Document 3Jm1wB8kE61xnBgG8MJeNmw5E

Monsanto Moniani* Co*m*v 00 N. Untftr|* If- i.owf. Miuowri 83fM PkOM: 914) M4-1000 May 1912 PCB HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS FACT SHEET PCBs Mot "Deadly Toning" Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are fire-retardant compounds used aainly as fluids to cool and insulate electrical equipaent. They have been widely and aistakenly regarded as aaong the aost toxic coapounds known. They frequently have been incorrectly labeled as "deadly toxins" and "cancercausing agents." The weight of scientific evidence, however, including aany health-effects studies done in the last few years, indicates that PCBs are neither extreaely toxic nor carcinogenic. For exaaple, a 1982 review of current scientific literature on PCB health effects by independent consultants (Drill, Friess, et al., Arlington, VA) and submitted to the BPA noted: "At huaan exposure levels as high as those previously encountered in occupational settings, PCBs can cause chloracne and increases in the levels of one HONS 011516 -2- or aore liver enzymes. Neither effect represents a serious or life-threatening health problea. Froa present evidence, no fira associations can be Bade between PCB exposure and any other huaan health effects, even after long-tera occupational exposures." Siailarly, an April 1982 review of PCB epideaiologic studies by Monsanto Coapany's Or. Killian R. Gaffey concluded: "All studies agreed that there was no relationship between reported illnesses and synptoas and PCB exposure." In 1971, Monsanto voluntarily halted the sale of PCBs for "open" uses, such as in hydraulic and heat-transfer fluids and in paints, because of concern about PCBs' persistence and continued presence in the environaent. In 1977, the coapany voluntarily stopped all PCB aanufacture, including products for use in "totally enclosed" electrical equipaent once Monsanto was assured that suitable substitute coapounds were available. Monsanto has no intention or desire to re-enter the PCB business. Current coapany policy urges that PCBs, like other industrial cheaicals, receive proper handling and disposal to ainiaize environaental release. The coapany is also concerned that PCBs be accurately understood and fairly portrayed. This often has not occurred in the past, and the result has been needless public panic and overzealous, costly regulation. HONS 011517 -5- Recent Human Exposure Studies Since PCBs were singled out for regulation in the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, about two dozen human exposure studies have been published. These studies show no relationship between any specific type of cancer and PCBs, nor any increase in overall cancer nortality as a result of PCB-exposure. Neither do they show a connection between PCBs and other serious illnesses or death. The studies include data on large nunbers of industrial workers who, over many years, were occupationally exposed to PCBs at significantly higher levels than are presently allowed in the workplace or usually found in the environment. For example, one study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, involved more than 2,500 electrical equipment xumufacturing workers, more than half of whom were exposed to PCBs on the job in excess of 20 years (some for up to 40 years). A November 1981 review of toxicity studies done by the consulting firm. Ecology and Environment, Inc. and submitted to the U.S. EPA stated: "There is no evidence of an excess in total mortality or in nortality due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, or nervous system disease associated with occupational exposure to PCBs. PCBs have not been linked to any human cancer, and studies to date Indicate it is highly unlikely future studies will establish such a link. Therefore, it appears that PCBs are not a remarkable toxicant, but a chemical which requires high doses to produce harmful effects." HONS 011518 -4- Other Health-Bffects Research X. The National Cancer Institute concluded from a 1978 lifetime rat feeding study that PCBs were "not cacinogenic...under the test conditions." Three similar rat studies sponsored by Monsanto at an independent laboratory found that PCBs were not cancer agents. To date, only one animal feeding study -- using rats and done by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 1975 (Kimbrough et al.) -- concluded that PCBs caused liver cancer. A subsequent review of both the Monsanto and CDC tests by an independent research institute found that none of the tests demonstrated cancercausing effects. 2. Standard toxicity tests demonstrate that PCBs are less harmful than table salt (NaCl). Yusho Incident During 1968 in Yusho, Japan, about 1,000 Japanese became ill after eating cooking oil contaminated with up to 3,000 ppm of a Japanese-manufactured PCB (Kanechlor 400) and other trace impurities. Symptoms included skin discoloration, acne-like conditions, eye discharges, and central nervous system irregularities. Scientists now generally agree that this incident was not caused by PCBs per se but rather by toxic impurities present in the PCBs. HONS 011519 -SBnvironnental Bffects Recent data indicate that environmental levels of PCBs are declining. A 1979 National Research Council study found significant reductions of PCBs in air over the North Atlantic Ocean. Recent data show that PCB levels in fish from three different geographical regions -- the Great Lakes, New York State, and Alabana/Georgia - ranged fron one to five ppn in 1980-81 as compared to levels of 60 ppm in 1973 and 18 ppm in 197S. Two publications -- one in 1980 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the other in 1979 by the Sport Fishing Institute, Washington, D.C. - report that PCB persistence in the environment, as measured by the "half-life" in fish tissue, ranges fron 4 to 5 years, not hundreds of years as sometimes claimed. -oOo- For additional information contact: Larry O'Neill, Environmental Communications Manager, Monsanto Company (314) 694-2891. HONS 011520