Document z7kQgjyp1O8Rq7kLQrb9q7gR

*. '** * toxicoloqy occupational medicine ellerqy . . _ : ' clinical phermecoloqy ' communicable diseases . researchdesiqn " 1 GRIFFITH E. QUINBY. M.D., M.P.H. S PREVENTIVE MEDICINE - Post Office Box 1313 ,, WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON 93801 20 January 1971 m V Area Code 509 TEL: NOrmandy 3-6)75 Monsanto Chemical 'Company 800 Worth Lindberg Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63166 Attentions Dr. R. Emmet'Kelly, Medical Director Gentlemen: Reference is made to your statement on PCB's published in Dr. Risebrough's article "Tfore Letters in the bind" in Environment, January-February, 1970. I have collected much of the liters.ture on RGB's but I do not have any of your bulletins or publications. These- -would be appreciated. While I was a consultant to the Finch Commission on Pesticides in 1969, I tried to incorporate more materiel on PGB's in the report of that Com mission, but only limited and incomplete review of the literature was in cluded. It is likely that I mil be investigating PCB's and other polychlorinated hydrocarbons for some years to come. Your cooperation in providing all facts that are not trade secrets would be greatly appreciated. Personnel in your company that are familiar with my background of to:clco- logical investigations of'pesticides during my 26 years -with the U.S.Public Health Service will attest to the fact that we in the Public Health Service have done everything humanly possible to protect the financial interests and reputation of Monsanto as well as all other manufacturers and formulaI tors, short of compromising our scientific integrity. In my oractice of jiedico-legal toxicology, have consulted more often in the defense of in . dustry than on the side of claimants. On the other hand, when companies burned down warehouses and polluted streams (drinking water supplies) with spontaneously combustible formulations, there was virtually no defensibility for such hasard-'orodueing actions, and I served for the claimants. t Enclosed is a copy of my curriculum vitae and list of publications. With this background, I have questions to put to your company if you will reply: (l) Who was responsible for the statement in Risebrough's article clllCt is his professional background? Surely he has not read the medical literature on PGB's going back to the.early 1940'c. (2) USDA has evidence that PCB's were broadcast as extenders of pesti cides. Was Monsanto-not aware? (3) Common uses of PGB's such as in carbon paper, inks, varnishes, paints, rubbers, wiring insulators, adhesives, fiberglass, etc. (cited from your Tech Bull 0/PL-306) would "normally lead to its (PGB's) release into the environment" as would lubricants, cutting . oils, and carburetor fluids. Why did your statement maintain otherwise? -a DSW 325777 STLCOPCB4075722 1/20/71 (4) Have you had any occupational illnesses from PG3' s and are . . they published or available to publish? There are many epidemics reported in the 1930's and '40's that make your statement ''cases of toxic effect have been rare" -- totally unrealistic. While the PCB's as manufactured may not be highly toxic, when .... overheated these products must-have much greater toxicity to . account for the liver, kidney and dermal damage reported. In the interest of your own self-protection, I would urge your company to take a'realistic attitude toward the PCB's based on facts. Any further efforts to conceal the truths about PCB's as alleged by some reporters mil most likely lead to much greater opposition from the public as well as increased liability. .- Very truly yours Griffith E. Quinby, M.lJ. Consulting Toxicologist and Enc President, American Academy of Clinical Toxicologists A DSW 325778 STLCOPCB4075723