Document ep8q5yyqX9v53KDdzdkJ49BM

- Monsanto ( ,N*M( LOCATIONI W. B. Papageorge - St. Louis o July 13 1971 " PCB ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM JUNE STATUS REPORT ICI TO Messrs. P. J. A. Marsh - Brussels W. S. Clark J. R. Durland - Tokyo E. V. John R. E. Keller - Queeny R. M. Kountz T. L. Oossage P. S. Park W. R. Richard J. R. Savage E. P. Wheeler P. B. Hodges H. S. Bergen C. J. Smith MARKETING; Initial results show excellent recoverability at WGK on decom posed Therminol FR fluids. New fluid specs reached on o seriously decomposed TT. A 6,000 gallon TC of Therminol FR-1 from Union Carbide next on schedule. ENGINEERING; _ CEA 2415 - Waste Incineration The incinerator has been operated briefly at the design rate (based on pure Aroclor 1242) of 1250 lb./hr. and the PCB specification of 0.001 lb./hr. in the aqueous effluent has been met. One operating problem, hot spots in the Hastelloy quench column, has been overcome by use of larger water spray nozzles. Late in the month, holes appeared in the sidewall near the base of the scrubber. Upon inspection, several areas in the scrubber were discovered to have lost their flaked glass reinforced polyester lining and significant erosion , was noted at the tangential connection from the quench pot. John Zink personnel and the lining vendor will make a proposal for repairs. The Incinerator is down for repairs to the scrubber lining. ICEA 2417 - Aroclor 1016 Distillation 1 ------ ' o \ All engineering work (including drafting) was completed \ on this project during the last week in June. WGK HONS 099579 plant construction are still estimating the week of August 2 for mechanical completion. The decision was made to start up initially on Aroclor 1016 rather than on monochlorobiphenyl. Underwriter's Laboratories have completed their test work and classi fied Aroclor 1016 the same as Aroclor 1242. We will, therefore, produce Aroclor 1016 semi-continuously in the column without the need of a forecut material to be first removed. CEA 2451 - NC Phosphate All engineering effort is suspended pending a review of this project by the Business Group scheduled for early August. CEA 7817 - Monolsopropylblphenyl & Benzl Toluene Currently, monolsopropylblphenyl is being custom manu factured for evaluation by one customer. A decision on a contract from this customer was expected in early July but engineering has not yet received notice of this decision. A simplified.modification of the MIPB process was evaluated. A preliminary evaluation of manufacture of benzl toluene, a potential substitute for MIPB, was also performed. This evaluation indi cated that benzl toluene may be produced at a slightly lower cost than MIPB. JAPAN: At MMK, we are under substantial critical pressure from both national and prefectural ministries, because the available data have been insufficient to satisfy them on the improved biodegradation of Aroclor 1016. Even though it is obvious that the data show comparatively rapid removal of chlorinated isomers in the lower range, the presence of CI4 and higher chlorinated compounds is criticized -- even if these may be only one-tenth of the concentration in Aroclor 1242. Since the effluent from the Yokkalchi plant, where our Aroclor unit is located, discharges into a large bay which is extensively used for fishing and oyster cultivation, reduction of higher chlorinated biphenyls to an economic level in 1016 is still considered a potential threat. We shall need any additional degradation data on Aroclor 1016 before we can introduce Aroclor 1016 as an improved product over Aroclor 1242. MONS 099560 -3- MEDICAL; The two-year chronic feeding studies in rats and dogs with Aroclors 1242, 1254 and 1260 have been completed except for half of the animals which are being maintained on a pcb-free diet for an additional period up to 60 days to determine rate of clearance of pcb's in the tissue. Final reports are in preparation awaiting the results of micropathology examinations of the animals sacrificed at the end of the two years and those being continued for the additional 60 days. The three generation rat reproduction studies with the same compounds have been completed and the final report is in preparation. The chicken and egg production studies were completed- and reports received some time ago, except for the extension of the study with 1242. The final report on this extension has been received in which the study was repeated using test diets of 2, 4 and 8/ppm (whereas the original study used levels of 1, 10 and 100). The original report showed an affect at 10 per ppm in the diet. At 2, 4 and 8/ppm, there were no effects on egg production, quality (candle), specific gravity or eggshell thickness. The only effect noted was slightly lower percent hatch of eggs from the 4/ppm and 8/ppm groups. The teratology studies have been completed and the final re ports are in preparation. We have been told verbally that there were no teratological effects observed with any of the compounds. Ninety-day rat and dog studies are underway with Aroclors 5432, 5442 and 1221 at levels of 10, 100 and 300/ppm in the diet. In the case of MCS 1016, the dietary levels are 30, 100 and 300/ppm All of these levels were selected after due consideration of the previous chronic studies and the 90-da.y studies with Aroclor 5460 done some timeouy,. * - MOMS 099581 i Q O o -4 - At the end of the month some additional data on fish toxicity was obtained from other outside laboratories. These data will be examined and reported