Document B8o8bQ6jgM5D0Xm73ZvRzLEVj

PRESS QUERY COMPANY (Unit or Corporate): C o r p o r a t e SUBJECT: E P A /D i o x in Report REPORTER & MEDIA: B i n Capo (50A) 529-6303 TTITMwE.o& nDAATTrE: 6 / 2 7 / 8W3WL 5- Np>emw . Orleans QUESTION & RESPONSE: Reporter referred to me by Vince Boyen, Luling Plant Manager for information regarding the plant's in volvement with Agent Orange G.D. Ingenthron J.v. Morse J.T . Nolan D.R. Bishop A.N. Filippelio S.Pickard-VVashington, D.C. New York PR Brussels PR MAP PR MF&I PR MIC PR MPP PR Eng'd. Prods. PR Int'l. PR Q: Did the Luling Plant make any ingredient used in Agent Orange? Mr. Boyen said they did but it was before his time. A: There were two occasions in 1964 or 1965 where the Luling Plant esterfied two shipments of 2,4,5,-T acid to help Nitro out. Explained that dioxin is sometimes formed earlier in the production process and that none would be generated during the esterfication process. 2,4,5,-T acid (a solid material) was shipped to Luling where it was treated with alcohol to convert it to usable form. It was then shipped to Sauget plant where it was m i x e d with 2,4 D to make Agent Orange. Q: Reporter w a n t e d to know how m u c h 2,4,5,-T acid was esterfied at Luling and if any dioxin could have contaminated the plant during that process. A: I told him I didn't kno w how m uch but that I'd try to get that answer for him on Tuesday if he still wanted it (He'll call back if he does). I said it's impossible to say now, nearly 20 years later, whether any dioxin may have entered the environment from the esterfication process. I did emphasize that if it did, it was surely in miniscule amounts and it was highly unlikely that any detectable amoupt would be there today from that operation. Q: He also asked about propanil and it's potential for creating dioxin? A: Our scientists say they don't think it's possible to get TCDD from the propanil process. I pointed out that a number of the processes listed as potential sources of dioxin in the report were nothing more than "off-the-wall" speculation and that we think propanil is one of them. Note : I also talked with Don Cayard, MAP; re Anniston Plant, Vince Boyen, Luling and George Pappas, Texas City re similar media inquiries they were getting as a result of the EPA/Dioxin Report. -continued- SOURCE OF ANSWER HANDLED BY: D'rT^/ishop G-2967 (REV. 11/82) C07125 -2 - leporter called back on June 28 at 11:00 a.m. requesting production information. A: 2,4,5-T acid was received from our Nitro, W.V. plant and converted to 2,4,5-T butyl ester on two occasions and then shipped on to our Sauget, Illinois plant for further blending into Agent Orange. Between November 1965 and January 1966, 1.6 million'pounds of ester was made; between May and October, 1967 another 2.77 million pounds was made. I emphasized once again that no dioxin would have been generated in the esterfication process and that very little waste, if any, would have resulted. I also pointed out that until recently you could buy 2,4,5-T over the counter at virtually any hardware or lawn and garden store in the U.S. for use on home lawns. In closing, Reporter volunteered that the EPA is not concerned about the 2,4,5-T ester at Luling but had indicated to him that they do plan to follow up with the Plant, the potential propanil/dioxin link.