Document nN92My63go6Zmw5JXRdqpMyKm
Monsanto
,^ao!j-t,oea?|ow.-e|ioNe| jt p, Craddock - B3NA (4-4764)
"* January 25, 1984
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PCI Info By Chemtrec
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J. C. Nasslf
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W. B. Papageorge - B3NA
TO : S. Ho Brand - M3A
Re your recent note about input to Chantrec for their PCB data aheet, at thla point I don't know of any changea we ahould reconaend to the current aheet. Within the peat 10-12 month*, aa a member of the CMA PCB Panel and chairman of the Health and Toxicity Subcommittee on PCB, I have reviewed and suggested changes in the Chemtrec document and it looks like they have
responded.
The Chemtrec PCB document information now parallels the Monsanto generic PCB Material Safety Data Sheet (copy attached).
Confusion does occur emong many disciplines, Including the media and public, as to what happens to various commercial PCB containing products in misuse situations. A good example is electrical fires and possibla formation of toxic contaminants from various equipment ingredients which may include * PCBa, and other adjacent materials that may be combustible Including wiring, paint, building materials, ate.
Monsanto has taken the position that we will and do provide data regarding
PCBs we manufactured. Other products such as transformer and capacitor
fluids, etc., were formulated, manufactured, sold, patented, etc., generally
by electrical equipment manufacturers. Certainly the responsibility for
use of such fluids and providing information about its use and safety lies
there.
*
Among the misconceptions about PCBs is the allegation that PCB fires result in dioxins. This is Incorrect. EPA data demonstrates that in electrical fires pure PCBs don't form dioxlna. Other cosq>onents of the dielectric fluid, i.e., trlchlorobenrenes, cause dioxins.
Some commercial PCBs contained incidental PCDF'a at very low levels (up to 20 ppm). Monsanto Aroclor PCBs are recognised it being the purest in the
world. The PCDP content of Aroclors, according to the recent National Academy of Scisnca publication "Polychlorinated Biphenyls" (1979), ranged from 0-2 ppm, a level that is insignificant in comparison to levels found
from combustion generation of these compounds in fires.
The issue of PCBs, dielectric fluids (and other formulations) and fires is
very complex. We have taken a sound scientific position based upon our
products and Intended uses. We can't respond for all other products which possibly contain many other chemicals that have significantly different pro perties and could and do lead to other problems and Issues depending upon
NEV 035227
IN . 10 ftCV H T? *
803330 WATER PCB-00050213
S. H. Brand
JHC
1/25/84
their use or misuse. Although we don't seek to respond to all such prob lems, we will and do respond routinely to legitimate requests for infor mation about PCBs and possible effects in all sorts of uses and situations, including health and safety emergencies,based upon analysis of the known facts. There is no way to simplify our current MSDS type information more to cover all issues.
If you have other questions, I'd be happy to discuss this issue in depth at your convenience.
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NEV 035228 < 803331
WATER PCB-00050214