PCBs AND ASSOCIATED AROMATICS 857
which pointed to the possibility of an increase in fires and
explosions from encases or enclosed transformers if PCBs
could no longer be used—representing the possibility of
trading one hazard for a different hazard. In addition, the
ITF had reviewed the patterns of environmental dispersal of
PCBs which had been lost from their point of application.
Electrical applications were seen as ‘closed’ and were not
thought to be contributory to environmental distribution.
Other uses of PCBs were reviewed as either not essential,
potentially or actually contributory to the environmental
‘load’, or were found to have suitable available substitutes.
These conclusions pointed to an elimination of essentially
all other uses of PCBs in heat exchange fluids, hydrau-
lic fluids, and the miscellaneous category of ‘plasticizer’
uses. This objective of limited restriction became the basis
for Governmental persuasion of the Monsanto Company to
restrict its distribution and sales of PCBs.
June 1, 1972: The Swedish government enacted regula-
tions effective June 1, 1972 which required prior authoriza-
tion for the use of PCBs, or compounds containing PCBs,
and the PCB content to be indicated on wrappings.
June 1972: Import and production of PCBs were banned
in Japan. Continued use of PCBs was to be allowed in
dielectric (September 1, 1972) and heat transfer applications
(July 1, 1972) when complete recovery could be assured.
September 1972: Instructions for shipment, installa-
tion and storage of oil-filled power transformers were made
effective in September 1972 at the Westinghouse Sharon
transformer division [Westinghouse 1972]. The manual does
not mention PCBs specifically but refers to an instruction
manual, I.B. 45-063-100, for the proper sampling, testing
and handling of the oil.
October 1, 1972: Switzerland enacted regulations
which came into effect on October 1, 1972 in which PCBsor PCB-containing products may not be sold to the public or
to light industry while heavy industrial use became subject
to prior authorization.
Late 1972: A letter from Monsanto was attached to all
order acknowledgements by the Monsanto Customer Service
Department which read: “As we have previously notified
you by way of correspondence since early 1970, the material
described on the acknowledgement order contains polychlo-
rinated biphenyls. PCBs are highly stable chemical com-
pounds that are not readily biodegradable. Therefore, when
placed in the environment they must be considered contami-
nants and may adversely affect some species of animals and
marine life... You must take every precaution to prevent
any entry of polychlorinated biphenyls into the environment
through spills, usage, leakage, disposal, vaporization or
otherwise.”1973A ‘gentleman’s agreement’ had been reached in the Netherlands
that, as of January 1, 1973, PCBs would no longer be used by
manufacturer’s of:—paints, inks and lacquers,
—adhesives, resins, etc.,
—wire and cable coatings,
—lubricating oils,
—hydraulic fluids,
—copy paper.During 1973 and 1974, the EPA proposed the establish-
ment of water quality criteria for PCBs in industrial
discharges as part of a program for establishing such cri-
teria for a larger group of pesticides. However, PCBs wereTABLE 3
ANSI committee C0-107 membership# of Representatives Organization Represented
2 Department of the Army
2 Environmental Protection Agency
1 US Department of Agriculture
1 Tennessee Valley Authority
1 General Services Administration
1 National Bureau of Standards
2 Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association
1 Edison Electric Institute
1 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
5 National Electrical Manufacturers Association
2 Monsanto Company
2 Commercial Waste Disposal Companies
1 Engineering Consulting Firm
1 Capacitor Manufacturer Serving as an Independent MemberMonsanto released information concerning its PCB production figures from 1930–1971 to
the Dept. of Commerce in November 1971 as 4.3 10 5 tons PCB.C016_003_r03.indd 857C016_003_r03.indd 857 11/18/2005 1:12:25 PM11/18/2005 1:12:25 PM