Document 6wLw9rJjq1NK11oJgmoye49do

Monsanto saav mtH-i.oc*T>ow mgwti LAW DEPARTMENT J. G. Nassif E2ND , October 4 1982 -- David M. Moore, IX Larry J. O'Neill September 27, 1982 Visit to - Sarah Colliae * Monsanto by Dr. Mary Wolff of Bruce Featherstone Environmental Sciences Laboratory, John H. Craddock Mount Sinai School of Medicine TO File 31? salient points of Dr. Wolff's presentation are set forth below in outline form: 1. Dr. Wolff has a PHD in organic chemistry. 2. Dr. Wolff does not believe that a significant PCB exposure occurs when skin comes in contact with PCB-containing fluids. 3. The basic source of PCBs in human serum is diet. This is based upon Dr. Wolff's studies of Michigan fish-eaters and studies of firefighters. 4. Araclor 1016 metabolizes very rapidly. 5. There is a correlation between the presence of higher chlorinated isomers and the duration of exposure. 6. Once one analyzes blood serum, that calculation is sufficient to determine overall body burden. It is not, therefore, necessary to examine fatty tissue as well as blood serum. 7. The most "toxic" PCB isomer is 3,4,3',4',tetrachlorobiphenyl. This isomer is a very small factor in Aroclors. 8. Persons who have had high levels of exposure show a marked decrease in the lower PCB isomers. This suggests that the lower PCB isomers have a two to five year half-life. Dr. Wolff is less certain of the possibility of measurable biodegradation of the higher isomers in persons who are heavily exposed. Conclusion . In later discussions Dr. Wolff indicated that environmental exposure to PCBs via skin contact would be insignificant from an overall PCB body burden standpoint. There is very little doubt that Dr. Wolff would be a fine expert witness in the California cases except for the fact that I am certain that she believes that PCBs are a health hazard at certain levels. Her overall presentation did not discuss toxicity except as noted above. JGN:ch:LD51K IN-IOC (REV. 3/78) PCB-ARCH0744972