Document qaQ0D5VaydyQk96zjj789OVqn

-17-72 (DBR) businiss roucns (No. 54) A - 3 rnhKUMER PROTECTION: FDA PROPOSES REGULATIONS TO LIMIT HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PCB'S IN FOODS Comprehenalve regulations designed to limit human exposure to FCBa (Polychlorlnatad Biphenyls) in fooda were proposed Friday by the Food and Drug Administration. FDA Commissioner Charles C. Edwards said the regulations will eliminate all sources el direct accidental PCB contamination during handling, processing, and storage of food and packaging materials, and would also prohibit PCB from die recycling process of paper products. PCS la used widely in industry, and la a major ingredient in some paper products such as food containers. It has caused liver and genetic damage in some laboratory animals and skin ailments among humans. Recently, cases of PCB contamination have resulted In govern ment condemnation of chickens and other poultry products. - The regulations proposed by FDA would set temporary tolerances for a "sufficient period of time" for unavoidable PCB residues in food packing materials and certain fooda. Such tolerances are being set, FDA said, because It la not possible at this time to totally eliminate PCBa caused by environmental or industrial contamination. Although the agency said additional research la needed to determine die effects of low level human exposure to PCBa over a long period of time, it said Investigations so far have 1. Except tor avoidable industrial accidents and practices, PCB contamination of animal faada la not a significant problem. 2. PCBa were found In 67 percent of food packaging tested by FDA. They were found In both recycled paper and virgin stock. However, only 19 percent of the fooda in these packages contained PCBa, with an average concentration of 0.1 parts per million. Subsequent eorveye show a continuing and substantial reduction of PCBa In pariragtng material. ' 3. Investigations show the presence of PCB residues la fresh water flab and In some food animals. The source of these residues Is attributed in part to environmental contamina tion, as such dlachargea of PCB waste effluents into water and air. "FDA investigations and the work of the PCB interdepartmental task force support these proposed regulations," Dr. Edwards said. "The regulations are realistic and will adequately protect the public health from the potential dangers of PCBa. " FDA's proposal will be published on March 18. Interested persona have 60 days to comment on the proposal. - -0 - ECONOMIC CONTROLS: PC CHAIRMAN ISSUES SHARP 1 ON FARM PRICES Price Commission Chairman C. Jackson Grayson issued a sharp rebuttal to Agriculture Secretary Earl Buts'a remarks encouraging higher farm prices and said the Commission might taka action to slow food price increases. In a surprise statement in the course of a press conference on the Oommlaalon'a re vised utility regulations, Chairman Grayson said Secretary Butt's atatementa "concerning the necessity and desirability of increasing agricultural prices are damaging to the stabiliza tion program. " MOMS 069739 PokllahHl br THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037 Right af lafraduMlaa and ladlslrlkuilan reserved