Document zzq5qR03gGkeqQkgLvMmmVBy0

production and sales. Below is a brief history of PCB 1929 - Swann Chemical Company, Anniston, Ala., began producing PCBs. MONS 019368 -2- 19SS - Monsanto Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo., purchased Swann and continued PCB production. 1970 - The presence of PCBs in the U.S. environment was confirmed. 1970-72 - Monsanto phased out sales of PCBs for "open applications" that could lead to environmental releases. These uses, which reduced the company's PCB sales by 64 percent, included heat-transfer fluids, hydraulic fluids, plasticiter applications, and miscellaneous uses. 1972 - Monsanto limited PCB sales to selected customers solely for use in "totally enclosed" electrical equipment. A federal task force recommended ' that Monsanto continue production for these uses until effective substitutes were developed so as not to disrupt electrical power transmission in the U.S. 1976 - The Tosic Substances Control Act CTSCA) was enacted; it includes provisions for the total regulation of PCBs. 1977 - Monsanto voluntarily halted PCB production for its sole remaining use as a dielectric (cooling, insulating) fluid for electrical equipment. 1979 - EPA issued rules under TSCA banning future manufacture of PCBs. MONS 019369 -3PCB substitutes now used in electrical equipment include aineral oil, silicone compounds and phthalate esters. None of these offers the same fire resistant qualities of PCBs. PCB use and aanufacture continues in other countries including Geraany, France, Spain, Italy and soae Eastern European nations where PCBs are considered necessary for fire safety in industrial operations. -0O0- For additional inforaation contact: Larry O'Neill, Envlronaental Coaaunlcations Manager, Monsanto Coapany (314) (94-2891. MONS 019370