Document Raod3Xy9vj3qVYRqewmd6XGe8

Monsanto FROM (NAME & LOCATION) P. D. Fowlkes - Research Center DATE SUBJECT Jan. 5, 1970 fa=s^R. E. Keller - A-Lab S. Second Street :> W. R. Richard E. S. Tucker R. D. Swisher L. R. Stark R. W. Weiss Q. E. Thompson WRICH Res. 2 RSWIS LSTAR RWEIS QTHOM In order to improve our defensive position in the event of a ban on all Aroclors, it is necessary to evaluate the biodegradability of other fire resis tant diluents. The most promising family of materials is the brominated biphenyls. These compounds provide fire resistance at a lower bromine level as well as improved physical properties over the corresponding Aroclors. Several brominated biphenyls have been synthesized by R. Weiss and their acute toxicity is similar to the Aroclors. I strongly urge that we run biodegradation tests on three representative compounds as soon as possible. When analytical services have been allocated, I will forward samples to Dr. Swisher and Scott Tucker. P. D. Fowlkes /ms DSW 373420 STLCOPCB4098946