Document reOy5b0BezQwY745Ojj4KqyEe

iWkmsSTito f 1- i1 - - *> FHQM '-' (NAMA-LOCATIOI L. J. O'Neill - F3EE - 4-308 I September 15 1983 OBJACT = Dioxin seepage near Krummrlch . D. R. Bishop - F3EE J. D. Wilson G3WG unuM i i TO : M. C. Throdahl - DID At the recent breakfast meeting, you expressed surprise that the company had acknowledged dioxin (not 2,3,7,8 TCDD) seepage from landfills near the Krummrlch plant. Attached Is an 18-month old news release with this information. You'll note on page 2 that we were trying "to determine the origin of the seeps." /ec Attachment Larry J. O'Neill IN - 10 iREV. 8/771 CONB'^NT'M' C07421 N EW Ss-, F O B release. IMMEDIATELY Monsanto S. G. Collins (314) 694-3860 MjaUC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT M o a i d m d Cams* flOO N. lintfftarah oulavara Si. Lavi*. M issouri a n a s MONSANTO RELEASES RESULTS ON SEEPAGE ANALYSIS SAUGET, March 31 -- Monsanto Company said today the chemical levels found in seepage samples taken from the banks of the Mississippi River do not pose threats to health or environment. The samples were taken on company property las November.by representatives of the Federal EPA and shared with Monsanto. Although extremely small, ultra-trace amounts in parts per trillion were found of some dioxins, the company analysis of the samples showed no evidence of the highly toxic TCDO dioxin. TCDD is one of 75 chemicals commonly referred to as dioxin and is the only dioxin regulated by the U.S. EPA. The sample results also found small, trace levels of PCBs. Low levels of several other organic-chemical compounds 'including chloroanilines, chloronitrobenzenes, chlorophenols and phenol were detected. "The maximum concentrations of many substances in the seepage were at or below concentrations allowed under Federal and State EPA criteria." Jack Molloy, plant manager at Monsanto's tf. G. Xrummrich plant in Sauget said. 2- Additlonally Monsanto analyzed Mississippi River water both up and down stream froa the seeps. "Test results showed no significant differences between the up river and^down river saaples indicating no iapact on the river. No dioxins or PCBs were found in the river water saaples." Molloy said. At St. Louis the Mississippi River flows at approximately 80 Billion gallons of water per ainute. It assiallates groundwater runoff and sewage discharge without appreciable effect. "The flow of the river'is 20 Billion tiaes the seepage flow at the river's edge. The combination of the seepage flow low levels of cheaicals detected and assimilation factor of the river indicate there has been no effect on the Mississippi." Molloy said;. The seepage which can be seen at tines coming from the bank* when the river is low is located along a 300-foot stretch of the river bank south of Monsanto's docking terminal. The company is currently conducting extensive water monitoring tests and hydrogeological studies to determine the origin of the seeps. Results of this investigation are not expected for several months. -oOo- St. Louis 033182 CONFIDENTIAL C07423 DIOXIN CHEMICAL REFERENCE STATEMENT ft The term dioxin describes a faaily of 75 cheaical compounds. Dioxins are produced as undesirable trace by-products of certain industrial cheaical reactions or froa the coabination of soae chemical substances. Dioxins have also been identified in smoke froa cigarettes, charcoal grills, fireplaces and trash incinerators. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD, is the aost toxic dioxin to laboratory aniaals. 2,3,7,8-TCDD is the only dioxin singled out bt| EPA for regulation and controls PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) PCBs had been used since the 1930s primarily as components of fire resistant insulating fluids in electrical transformers and capacitors. The latest scientific data has shorn that PCBs do not pose serious risk of injury to human health; are not human carcinogens; do not affect human reproduction or cause birth defects. C07424 CHLORANILIHB A cheaical interaediate used In the production'of dyes, pharmaceuticals and agricultural cheaicals. CHLORONITROBENZENE A chemical interaediate used in the production of dyes, agricultural cheaicals and rubber cheaicals. CHLOROPHENOL A chemical interaediate used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, solvents, wood preservatives and agricultural chemicals. PHENOL A chemical interaediate used in the production of several products including resins, pharmaceuticals, solvents and dyes. -0 O0 - CONFiDENTIAL C07435