Document Vbzdva04Xpw1NpkdMM13jKBK

NOV 3 19 ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE GOFUND 2728 DURANT AVENUE, BERKELEY^rtflfc&NIA' October 27, 197 Mr. W.B. Papageorge Manager, Environmental Control Monsanto Company 500 North Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri Dear Mr. Papageorge: We wish to register with you the grave concern of the Environmental Defense Fund over Monsanto's refusal to make available to the scientific community production and usage data in respect of PCB. Accordingly, we join in the request made of you by Dr. Robert Risebrough, under date of October 25, 1971, that Monsanto reconsider its position in this matter. We are advised that in a letter to Dr. S.G. Herman dated April 6, 1971, you suggested that PCB production and use figures were "sensitive marketing information", and that, in any event, the problem was one of worldwide concern, as there are producers in eight foreign countries. Since, as we understand, Monsanto is the sole domestic producer of PCB, release of the data would not seem likely to affect Monsanto's position in the domestic market. Accordingly, we question whether the figures are as "sensitive" as they might otherwise be. Moreover, to the extent that the problem is Indeed world wide, we should be pleased to join with you and other concerned parties in attempting to secure foreign production data through the offices of the Department of State. The possible dimensions of the contamination problem with respect to PCB can be evaluated rationally and calmly only if all the relevant data are made available. Conversely, continued secrecy where important data are concerned can only operate to produce scientific guesswork and unnecessarily severe regulation of PCB production. Surely it is in the interest of no one least of all Monsanto - that this should occur. Rep. William Fitz Ryan cc: Senator Gaylord Nelson Senator George McGovern Dr. Robert Risebrough Dr. Charles Edwards Members of the Board of Directors OFFICES IN: EAST SETAUKET, NY (MAIN OFFICE); NEW YORK CITY (PROGRAM SUPPORT OFFICE): WASHINGTON, DC; BERKELEY, CALIF. ptper It recycled to protect the environment. -- V STLCOPCB4081976