Document KOmpyGVpvVoxqOJx1ZEqv6N6
20 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, Wednevl.y, Dec. .1, 1975 \
Dow Chemical to Sell Substitute for PCBs In Power Capacitors
By
Him
Staff Bryan
phwtons in transformers and capacitors.
NEW YORK-Dow Chemical Oo. dta oloeed plans to markot a now Ineulatir* fluid that it said oouM replace the controverlal chemicals known as polychlorinated Mphenyls or PCBs. In high-voltage power ca pacitors.
Previously, Dow Coming Oorp., a Joint unit of Coming Glass Works and Dow Owmten], said It had dsveloptd a aubstttutofter PCBs In transformsra. In addition, RTI Oorp. said U ta developing a new InsulaUfig
These capacitors acoount for perhaps fluid for um In transformsra and oouM have one-fifth of PCB aim PCBs, produced by a product on the market next year.
Konsanto Co., have been Identified as an en-
The environmental Protection Agency,
vlrenmental oontamlnant, and concent has meantime, has been considering passible
mounted of late over their possible toxic ef courses of action s^alnst the ties.of PCS*
fects to man as well as to plants and ani PCBs formerly were widely used in none
mals. *
lectrical application*, but environmental
Dow and McOraw-Bdlson Oo-. a maker of and health oonosms have reatrtetod their
capacitors, Jointly disclosed the new iiwulat- us* largely to electrical equipment where
lng fluid at a conference here. They said it they are considered essential But all re
was developed by Dow and found to be ef strictions so far have been voluntary and
fective by McGrfw-Edlson. The fluid is Uary haven't been very effective.
known etiemicelly as monochioro-butylsled-'
diphenyloxlde. a Dow effielal said.
A complete ben on PCBs is thought prob
Dow said the new fluid oouM replace per* able ft proposed substitutes prove effective
; haps six to eight million of the estimated so but avoid the problems created by PCBs.
million pounds of PCBs produced in the tl.B.' Dow and McGraw-Edtson claimed the
annually. It said it will have an initial pro new Dow product la "environmentally aafs."
duction oapacity of one million pounds early They said Its toxicity, ModegradabUtty and
next year.
other relevant characteristic* had been
Other subetafMSes have been used aa elec* evaluated, leading to the eenelurton that the
tries! Insulating fluids but PCBs. because of 'product would have a "far lower potential
their high stability and other properties, are Impact cm health and the environment" than
considered beet et preventing fires and ex- j PCBs
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