Document qaB5o31YdaDp3B5dErG15yERq

l Monsanto ro w<LOC4T.ON, PAPAGEORQE - ST. LOUIS November 10, 1970 PCB ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM OCTOBER STATUS REPORT O-^vcr Ct'-x cc H. S. Bergen J. Mason J. E. Springgate > TO P.J.A . Marsh - BRUSSELS W. S. Clark J. R. Durland - TOKYO M. W. Farrar - 2nd Street r>~ E., V. John ;.R. E. Keller - 2nd Street R. M. Kountz . T. L. Gossage P. S. Park W. R. Richard J. R. Savage E. P. Wheeler GENERAL: The test to evaluate the disposal of solid waste con taminated with Aroclors in Enviro-Chem Systems* pilot unit in St. Charles, Missouri has been postponed to the middle of December. Negotiations are underway with a drum reconditioning firm to develop a procedure for recovering contaminated drums. MARKETING: " ~ "J~"- ' l Marketing has reached agreement with management to continue offering Aroclor 1248 and 1254 to the vacuum industry. The product name will be Santovac I and Santovac II. Vacuum pumps are small users - from one pint to five gallons initial fill. The typical pump will use the same charge for one to two years. The pumpB are under a negative pressure so there is no leakage. Customers and equipment manufacturers will be advised that the material_cannot be dumped. Westinghouse has communicated some concern with MCS 1016 as a capacitor fluid. They have noticed a greater effect on polypropylene film. The higher percentage of monochloro compounds may be the cause. . We visited a number of dielectric customers in October (both large and small). This will continue through the first two weeks of November. So far, we can report without exception, our customers ^.re being very res ponsive to the "clean-up and close the system" pro gram. They express an earnest management commitment 0$W 013584 STLCOPCB4003031 2- - and a clear interest in keeping communication open with St. Louis. . ENSINEERINg; Aroclor Liquid Incineration - CEA'^'415 . Process design is complete. John Zink's preliminary drawings for the incinerator package have been reviewed and they are in the latter stages of being approved. Zink has indicated shipment by February 15, which is a slight Improvement. , Drafting and mechanical design are in progress on other elements of the project. MCS 1016 Distillation - CEA 2417' Process design is complete,- the distillation column at the Bayou is being dismantled, .nd mechanical design and drafting are proceeding. Preliminary information from our customers indicates that a project scope change may be in order to remove a percentage of the low boilers as well as the high boilers. The appar ent marketing problem will be reviewed with Research and Marketing. . Trlbutyl Phosphate - CEA 2371 A pilot plant run revealed a much lower yield; on phos phorous oxychloride and butanol. This is being studied. Additional laboratory runs are being made, and another pilot run will be made to establish and resolve the. problem. Nonyl-Cumyl Phenyl Diphenyl Phosphate The tentative process report is' currently being issued, and Engineering is initiating development of a scope report, JAPAN: No new developments. EUROPE: ' DSW 013585 ' Board of Trade in U.K. is considering classifying polychlorinated biphenyls as hazardous materials. STLCOPCB4003032 f -3- MEDICAL: Toxicity studies underway at Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories on the PCB's continue uneventfully. The beginning of the 90-day studies on rats on HB-40 and MIPB were delayed because of the receipt of a shipment of unacceptable rats. Currently these studies are scheduled to start November 2, 1970. We should have the final report in hand by Feb ruary 15, 1971* PUBLIC RELATIONS; ' ' Two press queries were handled during the month. Science News, following an interview with Dr. Risebrough, cal'led"' us to ask why we had not released production and sales figures. The reporter also asked about toxicity studies now under way. The Dayton Journal Herald wrote a lengthy article on the fate of local farmers in the area. Milk had been removed, from the market due ftp. higher than acceptable levels of PCB, calves died and some members of one family became ill. The farmers have related their bad luck to the presence of PCB In the area and charged "foot dragging" by Monsanto, the State of Ohio and the FDA in alerting them to the problem.