Document RabVKGymymN6oB8YzX7dy5LJE
THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, Tudoy, March 6. 1973 Ao Protect Environment
OECD Nations to Limit
Manufacture of PCBs
Member countries of (he Or* ganfeation for Economic Coop* (ration and Development
(OECD) have agreed to oon> t r o 1 the manufacture and trade of toe Industrial chem-
fer fluid to a rice all pasteuri zation plant to Japan in 1968.
Along with the text of the
agreement, a technical note was drawn up on PCBs resulting from an eight-month
loai, polychlorinated biphenyl* investigation by the OECD (PCS*), a peraltocnt chemfcal Environment Committee's which may lead to cost- rotor group on the unin
lamination of the envktxv tended occurrence of chem
ment.
icals In the environment The
This la the Mrat international agreement stems from propos agreement atoned at Mmatlng als of the group for concerted the production and use of action drawn up at Ms meeting
chemicals In order to protect the environment, according to
OECD. Only a limited number of usea. specifically toted to the OECD Council decision and inoludtog particular appfictiont where the ooctoanuna*
UMy of PCBs is an ementtai factor, would be authorized.
The derision also allow* for production at PCBs for use In dcaed systems, such as coo-
dsneers and transtamers to large electrical equipment, which present minimal risks tor the environment. .
The agreement recommends that member oountries in tonplerowring toe deoMcn give priority attention to the rilmination of PCB uses to such produces as heat transfer fluids tor food processing, ani
in November, 1972, as part of tiie organization's work of de veloping coordination between
member countries to minimize distortions to International trade that could arise from lack of harmnrSi ntinn of na tional measures.
The deriteon, eatebtiahlng coordinated environmental regulatory action among OECD countries, lays stress
cn the ultimate need to entire ly eliminate the dtepertal of PCBs; It is ateo to tine with the resolution passed by the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June, 1972 caring on govern ments to minimize the retoase of dangerous or toxic sub stances. especially where they are peraiteent.
mat teed and phermaceutic-
RCI Starts Upals; adhesives and sealants;
hydraulic liquids, other than
Oregon Plantin mining, and lubricating
oils; vacuum pump fluids and
cutting oils; aJeo pwttoidsa.
The OECD aotton teams bom the Mdaaprmd concern of governments', following a series of acoidents. The per sistence in 1966 of traces in
poisoned fish and wild birds. Accidents during toe past four years have included tot occur rence of PCBs to ohackene
caused by ' absorption from PCB-contotatog plastic wrap pers; the discovery of PCBs to fond wrapping! due to re
Journal of Commerce Special
WHITE PLAINS. N.Y.. March 5 -- Rtichhold Chem icals. too., today announced tha* Ms urea-ammonia faultily at St. Heikna. Ore., hag achieved a successful startup
with mete unite to full commandat production.
The St. Hahns plant. a>
aukred from Shell Chernies! by Retehhcfd to tote 1972. had been shut down by Shell In Aiv
cycling of copying paper to gute of 1972 following Shati's
toe production of paper pulp; decision to discontinue urea toe occurrence of PCBs in sod ammonia pratootton on
miik from cows given feed oontaminated by PCBs
through herblotoet or altos where it had been stored (U.S.A., 1969. 1970, and 1971). The moot serious accident in volved human poteonlng fol lowing leakage of heat trans
the Went Coaat Peter J. Pass, executive
vtoa preskknt of RCI. in dicated that startups have proceeded smoothly and an achedtde. writ produce quality
and production nates reaching
commercial levels ahead of fcM-rwtwt i-Mi'l-' '~*T ...m
HONS 0690 72