Document gDv6Ekjw9EgKBX47Z7nngmMjQ

Plasticisers i Because all plasticizer uses of FOB; were regarded as essen tially "open" to the environment tlwas impossible to pre vent the leaching and volatilization of PCBs, Consequently Monsanto realized the untenable nature of these applications when the allegations concerning environmental contamination by PCBa were confirmed,, We discontinued all sales of PCBs to domestic U.S. cubtowers for plasticizer ap plications one year ago, < The type of application affected by,the market withdrawal of fCBs were: j SurfaceCoatings Sealants | '( ; Adhesives ' ! Printing Inks .j i Miscellaneous (e,g,, pesticide carriers, wax modifiers,, catalyst carriers, etc.} Coatings 4Industrial (maintenance) coatings were the main outlet for PCBs in the surface coating industry. PCBs were chosen over other plasticizer candidates because of their outstanding chemical and moisture resistance. For'example, PCB-plaaticlzed costings have enabled Industrial equipment to withstand attack in strongly corrosive atmospheres. j At present alternates being offered!to the platings ^industry are chlorinated paraffins and chlorinated M-pHBy4sf Chlori nated paraffins are inforlop (stability, chemical and moisture , resistance) to PCBs. to Sealants I ! In the 1950s, synthetic elastomer sealants began to replace traditional putty-type caulks and sealants. On of the major synthetic elastomers was polysulfide. PCBs were- used In these sealant to give excellent adhesion{to a variety of substrates, moisture and chemical resistance, and for reducing hazards with the catalyst systems employed In curing the elastomer. These PCB plasticized polysulfide sealants were essential to meet the i g DEPOSITION EXHIBIT w/f m TOWOLDMONOOQ7948 2- - i caulking and sealant needs of modern buildings and construction. Oar discontinuation of PCB sales to!the sealant industry has created a very real technical problem for them. Totally satis factory alternates do not yet seem to be available. In fact it Is reported that PCBs are being imported from non-Monsanto sources' for use in sealants, : j;j 1 { 4 I i i | MOWS Q3423Q I i TOWOLDMONOOQ7949 I Adhesives In the 19MOS and 1950s* PCBs were used in adhesives to impart tackiness and because they exhibited excellent bonding power to many substrates. They also exhibited greater compatibility with a wide variety of the many resins used by the adhesives industry. In a word their versatility led to their wide usage They were also chemical and moisture resistant and resistant to heat and oxidation. In the mid-1960s* however* a drop in their usage had already become evident. Adhesive suppliers were Increasingly called upon to supply PDA-approved, low-odor products. PCBs did not satisfy these developing market needs,, Sven before the environmental pollution situation arose we were engaged In developing and supplying new plasticizers to meet the needs of th adhesive market. The new products are 'not PCB-based, ! [ I II {I I 0y,l51 tlO^S TOWOLDMONOOQ7950 Miscellaneous Usee Monsanto's AroeloJ Plasticizer Bulletin o/PL-306 may appear to the layman to indicate that PCB found its way deliberately into almost every product produced In the nation. Applications such as dedusting agents, pesticide'carriers* catalyst carriers, impregnating compounds etc, are listed as Aroclor and have been so publicized by the press coverage given to PCBs, The fact is, however, that very few of these uses accounted for more fchim ^ or 5 drums of PCB per year and in many cases the Aroclos used was not a PCB. .j ' In 1969 an exhaustive survey of our:PCB customers was mad to 'determine exactly where these products were being used. An example from the survey may be of interest. We found only three customers in 19$9 were using any PCB in pesticide formulations. Total consumption was between 5 to 10,000 pounds PCB per year. This application was developed by U.S.D.A, scientists at Belfcs- ville, Maryland in the early 1950s.i The aim was to incorporate "chlorinated polyphenyls" Into lin dane and possibly chlordane to improve the residual effects. To Monsanto's knowledge there was never any recommendation by anyone for their use on food or oth^r crops. The principal application was to spray metal or painted surfaces to increase the effectiveness of the active pesticide against flies, 'ants, roaches, etc. In April, 1970 we wrote to Dr, Hayes, Director, Pesticide Regulations Division, U.SiD.A. suggesting that no approvals should be given to pesticide formulations containing PCB, !' All applications of a- "miscellaneous*1 category uncovered during our 1969 survey of customers buying]PCBs through the Plasticiser Business Group of Monsanto were Included in the sales ban put effect in August, 1970, *. i- PCB APPLICATIONS IN PLASTICIZERS j U.S.A, only (Prior to Discontinuation) . . Surface Coatings 57$ Sealants 20$ Adhesives 17$ Miscellaneous ' 6$ 0s 33,5132 , TOWOLDMON0007951 Inoapaulants ! .The use of PCB as a solvent for the! encapsulation of dyes for carbonless carbon paper began In the 1960s. Factors which influenced the selection of PCB were; dye solubility ;. U.V. light stability . Intensity of color; development ' speed of color development moisture resistance . non-reactive with jiyestuffs in spite of research efforts for the past ten years it has only been In the -past two years that thei promise of satisfactory ' alternates have been brought to light. Since 1970 we have been supplying non-PCB alternates to this Industry. The search for even better replacements continues but none of thee is based on PCB. ENCAPSULANTS! U.S. SAKS OF MOMSaJnTO PCB . >r i* I ! 1965 I966 1967 3.5 I lb. - 4.1 4.4 1968 6.0 .1969 6.5 1970 1971 Estimate 6.7 1.2 1972 Projection 0 9 jjj MOMS 034233 TOWOLDMONOOQ7952 Polyester fibers are notoriously difficult to dye and hence a usage of specialty dye carriers has!built up. Historically this has been based on biphenyl (i.e. a non-chlorinated product). In 1969 there was a trend toward the use of low chlorine content FOB. Biodegradation and medical feeding studies have shown this particular PC to be non-hasardous fco the environment. However* ven this use is being discontinued I within the next two months in favor of a monochlorinated product. BYE CARRIERS U.S, SALES OF MONSANTO FOBS Prior to 1969 0 1970 1.0 1 lb. 1971 Estimate 1.1 1972 Projection 0 HOMS 034234 TOWOLDMONOOQ7953