Document VB4dxbQqo9KXm02EXOVReqMZ

Monsanto iname a location) Wt B< PAPAGEORGE - ST. LOUIS o November 10, 1970 *rrtRENCt PCB ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM OCTOBER STATUS REPORT TO P.J.A. Marsh - BRUSSELS w. S. Clark J. R. Durland - TOKYO M. W. Farrar - 2nd Street E. V. John R. E. Keller - 2nd Street R. M. Kountz T. L. Gossage P. S. Park W. R. Richard J. R. Savage E. P. Wheeler cc H. S. Bergen J. Mason J. E. Sprlnggate (fV GENERAL; The test to evaluate the disposal of solid waste con taminated with Aroclors In EnViro-Chem Systems' pilot unit in St. Charles, Missouri has been postponed to the middle of December. Negotiations are underway with a drum reconditioning firm to develop a procedure for recovering contaminated drums. MARKETING: Marketing has reached agreement with management to continue offering Aroclor 1248 and 1254 to the vacuum industry. The product name will be Santovac I and Santovac II. Vacuum pumps are small users - from one pint to five gallons initial fill. The typical pump will use the same charge for one to two years. The pumps are under a negative pressure so there is no leakage. Customers and equipment manufacturers will be advised that the material cannot be dumped. Westinghouse has communicated some concern with MCS 1016 as a capacitor fluid. They have noticed a greater effect on polypropylene film. The higher percentage of monochloro compounds may be the cause. We visited a number of dielectric customers in October (both large and emajl). This will continue through the first two weeks of November. So far, we can report without exception, our customers are being very res ponsive to the "clean-up and close the system" pro gram. They express an earnest management commitment 0-t28087 PCB-ARCH0744475 -2- and a clear Interest In keeping communication open with St. Louis. ENGINEERING: Aroclor Liquid Incineration - CEA 2415 Process design Is complete. John Zink's preliminary drawings for the incinerator package have been reviewed and they are in the latter stages of being approved. Zink has indicated shipment by February 15. which is a slight improvement. Drafting and mechanical design are in progress on other elements of the project. MCS 1016 Distillation - CEA 2417 Process design is complete, the distillation column at the Bayou is being dismantled, and mechanical design and drafting are proceeding. Preliminary Information from our customers indicates that a project scope change may be in order to remove a percentage of the low boilers as well as the high boilers. The appar ent marketing problem will be reviewed with Research and Marketing. Tributyl Phosphate - CEA 2371 ' A pilot plant run revealed a much lower yield on phos phorous oxychloride and butanol. This is being studied. Additional laboratory runs are being made, and another pilot run will be made to establish and resolve the problem. . Nonyl-Cumyl Phenyl Diphenyl Phosphate The tentative process report is currently being issued, and Engineering is initiating development of a scope report. JAPAN: No new developments. EUROPE: Board of Trade In U.K. is considering classifying polychlorinated biphenyls as hazardous materials'. LEGAL: ` ' A strategy meeting was held Thursday, October 29, attended by Malcolm Kienzle and Jake Hess (attorneys located in Canton, Ohio, who are representing Monsanto 0428068 PCB-ARCH0744476 -3- in the Humphreys and Schwarzwalder lawsuits), John Mason, W. B. Papageorge, E. P. Wheeler and P. S. Park. During this meeting, a more positive program was developed with respect to actual and potential claims for damages relating to PCB content of milk. This positive program involves on-site investigations by W. B. Papageorge. MEDICAL: Toxicity studies underway at Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories on the PCB's continue uneventfully. The beginning of the 90-day studies on rats on HB-40 and MIPB were delayed because of the receipt of a shipment of unacceptable rats. Currently these studies are scheduled to start November 2, 1970. We should have the final report in hand by Feb ruary 15, 1971* PUBLIC RELATIONS: Two press queries were handled during the month. Science News, following an interview with Dr. Risebrough, calledus to ask why we had not released production and sales figures. The reporter also asked-about toxicity studies now under way. The Dayton Journal Herald wrote a lengthy article on the fate of local farmers in the area. Milk had been removed from the market due to higher than acceptable levels of PCB, calves died and some members of one family became ill. The farmers have related their bad luck to the presence of PCB in the area and charged "foot dragging" by Monsanto, the State of Ohio and the FDA in alerting them to the problem. Although the story prominently mentioned Monsanto, it