Document an1EbnD9kRjvZak4Vm87LEZX

WALL STREET JODRIfAL HEW YORK, H. Y. C. 1.406.292 58-54F ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT NEWS MO. 2<# _ DEC _ 1976 _ "" _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MONSANTO TO DROP PCBs Earle H. Harblson, Jr., general manager of,_Honsanto's specialty chemical division, announced In late October*IliaL the company will shut down Its polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) unit, complete distribution of all Inventories, and withdraw from the market completely by Oct. 31, 1977. PCB's have been a source of concern since the early 1970's when they were found to persist and accumulate In the environment. Even at low ppm levels, are found to cause adverse effects In aquatic life and lab tests have shown them to cause reproductive failures, gastric disorders, skin lesions, and tumors In manuals. Russell Train, EPA administrator, while connending Monsanto's decision noted, however, that the PCB problem will continue. He pointed out that millions of pounds of PCB's are already in the environment. Alternatives to PCB's at present are oil and silicone fluids.^/ MONS 050568