Document zGaOaY9Gdy34QdRjzvz6m2RB

HEARINGS SET FOR MERCURY, BERYLLIUM, ASBESTOS . Pufrife haaringt on proposed emJi/m sfendartf* for mHi/w, OeryfHum, and mercury wW fra fra/d fri three c/tie* eerfy /n 1972. TAa Envi ronments/ Protection Agency's freertop schedule It: Jan. 18--New York CUy; baginning at 10:00 a.m. In Courtroom #2. Room 461. 1 Federal Plaza: Fab. 1--Kantat City: baglnnlng at 10:00 a.m. In Room 214, The Midtown Building. 1733 Baliimora St.; Fab. 15--Lot Angalaa: baginning at 10 00 a.m. In Room 1501. U.S. Court* houaa. 312 N. Spring St. Paraona wishing to maka a state ment ara to tile a notice of intent at laaai 15 day* before the hearing data, and tubmil five coplaa of their atata* mont ai least 10 days In advance. Notices and statements should be ad* dressed lo the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, At tention: Presiding Officer, Hazardous Emission Standards Hearing, Room 17-70, 6600 Fishers Lana, Rockville, Md. 20652. EASTIN IS EPA CONSULTANT FOR INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS Maurice R. Eaalln, foimer president of Esieriine Corp. of New York City, has been nemtd EPA's consultant for Industrial affair*. In announcing the appointment. EPA Administrator William O. Ruckalahaua aald. "Mr. Eaalln will serve the Important function ol explaining our agency's role and program* to Industry. Ha will aleo give our agency a batter appreciation and understand ing ol the probiama that industry encounters In tha environmental Hold " Eastin will report directly to the Administrator. Cure* conmuse MONSANTO RELEASES PCB FIGURES; DESCRIBES CUTBACK, CONTROL PROGRAM The Monaanto Company has re/eased figure* on (he production end aafe of po/ych/qrtoaled biphonyts (PCB) from 1960 through oatimefod 1971 fo provide Inaight on fhe meleWa/-* Impact on (he environment Closed-system electrical uses ranged Irom 11,300 ions per year to 20,000 tons per year during (ho period, according to figure* raleased to the U S. Dopartment of Commerce. The reporl also shows Monsanto voluntarily reduced its nonelectrical tales of PCB from the high of 16,000 tons In 1970 to 4.400 tons In 1971. Further substan tial reductions will be accomplished in 1972, the company said. Monsanto la the only American manufacturer of PCB. The materiel, which Is persistent. Is used predominanily In closed systems. Some of inis, however, has escaped accidentally to tho environment. C- P. Cunningham, managing director of Monsanto Industrial Chemicals Co., an operating unit of Monsanto, said: "As part of our control program, tho doto woro originally prepared for the Fnclcral PCO Joint Tank Form r*nd run- corned scientists for use on a confidential basis so sciontists can proporfy eval uate tha , . . impact on the environment." Monsanto reloosed the figures publiety "because scientists have continued to express a need for the data to make a proper estimate of how much PCO might be in the environment. We also believe the figures will inform the public about Monsanto's positive actions to limit the sale of PCB to confined applicatlont," tho company executive said. "Now that the figures aro public information.'' Mr. Cunningham added, "we are confident both the scientific communily end tho public press wilt interpret the data properly. Those aro production and sales flguros only. It should be clearly understood that oil this material Is not in tho environment." "For example." Mr. Cunningham said, "over 60 per cent of alt sales In the past 12 years have been for closed-system electrical use*. It would bo a com pletely false and Irresponsible conclusion to say all PCB produced la in the environment. Much of the material is still contained in seated electrical equip- mont where if acts as a fire-resistant safety ffutd, protecting human fives and property from tne danger ot fire and explosion. "Monsanto continues its program to control the uses and prevent ihe release ol PCB into tho environment." Mr Cunningham addod. "To date, w* have cut oft all sales to paints, plasticizers, sealants, adhesives end ail other open-system uses. We are roceiving used PCB from customers for regeneration or safe dis posal. And we ere ongaged in en all-out research effort to develop less persistent forme of PCB or suitable products which ratain the fire safety features of PCB. We call on other producers, worldwide, to Join in this effort." pnonucTiON sun *Airs-.r*oi.vcmnniNAirn ninnrMvin men* MONSANTO INDUSI IHAL CMLMICAIS COWI'ANV (CMOHf T(HU NORDIC COUNTRIES TO STUDY HEAVY METALS A cooperative scientific and technl* oaf research group from Nordic coun tries plans a Joint study of environ mental damage caused by heavy maiaia. Tha group, called Nordforak, has added vanadium to Its Hat ol metals deserving close attention. Othore to be studied Include arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and zlne. Nordforak aclanf/sli say vanadium pollution la believed caused largely by burning oil from Venezuela end the Middle Eaei. and they feel the metal might become a "major poison threat." 'tneludmo H,-M-l>tnif*f Sytltmt. HreiMlic/l.ubflfiM, ViMUlif. *ONS 0*821+