Document ybNv2RoRG9aRa3jxdQJk3n11V

E. P, Wheeler - Medical Pept. March 18, 1969 w. R. Einhard . Monsanto1* Statement on PCD's In Wild llle Sprlnegate relatine to the San Francisco Chronicle article. You will note that there Is aTlot of change from the statement you put together previously and dated March 3. The attached Is an attempt by our consultants at Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories to be a little more "positive" In referring to Monsanto's efforts and Interests. Drs. Calandra and Fanoher from the consulting lab thought there could be some Improvement In what they consider the "defensive" appect of our original release. I don't know if there will be any great need for sending out additional copies of a statement but I would appreciate your comments as to whether the attached should replace the March 3 Issue. ca Attachment Elmer P. Wheeler MONS 097606 r C rQ , March 7, 1969 ePo Ori February 24, the Son Francisco Chronicle carried a major feature about "e menacing new pollutant," found in the San Francisco Day Area. Tho article was based on marina life research carried out by Dr. Robert Risebrough, of the University of California. It stated that residues of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) were killing certain marine birds and posing a long-time threat to humans. Monsanto manufactures polychlorinated biphenyls and markets these under our Aroclor tradename, we, therefore, would like to present some additional facts. The work done by Dr, Risebrough dates back to earlier research by other scientists who in the course of analyzing for pesticide residues in wildlife, soil and water, encountered certain unknown or interfering substances at parts per billion levels. Several years ago, two Swedish scientists at Stockholm University's Institution of Analytical Chemistry, Professor Gunnar Widirark and Soren Jensen, r^poctmd identification of tbe other, substances which were appoaringCSurino analysis of .ehlnrin^|j| hinhfrlY] PCD,"3---- Since PCU's are not pesticides and are not deliberately distributed throughout our environment, it was postulated that the source must be the industrial waste of PCB users. Dr. Risebrough's more recent work reports the identification of PCD, along with DDT and DDE pesticides, in the tissues of birds and fish on the West Coast, A principal market for PCB is an electrical application where they are used as insulating fluids for transformers and capacitors. In this use the chemical is completely scaled in metal containers. Another market is for hoat transfer application, where the PCB fluid functions in a closed system. PCB's are also used in several applications wherein the chemical is incorporated into polymers as an integral part of the solid material. To our knowledge, polychlorinated biphenyls are not sprayed or dusted on crops, woodlands or any other areas, as are pesticides. It is, therefore, extremely difficult to conceive how commercially produced and industrially used PCB can show up in wildlife as DDT and other pesticides appear to do. This raises a question as to whether the substances rsportsd in the Swedish work, and now in California, are, in fact, PCB'e, or whether they are materials which were not considered or which might have been derived by metabolism of other materials in the marine environment. Tho polychlorinated biphenyls are not "highly toxic" chemicals. Compared to tho thousands of industrial chemicals and home products, FCD's are not hazardous unless they are mishandled or misused, , MOMS 097607 -2- During more than 30 years of United States production and use, cases of any toxic effect have been extremely rare and then only when the Simple precautions recommended for use were not followed. In order to resolve a question which has been raised, Monsanto is engaged in a research program to confirm the identity of the com pounds reported to be PCB by the Swedish and California scientists by precise analysis of environmental samples of water, air, soil, and wildlife, and by metabolic studies under laboratory conditions. Also underway are studies to determine the biological effects of deliberate administration of PCB's and chlorinated pesticides to . several species of fish, tervesbri*!--and -aquat-ie birds, and several mammalian species. Special emphasis is being directed toward endocrinological effects, mineral metabolism, and general reproduction physiology. ( Monsanto cooperates on a regular basis with federal, state, and university laboratories in their analyses of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues and will continue to exercise the highest degree of control in its manufacturing, shipping, and storage of PCB. In the functional fluids market, we have carried out a program for several years for the reclamation of used PCB's to avoid disposal of the valuable material. ' The source of the marine life residue identified as PCB is not definitely established. It will take extensive research, on a worldwide basis, to confirm or deny initial scientific conclusion. The results of our investigations will be released when definitive conclusions can be reached. // HONS 097608