Document RJQQvJNJkOzN4rvy7042wx4Vn

f October U, 1070. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--HOUSE H10213 ' rurtbcr degradation of our society and 1. Through pesticide* that contain I-CD**. tn debasement of our jicople. 3. From the Black* of Monsanto plant* that make Aroclor and from manufsotur* of prod uct* containing Aroelor. <Mr. rKl'PEH naked and waa Riven permission to extend his remarks at Uits point in the Rrcoiid and to Include ox* tiancous matter.) 3. Other form* of Industrial waste. 4. Gradual wear and weathering of prod uct* (such as asphalt) containing Aroelor which may eau*e PCli'c to be slowly released In the form of vapor or minute particulate (Mr. PEPPER'S remarks will appear hereafter in the Extensions of Remarks.! matter Into the atmosphere. 6. The possibility that many product* con taining PCU's eventually are thrown > ut u trash and are burnt in dumps or Ino ners- (Mr. PErPER asked and was civen permission to extend his remarks at this point in the IUcohd and to lncludo ex* tiancons matter.) IMr. PEPPER'S remarks will appear hereafter In the Kxtcn.Mons.pt Remarks.! Vors-- releasing toxlo fumes. While PCB's have not yet been found In levels that could cause injury or death from short-term exposure, we do not know what effect low-level exposure can cause over a long period. - English environmental chemists have recently found very high levels of! both the east and west coasts of England and in flsh from the Irish Sen. In the New York Times of October 4,1870t according ^rrrHYANTvslcctt-nndTnfrnfvcn per to a dispatch from the Times of London, mission to extend hts remarks at this a British Government study reported point in the Uucono and to include ex "the highest concentration of polst nous traneous matter.) Industrial chemicals over found in wild Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, recent studies life." PCB levels were found as hirih as have disclosed that manmade chemical 900 parts per million--double the compounds--polychlorinated biphenyls-- amounts previously detected. PCU*--are being found In our environ In addition to flndfng PCB's in dead ment in levels dangerous to wildilfo wildlife, scientists have found that and possibly to human life. PCB's--like DDT--aflcct the reproduc Manufactured In tho United States tion* aystems of animal Ufo--causing solely by the Monsanto Corp.. PCB's are birds, for example, to lay eggs with shells sold under the trade name Aroclor. that arc too thin to protect the embryos. Aroclor has been recommended by An even greater danger is that to Monsanto for. products such as plasticis humnn beings. In humans, they hive a er*. confines for paper and fabric. Are- direct action on tho skin, produeng a resistant and fire-retardant compounds, severe form of acne known as chloracne. photolhcrmographlc copy sheets, deco If Inhaled, they may produce a variety rative sparkling plastics, asphalt, ad of effects ranging from nausea and loss hesives, paraffin. printer's Ink, resins, of weight to increased respiration, low rubber products, paints, pesticides. lac ered red blood cell count and inhibition quers, scaling compounds, polyester Aim. of carbohydrate metabolism. More seri and wntcr-rcpcllnnl canvas for camping ous effects are those on the kidneys. The materials. principal effect, however, is on the liver-- Monsanto at Arst claimed that PCB's possibly leading to atrophy, followed by are used only in so-called closed systems, death. such as brake linings, hydraulic fluids, In April, after studying all the avail and electrical applications such as In able materials on PCB's and their dan sulating fluids. Even if this were true, ger to the environment and to animal relcaso to Die environment would still be possible through deterioration or and human life. I called* upon Monsanto and various agencies in the Government through normal escape of hydraulic oil. to take action against tills ecological However, it is clear from Monsanto's oun sales materials--Monsanto's Tech nical Bulletin O/PL-300--that the many other uses promoted therein would per . mil widespread contamination of the en vironment. PCB's arc not soluble In water, and so, like DDT, they arc extremely persistent In the environment. As a result, PCB's can be distributed widely over the earth by air currents, making them available to nnlmnl and human life. ` Scientists In Sweden, England, Scot threat. I requested that Monsanto detail Its efforts to provent PCB's from escaping Into the environment. I asked the com pany to release production