Document 3JjQVqDrXEGwvY27VO1r3Mvd6

Monsanto r itOM |MpL * LOC*T D*tt *rtH IM I im r r * *H TO : W. B. PAPAGEOROE - ST. LOUIS November 10, 1970 . PCB ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM OCTOBER STATUS REPORT p. J. A . Marsh w. s. Clark J. R. Durland M. W. Farrar E. V. John R. E. Keller R. M. Kountz T, L. Gossage P. S. Park w. R. Richard J. R, Savage E. P. Wheeler - BRUSSELS - TOKYO - 2nd Street - 2nd Street NOV 111970 ec H. S. Bergen J. Mason J. E. Sprlnggate GENERAL; The test to evaluate the disposal of solid waste con taminated with Aroclors In Enviro-Chem Systems' pilot unit In St. Charles, Missouri has been postponed to the middle of December. Negotiations are underway with a drum reconditioning firm to develop a procedure for recovering contaminated drums. MARKETINO; i Marketing has reached agreement with management to continue offering Aroclor 1248 and 1254 to the vacuum industry. The product name will be, Santovac I and Santovac II. Vacuum pumps are small users - from one pint to five gallons initial fill. The typical pump will use the same charge for one to two years. The pumps are under a negative pressure so there Is na leakage. Customers and equipment manufacturers will be advised that the material cannot be dumped. Westlnghouse has communicated some concern with MCS 1016 as a capacitor fluid. They have noticed a greater effect on polypropylene film. The higher percentage of monochloro compounds may be the cause. We visited a number of dielectric customers in October (both large and small). This will continue through the first two weeks of November. So far, we can report without exception, our customers are being very res ponsive to the "clean-up and close the system" pro gram. They express an earnest management commitment MONS 206494 -2- and a clear Interest In keeping communication open with St. Louis. ENGINEERING: Aroclor Liquid Incineration - CEA 2415 Process design is complete. John Zink's preliminary drawings for the incinerator package have been re/lewed and they are in the latter stages of being approved. Zink has Indicated shipment by February 1.5, which is a slight improvement. Drafting and mechanical design are in progress on other elements of the project. MCS 1016 Distillation - CSA 2417 Process design is complete, the distillation column at the Bayou is being dismantled, and mechanical design and drafting are proceeding. Preliminary Information from our customers Indicates that a project scope change may be in order to remove a percentage of the low boilers as well as the high boilers. The appar ent marketing problem will be reviewed with Research and Marketing. Trlbutyl Phosphate - CEA 2371 A pilot plant run revealed a much lower yield on phos phorous oxychloride and butanol. This Is being studied. Additional laboratory runs are being made, and another pilot run will be made to establish and resolve the problem. Nonyl-Cumyl Phenyl Diphenyl Phosphate The tentative process report is currently being Issued, and Engineering is initiating development of a scope report. JAPAN: No new developments. EUROPE: Board of Trade in U.K. is considering classifying polychlorinated biphenyls as hazardous materials. HONS 206495 -3- MEDICAL: Toxicity studies underway at Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories on the PCB's continue uneventfully. The beginning of the go-day studies on rats on HB-40 and MIPB were delayed because of the receipt of a shipment of unacceptable rats. Currently these studies are scheduled to start November 2, 1970. We should have the final report in hand by Feb ruary 15, 1971. PUBLIC RELATIONS: Two press queries were handled during the month. Science News, following an Interview with Dr. Rlsebrough, called us to ask why we had not released production and sales figures. The reporter also asked about toxicity studies now under way. The Dayton Journal Herald wrote a lengthy article on the fate of local farmers in the area. Milk had been removed from the market due to higher than acceptable levels of PCB, calves died and some members of one family became ill. The farmers have related their bad luck to the presence of PCB In the area and charged "foot dragging" by Monsanto, the State of Ohio and the FDA in alerting them to the problem. Although the story prominently mentioned Monsanto, It did refer to PCB as a "new problem" and one In which Monsanto is playing a major role to solve. RESEARCH: PCB Analysis - U.S, Fish from Anniston streams and shrimp from Escambia Bay were collected for analysis. Results will be available December 1. Plant effluent streams from two hydraulic fluid customers had 0.01 - 0.09# chlorinated