Document GR5qgnLLMZwR1eQgvMyyVLy4

BCG: Mr. J. R. Eck BCC; Mr. E. V. John Mr. J. J. Spano Letter to the Editor July 14, 1970 The Miami Herald 1 Herald Plaza Miami, Florida 33101 Dear Sir: Richard Pothier's July 9 article on PCB, a "DDT-Like poison" carries several inaccuracies. It states, for example, th3t she manufacturer, Monsanto Company, is organizing "at federal request" a campaign to reduce leaks of the chemical. This Teas not at government request. It was started in 1968 when we first discovered PCB might be a problem to the environment and long before many scientists or politicians Imew of the issue. Another inaccuracy in the story was reference to a major ?C3 fish kill in Alabama last year. There have been no major fish kills in the area of our Alabama plant since 1966, when heavy rains caused damage to our plant. Investigations showed that kill was not caused by PCB. PCB is not a poison as the headline implied, but we are withdrawing it from sale where it is not used within a closed system. Although recommended in a 1960 catalogue as a possible ingredient in plastic bags, PCB has never been used in such applications. Scientific instruments capable of detecting small amounts of chemicals have not been available too long. But more to the point, no one bothered to use them to examine organisms in the food chain until a couple of years ago. Since that time, Monsanto as a responsible company-, has taken the initiative in solving the problem without pressure from government or organized groups. PCB cannot simply be taken out of service since it i3 used in nearly all electrical transformers and to do so would result in major power failures throughout the world. Sincerely, DSW 018372 Jam.as E. McRae Jr. Assistant Director of Public Relations STLCOPCB4004916