- Although the story prominently mentioned Monsanto, it did refer to PCB as a "new problem" and one in which Monsanto is playing a major role to solve. RESEARCH: . PCB Analysis - U.S. Fish from Anniston streams and shrimp from Escambia Bay were collected for analysis. Results will be available December 1. Plant effluent streams from two hydraulic fluid customers had 0.01 - 0.09$ chlorinated biphenyl. Impurities in Aroclor Researchers at the University of Utrecht,.The Netherlands, have reported finding low levels of polychlorinated dibenzofurans in competitive polychlorinated biphenyls. They also analyzed Aroclor 1260, Lot AK-3, and did not DSW 013586 STLCOPCB4003033 -4- detect any oxygenated impurities. Because of the reported high toxicity of polychlorinated dibenzofurans, a study was undertaken to determine if these, or related compounds exist as Impurities in our products. Low levels (about 25 ppm) of polychlorinated dibenzofurans were confirmed in Phenoclor D.P. 6. a competitor to Aroclor 1260 from Prodelec (Prance), "Aroclor 5442 appears to contain about 2 ppm polychlorinated dibenzo furans; none were detected in any other Aroclor studied. However, each of the'Aroclor 1200 series contains poly chlorinated naphthalenes at varying levels. The Aroclor 5442 contains polychlorinated anthracene or phenanthrene. The Aroclor 1242, 1254, and 1260 samples are the same lets tested for toxicity by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories. . Adsorption of Aroclor from Plant Water Effluent A series of four 5-inch diameter columns (each packed to a bed depth of 5.5 feet with Calgon's Piltrasorb 300 carbon) was placed on stream 10/2 at the Aroclor Sump. To-date the unit has been operating with minimum difficulties at an average flow rate of 2 gpm/ft2 (^1000 cc/min.). The avail able test results indicate an Aroclor reduction in the range (600-2,000 ppb) in the influent to (NDA 10 ppb) in the effluent of the first columns. Since there has been no indication of a breakthrough in the irst column, plans are now to increase the flow to 4 gpm/ft . In a 4 day pilot run, initial concentrations of 40-150 ppb in the effluent of the new limestone pit were reduced to an essentially NDA upon passing through a filter (4 inch diameter tube packed to 5.5 inch depth with carbon) at a flow of 100 cc/mln. Tests are now being run under the same conditions utilizing and as the filtering media. 1. NDA - no detectable amount Contact was made with a Monsanto Blodize on 10/5. Biodize has agreed to provide a 2300 gallon clarifier to be used both in a flocculation and a batch adsorption study. A sludge sample and a sample of the new limestone pit effluent have been sent to Denver Equipment Company for an evaluation of solids removal by froth floatation. Pit effluent samples have also been sent to Betz's Waste Water Lab for an eval- uation of their different coagulants. Photodegradation of Aroclor Preliminary experiments with Aroclor 1242 indicate that it is easily decomposed by ultraviolet light. A 0.1$ solution of Aroclor 1242 In Iso-octane shows no significant EC active material after exposure to a 450 watt Ilanovia Xenon arc at a <y,stance 4" for 50 minutes, bpon completion of the OSW 013587 STLCOPCB4003034 -5- analysis of all samples taken during the study, a report' will be Issued. The exposure of the Aroclor to ultraviolet llgnt was 'arried cut by Dr. Bloomfield in Monsanto Central Research. Biodegradation Testing - St. Louis . A three-day sampling of the HB-40 and mono-isopropyl biphenyl (MIPB) semi-continuous activated sludge units nine weeks . after the previous sampling period has-shown significant changes in the biodegradation rates. For MIPB, disappear ance rates for the three days by UV analyses were 75 > 70 and 77 percent compared with the mean of 67 percent in the previous sampling period. GC analyses indicate that the predominant monoisopropyl biphenyl components are almost completely degraded during the cycle, leaving as the un degraded portion the dialkylated components. For HB-40, the previous sampling period had shown essentially a zero ' disappearance rate with a high degree of scatter. During the three-day period, disappearance rates of 54, 52 and 58 percent were found. From GC analyses, it appears that the one-ring hydrogenated components are more readily degradable than the two-ring hydrogenated components. Feeding of the MIPB and HB-40 Is continuing. An additional sampling period is planned to determine if any further signi ficant changes will occur. . Five additional units are now being added to our setup to per mit simultaneous testing of a greater number of. products. Testing of Aroclor 1221 will be started in one of the new units. ' Biodegradation rate studies on chlorinated biphenyl have not been reproducible. Semi-continuous activated sludge units for Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1254, MCS 1016 and MCS 1043 were modified to permit use of magnetic stirring. The addition of stirring to the units appears to reduce the degree of scatter to some extent. The method of sampling Is now being Investigated to determine its contribution to the scatter. No