statistics to researchers in the field of PCB pollution. I also asked Monsanto to require spe cial labeling lor all PCB-containing ma terials. I wrote to the Department of Agricul ture. asking it to ban the use of PCB's la pesticides. . land, the Netherlands, and the United I wrote the Food and Drug Admin States have dctcclcd PCB's In fish and sea birds, In conifer nccdlfcs. in lipstick, istration, asking It to require proper labellug of products containing PCB's in human fat and in mother's milk. Dr. Robert Rlscbrough, in sn article in and asking them to study whether PCB's should be completely banned. Jnnuary-Pebruary 1870 Environment, And X wrote to the Department of the "More Letters in the Wind," stated that Interior to request that flsh and wild tire distribution of PCB's Is greatest in life be protected from the hazards of thoso ureas where there Is a high concen PCB's. ' tration of men and industrial activity. 1 The Agriculture Dcpaiunent replied Dr. Rlscbrough cited five ways In which that the use of PCB's in pesticides would PCB's can escape into the environment: be discontinued. And it agroed to canoel registrations for pesticides containing PCB's. . Tho Food and Drug Administration responded that it was studying PCB s- in food and also determining how toxic the chemicals arc to animals and humans. Secrelray of Interior Walter H.ckel promised that ''when sufficient facts are established as to the sources and nature of these pollutants, we will bo in a posi tion to take appropriate corrective meas ures." Monsanto answered my Arst Inquiry with ambiguities regarding the amount of PCB's that escape Into the environ ment during manufacture. After fur ther efforts to obtain pertinent infor mation, I was Informed that Monsanto was "currently constructing" further control equipment. I was told that "an incinerator has been designed" to de stroy PCB residues, but no date was given when this Incinerator might begin operating. Monsanto refused to provide details as to production and sales 6f this dan gerous chemical, choosing to hide be hind the cloak of confidentiality. Monsanto refused to supply a com plete list of uses of PCB*--claiming this Information "would serve nb useful non political purpose." This reaction to ef forts to protect the American public would seem to reflect an attitude con temptuous of public welfare. Monsanto further stated that it "could not release details of individual products contained the chlorinated biphenyls without specific permission from each individual customer." Yet, It said that it had been in touch with customers both verbally and In writing and to have "is sued warnings to all our customers us ing the chlorinated biphenyls." Why could not permission have been scught during these exchanges? The refusal of Monsanto to provide production and sales figures, a complete list of uses, and the identity of tndivduol products containing PCB's Impedes sci entific efforts to determine the extent to which PCB's have entered the environ ment. It should be noted Chat Chemical Week for August 1969. announced that "Monsanto, by mid* 1970 would be bring ing its worldwide plasticizer capacity to more than 600 million pounds per year-- page 27. In June. I again urged the administra tion and the Monsanto Corp. to take ef fective action to keep PCB's from endan gering animal and human life. I stressed that, although the pesticide ban was a step in the right direction, the Government should take the Initia tive and design concrete methods to make sure PCB's could no longer escape Into the environment. After the public became aware of the dangers of PCB's. the Monsanto Corp. advised me In a letter dated June 30. 1970, and at a meeting In my office on July 8. 1970, that It had decided to re strict the use of PCB's to "closed-system applications." These closed-system ap plications are use of PCB'* In transform ers, capacitors and heat transfer fluids. Conceding that tho end produet can not be controlled, Monsanto said It would 1 ! MONS 060720 II10214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- HOUSE October. 14, 1070 discontinue PCD sales for plasticizer ap plications after Aunust 30, 1070. Mon santo also said that PCB's would no longer be used as hydraulic fluids--Pydrual Is Monsanto's trade name--after December 31. 