Document ZBJMY39xKJEZwEB5x9Ek1xR48

July 21, 1975 Mrs. Iona Timm Box 411 Blair, Wlaoonsln 54616 . Dear Mrs. Tlmmi Tour letter dated July 11 was forwarded to me for response because Z have been Intimately associated with Monsanto's polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) products. X appreciate and understand your concern relating to the con tamination of Lake Pepin. Prom my knowledge of the uses of PCBs I find It very difficult to understand how the lake can continue to be contaminated. When questions about the effect of PCBs on the environment first surfaced, Monsanto Company reviewed Its produot line and the applications for these products. As more data was developed concerning the effect of PCBs. Monsanto took steps to reduct the entry of PCB Into the environment. The Company stopped the sale of PCBe for use In various applications, except where ntf acceptable alternatives were available. Today, PCBs manu factured by Monsanto Company are sold only to the electrical Industry for use In closed systems as a dielectric fluid In transformers and capacitors -- applications for which there exist no acceptable substitutes. Thus the situstlon today la drastically different from condition which existed only three years ago. Today the 40 million pounds per year of PCB, produced by Monsanto, Is carefully used In the United States by leas than 50 Monsanto customers In the menu- fseturs of sealsd electrical equipment. Prior to 1971, Monsanto sold approximately 80 million pounds per year which was used by thousands of customers. . -. Our manufacturing and sales reduction program was a unilateral aotlon taken by Monsanto and was based on our evaluation of developing environmental data. MONS 091720 Mrs. Iona Tljnm Fag* 2 July 21, 1975 Although research efforts designed to develop alternative materials for use In the electrical Industry have been acceler ated not only by Monsanto but others. Including Industry, university and government laboratories, worldwide, to this day no material has been found which offers both the electrical properties and the important fire resistance .which are available with PCBa. I can assure you that these efforts will be continued. I appreciate your understanding of the difficulties involved In the dlvulgence of commercially sensitive customer information. I regret that 1 cannot share with you specific customer Infor mation but Z oan assure you that Monsanto does not sell fCBs to any Industry loeated In the Lake Fepln area or the associated water systems. Since Monsanto began Its withdrawal of FCBs In 1970 from open type systems which lead to eaay entry Into the environment, the source of the FCBs In Lake Fepln remains a mystery to me. I personally cannot speak from facta but Z cannot help but speculate regarding Importation from foreign sources or the continued presence of FCBs In applications which we no longer consider proper and their disposal Into river systems, an action which w* consider irresponsible. I have enclosed a copy or a report issued by the Fedepel,.Inter departmental Task Vorce on FCBs. Z believe this report is an excellent summary of the FCB environmental problem. Z hope you find this Information helpful. If Z can be of further servloe please let me know. ' ; -I 1 t f.. >, t n Sincerely, NBFipd V. B. Fapageorge ' Manager, Product Acceptability Specialty ft Process Chemicals MOWS 0917^1