Document XR41NVMJ0LwRKbN83DZEj0BxJ

Monsanto E. V. John - St. Louis October 1, 1969 TO : Plant Communicators Pollution Control Engineers Plant Managers iz> s.f^d au+i (&- %'. J. J. Spano - JSI'AN Mr. W. R, Richard - WR1CII Mr. E. P. Wheeler - EWHEE Mr. M. W. Farrar - St. Louis Mr. D. B. Hosmer - DHOSM CONFIDENTIAL You are probably aware that for the past seven months there has been considerable Interest in the possible environmental contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The subject first came up in the U.S,, in connection with a research study done by a Dr. Robert Risebrough of the University of California. Dr. Risebrough was investigating the possibility of environmental contamination by DDT when he discovered an "Interfering substance" which later was identified as PCB. The San Francisco Chronicle published a story based on these findings. Further DDT investigations by government, state and university laboratories have substantiated that PCB's are showing up in the environment, generally in the parts-per billion range, but occasionally in the parts-per-million range. PCB's are manufactured by Monsanto and marketed under the trade name Aroclor. (There are other producers in Europe and Japan). We have received numerous inquiries from the press and private, governmental and university laboratories for information about PCB. In some cases, requests have been made for samples of our Aroclor products. Monsanto's position is one of complete cooperation. A position statement has been prepared and is furnished to news media on request. To date no major national publicity has appeared. The company recently has appointed a task force to gather information and to make recommendations for future actions to protect our position in the manufacturing, marketing and customer use of Aroclor products. This memo is to alert you to the procedure for handling inquiries. Should you receive a request for information concerning PCB's from any source (press, government, university or private citizen) please direct the inquiry to St. Louis. If the request comes by telephone, take the name, address, return phone number and the nature of the inquiry. By providing information from one central source, we can project our corporate position of cooperation, and emphasize our efforts in research and study being directed to eliminating any possible contamination sources. MONS 097979 Plant Communicators Pollution Control Engineers Plant Managers 2 October 1, 1969 Following are the individuals in St. Louis to whom inquiries may be directed for prompt action: Mr. Elmer P. Wheeler, Medical Dept., Sta. 2196 Mr. Ed John, Public Relations Dept., Sta. 2891 Your cooperation in handling inquiries on PCB's and Aroclors as suggested will be appreciated, and hopefully will result in greater control over the flow of information. EVJ-PBH/stw E. V. John Public Relations Manager Organic Chemicals Division and Paul B. Hodges Manager of Environmental Engineering Organic Chemicals Division HONS 097980