1070. Monsanto further said it would ofTcr a recovery service for spent fluids used as coolants in trans formers and other closed-system usages. Tho following excerpts from Mon santo's June 30, 1970, letter to me ex plain more fully the actions Monsanto decided to take: 1. We nave taken tho decision that effec tive from tho 30th of August we will no longer sell the chlorlnMed biphenyls to cub- tomris for use In general plasticiser applica tion* where dlspca.tr of the end products CAimot be controlled. This includes all the applications referred lo In our bulletin O/rL-300. All of our customers who have used these products In the past for the** ap plications have been advised of this decision both verbally and by formal letter. We are working closely with them to rocommcnd suitable alternative products which present hodanger to the environment. 3. In many of the application* where chlo rinated biphenyls are urecl as hydrnullo fluid*, wo are not satisfied that It Is poaslbl# to eonlroi their uvage and eventual disposal to ensure that (here Is no possibility of esenpa to Uto environment. We have therefore token the decision to reformulalo such fluids and we aro currently working with our customers to change over to ihcto new formulations. A nubsiamial part of this program will be com pleted within the course of the next three months and In other areas where perform ance requirements are difficult to achieve with alternative products, we consider It will take until the end or 1970 to complete change-over. 3. In areas where the chlorinated biphenyls are used In closed system application, e.g., transformers, capacitors, and heat transfer fluids, we will continue to sell the chlori nated biphenyls as their unique, fire-resist ant propretles are extremely Important in ensuring maximum protection for the safety and well-being of the population of this country. As you should be aware, the msjor usage for the chlorinated biphenyls is as coolants In transformers where they have replaced such other materials as ell and hats greatly reduced the risk of Ores anti explo sion* which in the pa.it have often had dis astrous results In terms of human lives. These closed system applications srs such that by working together with our customers, we can avoid emissions to the environment. Coupled with this decision to continue selling chlorinated biphenyls for closed sys tem usage, we have established a service to collect spent fluids which ars returned to our manufacturing sites for regeneration or dei'.ruc.lon In a specially designed, high- temperaturi Incinerator. This incinerator breaks down the chlorinated biphenyls Into harmless materials, mainly hydrochloric acid which la scrubbed out of tho waste gas Mteam. neutralized and passed through our waste treating facilities. ~ Although we aro confident that wo oan achieve a very high degree of control In these closed eyutent applications, wo are not completely satisfied and we are working to develop modified chlorinated biphenyl* which will be biodegradable. This mean* that * even If minute quantltle* of chlorinated biphenyl aro released to the environment by accidental spills and/or leakago, It will bo povslblo to remove them from wo&te water streams In conventional sooondsry ^traatmeut facilities. r Although tho extremely high levels [ found in England suggest that MonI" canto's action may be coming too late. I am extremely gratified that my ex-1 industrial nnnNTi posure of PCD's as a major cnviron-l Very high level* would be a direct eaus* mental hazard was Instrumental in hav-l Inc them excluded from uses that allow' widespread escape into the environment. However, I am not satisfied that PClJ's arc no longer an environmental threat. Monsanto staled that in such uses as hy draulic fluids. Monsanto Is "not satisfied that It is posible to control their usage of dcmth in wildlife. But the possible effects of an accumulation of much smaller qusntitles are discussed by the Government Laboratory's Environmental Chemistry Group. Although PCU's are not uaed aa peatlchlcB. they sre contained in * large number of effluents from Industry. There Is evidence that they Interfere with the process of ea!clurn metabolism In much tie same way ** X j I I I if , and eventual disposal to insure that there is no possibility to escape to the environment." . The London Times article and the British Qovcmmcnt report on the high incldcnco of TCB's in Britain . have greatly increased my concern. tho organochlorine pesticide affect wildlife. Thera aro at least 210 k town forme of polychlorinated biphenyls. Some of them prs- sent difficulties In laboraimy analysis be cause they can be easily masked by other chemical substances. ITto picture > similar regarding orgsnomcrcury compounds. Tradtthnal