Document zzjVK2MVyeOGZXoEZVnoDrXXz

U.S. Curbs PCB Spread, Will Seek Eventual Ban ByBUIRIclchha.rdat// pm )toi wrr The Environmental Protection Agency announced a crackdown yesterday on the spread of potentially dangerous chemicals known at PCBt into the environment and said it will seek sn eventual halt to all PCB Croduclion and uss in the nited States. PCBs--whose chemical name is polychlorinated biphenyls--have been shown to produce a variety of human damage from skin lesions to miscarriages. EPA Administrator Ruwell E. Train, in aimouneing the agency action, called the chemicals a `'suspected carcinogen" although data ta lacking on PCBsr cancer* causing properties in humans. "PCBs constitute a significant haurd to human health and the environment end must be tmmedtetely and effectively controlled with every means at our disposal." he said. Train said the agency has found PCB levels exceeding the limit set by the Pood and Drug Administration of 5 parts per million in fish from New York State, the Great Lakes, the Mississippi Rivtr and off (he Southern California coast. EPA officials said yester day thsy have also discovered PCBs in milk, eggs and poultry from livoatock ex* posed to grain contaminated with the chemicals. Noting that tho EPA has no authority at peasant to restrict or halt the um of PCBs, Train said he was nevertheless directing the EPA's 10 regional offices to begin ap> plying provisions of tho 1072 federal Clean Water Act immediately to eliminate the chemlCaia from the watte water of industrial plants handling PCBs around the The sole U.S. manufacturer of ths chemicals is the Mon santo Industrial Chemicals Co., whoso plant in Sauget, II)., on the Mississippi River IPA Administrator Train announces Ktiw on PCM. produces about SO million pounds annually. Ths EPA yesterday also Hated 27 other plants around ths United States -- including one in South Boston, Vs., and another in Lynchburg, Va. -- which manufacture electrical transformers or capacitors using PCBs. Because of their stable, fireresistant quality, PCBs in liquid form are used widely in heavy-duty electrical equipment. They are also used in the manufacture of paint*, plastics, sealants, lubricants and carbonless copy paper. Since 1920 about 700 million pounds of PCBs have been manufactured in the United States, Train said. About 300 million pounds are currently in service, while the rest, because of their virtually indestructible qualities, remain in landfills, on river and lake bottoms, and around production sites. "We probably should have moved more rapidly sooner on this problem. " Train said. He noted that EPA directives to industry in 1972 cut PCB production by SO per cent and limited their use to closed systems to prevent leaks. In announcing the crack down Train also proposed new federal regulations to control environmental damage from spills of more than 300 sub stances including PCBs. No regulations presently exist to cover such spills. The new regulations wouM provide for penalties from $5,000 to is million against those who are responsible for the spills.___________________ HONS 032540