Document R0qKGMLJaYZwMgqdL3XXw37n

E..V. John St. Louis October 10, 1969 Mr. P. . Hodges - PHODG Hr. M. W. Ferrer - KFAKK Mr, W. R. Richards - WRICH frt- W 3 7 E59 Mr. H. S. bergen - HBERC Mr. J. E. Sprlnggate - JSPR1 Mr. T. C, Ford - TfWi) Mr. J. J. Span - JSPAK Up to this time, the most recent Monsanto statement on the PCB situation was dated March 3, 1969. In the peel seven months, much new information has been developed and It became apparent that we should update our position statertent. Attached is Draft IV, dated October 17, 1969. It is still a chronology of events statement and contains touch of the same information contained In Draft 111. 1 have marked those paragraphs which have keen updated. Flease review and return with your comments as soon as possible. You will receive final copy when all returns are In. iCVJ/stw Attachment E. V.' John DSW164900 STLCOPCB4041162 sTAr:'j^;i::-:r from: SA>ro coirany ST. LOUIS. MO. Oct. 17, 1969 Late in February, 1969, a West Coast newspaper e. tried a major feature about, "a menacing new pollutant1' f / . __ * j- Oli Jtl in the San Francisco Bay area. 'The article was based on ine life research carried out by Dr. RoberL Risebrough of the University of California. The article stated that rosiduas of pesticides (DDT and DDL) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCD) were threatening the welfare of certain birds and posed a long-term threat to humans. Monsanto manufactures polychlorinated biphenyl and narke-ts it under our Aroclor trade name. (There are other manufaetuners in Europe and Japan.) We, therefore, would like to present some, additional facts. ! The work done by Dr. Risebrough dates back to earlier research by other scientists who, while analyzing \ pesticide residues in wildlife, soil and "water, encountered unknown or "interfering1' substances in the parts-par-million range, -morc- i i DSW 164901 STLCOPCB4041163 KON SANYO COMPANY Several years ego, two Swedish scientists at Stockholm University's institution of Analytical Cceirn stry, Professor Gunner Vidmark end Soren Jensen, reported they hod 5donci fisc these other substances. They said some of the materials were polychlorinated biphenyl or PCB. Since PCB's arc not "broadcast" or spread around the land as are pesticides, the scientists theorized that the source must be the industrial wastes o f PC B u s or s . " Tn addition to the v.'ork of Dr. Risebrough and the Swedish scientists, there have been other studies 'which indicate the presence of PCB's in the environment. As yet, the source or sources of these materials have not been pinpointed. Monsanto is concerned over the situation and is cooperating fully with these studies. I he common uses of commercial PCB would net normally lead to its release into the natural environment. A principal market for PCB is in electrical applications whore they are used ..s insulating fluids for transformers and capacitors. In this use, the chemical is completely scaled in metal containers. Another market is for heat-transfer applications where the PCB fluid functions in a closed svstem. -moreDSW 164902 STLCOPCB4041164 - -3 MossAiri`0 company PCB* s are also usee in several applies,cions where the chemical 3s ir.corporated into a polymer as an integral part of the solid materiel. Such polymers are used in highly specialised applications as an adhesive, elastomer or surface c os t i n c,. Polychlorinated biphenyls are not sprayed or dusted on crops, woodlands; or any other areas, as are pesticides. To our knowledge, they are not used in tires, house paints, household products, epoxy resins or major vinyl plastics, as has been charged. . Therefore, conclusions as to the. source of PCB found in Luc environment arc difficult to make. Some qualified scientists, using the latest laboratory equipment, have correctly identified the substances as being PCI. However, most scientists arc r.ot. yet willing; to indict commercially produced PCB as a poll'd ant, It has also been implied that polychlorinated biphenyls arc ``highly toxic'' chemicals, This is not true. Just like other industrial chemicals and home products now in widespread use, PC3's arc not hazardous when properly handled and used. During more than 30 years of h.S. product ion and use, cases of any toxic effect have been extremely rare -- and then only where the simple precautions recorn.cndac for use were not followed. -more- . DSW 164903 STLCOPCB4041165 --4 MONSAM'O CUTPAKY Monsanto has research programs under way to identify the cox pound a,, re perfect to be PCB, and locate their source, The programs involve precise analysis of enviromnental samples of WoitT, eir, soil and wildlife, including metabolic: stud i os. Also under way are studies to deteri.iine the biological effects- of deliberate dosage of ?CE 1 s on fish, birds, and mammalian. eViii-.al?. Special emphasis is being paid to endocrinological effects, mineral metabolism and reproduction physiology. Very early results of chronic tonicity studios confirm that ?Cb:n are not highly tonic:. In 90-day studies on rats and other ncru.al laboratory species, there have been no adverse effects viien feedings of up to 100 parLs-per-mi11ion were administered. Monsanto has always cooperated on a regular basis with federal, sfafw and university laboratories in their analysis of chiorinatcd hydrocarbon residues. Uc will continue to do so. Additionally, Monsanto will continue to exercise the highest degree of control in its manufacturing, shipping and storing of l-'C:1 -- as we do with all products. In the functional fluids market, we have: carried out a program for several years for the reclamation of used PCB's to reuse these valuable materials. The source of the marine life residue identified as PCrt is rot yet known. It will take extensive research on a itorldwi do V; a sis, to confirm or deny these initial scientific conclusions r> *n? -oOo- DSW 164904 STLCOPCB4041166