Document v19oxm9o3Vko7xzKRg0V44pLm

COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL Urarc iuuAi oneet Between 1938 and 1983 the Krumrorich Plant manufactured or handled materials which today we know could have been contaminated with dioxin. Though various health studies have been conducted in the past within the scientific community and by industry, including Monsanto, questions remain on possible or suspected health effects of dioxin exposure. The only proven long term health effect of dioxin is a skin condition called chloracne. But there are a number of suspected or possible effects that need more study to properly determine the relationship to exposure. Early in January, Chicago's Northwestern University will begin at the Kruramrich Plant one of the most comprehensive investigations of dioxin exposure ever undertaken. The purpose of this project is to further the scientific understanding of dioxins and their effect on the human body through a comprehensive study of the health status of industrial workers with occupational exposure to dioxin. The study will involve complete physical examinations of employees at Krummrich who were potentially exposed to dioxin while working with chlorinated phenols or 2,4,5-T. DSW 476038.1366 STLCOPCB4043517 Page 2 of 3 We anticipate between 300 and 600 current, retired and former employees will be participating in the study. Each participant will undergo an extensive medical work-up and physical examination. The work-up involves the taking of complete medical, occupational, environmental and reproductive histories. The comprehensive physical examinations will include dermatologic and neurologic exams, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests. The day-long physical examinations, which are scheduled to begin January _____ , will be conducted at the plant. Northwestern estimates it will take approximately 10 weeks to examine the study group. Participants will receive the results of their tests within several weeks from the Northwestern doctors. The plans for this study have and will continue to be peer-reviewed by acknowledged experts from other universities, the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the U.S. Air Force and the physician consultant for the International Chemicals Workers Union. Chlorinated phenols were manufactured at Krumrarich for years (193_________ to 1983). They were used in household and industrial disinfectants and cleaners, agricultural chemicals and wood preservatives. 2,4,5-T, though never manufactured at Krummrich, was handled between 19_____ and 1972 when the plant formulated the herbicide Agent Orange for the U.S. government. DSW 476038.1367 STLCOPCB4043518 Page 3 of 3 As many of you know, Monsanto has sponsored previous health studies into the effects of dioxin exposure. A major health study was completed in 1982 by Dr. Raymond Suskind of the University of Cincinnati on a group of Monsanto workers at our Nitro, W.Va., plant. Results of his study found no link between exposure to dioxin and cancer, cardiovascular disease or reproductive abnormalities. Also in 1979 a study on employees from Krumrarich's chlorophenol department was conducted. Though several cases of chloracne were observed, no other health effects were seen in the employees that could have been related to dioxin exposure. -oOo- DSVv 476038. 1368 STLCOPCB4043519