Document Lgoyy5Gw36RMn8vkMqOKKM4yd

May 28, 1969 Editor Gainesville Sun 101 Southeast Second Place Gainesville, Florida 32601 Dear Sir: I recently saw your April 25 editorial on "Lethal Pollution" which toade reference to the polychlorinated biphenyls (FCBs) sold by Monsanto. I thought you might be interested in some additional information on this matter. Evidently your editorial was based on a story which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle late in Februaryi Unfortunately the deadline of that writer did not give us time to supply an answer to his questions. Enclosed is a statement which contains information which should have been presented. A number of the reports about PCBs are incorrect. They are not used in vinyl plastics, automobile tires or epoxy resins -- as has been stated. They also have no agricultural uses. PCBs are highly specialized materials used In closed systems or a manner where they are an integral part of the product. We, therefore, question how commercially made PCB could be showing up in the environment in the quantities reported. We think the answer could lie elsewhere. -more- DSW 200973 STLCOPCB4052440 Gainesville Sun -2- May 28, 1969 We are conducting our own research programs to confirm or deny these initial, scientific reports. Monsanto Is not ignoring this matter and will exercise the same high degree of control and concern on PCB as ve do with all our products. Sincerely, TCFisfh attach: position statement Tom C. Ford Manager Divisional Public Relations be: ttr. H, S Dr. W. R. Richard Mr. E. P. Wheeler Sv/l attach: Gainesville Sun article DS\M 200974 STLCOPCB4052441 Mi A /orSoJnl^fliT"- s: turu ADD 25 1959. 7IirqiMumnminifiiiffiiinmim^immipmNnni Lethal Pollution It took years for scientists to discover that the pesticide DDT las permeated the w 0 r 1 d's agfltor, nir pnJ land and was rais ing havoc with wildlife popula;ions. In the meantime, such predator birds as the peregrine falcon and bald eagle were faced with extinction; D D T - c 0 n,aminated fish and milk have jeen declared unfit for humans; tongbird populations dwindled in some areas. ' Only in the last year or so did jiolpgists pinpoint how DDT prevents bird reproduction by at tacking the female's sex lormones. As research continues, jovernments at all levels are groping for ways to control growng concentration of the pesticide. Foes of DDT advocate strictly selective use or an outright pan. . even by the wearing of tires on freeways. ------------- -- , A team of University of California and Cornell University scientists has determined the PCBs are five times more powerful than DDT in hormonedestroying activity. Like DDT, they are found throughout the environment and their quantities are increasing rapidly. They have been found in the milk of nursing mothers in Colorado and in marine life off California, as well as in European birds. J ' ? ; " } j; ; What effects PCBs will have on man is not known, although in vapor form these chemicals are highly toxic. It is known that, again like DDT, they do not break down into harmless chemicals in a short period of time. Once in the environment, they won't go away. ^ f > : f f, L Even as the DDT controversy s thrashed out, scientists have leitecte.d new, more toxic :hemicals building up in the enironment. Relatives of DDT, hough not pesticides, the new hemicals are polychlorinated iphenyls (PCBs). They are used n making paints, folastics) elecrical insulators,--fcesjj(wal{egr~ ealants and(epoxy resl? PCB3 are produced under the rade name Aroclors by Monsanto hemical Co., St. Louisi'TRey*were"" irst identified in European birds y Swedish scientists. They ap- v arently are released into~the at-'^ losphere and waterways by aporizing, from factory mokestacks, by discharge into ivers and oceans and, possibly, jiu. u i 1 The federal government has not sei-toleranre. limits for PCBs inLhuman food supplies? at this stage, and Monsanto company spokesmen only say that their scientists and sales executives are studying the problem. Dare we hope that study by government and industry will not drag out over years and years while the concentration of these lethal chemicals continues to build? Is it too much to ask that new synthetic chemicals, devised to increase agricultural and in dustrial production efficiency, be thoroughly tested for possible deleterious effects on us and our environment before they are plac ed in use? ' : [ ir ; |[ 1 oSVN 200975 STLCOPCB4052442