Document N2By515E4K4JLobyrny6jdaLb

I Monsanto' FROM . N i M E p L o e A T . M -- p h o n e , w> B> paPageorge (4-2980) B3WA D*Te :December 20 v 1984 s u b je c t :Weekly Highlights REFERENCE T O :M. Dmytryszyn - -B3NA cc. M. E. Gibbs - N3A J. C. Hill - 04B W. R. Richard - R4B 1. Potential Problem - Chlorinated Hydcarbons The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) have filed a petition with EPA seeking the banning of any products or processes which contain or produce certain halogenated dibenzodloxins or dibenzofurans. The suggested maximum level would be 1 ppb. Most of the petition seeks action under The Toxic Substances Control Act* MIC products effected would be tetrathal and diphenyloxide; but almost any other chlorinated aromatic material would be suspect. 2. Builder U Attempts to lower the detection limit of the colorimetric method for glyoxylate (hydrolyzed Builder U) have been unsuccessful. Currently, the method is applicable in a variety of environmental waters over the 1-20 ppm range. In an attempt to lower the detection limit to 0.2-0.2 ppm, we increased the measured absorbance by increasing the spectrophotometer cell pathlength from 1 cm to 5 cm. However,the variability of the measurement increased proportionately, resulting in no improvement in the detection limit. We have requested a literature search of analytical methods for glyoxylate and glyoxyllc acid in hopes of finding an alternate approach. 3. W. G. Krummrich Plant - Morbidity Study Northwestern University's peer review group for the potential morbidity study at WGK essentially rejected the use of Columbia Plant employees as a control and unanimously recommended inclusion of former WGK employees in both the exposed and non-exposed cohorts. 4. Chelant-Carcinogenicity As a result of a recent internal meeting on this subject it was agreed that DMEH would: a. evaluate Unilever's report on carcinogenicity of sodium phosphate, and b. evaluate the mutagenicity of Monsanto chelants. J .N -112 0 w C073IO H0 5. JFQ Dioxin i Environmental Law' advised that the Federal EPA (Washington) remains firm in Its position that the TSCA 60-day notification is required prior to dioxin cleanup at: JFQ. In order to start cleanup on schedule (February 25) a 60 dayr TSCA (now RCRA) notification was forwarded to Federal EPA December 20, 1984:. i 6. Everett Groundwater Classification i Massachusetts DEQE regulation requires the classification of all state groundwaters by June 1985. In the absence of detailed groundwater infor mation provided by affected property owners, all groundwaters will be classified as Class I (potable water supply). A petition to classify the Everett plant groundwater as Class III (restricted use) was developed and forwarded to Massachusetts DEQE prior to the January 1, 1985 deadline. Plant groundwater presently does not meet Class I or II standards. Agree ment was reached with the DEQE to provide detailed groundwater information in support of this petition as it is developed during the next six months. 7. Trenton - Buried Acid Filter Cake i The plant (Warzyne Engineering Co.) initiated removal of the burled a d d filter cake (arsenic trisulfide) on December 18. About 90% ad been removed by late the 19th and the remaining 10 is expected to be removed by the 21st. The removed waste is being disposed in a hazardous waste landfill. The Michigan DNR and EPA have been monitoring our progress. 8. Soda Springs - Radionuclide Regulations It appears that EPA will file an appeal and request for stay of the con tempt order on December 21. Outside counsel is concerned that the appeal/ stay will be denied in the San Francisco Court. If denied, the EPA must be prepared to "delist" radionuclides or issue regulations. Delisting seems to be slipping as a likely alternate and EPA is known to be prepar ing the paperwork for issuing regulations for some unknown limit. Idaho Mining Association and Beveridge & Diamond will use all their resources, including Senators McClure and Simms, bo protect the elemental phosphorus industries1 interest. tf. B. Papageorge ja C07311