Document v1x4BVOq4Ee5zgDRX9nRnDOz6

October 17, 1975 Mr. Papageorge left attached with the following note: "Bootleg copy - do not copy or share too freely. This will be presented as shown to Congressional Committee. If you have any comments, let Mr. Corey know." WATER PCB-SD0000067684 h,STATEMENT OF DR. vIOJ-fe liOCKLEV. ^^RSgOftT-OW^B-OP--P J'gC-fhtr - DRSy-TS3 OFPJCP OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENVI ItOKHSKTAL PROTECTION A02UCV BEFORE THE - SUBCOMMITTEE ON. TUS ENVIRONMENT COMH3 TTEE ON .COMMERCE ' LIMITED STATES SENATE ' OCTOBER 21, 197 S .' Kr, Chairman and Menders of the Subcommittee, I ara John Buckley^Llid"Of~f~txie of-M^peoi^vb^rofo-gfrs--db^) the Envirormtental Protection Agency's Office of Research ... A and D&ve lopcient & rnri7narmTV~M`.--mi-----rrrir,.TTlfffi.'rj'l'anv r-n--rinBii* I i .............. mmi nnrriww*m.B-Mtnii r ------~~n DSW 194965 WATER PCB-SD0000067685 -. r-r*s.4ir'-'V\ J^w ;V.r ---`i. ?_**. "^^- 1:- .\r~* . ,-.Vl.-.i-. /:. ii; . -. .. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss for the Subcommittee the ^ concern of the Environmental Protection Ageacy over the recent' . . developments which, suggest thet environment]. .contamination by polychlorinated ^iphenyls (PCBs) is a more 'serious problem than previously believed. Bor a number of years I have been directly involved in a broad range of 0ov.ermxient3.1 efforts to reduce *. * < environmental levels of PCBs, In 1372*1 thought that a real break [4 through had been made as a result of efforts by Government and by industry to curtail the use of PCEs, both domestically and inter nationally. However, I am now convinced that while we may have " slowed the rate of growth of the problem, in the absence of gt-asw-- J l^^Aaiive-h^sis--al<rig-thc-lines of-S, 773-which-authorite^ additional Governmental action, the PCS problem will not be adequately resolved. 1 am submitting for the record the detailed answers to the Sub^ committee's request of October 1,1&75, for information on current manufacturers, importers* and users of PCBs. This information is i-^HirirV) based onl ^rr<esponses received to date to recent EPA requests ^o-Widvf&tr^ pursuant *to f-action HV. the Clean Air Act and faction 303 of. the DSW 194966 .\ ' Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Also, I am submitting for the record a recent detailed statement by Mr. jjjftgnffiSchvvcitaer/^-Dk-^ebar oi-PPA'-s Qf-fi<i-c^af-JTccdrc-Substanctr?j .setting forth the history of the . pCB problem, the past efforts of Government and industry (to address vl. *; .y;,T, tf-v*- '!;*V W-:'"' PCBs. and cur rent EPA activities dircctc'l^^'Vdecir.g . WATER PCB-SD0000067686 f" Q , We have known for some time that PCBs ere a toxic group of chemicals which can cause'serious effects on Yuan end on our ecologi cal resources. However, only during the past several years have we 'begun to appreciate the carcinogenic potential of PCB3 and the extent of the potential adverse effect on fish reproduction of very low PCB levels. While we 3till have much to learn about the full range of loric effects, their bioaccumulation potential, and their persistence and fata * *" .- in the environment, there seems to be little doubt that in the past we have underestimated rather than overestimated the hazards-associated . with PCBs. At the same time, progress is-being made in developing satisfactory substitutes for PCBs^vrJrich have been particularly important materials in electrical systems. Recent reports from the Great Lakes area, the Hudson River valley, and other parts of the country underscore the urgency of the problem. In these areas alarmingly high levels of PCBs in fish levels which exceed FDA guidelines -* are not only threatening our ecological resources but are impacting directly on the jobs of local fishermen and on available food supplies. At the same time continuing PCB discharges arc adding'furthcr to the total environmental burden of the chemical which degrades very slowly Indeed. . * * 1 PCBs reach man and the