Document 9L61Kzwn1XLaLNemEp3RgerGp

I wow l . AW A l IjA/t. TO : + t- D. R. Bishop Btwr---Li Dec. 22, 1975 EPA/PCB PRESS CONFERENCE W P. Heisler Mr. W. R. Corey - B2SA Mr. IC. W. Easley - 1920 Mr.`"R'. 'W.' Flint -1740 -, Mr. R. E. Beal -. B2SB Dr. 0. P. DeGarmo - A2SA Dr. w.. C. Hammann - B3SA Mr . E. H. Harbison - B3SA Mr. W. B. Papageorge - B3NB Dr. c. Paton -. B2SK Mr. R. A. Pohl - B2SB v Mr. R Dr. G Mr. D Mr. J Mr. W Mr. D Mr. J G. Potter - B2SB Roush - A2SA L. Sliney - B2SB C. Weber - B2SK W. Withers - B2SA Wood - B2SD J. Zernan - B2SK Warren Easley called late this morning to relay a report on EPA's PCB Press Conference which is summarized.here. The conference was well attended by all segments of the news media. Many of the media questions reflected strong interest in the conditions at our Krummrich Plant, i.e., 1) What do you know about the effects on plant workers and the residents of Sauget? 2) They must obviously be inhaling residues/ fumes since its made in such large quantities there. ' Following the session, Warren overheard one network TV . - reporter say he'd sure like to get into that-plant. Another - newsman told him to call St. Louis! . .. Warren feels (and I tend to agree) that these media types probably think they've got another VCM or Asbestos or Xepone.; issue developing here. * Warren pointed out that while there were a few inaccuracies stated by EPA regarding WGK (one EPA official said we are discharging 2-3 pounds per day into the municipal treatment plant and another said it was less than 5 pounds per day) their remarks regarding WGK could not be blamed for the media interest. . ' . EX P-2504 Page 1 of 3 PCB-ARCH0744679 For example SPA said the quantities being found in the environment are not coming from Monsanto's plant, but from the shipments made to .Monsanto's customers. They also said the problem is not the people in and around Monsanto's plant, it is the food supply -- and not.only fish. , Other comments and/or questions and answers included the following: . ' . . ,_ ' EPA: At the levels found in our environment, there is no_ evidence of human effects,'but based on animal tests,' EPA considers PCBs to be a suspect carcinogen. - EPA: Will call for labeling transformers and capacitors (?) .-. so'that workers will know what they contain and what care should be exercised. v ' EPA: ' G.E. is .currently discharging one pound per day into the Hudson River-but because the land around its plant is' soaked with PCBs,- as much as five pounds per day enters the environment when it rains. "' . EPA: Wants-zero discharge but if studies prove this is ' impossible, they, would go for ounces per day. Q: When you'-meet with Monsanto in January, will you push ~ them to establish a timetable for a phaseout., EPA: We will push users to eliminate all non-essential uses where fire protection is not necessary. Where fire safety is necessary, we will urge R&D to develop substitutes. ' Q: Will you ask Monsanto to stop production? ' EPA: NO - That would shut down the electrical power industry' and railroads in short order.. We must find a way to proceed without shuting down the country. - Q: Do you expect Monsanto to cooperate? ' . EPA: Based on continuing discussions with Monsanto we have no reason to believe -otherwise. . 0A761SO EX P-2504 Page 2 of 3 PCB-ARCH0744680 Dec. 22, 1975 . ' Page 3 EPA-Comment - PCBs are 20 times more persistent than DDT..' They cause.tumors in animals.' They are laying in the environment, in the sediment in the bottom- of lakes and _ rivers where they are like a delayed action timebomb ' waiting to go off. We may have to live with them for the ' rest of our lives. ' . , Surprisingly, there was no particular interest expressed in the G.E./Hudson River situation.- . Based on the news'media's interest-in our plant workers ' and the residents of Sauget, -it would behoove us to publish and release (ot at least have ready to release) the results.' of our epidemological. study as soon as possible. D. R. Bishop ' ` /mks attachment ' / . P.S7 Attached is a copy of the Dow Jones account of this conference. . . . . 0*1*^ EX P-2504 Page 3 of 3 PCB-ARCH0744681