Document xd6KDdM4MX4NmY10e0My4RZzy

Halt to Using It PCB Chemicals Sought by EPA Agency Asks Firms Utilizing The Industrial Pollutants To Cut Back Voluntarily Sr Wau. tracer jot/KAt tuff WASHINGTON--The Environmental Pro motion Agency called tor an end to the use >f certain Induetriat pollutante known ae po lychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBe, SPA Administrator Russell Train, tn urg ing the ban, aeked manufacturers and ueere of the aubetanoe to cut back voluntarily their use, saying that adequate eubetltutee lor the chemicals don't yet exist. PCBe, a chemical family derived from bensene, are known to cause eevere human ailment* such aa akin dlaeaae and Uver problame, and laboratory teat# with mon key* have shown a high lncldenoe of reprohictlve (allure. They are most oommonly ised ae Insulator* tor tranilormere and ca pacitors, and are particularly attractive bessus* of their ability to conduct heat but not electricity. The chemtcale work their way Into the environment when fluids are re placed In the electrical equipment and PCB laden realdue* are dumped Into streams and on land. They are atao extremely resistant to degradation by natural forces. The BPA hasn't any authority to order that PCB use be discontinued. However, the BPA can control their discharge into the na tion'* waterway* and Mr. Train said he will seek court Injunctions, U n*c**aeryi,to foroe Industry to stop such practices. PCBe have been delected at unsafe level* In water and fish particularly tn the Great Lakes. Bating (i*h, Mr. Train said, 1* the most oommon mode of entry of PCBe Into the body. ` The public has to understand that we have a hell o( a problem end nothing tM agency can do will solve It for e long time," Mr. Train asserted. Mr. Train said he wtU meet In January with representative* of Monsanto Oo., the sole U.8. producer of PCB*, as well aa r manufacturers of transformers and capaci tors using the product*. He also plena to meet with the heads of major electric Utili ties and other large capacitor and trans former users, such as railroads, to urge re search program* to develop a PCB substi tute. He also said federal agenda wUl be asked lo Inventory the uses of FCB-oontaln- log materials and to develop plane to as- I bate disposal ot these materials. I ere of PCB* and transformer* and capaci tor* to develop safe and environmentally ac ceptable alternatives to PCBe ae rapidly as possible. Ha also said federal agendas wti) be asked to inventory the usee el PCB-oontalnlng materials and to develop plans to as sure sate disposal of these materials. PCBe have been manufactured dm* 1919 1 but It wasn't until early lift that % fader*! i interagency task fora began to study what should be don* about the environmental ImI pact ol their uee. And the Food and Drug 1 Administration subsequently at toterana levels for PCBe In several type* of food. I particularly fish. 1 Mr. Train took the occasion ol his PCB' announcement to again urge Congress to pass a Toxic Substances Act, Introduced five ' years ago, that would authorise the BPA to ban toxic chemicals such as PCBe. The bill Is still in commiUs* In both houses of Con- HONS 032599