methods of , I have urged the United Nations Con analyzing samples of mercury thows only the ference on the Human Environment, which is to be held in Sweden in 1972, to study the danger of PCB's to animal and human life throughout the world. I have also requested that PCB's be banned by the Conference for any use that would gross amount present but give* no Idea of bow much la combined in the complex or ganic compound* or Just in ih* metallic form. This has been an Important weakness In pollution control because tlx toxicity of tha orgaito-rncrcury compound* varies widely. allow Ulesc compounds to escape into the environment. Wc cannot know how many other chemicals And their compounds Are Af fecting; the environment In manners similar to PCB's and DDT. When such dangers are reported, we cannot afford to ignore them. Very illtlo effort was directed to Identifies- tlon of these various poisons : nd their spread in the environment until t tree year* 15a when Dr. O. Wes100 of Swede t devised meth od* for analysing mc'.hymereury com pounds in fish, meat, liver and eggs. This method has been refined by th# Oovcrnmsnt Laboratory for analyzing potatoes, toma toes, apples and liver. Wc cannot allow private corporations to continue to sell hazardous chemicals without regard to the dangers these products present to the environment. In stead of facing crave threats after chemicals have been widely dispersed, we must insist that no new chemicals be used unless they are proved harmless. If wc arc really to have a clean, healthy I include at this point in the Record extracts from Monsanto's Technical Bul letin O/PL 300. Extracts Prom Monsanto Co 's Ttcnmcal Duiu.tjn O/PL-300 ON .Vjioclob (PC81 Usr* TCBs or* manufactured in tha United Stales only by tha Monsanto Company, under the trade name Aroclor. 1 1 environment, then the Congress, the ad In Its Technical Bulletin. O/PL-30A. Mon ministration, and the people themselves must be constantly vlgllcnt to preserve its quality. I Include at this point In the Record an article from the New York Times of santo describes qualities of voclor, such aa fir* rctardr.nce, corrosion resistance, sed Bdhesivliy. This bulletin surest* "scores of new vines that could not be performed by say other known material." Five separate butIctlns are offered to give addition*! Informs- , . ' ! October 4 which contains a dispatch tlcn for uses In resins, ehlcnnated rubber, from the Times, London, regarding the British report on PCB's. -{Prom lha New York Times, Oftt. 4, 1D70| CltrMlCAI. I'OUQK* FoVND 1H W&PUR British fttcoto Hioiicst Level or Com- rooKa m Heron* emulsion adhesives, protective coatings, modifiers for polysulfldcs, Are-rvisrdlug plasticisers and wax compounds. Aroclor plasticizers are suggested for protectlve coatings, such os In chemical pi,-mu. sealing compounds, adhesive*. lacquers, ir.k*. varnishes, free films, fabric coatings and London, October 3.--Government analyst* pigment dispersions; components or extend have recorded the highest concentration of ers In elastomers and waxes. Page S describes , a group of poisonous Industrial chemicals Aroclor* compatibility with (trcnlyiei ei* ever found In wildlife. "common plastic materials" such a* asphalt, The discovery of these high levels of poly chlorinated biphonyls. or PCBs. which have effects similar to those of the persistent pes ticides such s* DDT. is described In an an nual report published this week. The report also contains a description of new analytical methods for measuring minute quantities of other poisonous chemicals that are causing damage in tho environment through changes in food production, agricultural practice and Industrial processes. . Attention was first directed to poly chlorinated biphenyls last autumn, when the tubatanco was found In the carca&scs of many of the thousands of seabirds killed In tho Irish Sea. It has sinco been found in seals off tho Cornish and East Anglian coasts. The report said that PCB levels as high as 900 parts to a million had been found In the livers of boron*, which are fresh water feeder*. This 1s more than twice the. previously recorded levels for sea birds, and analytical techniques available are not be rubber, paraffin end resins. Other uses: la molded products, brake linings, chemically- blown vinyl foam (such as was recently re ported In Sew York Times for making a cava* like bedroom) and In vinyl.asbestos floor tile. In describing the applications of Aroclor in adhesives, the bulletin remarks <p. H> "When the slight odor of Arcolor la