Document JJVXNXG8LOBObe5xKNQBx18dZ

Monsanto from iaml & location St* Louis * General Office DATE SUBJECT trccNct March 17, 1969 REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD Their letter to you of March 7 from Mr. Fred H. Dierker TO ?=H. S. Bergen - HBERG : About Aroclor used in the dielectric area, we respond to items 4, 5, 6, and 7 of Mr. Dierker's letter as follows: 4) The solubility of Aroclor in tap water at 25*C. is as follows: .,,T t & ij' Product Aroclor 1242 Aroclor 1248 Aroclor 1254 Solubility in Water 203 i 10 ppm 106 t 14 ppm 50 t 2 ppm Although the solubility of Aroclor 1260 has not been determined, the above data certainly serves to indicate that the more highly chlorinated Aroclors such as 1260 , are the least soluble in water. Accordingly, it is quite ' reasonable to say that the solubility of Aroclor 1260 in water would be significantly lower than 50 ppm. 5} Aroclor 1242 and a small amount of Aroclor 1254 are used in hermetically seeded capacitors. The hermetically sealed can construction is of aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel. These capacitors are used imbedded in asphalt in fluorescent lighting systems. They are used for power factor correction on utility lines. They are also used as motor run capacitors for air conditioning systems. Attached are the specifications for Aroclors 1242, 1254, 1248, and 1260, which describes the physical properties of these materials. Aroclor 1260, and to a lesser extent Aroclors 1242 and 1254, are used as components in transformer fluids of the askarel type. In general, the amount of Aroclor used in the trans formers fluid ranges from 45 percent to 60 percent. IN.10 REV U BS DSW 162222 STLCOPCB4040839 H. S. Bergen -2- March 17, 1969 On the West Coast in 1968, about 300, 000 pounds of Aroclor was contained in the transformer askarel fluid used in that region to make transformers. These askarel transformers are also hermetically seeded, non-breathing apparatus. Very little of the fluid is used to replace spent fluid. Askarel trans former failure that would require replacement of the fluid is very rare* For example, the Edison Electric Institute found that the incident of such failure is in the range of 0.05 percent. 6) No Aroclor capacitors are made on the West Coast. Transformer manufacturers on the West Coast who handle Aroclor containing fluid include; Federal Pacific - Santa Clara, Caliornia Hill Magnetics - Redwood City, California H. K. Porter - Bellmont, California Sierra Transformer - Redwood City, California Spokane Transformer - Spokane, Washington 7} / In the normal use of capacitor or transformer fluid / containing Aroclor, Monsanto advises the capacitor and transformer manufacturers to avoid breathing vapors that would be emitted from the fluid if it were heated to elevated temperatures. Monsanto also advises the user of the fluids to avoid continu ous contact with the skin. If clothing becomes saturated, the workman is advised to launder it before wearing it again. If there has been spillage on the skin, it should be removed by washing with soap and water. Normal, ordinary good housekeeping practice is recommended. \ Normal filtration of the fluid as done in the electrical \ industry has not presented health hazard provided that ordinary normal cleanliness is followed. DSW 162223 STLCOPCB4040840 H. S. Bergen -3- March 17, 19&9 The amount of Arodor dielectric fluid discarded is indeed relatively small. However, such relatively small amounts have been discarded in drums by removal to dumping areas. In rare instances, when a significant amount has become available for disposal, Monsanto practices having the fluid sent back to our plant for reworking and reuse in non-electrical areas. We would suggest answering Mr. Dierker's questions about Aroclor dielectrics in accordance with the above. As he alBo seeks our views on PCB materials used in non-electrical areas such as hydraulic fluid, heat transfer media, plastics, etc., may I assume that you have asked people handling those areas to submit their views ? /ecd Enclosures 1/ P. G. Benignus DSW 162224 STLCOPCB4040841