents, we are also acquainted with U. S. Patent 2,051,744 which expires August lb,1953. Since this patent expiree in about a month, and in view of the two patents referred to above which have already expired, no doubt, you will find your customers unconcerned about the patent situation. It is Indicated that practically all of the major oil companies are interested in the subjeot possible use of Aroclor and, in fact, one or two of them recently began to purchase in substantial quantities along this line. Realising that you are anxious to call on the oil companies in your territory, we have given you this information as completely ae It is possible to do at this time in order that you will have an understanding of the projeot and in hope that you will discuss it accordingly with the technical people and the medical people in these organizations. Please let us help you with this as we are anxious to take advantage of this potentially relatively large outlet for our Aroclore. Thank you. ~r.r..hir' P. 0. Benlgnua TRAM 054094 STLCOPCB4025082