objec tionable In an adhesive for certain applica tions. It can be easily masked, at negligible cost, by the addition of a small amount of Slnntoma^k II." Other uses uo In prime eonts for concrete storage tanks for gasoline find fuel oils; as base coats for concrete word-kiln coating* (which aro exposed to heat, moisture, and wood distillates). On page 21. under "Aroclor In Rubber" ap pears the sentence: "Typical applications include prolrctiva and decorative coatir.e* and for swimming pools, stucco homes, steel structures, tank cats, and both wood and metal maritime equipment." lieved precis* enough to measure ell the In ehlonnated-rubbcr formulation*. Aro various forms of the chemical. clor I* suggested lor best-scaling adhesives. HONS 060721 October 14, 1970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD --HOUSE H10215 --trlrnl tenting*. P*l*' "nd *>>' contlnii*, orinU'iK Uk*. Other vrralont m* detor wire mid fable ct*uiiR, nod for fr fnbrtc or paper." Vie 25 says ",,lM'cl,clowt, *r *xampla. can vinrtrd mto such coaling* to make Inacct & batTicre on uco trunk* for follnco erult protection." Otbrr tif-fi.: sealing and caulking corntn0l; pauonK'blle-body sealant*: paint (irawiuons; tracing paper, window t .ivo- vwi. sad oilier pnpcr-traiiftparrntlzlng; and ci-melt ream* for the protection of ,,oola t-d metal part*. Oa PC# s, 'hlnli'fblorlnc-coiitent Aro- t platMetzera" aro described a* "widely utrd IB the manufacture of low-coat, flameruhiant lacquers" for paper coaling*, lac* turn fw plant lea. and hot-melt adhesives. 5#,f j3; heat-resistant elumlmim paluta and tarmela ** * *or Jet-enlne eoinpononi*, fitautt manifold*, and Incinerators, rage 34: IVttt* containing Aroclor aro widely used is yitklng dental casting*, coatume jewelry r*d precision-cast aircraft part*. `'Aroclor mih waxes make excellent and inexpensive rulers for masonry, wood, fiberboard, and **Ob|P* 98 tt la eaplnlned that the ktIMIfe f chlorinated Inaectlcldc* is extended by ireclor acting as a vapor suppressant and u sticking agent, enabling the tnaretleido lremain toxic on bard surfaces "for as long u three months." .par u molsure-prooflng qualities, Aroclor liu|fte*ted h page 90 for uae is waxes, such u paraffin; oils such a* mineral oil or drying dls; and as a coating for paper and doth. Pag* 97: an "Important ingredient" In mimeograph Ink for use on bond paper-, la Iht preparation of Imitation gold leaf: a* pig* ynt vehicles for decoration of clast and etramies; as grinding and disporting med iums. Page 99; "Aroclor plasticizers a/e essential component* of coatings for flame-proofing cotton drill for outer garments and for res* firing llvo-drab canvas Arvrotardatlon, vster-rcpelieut. and rot-proof for toota, tar* psullns. etc...." Psgs SO: a "potential problem from the iltndpolst of both inhalation and skin eon* Met" and suggests the use of closed systems sed lorol-exhaust ventilation. It also men* tlaos that vapors of Aroclor "at room torn* perature should not be breathed la a con* Coed space ..." It suggest* "the use of gloves and protec tive garments because or the possiblo occur rence of a condition called chloracoe." Aroclor Is sold In Tank cers, >00 to 000-lb. stsel drums, I00*lb. bag* and S0-lb. cana. SPANISH BASE AGREEMENT (Mr. RYAN asked nnd wna given per mission to extend his remarks at this point in the Recoup and to Include ex traneous matter.) Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, the agree ment which the administration entered into with Spain for U.S. military aid and for continued base rights In Spain, was another example of the executive branch Ignoring congressional authority under tho guise of executive privilege. When this agreement tvns concluded last Au gust, I Issued a public statement con demning tho action taken by the admin istration. On August 0, 1070,1 said: The agroemeut which Is being signed with Spain constitutes a significant commitment which has neither received sanction nor scrutiny by tho Congress. The Spanish base agreement once again tsveals the "underground diplomacy" which keep* the Congroas and the American people front knowing what their government Is doing. ' Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of wcupons are apparently to bo transferred-- by loan, srUo, or other means--to Spain in roturu for the United State*' being able to use the bases. This constitutes nothing less than support of a dictatorship which sup presses political right nnd civil liberties. The unsnnctloncd military ventures of the cxecutlvo branch--such a* the