conclusions can be drawn at this time concerning differ ences in biodegradation rates. Some changes in component ratios will be noted for MCS 1016 and MCS 1043. Testing of trichlorobenzene, Arobromchlor 1232, Gulf 200 Bright Stock, Aroclor 5432 and Aroclor 5442 are now started in magneticallystirred units. . Aroclor 5460 DSW 013588 Eleven lots of current Anniston Plant /production were anal yzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by carbon skeleton GC. The results ranged from O.32 to 1.29$ PCB. The latter is probably too high to satisfy the FDA for use as a hot melt adhesive In food packaging. STLCOPCB4003035 -6- PCB - Environmental Studies - Europe Environmental Studies - At an informal meeting on 24th Sept. wi4'h high level representatives of tb e British Nature Con servancy and British Ornithological societies, we gave a presentation of the PCB problem and Monsanto's efforts to deal with it. This was well received and comments approving of Monsanto's cooperative approach were made. Dr. Martin Holdgate, of the British Cabinet Office, who, has wide res ponsibility for environmental problems in the U.K., thought that the Monsanto response to the problem was very generous. Among other things he has responsibility for the issue ofthe NERC report on.the deaths of sea-birds in the Irish Sea. He undertook to ensure that Monsanto would see this report in draft before publication and that relevant comment from us would be included. We are still awaiting this draft, but understand that it is being revised at present and we will receive a copy on completion of this revision. We have been told, however, that the report accepts that high levels of PCB's were found in the dead, sea-birds and thus although the deaths could not be attributed directly to the presence of PCB's this could have been a contributory factor. The meeting at Stockholm, organized by the Swedish National Environmental Protection Board, was attended. Not very much new information was provided and, generally the meeting discussion was limited and rather an anticlimax. Reference, to the Monsanto contribution at CIGRE was made in compli mentary terms. A modified print of this paper was available to the delegates of the Stockholm meeting, but' was not read. We presented a summary of the 9 month chronic toxicity trials on rats and dogs (Bio-Test) to...counter some alarmist speculation on toxicity to humans. A meeting on analytical problems of PCB's organized by the British Ministry of Agriculture was attended. A preliminary report from the Fisheries Laboratory of the Ministry suggested that no significant levels of PCB's were found in fish from the Severn Estuary. This is perhaps, surprising in view of the location of the Newport Plant. Biodegradation - The Monsanto sponsored project at University College, Bangor has now started. A meeting with Professor Evans and his student was held to discuss the initial program . and it was agreed that the elective technique would be used . in an attempt to prepare soil, cultures capable of degrading Aroclors 1242 and 1254 and specific isomers, Evans claims to have isolated a biphenyl degrading organism which operates through a different ring-splitting mechanism from the pre vious culture (C2). This is being made available to Ruabon for study and is of interest since it opens up the possibility DSW 013589 STLCOPCB4003036 -7" of degrading structures which ard stable towards Cg. Analytical results arc awaited on the degradation tests on HU-40, MCS yiy (repeat), MGS "(62, MGS 103.6 (repeat), and on tlK: P:3 - / ,i5' hc'.xaebiorinatcd biphenyl (repeat). Anniston Plant ' JB Level In Sewer Arcelor losses during October averaged >///day (-405 ppb). Pour high daily valties (1000-4000 ppo) account- for 1. 8 Ib/day - neglecting those, October average isl.) l'b/day. Actions now being taken to reduce upsets, Alabama V/ater Improvement Commission Contacts ; : A mooting was held with the AV.'IC technical staff. They wore satisfied with the progress made at Anniston on the POL problem. Plant offluent levels will be reported monthly. Spills '' . Cleaning out a plugged Hontar drumout. line caused seme to spill on the floor which was absorbed, in sand and cleaned up. A leak in a eblorinator pump caused some Aroclor to enter the sump whore it was contained without leaving the department into the plant waste sev.'er, ' Projects & Ev&lvrtions /" 1. Input data to define magnitude of solid waste disposal problem was published in October. " Later v;ork has indicated that Hontar 5 (Aroclor 5460 bottoms) contains very little PCL. If confirmed, this reduces ' PCB- containing bulk solids by 10 if pounds per year/ 2. PPrremise approved for spent carbon- (containing PCB) ccollection and burial. Ultimate disposal by incincx'-ation is present plan. OSW 013590 STLCOPCB4003037 -8- ProJ eclis & Evaluations .