Document OJ3KnqBb7YMXmD2RNz960qDQQ

February 3j 1911 Griffith E. Qulnby, M. D. Consulting Toxicologist Preventive Medicine Post Office Box 1313 Wenatchee, Washington 98801 Dear Dr. Qulnbyi Thank you for your letter of January 20, which arrived on the 27th, at which time I was out of town and Just returned. I appreciate very much your interest in the polychlor inated biphenyls and am happy to reply serially to the questions raised in your letter concerning the "Monsanto Statement on PCB" printed in Environment, Vol. 12, No. 1. May I preface my answers with the comment that we take no responsibility for Dr. Hlsebrough's statements in tho publication and Z am assuming that your questions relate to tho Monsanto statement published therewith. Now, as to your questional 1. The Monsanto statement supplied Environment Magazine was prepared with my collaboration and approval. My Interest in the toxicity of and occupational hazards Involved with the polychlorinated bi phenyls and torphenyls dates back to 1936. I recall vividly the first meeting held at Harvard under the sponsor&hlp of Dr. Cecil Drinker to discuss the early results of research carried on under hio direction on the chlorinated biphenyls MUNS 087784 Orlfflth S. Qulnby, M. D. February 3# 1971 Page Two and chlorinated napthalenea ^Tef. J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol. 19, 300 (193717* Vou may be aure that the Medical Department at Monnnnto has been aware of all subsequent publication!! relating to the toxicity of chlorinated biphenyls and terphenyls. The literature Indicates that there was a number of Incidents of Industrial effects In the late 1930's from the use of a waxy material composed of chlorinated napthalenea, chlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated diphenyl ether. I submit, however, that there have been few instances reported since 19^0 concerning 111 effects in workers exposed to the chlorinated biphenyls or chlorinated terphenyla when used alone. In ;he rare cases that have been reported, the recomnended procedures for safe handling and usage have been Ignored. 2. Monsanto has been aware that In the early and mld1990's there was some use of PCB's as extenders for pesticides where the formulations were applied to field crops, or, in the case of research sponsored In New York State not participated In by Monsanto, on forests for attempted control of elm tree disease. These experiments were based on research efforts of the USDA. As far as our records lndl-. cate these were abortive attempts in using the PCB's In "broadcast applications" on perhaps all kinds of crops. The facts as we know them are that uses never did develop where the PCB's wore incorporated In formulations for "broadcast appli cations" to agricultural crops ouch as vegetables, animal feed, cotton, citrus, etc. I don't have exact figures but I would estimate that something lesa than 100,000 pounds of PCB's were ever used In experimental or Beml-commerclal applications. To me and to our company this does not represent "broadcast application" as the torm is generally used now and as It relates to the application of most common agricultural insecticides. 3. Moot cf the possible ubos of PCB's recommended ac possibilities in our Technical Bulletin O/PL-306 remained as possibilities. It Is true that PCB's were used In specialty (Industrial, corrosive resistant) palntej In specialty rubber for sealants (not automobile tires as has been alleged); In specialty adhesives for many purposes. They were not widely used In lubricants or cutting oils. I don't know what la meant by "carburator fluids". MONS 0 8 7 7 8 5 Griffith E. Qulnby, M. D, February 3, 1971 Page Three As to whether or not ouch uses could lead to the PCB'a getting Into the environment, I wonder If In late 1969 when we supplied the statement to "Envir onment" you would have predicted the current situation as regards mercury. 4. We have not had any cases of occupational Illness In our workers manufacturing PCB'a, with the one exception mentioned (page 307, J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol, referred to above). ' As Z have Indicated earlier, there were Incidences of occupational Illness In the late 1930's and per haps early 1940's. I bellevt the facts are as Indi cated above that these were from uaes where the polychlorinated biphenyls were used In conjunction with other chlorinated hydrocarbons. I would also point out that the number of Instances may have been exaggerated since at that time one state health or labor department after another published bulletin after bulletin referring to the original cases. In this way there may have been some magnification of the seriousness of the situation. I repeat again for emphasis that we know the cases that occurred did not Involve the use of polychlorinated biphenyls alone. In the mld-1950's we sponsored work at Kettering Laboratory (see reprint enclosed) which I believe Is the most definitive in terms of potential occu pational hazards that has been done. . Since the question of possibility of the PCB's eettlng into the environment came to our attention we have under taken a number of research and other projecte. These have been such that I can honestly aay that I am proud of the way Monsanto has responded to the situation. We have, for example, undertaken chronic animal feeding etudlee such aa would be required If we were to consider applying for a food additive petition with the FDA. Aa data have been forthcoming on en Interim basis from these studies, we have provided copies of the data to represen tatives of the Office of Science and Technology of the President, to the Food and Drug Administration, the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal Water Quality Agency and other toxlcologlocs HONS 087780 Griffith E. Quinby, M. D February 3, 1971 Pag* Pour In the United States and abroad. A status report on these studies has been accepted for presentation at the 1971 meeting of the Society of Toxicology. Briefly, I believe that all of the toxicologists who have reviewed the data concur that PCB'a are no more and proba bly less toxic than DDT. This has been most reassuring to us In terms of whether or not any PCB In the envir onment Is a threat to the public health. Equally Important, we have ceased ail sales of the poly chlorinated biphenyls In those applications where escape to the environment cannot be prevented. Uae In electrical transformers, on the other hand, will continue but with provisions that the fluid in the tr-insformera will be returned to Monsanto for Incineration If It cannot be reclaimed for reuse. In short, we no longer sell poly chlorinated biphenyls for uses which cannot be controlled. I would hope that you would agree that Monsanto has reacted In a moat responsible fashion. I would hasten to add, hoycvar, that. any. action on the part of my com pany has been based on the development of sound data developed by ourselves and responsible scientists. It has not been reaction to political pressure nor the more activist scientists and pseudo-scientists who, I know you appreclato aa much ao I, have become so prominent In today'b emphasis on restoration and enhancement of the environment. Please understand I agree completely that there has been and continues to be deterioration of our environment. I nm convinced, however, that steps for Improvement must be taken on a rational and objective bSBlB. In conclusion I feel Monsanto has taken a reullstlc attitude towards the PCB's based on facts as they have developed. At no time have we made efforts to conceal the truths about PCB's. Should you have any facts In your possession that Indicate otherwise, I would be happy to receive them. Very truly yours. REK:Ju R. Emmet Kelly, M. D. Medical Director MQNS 0877S? Enclosure (Tox. of Vapors of Aroclors 1242, 1254; HCS on Chloro- b.c. w. B Papageorge / dlphenyls)