Document pM4wbj15j0dRdE8eBOxx8q0k

be: HEW YORK - Mr. P. R. Wilkins Mr. H. S. Bergen - HBERG Mr. E. P. Wheeler -EWHEE Mr. W. 1. Richard -WR1CH Mr. E. V. John June 13, 1969 Mr. Phillip Yaffee Wall 3treet Journal 2999 West 6th Street Loe Angeles, Calif. 90005 Dear Phillip: Although you decided to put the "FOB contamination** story on the shelf, thought X would go ahead and answer some of the questions Dr. Rlsebrough raised about our March 3 statement. First, know his published technical paper did not say PCB was Skilling birds.1* Our statement referred to the San Francisco Chronicle article which said PCS ''threatened the we Ifaren of birds via harming the eggs, etc. Our reference to unknown substances in the parta-cer-billlon range related to the initial DDT work done many years ago. The residues reported by Risebrough and otters have been in both parts-per-billion and parta-per-million, so perhaps a general uaaga of the latter would be more correct. Dr. Risebrough indicated our sentence that PCB is essentially insoluble in water waa misleading. We did not intend such. We know PCB is fat soluble. We did want to point out that its insolubility in water meant it settles to the bottom sad is not easily transported or dispersed. As X mentioned over the phone, PCBs are not used in automobile tires or house paints -- nor are they in household products, epoxy resins or major vinyl plastics, as has been stated in some press reports. -more- DSW 282085 STLCOPCB4063413 Hr. Phillip Yaffee Vail Street Journal Loa Angels* -2- June 13, 1969 We alae stick with the statement that FCBs are not "highly toxic" materials, of course here we are getting Into aa area of relativity. FCBs are not classified aa highly toxic" forhandling anduse. They would stake a lousy pesticide. One measurement of this la the lethal amount it takes to kill a rat. DDT will do the job with 120 milligrams of chemical per kilogram of the rat's weight. For PCB, it takes 5,000 to 10,000 milligrams per kilogram of weight. We are not yet la a position to say whether the work done by several'sclentists correctly identified the wildlife residues as being PCB. Our own research program will clarify these findings. It also goes much further, as outlined In the slightly revised statement 1 ms enclosing. Zn retrospect, Phillip, it seems FCBs have come "into the picture" aa a result of the current work on DDT -- since FOB or similar substances do interfere with exact analysis of DDT. The charge by some writers that PCB la a threatening contaminant for mankind Is out of perspective. At a recent DDT hearing in Wisconsin, Dr. Risebrough was quoted as testifying that PCS was not the cause of the thin egg shells for birds -- that the amount of FCB he found was too small and DDT was the cause. I do not know if Risebrough was correctly quoted, but 1 aa enclosing these newspaper articles. The Sen Francisco Chronicle story also mentioned that, Ito tolerance limits'*(for FCBy have been set for human food supplies and their cancer-causing properties remain to be determined. " This la correct, but distorted, one could also say it baa yet to be determined If FCB might not prevent or fight cancer, in the food area, the controversy over DDT revolves around those who say four psrts-per-million, etc., in food is perfectly safe -- and those who disagree. To date nobody has even reported finding FCB In food. -more- DSW 282086 STLCOPCB4063414 Mr. Phillip Taffee Wall Street Journal Los Angeles 3- June 13, 1969 We do not brush aside these initial reports on PCS. We are investigating the natter on a worldwide basis. Please let tae know if you ever want to pursue this further. Sincerely, TCF now Enclosures Ton C. Ford Manager Divisional Public Relations DSW 282087 STLCOPCB4063415