-- jj. Removal of PCB-laden sludge from limestone pit by . ' pumping; was successfully demonstrated. This opens the way to longer pit life.' by removal, of solids during; : ....operation of the pit. .' ' , i ' ..... Premise for rehabilitation of No. 1 limestone pit by 1/1/70 was approved in plant. Project preliminary . estimate .is $12M Capital, {j;2M Dismantling,- and $26M Mechanical Expense. This estimate will be reviev;ed and an AFE.prepared in November. Cleanout v?ork is presently underway by pumping (see .5 above) so that .the usual PCB discharge to Snow's Creek from pit cleanout will be minimised.. Precautions arc being taken to minimize PCB escape during limestone removal. 3. Flow sheet developed for pilot clarifier intended to demonstrate removal of solids (vrith adsorb Aroolor) from limestone pit effluent. Premise and estimate will be developed by mid-November. . 6. Approximately 300 gallons of liquid PCB was removed from department sump after 2|- months of operation. . "Skimmer" was successfully demonstrated with collected scum being very high in PCB content (200M ppb), , --Approval vras received to purchase. W. 0. Krummrich Plant ,PCJ3 Bevels In_Sewer A. .. . For the period 9/22 - 10/13 losses to the river from the treatment plant ranged from 437 to 2416 ppb with an average loss of 397 ppb for 8 samples. This'is equivalent to 86 Ibs/day. B, WGK Laboratory's chromatograph for measuring PCB's . has been repaired and current schedule of 6 samples/ week v?ill be maintained. Projects To Reduce Sewered PCB's From Aroclor Department A. Blow tank demister (Est. 2031) project completed and started up on 10/22. No mist downstream from the . demister v;as detected using a Brink mist sampler. Scrubber jet samples have been sent to the laboratory > for analysis to verify loss reduction. B. Design package for the project to provide paving, curbs, trenches and catch basin in the tank car and truck loading areas will be completed in November. DSW 013591 STLCOPCB4003038 I Program l'o_ ]^.:i.ni:U'ii^e_Sevjereci_J'CB^s From Ur; 1 ng Depai'-tments A. Summary report covering losses from using departments in October will be issued by November 9. Only reported loss for September., was 1 cjuart from Dept. 291. Facts concorning major loss on IO/29 at the Rip Traci: will be published separately by the investigation . " committee. ". .' r ' B. Project (Est. 2 4 97. for $2490 Expense) to provide .190,000 gallons of interim storage for scrap Aroclor ' was completed in October. ' ' " . PCD Levels In Atmosphere A. Vapor samples taken to date ape.inconclusive, Some sampling problems are indicated. .Sampling program to identify air losses will be completed in November. . . FOB Rework Project (Est. 2099) . Design package completed and safety review held . for Phse HI (installatiori of storage facilities for rework material), ` Nowpor b PI aifc __( S_ep_tejnb_eiy)_ _ .. POB^Levelsjr.n Sewer_ . 'POB's in the Newport Plant effluent between 1st September and 9th October ranged from 20 to 992 ppb. There * wore 9 high results of 2,998 ppb, 81,099 and 9,099 ppb. The.highest of these coincides with leaks from the Santotherm pumps on 4-NDPA Plant. Excluding the 9 high results, the average figure is 245 ppb. . " .......... 246 ppb of PCD is equivalent to approximately 2. 46- lbs/day. Information has been requested from Anniston on ..... trials using carbon treatment for.removal of Aroclors from waste effluent. ' . . : Installation of sump level alarms now complete. Spill;s _ '' ` A bunded area draining into a closed drum has been installed around the Santotherm pumps on the; 4--NDPA .." plant'. '"'modifications are in hand, to improve the drainage from this area, . , DSW 013592 /' ' STLCOPCB4003039 TSD Progress Report No. 2 on Job No. 27/7159/2592 was i.r#sued on 15th October giving results obtained to date on f#ampling of plant atmosphere for PCB ' - ' c ont amin at i on. Results are: Area PCB mg/m3 air 1 Comments '_____ ____^ : . 1. Drumming 2. Chlorination % (ground floor) 0. 58 0. 59 o. 15 . - Indoors.. 2 roller doors oper Enclosed area, large roller door open . Sa.ntolu.be 900 0.25 ' Indoors, Normal process coric .4. 4 NDPA o. 94 (Expansion tank:) . Pracfc. Nil Outdoors . Outdoors ... . . 9. Aroclor control ' room o;28 . Indoors . 6. Chlorination (1st floor) 0. 12 " . Chlorinators .shutdown 0.19 0.12 Chlorinators. operating H II 7. A.trblowing room 0.59 Indoors. Normall process conditions He ed Drum Disposal Blagdens drum reconditioning plant at Barking in Essex visited to see a trial to recondition used Aroclor drums. . * IH W. B PAPAGEORGE ms OSW 013593 / STLCOPCB4003040