did refer to PCB as a "new problem" and one in which Monsanto is playing a major role to solve. \> RESEARCH: J\ PCB Analysis - U.S. / Fish from Anniston streams and shrimp from Escambia Bay were collected for analysis. Results will be available December 1. Plant effluent streams from two hydraulic fluid customers had 0.01 - 0.09$ chlorinated biphenyl. Impurities in Aroclor Researchers at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, have reported finding low levels of polychlorinated dibenzofurans in competitive polychlorinated biphenyls. They also analyzed Aroclor 1260, Lot AK-3> and did not 0428089 PCB-ARCH0744477 -4- detect any oxygenated impurities. Because of the reported high toxicity of polychlorinated dibenzofurans, a study was undertaken to determine if these, or related compounds exist as impurities in our products. Low levels (about 25 PPm) of polychlorinated dibenzofurans were confirmed in Phenoclor D. P. 6. a competitor to Aroclor 1260 from Prodelec (France). Aroclor 5442 appears to contain about 2 ppm polychlorinated dibenzo furans; none were detected in any other Aroclor studied. However, each of the Aroclor 1200 series contains poly chlorinated naphthalenes at varying levels. The Aroclor 5442 contains polychlorinated anthracene or phenanthrene. The Aroclor 1242, 1254, and 1260 samples are the same lots tested for toxicity by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories. Adsorption of Aroclor from Plant Water Effluent A series of four 5-inch diameter columns (each packed to a bed depth of 5.5 feet with Calgon's Filtrasorb 300 carbon) was placed on stream 10/2 at the Aroclor Sump. To-date the unit has been operating with minimum difficulties at an average flow rate of 2 gpm/ft2 (^1000 cc/min.). The avail able test results Indicate an Aroclor reduction in the range (600-2,000 ppb) in the influent to (NDAP 10 ppb) in the effluent of the first columns. Since there has been no indication of a breakthrough in the first column, plans are now to increase the flow to 4 gpm/ft . ' In a 4 day pilot run, initial concentrations of 40-150 ppb in the effluent of the new limestone pit were reduced to an essentially NDA upon passing through a filter (4 inch diameter tube packed to 5-5 inch depth with carbon) at a flow of 100 cc/min. Tests are now being run under the same conditions utilizing sand as the filtering media. 1. NDA - no detectable amount Contact was made with a Monsanto Biodize on 10/5. Biodize has agreed to provide a 2300 gallon clarifier to be used both In a flocculation and a batch adsorption study. A sludge sample and a sample of the new limestone pit effluent have been sent to Denver Equipment Company for an evaluation of solids removal by froth floatation. Pit effluent samples have also been sent to Betz's Waste Water Lab for an eval uation of their different coagulants. Photodegradation of Aroclor Preliminary experiments with Aroclor 1242 indicate that it Is easily decomposed by ultraviolet light. A 0.1$ solution of Aroclor 1242 in iso-octane shows no significant EC active material after exposure to a 450 watt Hanovia Xenon arc at a distance 4" for 50 minutes. Upon completion of the V8090 PCB-ARCH0744478 -5- analysis of all samples taken during the study, a report vfill be issued. The exposure of the Aroclor to ultraviolet light was carried out by Dr. Bloomfield in Monsanto Central Research. Biodegradation Testing - St. Louis A three-day sampling of the HB-40 and mono-isopropyl biphenyl (MIPB) semi-continuous activated sludge units nine weeks after the previous sampling period has shown significant changes in the biodegradation rates. For MIPB, disappear ance rates for the three days by UV analyses were 75, 70 and 77 percent compared with the mean of 67 percent in the previous sampling period. GC analyses indicate that the predominant monoisopropyl biphenyl components are almost completely degraded during the cycle, leaving as the un degraded portion the dialkylated components. For HB-40, the previous sampling period had shown essentially a zero disappearance rate with a high degree of scatter. During the three-day period, disappearance rates of 5^> 52 and 58 percent were found. From GC analyses, it appears that the one-ring hydrogenated components are more readily degradable than the two-ring hydrogenated components. Feeding of the MIPB and HB-40 is continuing. An additional sampling period is planned to determine if any further signi ficant changes will occur. Five additional units are now being added to our setup to per mit simultaneous testing of a greater number of products. Testing of Aroclor 1221 will be started in one of the new units. Biodegradation rate studies on chlorinated biphenyl have not been reproducible. Semi-continuous activated sludge units for Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1254, MCS 1016 and MCS 1043 were modified to permit use of magnetic stirring. The addition of stirring to the units appears to reduce the degree of scatter to some extent. The method of sampling is now being investigated to determine its contribution to the scatter. No conclusions can be drawn at this time concerning differ ences in biodegradation rates. Some changes in component ratios will be noted for MCS 1016 and MCS 1043. Testing of trichlorobenzene, Arobromchlor 1232, Gulf 200 Bright Stock, Aroclor 5432 and Aroclor 5442 are now started in magneticallystirred units. Aroclor 5460 Eleven lots of current Anniston Plant production were anal yzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by carbon skeleton GC. The results ranged from 0.32 to 1.29^ PCB. The latter is probably too high to satisfy the FDA for use as a hot melt adhesive in food packaging. 0*128091 PCB-ARCH0744479 -6- PCB - Environmental Studies - Europe Environmental Studies - At an informal meeting on 24th Sept, with high level representatives of the British Nature Con servancy and British Ornithological societies, we gave a presentation of the PCB problem and Monsanto's efforts to deal with it. This was well received and comments approving of Monsanto's cooperative approach were made. Dr. Martin Holdgate, of the British Cabinet Office, who has wide res ponsibility for environmental problems in the U.K., thought that the Monsanto response to the problem was very generous. Among other things he has responsibility for the issue of the NERC report on the deaths of sea-birds in the Irish Sea. He undertook to ensure that Monsanto would see this report in draft before publication and that relevant comment from us would be included. We are still awaiting this draft, but understand that it is being revised at present and we will receive a copy on completion of this revision. We have been told, however, that the report accepts that high levels of PCB's were found in the dead sea-birds and thus although the deaths could not be attributed directly to the presence of PCB's this could have been a contributory factor. The meeting at Stockholm, organized by the Swedish National Environmental Protection Board, was attended. Not very much new information was provided and, generally the meeting discussion was limited and rather an anticlimax. Reference to the Monsanto contribution at C1GRE was made in compli mentary terms. A modified print of this paper was available to the delegates of the Stockholm meeting, but was not read. We presented a summary of the 9 month chronic toxicity trials on rats and dogs (Bio-Test) to counter some alarmist speculation on toxicity to humans. A meeting on analytical problems of PCB's organized by the British Ministry of Agriculture was attended. A preliminary report from the Fisheries Laboratory of the Ministry suggested that no significant levels of PCB's were found in fish from the Severn Estuary. This is perhaps, surprising in view of the location of the Newport Plant. Biodegradation - The Monsanto sponsored project at University College, Bangor has now started. A meeting with Professor Evans and his student was held to discuss the initial program and it was agreed that the elective technique would be used in an attempt to prepare soil cultures capable of degrading Aroclors 1242 and 1254 and specific isomers. Evans claims to have isolated a biphenyl degrading organism which operates through a different ring-splitting mechanism from the pre vious culture (C2). This is being made available to Ruabon for study and is of Interest since it opens up the possibility PCB-ARCH0744480 -7- of degrading structures which are stable towards Cg. Analytical results are awaited on the degradation tests on HB-40, MCS 717 (repeat), MCS 762, MCS 1016 (repeat), and on the 2:3 - 2 *:31: ^ :5 * hexachlorinated biphenyl (repeat). MANUFACTURING: Anniston Plant ' PCB Level In Sewer ' Aroclor losses during October averaged J>"/day (AOJ ppb). Four high daily values (1000-4000 ppb) account-for _ 1.8 lb/day - neglecting those, October average is 1.5 l'b/day. Actions now being taken to reduce upsets. Alabama V.'ater Improvement Commission Contacts . A meeting was held with the AV.'IC technical staff. They were satisfied with the progress made at Anniston on the FOB problem. Plant effluent levels will be reported monthly.' . Spil_ls_ ' ' ' ' . Cleaning out a plugged Montar drumout line caused seine to spill on tlic floor which was absorbed in sand and cleaned up. A leak in a chlorinator pump caused some Aroclor to enter the sump where it was contained without leaving the department into the plant waste sewer. Projects & Eve.lubi.ona ' >' 1. Input data to define magnitude of solid waste disposal problem was published in October. " Later