biphenyl. Impurities In Aroclor Researchers at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, have reported finding low levels of polychlorinated dlbenzofurans In competitive polychlorinated biphenyls. They also analyzed Aroclor 1260, Lot AK-3, and did not HOMS 206496 -4- detect any oxygenated Impurities. Because of the reported high toxicity of polychlorinated dlbenzofurans, a study ' was undertaken to determine If these, or related compounds e^ist as Impurities in our products. Low levels (about 25 ppm) of polychlorinated dlbenzofurans were confirmed in Phenoclor D.P. 6. a competitor to Aroclor 1260 from Prodelec (France). Aroclor 5442 appears to contain about 2 ppm polychlorinated dlbenzo furans; none were detected in any other Aroclor studied. However, each of the Aroclor 1200 series contains poly chlorinated naphthalenes at varying levels. The Aroclor 5442 contains polychlorinated anthracene or phenanthrene. The Aroclor 1242, 1254, and 1260 samples are the same lots tested for toxicity by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories. Adsorption of Aroclor from Plant Water Effluent A series of four 5-lnch diameter columns (each packed to a bed depth of 5.5 feet with Calgon's Filtrasorb 300 carbon) was placed on stream 10/2 at the Aroclor Sump. To-date the unit has been operating with minimum difficulties at an average flow rate of 2 gpm/ft2 (fi?1000 cc/min.). The avail able test results indicate an Aroclor reduction in the range (600-2,000 ppb) in the influent to (ND/#P 10 ppb) in the effluent of the first columns. Since there has been no indication of a breakthrough in the first column, plans are now to Increase the flow to 4 gpm/ft . In a 4 day pilot run, initial concentrations of 40-150 ppb in the effluent of the new limestone pit were reduced to an essentially NDA upon passing through a filter (4 inch diameter tube packed to 5*5 inch depth with carbon) at a flow of 100 cc/min. Tests are now being run under the same conditions utilizing &nd as the filtering media. 1. NDA - no detectable amount Contact was made with a Monsanto Blodlze on 10/5. Blodlze has agreed to provide a 23OO gallon clarifier to be used both in a floboulation and a batch adsorption study. A sludge sample and a sample of the new limestone pit effluent have been sent to Denver Equipment Company for an evaluation of solids removal by froth floatation. Pit effluent samples have also been sent to Betz's Waste Water Lab for an eval uation of their different coagulants. Photodegradation of Aroclor Preliminary experiments with Aroclor 1242 indicate that it is easily decomposed by ultraviolet light. A 0.1# solution of Aroclor 1242 in iso-octane shows no significant EC active material after exposure to a 450 watt Hanovia Xenon arc at a distance 4" for 50 minutes. Upon completion of the MONS 206497 -5- analysls of all samples taken during the study, a report "will be Issued. The exposure of the Aroclor to ultraviolet ) lg.it was ''arrled cut by Dr. Bloomfield In MonsanwO Central Research. Biodegradation Testing - St. Louis A three-day sampling of the HB-40 and mono-isopropyl biphenyl (MIPB) seml-contlnuous activated sludge units nine weeks after the previous sampling period has shown significant changes In the biodegradation rates. For MIPB, disappear ance rates for the three days by UV analyses were 75, 70 and 77 percent compared with the mean of 67 percent in the previous sampling period. GC analyses Indicate that the predominant monoisopropyl biphenyl components are almost completely degraded during the cycle, leaving as the un degraded portion the dlalkylated components. For HB-40, the previous sampling period had shown essentially a zero disappearance rate with a high degree of scatter. During the three-day period, disappearance rates of 54, 52 and 58 percent were found. From GC analyses. It appears that the one-ring hydrogenated components are more readily degradable than the two-ring hydrogenated components. Feeding of the MIPB and HB-40 is continuing. An additional sampling period Is planned to determine If any further signi ficant changes will occur. Five additional units are now being added to our setup to per mit simultaneous testing of a greater number of products. Testing of Aroclor 1221 will be started In one of the new units. P.lodegradatlon rate studies on chlorinated biphenyl have not been reproducible. Seml-contlnuous activated sludge units for Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1254, MCS 1016 and MCS 1043 were modified to permit use of magnetic stirring. The addition of stlfcrlng to the units appears to reduce the degree of scatter to some extent. The