Document Moa0gL5GDj282BweVmORv0DLa

ORGANIC DIVISION, LAW AND MEDICAL DEPARTMENTS REPORT ON POLY- CKLORIHATE D BIPHENYLS Present: Messrs. C. J. Smith, J, Mason, T. K. Smith, H. S. Bergen, ' J. E. Sprlnggate, R. E. Kelly, E. P. Wheeler, Rodney Harris, Jr., D. W. Miller, W. C. Robinson Monsanto's worldwide Aroclor busIness^amounts to 104 M 1bs./yr.t 70M used In functional fluids and 3*' M in plasticizers. This represents 522 M in sales. Products range from monochIorobipheny1 DSW 123808 s> STLCOPCB4032804 to decach 1 orob i pheny 1 , terphenyls, and chlorinated tcrphenyls. Production locations are at Anniston, Alabama, Satiget, Illinois, Newport, U.K. and Yokkaichi, Japan. Environmental Aspects - E. P. Wheeler The- 5 and 6 chlorinated biphenyls {Aroclor 125*1 and 12 6 0) have been found at limited locations in water, in birds and some forms of aquatic life. Recent indications are that such biphenyls may affect reproduction of fowl life and may be toxic to shrimp. These products are not toxic from the acute standpoint to man or fish but there is some evidence of ecological buildup In certain water deposits, in fish and ultimately in bird life. - Aroclors 12*i8 and lower In number are believed to be biodegradable but this has not been conclusively established as yet, . Plan of Action - H. S. Bergen and J. E. Sprlnggate The availability of alternate products to satisfy customer requirements was reviewed. Main problems are that no replacement product Is available for capacitors and replacement products for other uses pose a pollution problem. In pUstldzer uses, evidence Is not available as to whether Aroclors escape from end products, either through leeching or by d.Ispcrsal In burning. I, *. The recommended plan of action is to establish a tailored program for each business group and each customer market situation to assure that the loss of PCB's in the environment, if any, is minimal. . DSW 123809 STLCOPCB4032805 1. Appotnt a Project Manager - responsible for the overall management of the Aroclor pollution problem. He would be assisted by a Task Force from members of each business group plus Medical, Law, Engineering and Manufacturing. . 2. Notify all Aroclor customers of PC8 problem. 3. Reduce and effectively control PCB effluents from Monsanto plants. A. Educate customers on need to reduce and effectively control PCB effluents at their plants. 5. Develop and Implement new packaging systems for Aroclor 12 5 A / 1 2 6 0. 6. Introduce to market, replacement products for Aroclor 12^4/1260. 7. Continue and expand biodegradation test program with Aroclor . scries, particularly 1242, 1240 and 1254. 8. Continue toxicological test program. 9. Accelerate present analytical test program, 10. Determine feasibility and cost of eliminating 5/6 Cl In Aroclorsl2A2and)2A8. * tl. Study incineration products. 12. Develop business plan to offer: - Monsanto Fluid Reclamation and Recovery with Envlro Chcm. (Reclamation already under way at Findett.) Cost of this program Is estimated at approximately $AOOM SARE and $700M capital to change equipment. Conclusions: In light of the recent and developing evidence of a possible threat to certain species of bird and aquatic life, wc should plan to d 1 scont i nife the manufacture of Aroclors 12 54 and 1260. The Division is Instructed to develop a program to discontinue these products and report this to the Committee. The status of Aroclor 12A2 should continue to be tested to determine whether it contributes to this problem. Other products which might be Involved should also be examined. (Excerpt to Messrs. H. L. Mlnckler, Rodney Harris, Jr., R. E. Kelly, T. K. Smith.) . . \238l DSVi STLCOPCB4032806