Document ganqkYjQ7Lrp3g7K12db4KqeQ

Monsanto ....... . C. Paton - B2SC October 16, 1974 McOraw-Edlson/Returned Aroclor TO : FII W. B. Papageorge T. L. Oossage W. W. Wlthera/J. P. Stapleton A. E. Lelsy E. M. Potter H. R. Ford 0. Kasten D. Wood E. L. Shlmley This memo summarizes two phone conversations with Smith Transfer, Inc. who carried used Aroclor back to Sauget for Incineration from McGraw-Edlson, Greenwood, S. C. 1. About 4;00 pm October 14 Nr. Greener of Smith Transfer's St. Louis office (382-886O) called me. He said he had delivered 2 loads of "scrap Aroclor" from McGraw-Edlson In the past week. One was apparently a full load and the other went LTL with other cargo. One of the drums had a hole In It and Aroclor had contaminated other cargo. Our Sauget plant personnel confiscated the contaminated material and have told him that It must be sent to a landfill. The confiscated material consists of clothing, 7 rolls of enamelled/lacquered material, toys, machine parts and glassware. A value of <v $5*000 was mentioned. Nr. Greener's contact at Sauget has been Dick Westbrook. Nr. Oreener questioned our right to confiscate material, queried why If this material was so hazardous no warning labels were attached to the drums and no Instructions were given to the trucker. 2. 10;00 am October 15 A Nr. Dull of Smith Transfer's corporate offices In Stanton, Va. (703-886-6231) called. He had similar queries. 3. My answers to questions were as follows: (a) I was Investigating what had happened. (b) "Scrap Aroclor" was used capacitor fluid being returned for incineration. (c) Aroclor was our trade name and the product contained PCBs, an alleged environmental pollutant. MONS 030634 -2- (d) PCBb were not explosive - In fact,they are non flammable and Inert. The alleged problem Is their lack of rapid breakdown and possible persistence In the environment leading some to say they can build-up In some types of wild life. Properly handled they should not be a human hazard. (e) Customers or others returning PCBs for Incinera tion should first call our order department for permission to return. They then would be sent a letter of Instruction on packing, etc., and be sent warning labels. At this time I do not know If McOraw-Edison followed this procedure. (f) Rubber gaskets and plastic toys could be softened or swollen by Aroclor acting as a plasticizer. (g) In response to a question If clothing contaminated with PCBs would be ruined, I said It would be akin to getting It stained with oil. Asked if clothing contaminated with PCB could be worn after washing I said a medical man should really answer. My feeling was that If properly washed the answer would be yes. Both Mr. Greener and Mr. Dull want ub to call them after we decide what to do. Action 1. E. M. Potter has determined that there are 22 cartons contaminated cargo In Gary Johnson's office at Sauget. 2. H. S. Bergen and Legal were Informed. The following action was authorized: (a) Marketing to Inform MoOraw-Edlson that Sauget Is "holding" contaminated material and awaits instructions on how to proceed. Furnish names/ numbers of Smith Transfer contacts. (b) Ask McOraw-Edlson to have their legal repre sentative call Wayne Withers (694-2851) to discuss Implications of this incident in terms of MonsantoMcOraw Edison hold harmless agreement. These actions have been discussed with Ray Ford who will have E. L. Shlmley notify McOraw on October 16. 3. C. Paton will call Smith Transfer and tell them we are contacting McOraw and will hold the 22 cartons till we get Instructions from McOraw. (Called Dave Oreener 4:30 pm October 15. He was satisfied this was the correct procedure to follow.) HONS 030635 /pep