environment til rough many routes: as water effluents, air emissions, and solid waste from manufacturing activities^ through, leakages from products containing PCBs during . their operation, transport, and dispose.]; and front contamination of ^ raw materials and products errposi.'d to PCQs. Thus, it has been recognised for 3 number of years that the only effective way to Unnt 194967 WATER PCB-SD0000067687 -'M FCB contamination is through regulation !'the manufacture, use, end \ *, - disposal of the chemical rather than attempting simply to-turn oh' those individual routes of environmental discharges, one by one, whiuj can be addressed under existing laws. This approach was strongly recom mended in the 1072 Interdepartmental Tad: Force on PCBs, is embodied .In the 1S73 Decision of the Organisation for'Econonaio Cooperation and . Development, and is currently being pursued in dapan. Of'course, in thr absence of the authority to-^ssit-vA manufacture, use, or disposal, v:c will continue to address PC Be under existing authorities, and particular! lbs Federal Water Pollution Control Act, recognizing the idherect Hmi- `, 4 ' r* ,, tations in attempting to impact meaningfully on the problem through such t -f ` '. a piecemeal approach* .' In vSew of the severity of the PCD problem, and our expectation that; toxic substances legislation will be soon enacted, FPA is in the process of preparing the necessary detailed documentation which would bft ,, 5,7 required Our regulatory action under ^eclion C of thejktgisbtti^. / is to be in a petition to propose specific, measures ae i soon as the legislation is enacted,' Those measures would take into account not only the available information on toxicity and exposure levels ,, *, # , but also the impact o.f regulatory .steps on business, employment, and tbs economy, |p'key concern in this regard is the availability of a c cep la' Substitutes for important step in the development of our regul lory approach is a National Conference on PCEs which EPA is spansorir A- \\ : - 'T-.C- g-V in cooperation with Ihc'Counctt on EtwirbrirnviUl Quality; and'thc Depa reents of Interior, Agricultural, and Health, Education, and Welfare. * . < ,b ^ ~i^S I ^iUj- ^ * ; 5 1 > DSW 194968 WATER PCB-SD0000067688 -- This ponfcrence will be held in Chicago from November 13 to 21, 1S7G, and will cover the entire spectrum ot concerns related lo PCBs. We intend to bring together the leading experts ^A-ioHrrv'i-bi-vn-oe [e-er-T-ad-- A -wdti.* PCBs ip^cA^ insure that the latest and most authoritative infer- jnation is carefully . considered in develcping'-^br-appreia:^ Hepresen- ' ' A ; laiives of Pederal and'state agencies, industry, environmental group?, This ^cnforence will be held in Chicago from November 19 lo 21, 1975, end will cover the entire spectrum of-concerns related to PCBs. We intend to bring together the leading experts |rrhrr+rtrY-e-beotr-eonre-d-- A PCEs insure that the latest and most authoritative infor-r' mation is carefully considered in developing^r-erp^roecliil Rcpresen- . A*" 1 Natives of Federal and state agencies, Industry, environmental groups, Universities, and other interested organise lions wBl not only be invited to attend but will be provided a platform to express their viev/s on practical steps that are needed in She near-terrn^as well as the ^. ' need for further study and research.. DSW194969 ' In conclusion* in any view PCBs offer ancxc^lc^ example. of . the need for the type of regulatory author!(^contained in pe-ctlon 6 of the proposed Toxic Substances Control Act. Despite efforts by EPA and other agencies to use existing authorities to control PCBs, despite voluntary r-g-siraiM on the part of the sole U. S. manufacturers of PCP>s b' aa-restrlc^{itfg* 'sales to customers who have stated their intention to limit the uses of PCBs,ydespite a formal international agreement embodying ' - -' A * a multinia&tliioonual coommitment to control PCBu, environmental w &M coot ami nation persists. d -ri r ' . -v . WATER PCB-SD0000067689