Document QkGQvJ8nKNeEJJwd5Dx5Nj6XL

1800 1800 B2SL B2NK D. R. Hansen C. Boutin T. L. Gossage W. B. Papageorge October 9, 1971 Mr. A1 Batey Project Architect Kaiser Engineers Kaiser Center Oakland, Calif. VhSQh Dear Al: As requested in your letter of September 23 to D. R. Hansen, the primary reason for our discontinuing sale :f Thermlnol fr fluids into new heating systems is to cintro1 the amount ,f polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in our environment. Theminol PR fluids contain PCBs. This action is prompted by recent investigations by governmental and scientific research laboratories which show certain PC3s t be a persistent environmental contaminant and, possibly, inju rious to certain forms of bird, aquatic and animal life. PCBs were involved in an incident outside the U.S. where in gestion of a food product contaminated by this chemistry caused skin disease and symptoms of poisoning. In the states, PCB content in various food and feed stuffs have been widely publicized in recent weeks. Distribution of PCB containing products has been curtailed and, at this time, a House Bill (H.R. IOO85) is in committee callin' for a ban on delivery of PCB into c mmerce. In view of the above, we will not 3ell PCB containing Thermin 1 PR fluids into any new system, whether designed to use the product or not. The "hold harmless" letter does not, then apply to the case of a new system. For the Oakland Towers heating system, we can only suggest the use of Thermlnol 66 In place )f Thermlnol PR-1 DSW 020445 STLCOPCB4008374 2- - [Jnf>rtunately, Therein 1 56 Is n^t a Tire resistant fluid and up J lnt attempt to gain Its approval f r this application has not been successful. Any qualificati >n of the use f Thermlnol 66 In c mmerclal buildings by a non-Monsanto testing agency such as UL or PTJ would involve a minimum of eight weeks. We are seeking appro val to initiate these tests. In the interim, the data available on Thermlnol 66 as related t -> fire risk is that presented to the California State Fire Marshall on August 31. You participated in this meeting and have copies of the data presented. Vapor pressures at the flash and fire points appear on the tabulation of physical property variation with temperature. Concerning auto ignition of Thermlnol 66 saturated insulati n, I can quote data from Atomic Energy of Canada, Limited where the temperature requirement to cauoe ignition is greater than 527#F. The installations using Thermlnol 66 are primarily industrial. H wover, two that circulate hot fluid inside occupied buildings are: Amoco Research C<'rp. Naplerville, 111. (312) 420-5111 Contact: Wm. Taylor E. Saunders Whlteshell Nuclear Facility Plnawa, Manitoba, Canada Contact: S. Hatcher Other installed system# in your area: Chevron Chemical Co. Richmond, Calif. Harvey Aluminum Co. Johnday, Washington Ashland Chemical C . Oakland, California Perhaps contact with these installations will assuage the ap prehensions of the Oakland Fire Marshall. OSW 020446 STLCOPCB4008375 -3- C ntact at a higher authority in Oakland city government, as suggested in -ur c nversati >n * September 20, may als be useful. D. R. Hansen or C. D >utln of* -ur Santa Clara -.price will be happy t' c .operate 'n any meetings. Vie can certainly understand and share your concern as a De cember startup ->f this system is cl <se at hand. V.`e will con tinue t.) pursue data in Thermin.l 66 as related t. thi3 appli cation. Cordially, co cc K. villson J. Castle D. E. Roush Product Specialist Heat Transfer Fluids DSW 020447 STLCOPCB4008376