Document 6RX9zjm3wn8oV93GyDgyge4qd

Monsanto -f (NAME --LOCATION-PHONE I L. J. 0 1Neill - F3EE - 4-3084 SUBJECT REFERENCE September 15, 1983 Dioxin seepage near Krummrich ' cc-: D. R. Bishop - F3EE J. D. W i lson - G3WG T O : M. C. Throdahl - DID At the recent breakfast meeting, you expressed surprise that the company had acknowledged dioxin (not 2,3,7,8 TCDD) seepage from landfills nea r the Krummrich plant. A t t a c h e d is an 18-month old news release with this information. You'll note on page 2 that we were trying "to determine the origin of the s e e p s ." /ec Attachment VJ Larry J. O'Neill C07887 NEWS IMMEDIATELY Monsanto S . G. Collins (314) 694-3860 PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT Monismo Comomv 8 0 0 N. L i n d b t r g n B o u i i v i r o Si. Logli. M i i i o u n 63160 MONSANTO RELEASES RESULTS ON SEEPAGE ANALYSIS SAUGET, March 31 -- Monsanto Company said today the chemical levels found in seepage samples taken from the banks of the Mississippi River do not pose threats to health or environment. The samples were taken on company property last November by representatives of the Federal EPA and shared with Monsanto. Although extremely small, ultra-trace amounts in parts, per trillion were found of some dioxins, the company analysis of the samples showed no evidence of the highly toxic TCDD dioxin. TCDD is one of 75 chemicals commonly referred to as dioxin and is the only dioxin regulated by the U.S. EPA. The sample results also found small, trace levels of PCBs. Low levels of several other organic .chemical compounds including chloroani1ines, chloronitrooenzenes, chlorophenols and phenol were detected. ''The maximum concentrations of many substances in the seepage were at or below concentrations allowed under Federal and State EPA criteria." Jack Molloy, plant manager at Monsanto's W. G. Krummrich plant in Sauget said. CONFIDENTIAL -more- C07888 CHLORANILINE -2- A chemical intermediate used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. CHLORONITROBENZENE A chemical intermediate used in the production of dyes, agricultural chemicals and rubber chemicals. CHLOROPHENOL A chemical intermediate used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, solvents, wood preservatives and agricultural chemicals. PHENOL A chemical intermediate used in the production of several products including resins, pharmaceuticals, solvents and dyes. -0O0 - C07891 CHEMICAL REFERENCE STATEMENT DIOXIN The term dioxin describes a family of 75 chemical compounds. Dioxins are produced as undesirable trace by-products of certain industrial chemical reactions or from the combination of some chemical substances. Dioxins have also been identified in smoke from cigarettes, charcoal grills, fireplaces and trash incinerators. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD, is the most toxic dioxin to laboratory animals. 2,3,7,8-TCDD is the only dioxin singled out b\j. EPA for regulation and control. PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) PCBs had been used since the 1930s primarily as components of fire resistant insulating fluids in electrical transformers and capacitors. The latest scientific data has shown that PCBs do not pose serious risk of injury to human health; are not human carcinogens; do not affect human reproduction or cause birth defects. C7890 CHLORANILINE -2- A chemical intermediate used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. CHL0RNITROBENZ ENE A chemical intermediate used in the production of dyes, agricultural chemicals and rubber chemicals. CHLOROPHENOL A chemical intermediate used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, solvents, Wood preservatives and agricultural chemicals. PHENOL A chemical intermediate used in the production of several products including resins, pharmaceuticals, solvents and dyes. -0O0 - C07891 -2- Additionally, Monsanto analyzed Mississippi River water both up and down stream from the seeps. "Test results showed no significant differences between the up river and down river samples indicating no impact on the river. No dioxins or PCBs were found in the river water samples." Molloy said. At St. Louis, the Mississippi River flows at approximately 80 million gallons of water per minute. It assimilates groundwater runoff and sewage discharge without appreciable effect. "The flow of the river is 20 million times the seepage flow at the river's edge. The combination of the seepage flow, low levels of chemicals detected and assimilation factor of the river indicate there has been no effect on the Mississippi." Molloy said. The seepage, which can be seen at tines coming from the bank when the river is low, is located along a 300-foot stretch of the river bank south of Monsanto's docking terminal. The company is currently conducting extensive water monitoring tests and hydrogeological studies to determine theorigin of the seeps. Results of this investigation are not expected for several months. -oOo- St. Louis 033182 C07889 CHEMICAL REFERENCE STATEMENT DIOXIN The term dioxin describes a family of 75 chemical compounds. Dioxins are produced as undesirable trace by-products of certain industrial chemical reactions or from the combination of some chemical substances. Dioxins have also been identified in smoke from cigarettes, charcoal grills, fireplaces and trash incinerators. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD, is the most toxic dioxin to laboratory animals. 2,3,7,8-TCDD is the only dioxin singled out b^ EPA for regulation and control. PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) PCBs had been used since the 1930s primarily as components of fire resistant insulating fluids in electrical transformers and capacitors. The latest scientific data has shown that PCBs do not pose serious risk of injury to human health; are not human carcinogens; do not affect human reproduction or cause birth defects. C07890