method of sampling 1b now being Investigated to determine Its contribution to the scatter. No conclusions can be drawn at this time concerning differ ences In biodegradation rates. Some changes In component ratios will be noted for MCS 1016 and MCS 1043. Testing of trlchlorobenzene, Arobromchlor 1232, Gulf 200 Bright Stock, Aroclor 5432 and Aroclor 5442 are now started In magneticallystirred units. Aroclor 5460 Eleven lots of current Anniston Plant production were anal yzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by carbon skeleton QC. The results ranged from 0,32 to 1.295* PCB. The latter Is probably too high to satisfy the FDA for use as a hot melt adhesive In food packaging. MONS 206498 6- - PCB - Environmental Studies - Europe 'Environmental Studies - At an informal meeting on 24th Sept, high level representatives of th3 British Nature Con servancy and British Ornithological societies, we gave a presentation of the PCB problem and Monsanto's efforts to deal with It, This was well received and comments approving of Monsanto's cooperative approach were made. Dr. Martin Holdgate, of the British Cabinet Office, who has wide res ponsibility for environmental problems In the U.K., thought that the Monsanto response to the problem was very generous. Among other things he has responsibility for the Issue of the NERC report on the deaths of sea-birds In the Irish Sea. He undertook to ensure that Monsanto would see this report In draft before publication and that relevant comment from us would be Included. We are still awaiting this draft, but understand that it Is being revised at present and we will receive a copy on completion of this revision. We have been told, however, that the report accepts that high levels of PCB's were found in the dead sea-birds and thus although the deaths could not be attributed directly to the presence of PCB's this could have been a contributory factor. The meeting at Stockholm, organized by the Swedish National Environmental Protection Board, was attended. Not very much new information was provided and, generally the meeting discussion was limited and rather an anticlimax. Reference to the Monsanto contribution at CIGRE was made In con?>llmentary terms. A modified print of this paper was available to the delegates of the Stockholm meeting, but was not read. We presented a summary of the 9 month chronic toxicity trials on rats and dogs (Bio-Test) to counter some alarmist speculation on toxicity to humans. A meeting on analytical problems of PCB's organized by the British Ministry of Agriculture was attended. A preliminary report from the Fisheries Laboratory of the Ministry suggested that no significant levels of PCB's were found in fish from the Severn Estuary. This is perhaps, surprising in view of the location of the Newport Plant. Biodegradation - The Monsanto sponsored project at University College, Bangor has now started. A meeting with Professor Evans and his student was held to discuss the Initial program and it was agreed that the elective technique would be used In an attempt to prepare soil cultures capable of degrading Aroclors 1242 and 1254 and specific Isomers. Evans claims to have isolated a biphenyl degrading organism which operates through a different ring-splitting mechanism from the pre vious culture {C2). This is being made available to Ruabon for study and Is of Interest since It opens up the possibility MONS 206499 7i - - of degrading structures which are stable towards Cg. . Analytical renults arc awaited on the degradation tests on IirMO, MC5 717 (repeat), MCS 76?, MCS 1016 (repeat), and on tin.- :':3 - f?':31: /-1 :51 hrxachlorinatcd biphenyl (repeat). MANUFACTURING: . Anniston Plant PCD hovel In Sewer Aroclor losses during October average cl 2?f/day (&05 Ppb). Four high dally values (1000-4000 ppb) account-for 1.8 Ib/day - neglecting those, October average is 1,5 l'b/day, Actions now being taken to reduce upsets. Alabama. V/ater Improvement Commission Contacts A iiiaetitit: was held with the AV/IC technical staff. They were rat Is fled with the; progress made at Anniston on the 1*011 problem. Plant effluent levels will be re;ported monthly. SpilA?i_ ' Cleaning out a plugged Ilontar clrumout line caused seme to spill on the floor which was absorbed in sand and cleaned up. A leak An a chlorine*tor pump caused some Aroclor to enter the sump whore it was contained without leaving the department into the plant waste sewer. Project a & Evalerfcions f 1. Input data to define magnitude of solid waste disposal prqj&euv was published in October. Later work has ImScfeuted that hontar 5 (Aroclor 5460 bottoms) coti^ains very little PCD. If confirmed, this reduces PCS containing bulk solids by 10 M pounds per year/ Promise approved for spent carbon (containing PCB) collection and burial. Ultimate disposal by incineration is present plan. HONS 206500 -8- Projcct-s <? Evaluations .