Document om05ONzKE93Y5VbmxR7RGpY1w

sttErais -rasr-oisPATCH F R ID A Y . O C T O B E R 18. 1991 Opening Rounds Fired In Monsanto Trial 3y Robert Steyef Of the Prat-DispKCbStaff Monsanto Co. intentionally hid the dangers of a 'chemical it produced, says a lawyer, fqr` former Westinghouse Electnc^oriXiworkers who are suing Monsanto and alleging that the chemical cm sgdxvgriety of illnesses. But an attonwy ta r Monsanto says it provided atfegaateChealth and safety wamings -to.'-Westinghouse. and he adds that the workers hadn't suffered any ailments-linked-to the chemical. These comments summarized law yers' opening remarks in a trial here in which eight ex-workers of a Westinghouse plant in Bloomington. Ind., are seeking damages from Monsanto for their exposure to PCBs. Widows of two workers have joined the suit. The production of PCBs. or poly chlorinated biphenyls, has been banned in the United States since 1979. The Environmental Protection Agency calls them a `probable" can cer-causing agent based on tests link ing PCBs to liver cancer in rats. Monsanto was the only U.S. maker of these chemicals, which were used primarily in insulating fluids for heavy electrical equipment. Westinghouse bought PCBs for use at its plant that manufactured equipment. The trial is being held in Sl Louis Circuit Court before Judge Robert G. Dowd Jr. Each former worker seeks SI mil lion in. punitive damages plus ex penses for past medical care and fu ture medical monitoring. The widows seek S2 million 'apiece in punitive damages plus the cost of canng for their late husoands. "The plant was awasn in this jum:. said Thomas E. Kotoske, an attorney for the plaintiffs, in bis opening argu ments late Tuesday afternoon. "These people were never told by Monsanto now dangerous it was." saic Kotoske. who is based in Paio Alto. Calif. "The workers never received c single warning." Kotoske quoted excerpts of what he said were internal Monsanto memos indicating that the company knew oi See PCB. Page 11 PCS From page nine the dangers of PCBs. But the attorney leading Monsanto's defense said the company sent medi cal bulletins, safety guidelines, results of tests and other health-related mat ters to Westinghouse and to all of its PCB customers. "Westinghouse knew just as much about PCBs as M onsanto." said Thomas M. Carney, in his opening re marks Wednesday morning. Carney is a member of the St. Louis firm of Husch. Eppenburger. Donohue. Cornfeld &Jenkins. He said Monsanto and other compa nies knew from the early 1930s that PCBs could cause two "temporary" problems. If PCBs come in contact with the skin, they can cause chloracne. Pro longed inhaling of PCB fumes can cause "liver effects/' he said. Monsanto describes chloracne as being similar to teenage acne.- The* EPA desenbes it as a painful, dlsfjg.-* uring skin disease." Carney said medical studies show that PCBs have not been linked to: serious, long-term illnesses. Monsanto never received reports of. "serious" problems among its workers; who manufactured PCBs. he said. Carney added that Monsanto 'r e ceived only three* complaints from* customers in more than 40 years.When Monsanto investigated the com-; plaints, it found that the workers had ignored safety guidelines. Kotoske. the ex-workers' attorney,i said Monsanto visited- the Westings house plant, noted "sloppy" working conditions and "did nothing" about, the alleged PCB dangers there. Carney said Monsanto had no cotK trol over how Westinghouse ran its plant. He said Monsanto offeredhealth ana safety suggestions. 000407 000447