on next month. PUBLIC RELATIONS; Press coverage of congressman Ryan's bill, to regulate the uses of PCB, was extremely light. Reprints of articles from Chemical Week, New Scientist and Chemical & Engineering News were sent to over 2o0 science editors of the largest daily newspapers. The National Industrial Pollution Control Council released & report on the proper use and disposal of electrical insulating liquids. The brochure generally praised industry's voluntary efforts to control the use of these materials. RESEARCH; Bio-Test Tissue Analysis Approximately one-third of the tissues from the 24-month sacrifice of the 2-year study with rats have been received. PCB analysis of these tissues is partially complete. The remainder of the tissues from the 24-month sacrifice will be shipped by Bio-Test during the week of 6-20. Carcasses, tissues, and chick samples from the 2-year study with chickens are now stored in St. Louis. PCB analysis of these tissues will begin shortly. Biodegradation Testing -- St. Louis Aroclor 1016 and Aroclor 1142 Distillation Residue SCAS testing of Aroclor 1016 and its distillation residue at a feed rate of 5 mg/7 day cycle has been completed. Sampling and analysis of these units, without feeding of additional material, will continue to determine which homologs are most refractory toward degradation. Testing of these materials is scheduled for completion 8/1/71. Poly-Chlorinated,-Bromlnated Terphenyls and Polybromlnated Blpj^eny^-g- | EC/GC methods are now in hand which will allow us to detect '\ and measure nanogram quantities of polychlorinated terphenyls, polybromlnated terphenyls and polybromlnated biphenyls. The method has been tested for Aroclor 5432, Aroclor 5442, Aroclor 5460, Arobrom 5465, and hexabromoblphenyl. Optimum MUMS 099582 5 concentration ranges varied from less than one ug/ml to approximately ten ug/ml. This sensitivity should be adequate for monitoring the SCAS testing of these materials. The SCAS testing of Aroclor 5432 and Aroclor 5460 has been scheduled to be completed during the month of September. Testing of the remaining materials will start early in October and be completed during November. Additionally, analysis of tissues from rats exposed to Aroclor 5460 indicates that this detection procedure should also be applicable for the analysis of laboratory exposed biological samples. Work will also be Initiated to determine if suitable ex traction, clean up, and separation procedures can be de veloped for the isolation of PCT's from PCB's and other potential interference known to be present in environmental samples. If this can be achieved, then the EC/GC detection procedure developed can be extended to the screening of general environmental samples for PCT's. Aroclor 1105 . Two gas sampling trains were constructed to sample the \ / chlorinator off-gas at WGK for biphenyl and monochloro/ biphenyls. The chlorinator off-gases were sampled during I production of 1105 and the biphenyl and monochlorobiphenyl / levels determined for inclusion in the tentative process. EC/GC and UV procedures were used to measure the levels of PCB's and biphenyl in gas scrubber samples from experiments evaluating the use of crude 1142 to scrub biphenyl from chlorinator off-gases. The analytical data indicated that 99?6 of the biphenyl could be removed in this manner. . The process engineering group was in need of a method for measuring the settling rate of hydrated lime in Aroclors so treated to remove hydrochloric acid. The standard Karl Fisher procedure used to determine water was checked and found to be applicable for the measurement of hydrated lime. The procedure allowed them to complete their studies. Aroclor Pollution Study -- Anniston ________ ________ ____ ___ _____ ____ r by Adsorption-Clarification Tables I and II list the results of a test in which Donoho clay (locally available clay containing 95# silica) was evaluated as an adsorbent at the following test conditions: 2.5 gpm flow, clay cone, of 480 and 240 ppm, and 1.5 polymer MCNS 099583 -6- cone. The two clay cone, were made up by combining one part Bentonite clay and three parts Donoho clay. Donoho clay would not flocculate In the presence of the floccu lating agents. Results of these tests were quite similar to tests run at these same test conditions using Bentonite clay alone. These tests concluded the testing phase in volving Aroclor removal by adsorption on silica-type adsorbents. The powdered carbon adsorption phase of the work plan was initiated on 6/2 at a powdered carbon concentration of 50 ppm. Test results of this study are incomplete at this time but carbon does seem promising at the 5 ppm concen tration level. (See Tables I and II) Biodegradation -- Ruabon Samples of Aroclors 1016, 1242 and 1254, degraded in the presence of cultures Cs and C3 for 50 days, are being analysed by capillary column/electron capture OLC. Results should be available within a few weeks, packed column analysis has in dicated considerable degradation of A1242 and A1016, but capillary column analysis is needed for identification and quantification of residues. Additional shake-flask equipment is now available which more than doubles our capacity for biodegradation samples. Our plans for future work include studies of MCS1043, 2,2'-dichloro diphenyl ether, Aroclor 5460, Aroclor 5432 and mixtures of 5^60/ 1221 and 5432/1221. We will also be looking at HB30, HB40 and MIBP in more detail and at effects of mixed cultures, especially on Aroclor 1016. Collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture