MEMO FROM
J. LEDERBERG
GENETICS DEPARTMENT

STANFORD UNIVERSITY
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA

TO: TX
=> H.W. Wolf RC

Bren Wades Uy, °°
ELS

MAR 24 {979
1)

Thank you for sending me this. Do you have
any more detailed information on "Ramel/
Natural Science Res, Council Sweden " and
his genetic experiments? Without some quan-
titative data it is difficult to evaluate the
assertion that the genetic effects actually
described are in fact insignificant.

 

NTA/ Pringle report

 

2) Have you calculated the impact of NTA
discharge on nitrate contamination of

surface waters? Besides the possibility of
new kinds of eutrophacation , I need merely
mention the concerns that have been expressed
by Commoner and by Epstein.

Mr. Johnson's speech (I have gotten the

“actual text) included a further cautionary

remark that was overlooked by the reporter
for C&EN,

Sincerely,

 

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ABS, however, is currently a big-
: ger factor in DWV pipin g than is PVC.
This fact, along with the as-yet un-
decided battle for the water main and
sewage line markets now dominated
by polyethylene and styrene rubber
(among plastics), is causing Good-
.tich and others to keep their hands
in both ABS and PVC.

 

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Ve,

DETERGENTS:
NTA Is Best

In the continuing search for substi-
tutes for phosphate builders in deter-
gents, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)
may be the best one found so far,
o according to Charles C. Johnson, Jr.
administrator of HEW’s  Environ-
mental Health Service. Speaking at
the 43rd annual convention of the
Soap and Detergent Association (SDA)
in New York City, Mr. Johnson said
that NTA is 70% degradable by bio-
logical sewage treatment. Animal ex-
periments have revealed no genetic
effects, he added, and no evidence
of acute toxicity from NTA. .
Phosphate builders, which have
been branded by environmentalists as
major pollutants, are detergent-en-
hancing ingredients. Among other
functions, they soften water, sequester
dirt, buffer, and prevent — stains.
Spokesmen for the detergent indus-
try claim that there is no safe, ade-
quate substitute for phosphates that
can be supplied economically. About
2 billion pounds of phosphate builders
are consumed per year. NTA produc-
tion capacities total about 100 mil-
lion pounds per year.
Industry spokesmen also maintain
that phosphorus is only one of some
15 to 20 nutrients that can cause
eutrophication (overfertilization of

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19 C&EN FEB. 9, 1970

Mere et ame ee te .-

 

PATE RT

“Choking algal) growths and
consumption of the oxygen).
But govemment agencies conti
to apply pressure for the elimina
of phosphates in detergents bec:
these are the most readily controll:
nutrients. One suggestion from C
ernment is that phosphate con
should be announced on proc
labels, allowing housewives a chic
between polluting and not polluti
Industry spokesmen feel that hon
wives will opt for cheap clear
power, Which requires phosphates.

Mr. Johnson says that governm
agencies are also looking closely
respiratory and dermatological pr
lems associated with the enzymes
some detergent formulations. Th
Is increasing concern for workers
have incurred ailments from di
fumes, chemicals, and noise. And
Administration-backed bill conce
ing general occupational health <¢
safely is now before Congress.

Elizabeth Wanford, executive
rector of the President’s Commit
on Consumer Interests, says that |
office has received a number of ea
plaints about detergents, includ:
claims that washing machine lini:
peeled after use of cnzyme deterge:

General Electric’s Dr. Leo Le
told the SDA convention audie
that enzymes in detergents have 1
cessitated additional — research
laundry appliances. The material
quiring the most careful scrutiny, I
Loeb says, is the porcelain enan
finish inside the typical washer.

The quiet revolution going on
the fiber makeup of the typical hor
wash load—synthetics are displaci
cotton—will force innovations in det
gent formulations, too, Dr. Lo
predicts. Laundry hardware a:
detergent products have been tun
over the years for washing cotton.

Venalin

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