Document O1jp4v4vwb4E8m0O4j1ap1ydw

*t> o-U. <.A Monsanto Men**nte Comj>e*v tob K. llndbtrgh ftoulovard fit. tout*. Mioufi 53156 : 014) 664'IOOD ----- MQAMtC August 14, 1970 . Dear Sir: You have received our letters of February 27, 1970 and June 1, 1970 covering Monsanto's withdrawal of poly chlorinated blphenylB (PCBs) from the market. The February 27 letter reviewed some of the potential hazards of PCBs and of environmental polutlon In general. The June 1 letter announced that we were Withdrawing all poly chlorinated biphenyls used as plasticisers or modifiers from the market, and that the last shipment of these materials would be made August 30, 1970. . In as.much as you may have some Inventory of these materials which you might be planning to use during the period In which you change, over to other products, we felt it impera tive to Inform you of the latest Information concerning PCBs. It was recently brought to our attention that the Food and Drug Administration has apparently established guidelines .setting forth suggested maximum levels of PCBs allowable _ In certain foods. These levels, as we understand them, ^ are 5 parts per million In fish and 0.2 parts per million ^ In milk. Monsanto, therefore, strongly recommends that - PCBs not be used In sppllcatlons which could lead, either directly or Indirectly, to the contamination of food and V water supplies for humans or animals. Examples of appli cations which would seem particularly hazardous would be coatings for water treatment facilities, coatings for food handling equipment, or coatings for such farm Items as silos and feed hoppers. . MONS 089437 ) -2- It has recently come to our attention that PCBs have been found in cows milk. This adds emphasis to Monsanto's re- 1 commendation that PCBs not be used In any application where \ they might come In contact with or otherwise contaminate food, allage, water supplies, eto. The latest available bulletin on our line of Aroclors Is enclosed for your use. This publication replaces and supercedes bulletin 0/PI,-306 - Aroclor Plasticizers. The only products listed which will be sold after August 31, 1970 are 1) Aroclor 1221, a monochlorlnated biphenyl which is readily biodegradable, and 2) . Aroclors 5442 and 5460, both chlorinated terphenyls which have not shown themselves to be environmental contaminants. Please pay special atten tion to the section of this bulletin which relates to environmental hazards. \ J In addition to the products listed above which will remain on the market, Monsanto will sell a series of blends of Aroclor 1221 and Aroclor 5460 which will replace the poly chlorinated biphenyls for many applications. During this withdrawal of PCBs from the market, Monsanto has had In effect a modified returned goods policy stating that unopened containers less than one year old could be returned for full credit through July 31, 1970. Prom August 1 through August 31, 1970, 90 percent credit would be allowed. Prom September 1 through December 31, 1970, 50 percent credit would be allowed. The customer will pay all return freight. All of the dates In the time schedule for this returned goods policy are hereby extended an additional two months. Monsanto realizes that the removal of these products from the market has caused a great deal of concern and expense for our customers. This Is certainly regrettable. However, It appears to us that as a responsible supplier, this Is the only reasonable course of action. We stand ready to aaslst you as we can with your reformulation work. MQNS 089438 Vpry^respectfully, ~ ) ' Walter E. ichalk Director of Sales Plasticizers