invasion of Cambodia--Illustrate how dangerous It la for Congress to surrender its powers to the exec utive. l)y extending tho treaty with Spain by executive agreement, the Administration hoe purposefully Ignored the concern which I and other membe. r of Congress havo voiced In the past about commitments to Spain. In order to deter such action, nnd to firmly assert Congressional oversight li. foreign af fairs. I have introduced legislation to create a Joint Committee on Foreign Policy. ThU latest RauitUog of Congressional powers by the Administration lu support of * reactionary dictatorship--is Just further justification for such a Committee. (Mr. RANDALL asked and was given permission to extend bis remarks at tills point in the record and to include ex traneous matter.) (Mr. RANDALL'S remarks will appear hereafter In the Extensions of Remarks.] (Mr. RANDALL asked and was given permission to extend his remarks at this point In the. Record and to include ex traneous matter.) (Mr. RANDALL'S remarks will appear hereafter In the Extensions of Remarks.) (Mr. MILLER asked and was given permission to extend his remarks at this point in the Record and to lndudo ex traneous matter.) (Mr. MILLER of Ohio's remarks will appear hereafter in the Extensions of Remarks.) (Mr. WYDLER asked and was given permission to extend his remarks at this point in the Record and to include ex traneous matter.) - (Mr. WYDLER'S remarks will appear hereafter In the Extensions of Remarks.) LEAVE OF ABSENCE By unanimous consent, leave of ab sence was granted to: Mr. Thompson of New Jersey (at the roquest of Mr. O'Hara) on account of family Illness. Mr. Blanton (at the request of Mr. Jones of Tennessee), for today, on ac count of official business. Mr. lovvenstezn (at the request of Mr. Albert), for today, on account of official business. Mr. Price of Texas (at the request of Mr. Abends), on account of emergency appendectomy. Mr. Corkan. for today, on account of official business. Mr. Baring (at the request of Mr. Bur ton of California), for today, on account of official business. SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED By unanimous consent, permission to address the House, following the legisla tive program nnd ony special orders heretofore entered, was granted to: Mr. Byrne of Pennsylvania, for 30 minutes, today. Mr. Gon/.allz, for S minutes, today. (The following Members (at the re quest of Mr. Frey) to address the House and to revise nnd extend their remarks and Include extraneous matter:) Mr. Findley, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Teague of California, for 30 min utes, today. Mr. Williams, for 10 minutes, today. Mr. McDade, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Watson, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Whalen, for S minutes, today. Mr. Harsha, for 10 minutes, today. Mr. Halpern, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Goodlinc, for 10 minutes, today. Mr. JIooan. for 30 minutes, today. Mr. Asiibrook. for CO minutes, today. Mr. Chamberlain, for 15 minutes, to day. (The following Members (at the re quest of Mr. Caffery). to revise and ex tend their remarks and to include extraneous matter:) Mr. Garmatz. today, for 10 minutes. Mr. Raiuck, today, for 30 minutes. Mr. Conyers, today, for CO minutes. Mr. Flood, today, for 15 minutes. EXTENSION OF REMARKS By unanimous consent, permission to revise and extend remarks was granted to: Mr. Carey In six Instances and to Include extraneous matter. Mr. Crank to revise and extend his remarks during debate on HR. 17S49. Mr. Hamuerschmidt to extend his re marks on the bill HR. 19519 and to include extraneous matter. Mr. Saylor, today, and that his re marks appear prior to passage of HR. 603 on Aucust 13.1970. Mr. Randall, And to Include extrane ous matter Ln two Instances. (The following Members (at tho re quest of Mr. Frey) and to Include ex traneous matter: > Mr. Roupebcsh in two Instances. Mr. Anderson of Illinois in three In stances. Mr. Steiger of Wisconsin ln two in stances. Mr. Gudser. .. Mr. Crane ln six instances. Mr. Schwencel ln three instances. Mr. Miller of Ohio in six Instances. Mr. Sehelius. Mr. Frey ln two instances. Mr. Gerald R. Ford ln fivo Instances. Mr. McDade In six instances. Mr. Wyman in six Instances. Mr. Horton In six instances. Mr. Arends In four Instances. Mr. Smith of California. Mr. Springer. Mr. Scott. .. Mr. Harsha. Mr. Minsuall ln four instances. Mr. Price of Texas ln five Instances. ' Mrs. Heckler of Massachusetts. Mr. Bray In civ InalanrA* MQNS 060722