laboratory at Tolworth has yielded some interesting results on feeding of PCB products to pigeons and quail. Capillary column OLC analysis of residues after feeding A1242 and A1016 show that there is very rapid degradation of most of the isomers present in 1242 and practically all of 1016. The results on 1016 are preliminary, but look very encouraging. Meeting with National Swedish Environment Protection Board at Solna, Sweden, 25 May 1$7T This meeting was arranged so that we could discuss the PCB environmental problem and the attitude of the Swedish' author ities to the use of PCB products. In particular, we wished to ascertain the reaction <5f the authorities to the concept of degradable PCB products. MONS 099504 TABIC I Arcelor Removal From Was_te_ Water Bj( Ads_orj>t i on-CJa r i fi_ca_t i on Test Condi lions: . Flow to clarifier - 2.5 gpm Clay con. in feed (120 ppm Bentonite clay (360 ppm local clay (952 silica}) Polymer cone, in feed - 1.5 ppm Volume ' Throughput jfGoT.)_____ 2,400 5,200 8,800 12,400 Avg. Influent Cone. . 1221 1242 1254 1260 100 27 NDA NDA 200 64 NDA NDA 148 44 NDA NDA 63 34 NDA NOA Av^._EfJ'Juent_Con^c - -. - 1221 1242 1254__ 1260 37 NDA NDA NDA 50 4 NDA NDA 8 3 NDA NDA 5 NDA NDA NDA TABLE II . Test Conditions: Flow to clarifier - 2.5 Clay cone, in feed - 60 ppm Bentonite clay + 180 ppm local clay Polymer cone. in feed - 1.5 ppn Volume Throughput ,,.(bLL- 3,300 6,900 10,500 14,100 Avg^, Influent Cone. 1221 J242__ L?A'!__ )-2J0 74 18 NDA NDA 190 37 NDA NDA 780 640 NDA NDA 80 40 NDA NDA Avfl-e. Effluent Cone. 1221__ 1 242 _JJL5i__ 1J.60 16 3 NDA NDA 56 2 NDA NDA 21 7 NDA NDA 21 6 NDA NDA MONS 099585 - 8- Legislation in Sweden will ban the use of PCB products from January 1972 except under license. Licenses will be granted in special cases, for example for impregnation of high voltage electrical capacitors and as transformer coolants. Hannerz was very interested in our concept of a non-persistent PCB product and said that they would recommend the licensing of such a product in preference to existing products if it could be demonstrated that it would not accumulate and was functionally acceptable. Detail Hannerz outlined the Swedish policy on PCBs. The National Swedish Environment Protection Board had recommended to the government that restrictions should be placed on the use of PCB products. Legislation was introduced to ban the use of such products from January, 1972 except under license. Such licenses would be granted to responsible manufacturers for specific applications such as impregnation of high voltage capacitors and as transformer coolants; they would be coupled with stringent requirements fcr reclaim and disposal of wastes. We outlined to Hannerz our concept -of a degradable PCB product and showed him some of the results of the analysis of residues after degradation of 1242 and 1016 by micro-organism cultures and after feeding trials to pigeons and quail. These, results demonstrated quite well that considerable degradation'could be expected, particularly for 1016, and Hannerz was clearly very interested in the outcome of these developments. He questioned the effect of temperature, especially in the case of degradation by micro-organisms since in Scandinavia tempera tures would be low. We indicated that some work on the effect of temperature would be possible in shake-flask experiments. Hannerz said that in his view, a PCB product which did not accumulate in the environment would be acceptable and he thought that such a product would be licensed in preference to other products, provided it was satisfactory functionally. The problem which faced the authorities was how to decide that a particular product would not accumulate and, whilst the work which Monsanto had done was very valuable, he would like to see an experiment to demonstrate more directly whether or not the product would accumulate. This, he thought, might be done in a 'pond experiment1. Such a pond would be a miniature eco systemcorJ^awTlng^Iant and animal life from micro-organisms to fish. If the product under examination could be added to the pond in significant quantities without showing an accumu lation in the fish at the^ top end of the food chain, he would regard this as good evidence of acceptability. MUNS 099586 -9- We promised to consider the possibility of such an experiment and agreed to discuss with Hannerz or one of his people how one might be set up. We suggested that one of the technical people from the Swedish Environment Protection Board might like to visit Ruabon to discuss the analytical results on degradation residues and perhaps discuss further these ideas for a pond experiment. Hannerz agreed this would be useful and Suggested that Jensen, who was on vacation during our visit, would probably do this. During our discussion we alBo outlined the Monsanto actions which had been taken in North America and the United Kingdom to limit the applications of PCBs. Hannerz was obviously im pressed by Monsanto's responsible attitude and wishes to take a constructive attitude himself to resolve the PCB environ mental problem without preventing essential uses of these products. MANUFACTURING: Anniston Plant Current Level Aroclor losses during June, 1971 averaged 1.01 lbs./day (182 ppb). Breakdown of numbers are: _ Normal level 49 ppb 0.41 lbs./day Digging in HC1 neutralization pit 73 ppb 0.6o lbs./day Totals 122 ppb 1.01 lbs./day Spills There were no Aroclor spills during June, 1971. W. B. PAPAGEORGE Id MONS 099587