work has indicated that I-iontar (Aroclor 460 bottoms) contains very little PCB, If confirmed, this reduces PCB containing bulk solids by 10 M pounds per year/ 2. Premise approved for spent carbon- (containing PCB) collection and burial. Ultimate disposal by . incineration is present plan. 0^8093 PCB-ARCH0744481 -8- Prejects ft Evaluations . ' " 5. Removal of PCB~laden sludge from limestone pit by . ' pumping.was successfully demonstrated. This opens the v;ay to longer pit life by removal of solids during . operation of the pit. t. Premise for rehabilitation of No. 1 limestone pit by 1/1/70 was approved in plant. Project preliminary .estimate is $12M Capital, $2M Dismantling/ and $26M Mechanical Expense. This estimate will be reviewed and an APE prepared in November. Cleanout work is presently underway by pumping (see J above) so that the usual PCB discharge to Snow's Creek from pit cleanout will be minimized.. Precautions arc being taken to minimize PCB escape during limestone removal. 9. Flow sheet developed for pilot clarifier intended to demonstrate removal of solids (with adsorb Aroolor) from limestone pit effluent. Premise and estimate will be developed by mid-November. . 6. Approxir.vitely 500 gallons of liquid PCB was removed from department sump after months of operation. . "Skimmer" was successfully demonstrated with collected scum being very high in PCB content (200M ppb). Approval was received to purchase. G. K'rummrich Plant PCB Revels In Sewer A. For the period 9/22 - 10/15 losses to the river from the treatment plant ranged from hrJ{ to 2^il6 ppb with an average loss of 99Y ppb for 8 samples. This is equivalent.to 85 Ibs/day. . B. V.'GK laboratory's chromatograph for measuring PCB's has been repaired and current schedule of 6 samples/ week will be maintained. Projects To Reduce Sewered PCB's From Aroolor Department A. Blow tank demister (Est. 2021) project completed and started up on 10/22. No mist downstream from the . demister was detected using a Brink mist sampler. Scrubber jet samples have been sent to the laboratory for analysis to verify loss reduction. B. Design package for the project to provide paving, ' curbs, trenches and catch basin in the tank ear .and truck loading areas will be completed In November. 0*2809* PCB-ARCH0744482 -9- jPx'OErainJi'o Eliminate SevieredPCB1 s Prom Using Departments A. Summary report covering losses from using departments in October will be issued by November 9- Only reported loss for September was 1 quart from Dept. 231. Facts concerning major loss on 10/25 at the Kip Track will be published separately by the investigation . committee. ' * . . B. Project (Est. 2*157 for $21)90 E?:pense) to provide , 150,000 gallons of interim storage for scrap Arcelor ' was completed in October. PCB Levels In Atmosphere ' A. Vapor samples talien to date are inconclusive. Soma sampling problems are Indicated. Sampling program to identify air losses will be completed in November. . PCB Rework Project _(Est. 2095) Design package completed and safety review held . for Pfcijo 111 (installation of storage facilities for rework material). ant .(September),, . . PCB Levels JCn Sewer_ 'PCB1s in the Newport Plant effluent between 1st September and 5th October ranged from 20 to 952 ppb. There were 3 high results of 2,993 ppb, 81,039 and 3,995 P?b. The highest of these coincides with leaks from the ' Santotherm pumps on *i~NDPA Plaint. Excluding the 3 high results, the average figure is 2*)6 ppb. 2>i6 ppb of PCS is equivalent to approximately 2. >l6 lbs/d.ay. Information has been r ecjuested from Anniston on trials using cafbon treatment for removal of Aroclors from waste effluent. . Installation of sump level alarms now complete. Spills_ ' A bunded area draining into a closed drum has been installed around the Santotherm pumps on the 4--UDPA plant. Modifications are in hand to improve the drainage from this area. . 0.Z809^ PCB-ARCH0744483 -10- PCB Levels In Atnosphere _ . TSD Progress Report No. 2 on Job No. 27/7139/2259? v:as issued on 15th October giving results obtained to date on sampling of plant atmosphere for POB contamination. Results are: . 1 Area PCB r.ig/ms air Comments ' 1. Drumming o. 38 Indoors. 2 roller doors open 2. Chlorination (ground floor) 0.59 0.13 - Enclosed area, large roller door open . 25. Santolo.be 900 0.23 Indoors, Normal process cond M. VNDPA 0.9'1 (Expansion tank) Pract. Nil Outdoors Outdoors . . 9. Aroclor control room . ' 0.28 Indoors 6. Chlorination (1st floor) 0.12 Chlorinators shutdown 0.19 0.12 Clilorinat0rs operating 11 , 11 7. Airblowing room 0.39 Indoors. Normal! process conditions Used Jlrum Disposal * Blagdens drum reconditioning plant at Barking in Kssex visited to see a trial to recondition used Aroclor drums. . W. B. PAPAGEORGE ms i^e096 PCB-ARCH0744484