- 3- _ Removal of PCD--ladcn sludge from limestone pit by . ' pumping was r.ucceaafully demonstrated. This opens the . way to longer pit life by removal of solids during operation of the pit. " 4. Premise for rehabilitation of No. 1 limestone pit by l/l/YO was approved in plant. Project preliminary .estimate is $`J.2M Capital, (>2K Dismantling, and $26M . Mechanical Expense. This estimate will be reviewed and an AFE prepared in November. Cleanout work is presently underway by pumpins (see 3 above) so that the usual PCI3 discharge to Snow's Creek from pit cleanout will be minimised,. Precautions arc being taken to minimize PCD escape during limestone removal. 3- Plow sheet developed for pilot clarifier intended to demonstrate removal of solids (with adsorb Aroclor) from limestone pit effluent. Premise and estimate will be developed by mid-November. 6. Approximately 500 gallons of liquid PCD was removed from department sump after months of operation. "Skimmer" was successfully demonstrated with collected scum being very high in PCD content (200M ppb). Approval was received to purchase. W. Q. Krummrlch Plant PCD Bevels In Sewer A. For the period 9/22 - 10/15 losses to the river from the treatment plant ranged from 437 to 2416 ppb with an average loss of 397 PPb for 8 samples. This is equivalent to 86 lbu/day. B. Vi'GK Laboratory*s chromatograph for measuring PCB'o ha*r been repaired and current schedule of 6 samples/ week will be maintained. Projecto To Deduce Sewered PCB's From Aroclor Department A. Blow tank demister (l5st. 2031) project completed and started up on 10/22. No mist downstream from the . demister was detected using a Brink mist sampler. Scrubber Jet samples have been sent to the laboratory for analysis to verify loss reduction. B. Design package for the project to provide paving, curbs, trc-nches and catch basin in the tank car and ' truck loading areas will be completed In November. HONS 206501 Program To Elimln&tc Sewered PCB * s From Using Departments A. SuTfimnry report covering losses from using departments in October will be issued by November 9- Only reported loss for September was 1 quart from Dept. 51, Facts com:erring major loss on 10/25 at the Rip Trade will be published separately by the investigation . committee, . D. Project {list. 2457 for <,2>J90 Expense) to provide 190,000 gallons of interim storage for scrap Aroclor was completed in October, PO.i hovels In Attnosphere A. Vapor samples taken to date arc inconclusive!. Soma sampling problems are indicated. Sampling program to identify air losses will be completed in November, PCJ3 Rework Project (Est. 2095) Design package completed and safety review held . for Phase 111 (installation of storage facilities for rework material). wport P1 ant_(September^ , PCD Levels In Sewer 'PCB'h in the Newport Plant effluent between 1st September and 5th October ranged from 20 to 952 ppb. There were 5 high results of 2,998 ppb, 81,059 and 5,095 ppb. The highest of these coincides with leaks from the Santotberm pumps on 4-NDFA Plant. Excluding the 5 high results, the average figure is 2*)6 ppb. 246 ppb of FCB is equivalent to approximately 2. 46 lbo/day I. L Ififbxluation has been requested from Anniston on fcSfalS using carbon treatment for removal of Aceelors from vrastc effluent. * Installation of sump level alarms now complete. . Spills A bunded area draining into a closed drum has been installed around the Sarifcothcrm pumps on the 4-HDPA plant. Modifications are in hand to improve the drainage from this area. HONS 206502 PCB L'evels In Atmosphere TSD Progress Report No. 2 on Job No. 27/7139/239? was Issued on 15th October giving results obtained to date on sampling of plant atmosphere for PCB contamination. Results arc: Area PCB mg/m3 air __ _ Comments ___ *1. Drumming 0.38 ' Indoors. 2 roller doors ope 2. Chlorination ` (ground floor) 0.59 0.13 Enclosed area, large roller door open 3. Savitolube 9^0 >1. il-NDPA - (Expansion tank) 0.23 0. 9h Pract. Indoors, Normal process con Outdoors Outdoors 9. Aroclor control room 6. Chlorination (1st floor) 0.2Q 0.12 Indoors Chlorinators filmtdown 0.19 0.12 Chlorinators operating 11 11 7. Alrblowing room 0. 39 indoors. Normal1 process conditions Used Drum Disposal lUagdena drum reconditioning plant at Barking in Essex visited to see a trial to recondition used Aroclor drums. . * W. B. PAPAGEORGE ms HONS 206503