Document baYJ0x4JqbQqm5pqxVx7G53kZ

Expressing concern about possible environmental contamination from Industrial chemicals, Dr. Henry Flschbach, Director of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Pesticides and Product Safety in the Bureau of Foods, has indicated his agency may give special attention to halogenated compounds. Cleared and proposed uses of such compounds as indirect food additives will be reviewed, Fischbach indicated in an article in the September issue of FDA Papers, the agency's official magazine. After discussing the problem of polychlorinated^jjjhenWs, the FDA-cr said these "are only one of the many industrial organic chemicals undoubtedly present In our environment in such quantity or under such conditions as to cause residues in food and in man itself. " Calling for the gathering of "sound scientific information" on 0 these materials, Flschbach said: ' ,, ' "Among the industrial organic chemicals requiring scVutiny, perhaps the halogenated compounds, such as ttvse containing chlorine, should be studied first. For example, the chlorinated naphthalenes and chlorinated paraffins re widely used In much the same way as PCBs. "An FDA food udditive regulation (121.2572) permits tho use of chlorinated paraffins as cross-linking agents in resins used in coating packaging materials for dry foods. Many other chlorinated industrial chemicals are widely used. Chlorothiophenes, chlorinated pyridines, and t chldrinated phthalate and phosphate esters are only a few.* , The Federal Heglster of April 15, 1970, carried an FDA , notice that a Food Additive Petition . . . has been filed by Dow Chemical Company for 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachloro-4 - ' (methylsulfonyl)pyridtnc as a preservative for food-packaging ' adhesives. There is an existing food additive regulation (121.2520) permitting Uj e of Irl-a-chloroethyl phosphate in adhesives used in food packaging. " Q In addition to the food udditive uses of the compounds, Fischbach noted that hcxs-chloropentadlene is used in compounds that impart fire-retardant features, and that chlorendic anhydride in resin-based laminates is used to suppress com bustion. The FDA-cr said these compounds "arc related to such pesticides as dleldrln and endrin and should be evaluated from the standpoint of a future hazard In tho environment ..." HOMS 0 3 3 7 4 9 | 1 ' ` i I R-iljo i, October U>, li)70 FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS Fischbach noted that, "A host of chemicals are used as plasticizers, a use which seems a very likely source for residues eventually becoming part of the food supply. " Ho added that they can be released into the environment through incinera tion. The FDA-or also expressed concern about chemicals: used in rubber processing. ' Calling for information on the volume of use, chemical stability, and toxicity of industrial chemicals related to pesticides, Fischbach said: "The initial efforts might be directed at the halogenated cyclic chemicals since we have methodology based on years of work detecting pesticide residues containing such compounds. From this information a knowledgeable selection might be made of the chemicaJs most likely to cause hazardous residues in food, feed, or in man himself. " Chemical and physical properties should be evaluated',rtefchniqu'es develdpedfoifffiea - suring residues, and surveys should be made to determine the extent of their ' presence in the environment, Fischbach said. "If one of these industrial chemicals is found in food or feed," he wrote, "pharmacological studies at low levels would be essential to determine the potential hazard. " Fischbach urged 1 ,te industrial and scientific community" to "consider the develop ment and adoption of a mechanism for pretesting new industrial chemicals prior to their introduction into the environment." He said tint, "Stable chemicals that may be used in significant tonnage should be scrutinized by an appropriate panel for thuir net 'bonufit1 to society when the proposed new chemicals ire presented to Ihu U.S. l'alont Office. " Fischbach said' "such an evaluation at this point in time should fil into llu: framework of our economic system with a minimum of disruption. " lie wrote that "limited information is available" about the PCRs, but that "essen tially nothing is known about possible residues of . . . many nonpesticidal indus trial chemicals in man's food supply and in man himself. " Fischbach particularly noted the dearth of toxicological data, especially regarding low levels ingested over long periods. * Meanwhile, there was controversy in Washington over a move by the Internal Revenue Service to suspend tax exemptions to public interest law firms which goto court on environmental issues and other public interest matters. The exemp-* tions are Suspended for 60 days while IRS considers a final decision. The Council on Environmental Quality has strongly recommended that the tax exemptions be continued, and Council Chairman Russell E. Train recently wrote IRS that: "Litigation brought by private groups which must rely on contributions for their support . . . (has) strengthened and accelerated the process of enforcement of anti-pollution laws." Late last week, IRS modified its stand slightly, but the Senate Labor subcommittee announced.-hearings on the directive for next montn. In an editorial opposing the IRS action, the Washington Post speculated: "With public interest lawyers all too eager to use the law to protect both the environment HONS 033750 October 19, 1970 Page 5 FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS and the consumer, the thought occurs - - though'i these things are hard to prove - - that business interests may have sent an SOS to the Nixon Adminis tration saying, in effect, get the kids off our backs. " The newspaper said some Senators "are talking about hearings on the whole subject," and concluded that: "They are needed - - fast." Meanwhile, the Interior Department's Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife said * .ts study of the effects of mercury on the Great Lakes aquatic environment includes he topics of "distribution and cycling in the water, toxicity to fish, and uptake and loss in fish. " e ED .................... FETY ife 1970's is, to md established the 84th annual tington. evlew the safety id upon," and review of food he "generally NEWS, Oct. 12, tional Center indntions of the jgrams, a massive tens (See FOOD fwWng a supple ...... ... ___ . ........... .... _ i run from a recommended $4.8 million for the first year up to $52 million by the sixth year. Site of the now Center apparently will be the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Arsenal. HONS 033751