Document Ozxo2b9RqeJkOyJD73dzQ6Lpe

iStrnirnpnJia rlbujtf MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. D. 240.275 SUN. S74.KO JUN 17 1975 Ban urged I on use of industrial chemical Associated Prw Duluth, Minn. . The chief of the National Water Quality LsboHtory says an inter state task force has recommended a near-total national ban on the use of one type of toxic Industrial chemical. Dr. Donald Mount, chairman of the i Lake Michigan Toxic, Substances Committee with representatives ' from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and the federal govern ment, said the committee has rec ommended to the U.S. Environmen tal Protection Agency that the chemical -- known as be limited to "essential user" Dr. James Allen, a University of Wisconsin pathologist, has con ducted research that he says estab- i lishes that the chemical can cause birth defects or prevent reproduc tion in fish, birds and mammals. He . said there is some evidence that ! they may have similar efjpcts on humans. . t , Mount eaid he made the recommen dation verbally to Francis Mayo, the agency's regional director, at a ' meeting in Chicago in late May. IPCBs are a group of chemical com pounds used in many industrial | processes as a hydraulic fluid, heat I. transfer fluid and electrics! insula- 1 tors. It also is the only U.S. produc- j er. , The Michigan Department of Natu ral Resources has said the PCB lev . els in Lake Michigan are "alarm ing1* ahd aays it also will push for a 'ban. ' PCBs have been found recently in Minnesota hi fish taken from Lake > Peplit and Lake Superior. 1 , ?s - . ' HONS 031151