Document aB3ZOpMJoLKvOZqwjNNBr0XYe

tronwood Doily Globe, Wednesday, July 19, 1978 TWI DAM-V ITAM'JOUKNAtu WARRENtWRO. AMK, TNUR1DAV, JULYM, 197* Letters To The Editor: Monsanto Takes Exception To Column The Way 30,1978, issue of"Hie Daily Star-Journal contained an article entitled, "PCB THle Tells It All," by Washington correspondents Martha Angle and Robert Walters. That article took exception to the Monsanto communications program designed to create a more balanced perspective of chemicals among the American public. As a Monsanto employee familiar with this program, I sum concerned at the article's lack of objectivity and misrepresentation of the program's objectives. Called tbe "Chemical Pacts of Life," Monsanto's diverse communications program was not conceived to restrict com- munications or gloss over chemical problems. What R is in tended to do Is instill a better understanding of both the risks and benefits of chemical use and to facilitate discussions between citizens and Monsanto. Monsanto's program does involve the use of advertising to tell part of our message. Another element of the program is a speakers* bureau composed of company employees throughout the United States.`These speakers, appearing before various local groups, have discussed a wide range of topics relating to the role of chemicals in our society. Other elements of tbe program include a series of Chemical Facts Bulletins and a "Chemical Facts of Life" booklet exploring in detail public concerns over chemicals. . Mentioned in the article were polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Monsanto's alleged hesitancy to discuss this subject In Us CFOL program. Contrary to the article's allegations, Monsanto is and has been very concerned about the en vironmental problems posed by PCBs. The entire history of Monsanto involvement with PCBs and, I submit, tbe company's concerned posture in trying to deal responsibly with this very difficult risk-benefit problem is a matter of public record. Monsanto is totally committed to operating in a socially responsible manner. We also care about the public's perception of our operations. As such, we believe strongly that we have a right end, indeed, an obligation to present the risk benefit discussion of chemicals in a clear and reasoned manner. Gary P. Barton Public Relations Manager . ' Letters to The Editor FIRM ANSWERS ARTICLE To The Editor: . The June 2, 1978, issue of the Ironwood Globe contained an article entitled, "In Washing ton," by Washington corres- pondenls, Martha Angle and Robert Walters. That article took exception to the Monsan to communications program designed to create a more bal anced perspective of chemi cals among the American public. As a Monsanto employee familiar with this program, 1 am concerned at the article's lack of objectivity and misre presentation of the program's objectives. Called the "Chemical Facts Of Life," Monsanto's diverse , communications program was " nol conceived to restrict com munications or gloss over chemical problems. What it is intended to do is instill a better understanding of both the risks and benefits of chemical use and to facilitate discus sions between citizens and Monsanto. Monsanto's program does involve the use of advertising to toll part of our message. Another element or the pro gram is a speakers' bureau composed of company em ployees throughout the United Stales. These speakers, ap pearing before various local groups, have discussed a wide " range of topics relating to the role of chemicals in our socie ty. Other elements of the pro gram include a series of Chemical Facts Bulletins and a "Chemical Facts of Life" booklet exploring in detail public concerns over chemi- i cals. A copy of the CFOL booklet Is attached for your review. Mentioned in the article were polychlorinated biphe nyls (PCBs) and Monsanto's alleged hesitancy to discuss this subject in its CFOL pro gram. Contrary to the arti cle's allegations, Monsanto is and has been very concerned about the environmental prob lems posed by PCBs. The en tire history of Monsanto in volvement with PCBs and, 1 submit, the company's con cerned posluro in trying to deal rosixmsibly with this very difficult risk-benefit problem is a matter of public record. If you should wish to explore the subject of PCBs in greater de tail, please fee! free to contact me in St. Louis at (314> 694 2889. Monsanto is totally commit ted to operating in a socially responsible manner. We also care about the public's per ception of our operations. As such, wc believe strongly that we have a right and, indeed, an obligation to present the risk-benefit discussion of chemicals in a clear and rea soned manner. Signed: GARY K. BARTON Public Relations Manager Monsanto Industrial Chemi cals Co. 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd. St. lx>uis. Mo. c 050163S) STLCOPCB4044799