Document x1XRoxexKe39d8Jnqde8L38M1

fckp h^ > (c. ici r i * 0 *M1.-vG:i.c-.--.o:.f.____________________ Shara Taylor - BIND 5 J 9 ItCT March 30, 1979 *Cf f * f h c c TO : d . R. Bishop Attached is the approved position statement regarding trace amounts of TCDD in crude orthochlorophenol at Sturgeon, Mo., spill.- This statement is in addition to the ones dated 2/7/79 and 2/12/79. smt Att. Shara Taylor C00461 Approved 3/30/79 Position Statement: Trace amounts of TCDD in crude orthochlorophenol spilled January 10, 1979, in Sturgeon, Missouri QUESTIONS & ANSWERS TO BE USED ONLY BY MIC PR IN RESPONDING TO DIRECT MEDIA INQUIRIES Ql What is Monsanto going to do about dioxin caused fish/frog/or calf kills in Sturgeon? Al The clean-up contractor for the railroad has removed all con taminated material from the January 10 spill. The EPA has undertaken a very thorough monitoring plan to ensure there is no long-term health problem in Sturgeon. The EPA has taken water and soil samples from the spill site and has taken blood and urine samples from clean-up workers. The EPA is also coordinating the tissue and blood examination of area livestock. At this point there's no indication that the trace amount of TCDD have anything to do with the reported fish/frog or calf kills. OCP itself is a product that requires worker protection like gloves and eye protection. It is classified as a corrosive liquid and can cause burns. The emphasis since the January spill has been on containment of the spilled prpduct and removal of the contaminated soil. The EPA feels the two ponds containing dead fish contain enough OCP to have been toxic to the fish. Steps were taken to bulldoze a dam to prevent over flow from these ponds into nearby streams. -more-