Document o9w0QkxbB1n7Ero41mrQ6dmvX

Monsanto Px G . E . P a g e t Dept, of Medicine & Environmental H e a l t h ^ S D 4 4 6 6 6 April 19, 1979 Dioxins Y J . T. Garrett-A2SG G. J . Levinskas-A2SA F. C. Meyer-A2SA TO George Roush, Jr., M.D.-A2SA Because of the Sturgeon spill of orthochlorophenol, Don Edwards of MIC has been given the responsibility of con sidering the whole question of dioxins in our products, and because I got involved in the Sturgeon spill, he has asked me to seek DMEH opinion on a number of issues. The position seems to be that the appearance of dioxins in the products of chlorination of phenols is inevitable and although it can be minimized by appropriate chemistry, it cannot be wholly prevented. Our analytical technique at the moment is only sufficient to detect the group of dioxins without specifying isomers at levels of ppm., although elsewhere, and to be expected shortly here, specific isomer identification at levels of parts per trillion can be achieved. We believe that levels of 2.3.7.8. TCDD in our products will be of the order of 10 ppb. Edwards asks the following questions of us. 1. What levels of dioxins generally and 2.3.7.8. specifically would DMEH be prepared to regard as safe in our products? 2. What should be regarded as safe levels of dioxins and 2.3.7.8. TCDD in the workplace? 3. What steps, if any, should be taken to monitor operator exposure - (a) to reassure the operators (b) to provide management reassurance as to workplace safety? It may be that this issue could be best addressed in a short meeting involving the addressees of this memo and if no one says a loud "no" by April 23, I'll arrange one in the near future. G. Edward Paget mo SUBJECT TO PR SCI IVE ORDER.