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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... Latest
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The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate. If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly. |
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| JANUARY
14, 1999 9:19 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Greenpeace Marcelo Furtado, Greenpeace Intl +55 11 92415623 (in Brazil) Holger Roenitz, Greenpeace Intl +31 20 52 49 545 Wytze van der Naald, Greenpeace Intl +31 20 5236 209 |
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| Dow Chemical Plant In Brazil Pollutes Estuary; Greenpeace Activists Cement Dow Discharge Pipe And Demand Zero Toxic Discharges | ||||
| SANTOS,
BRAZIL - January 14 - Greenpeace activists from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, the U.S., Germany and Ghana,
today cemented a discharge pipe belonging to a Dow Chemicals plant in Guaruja,
Sao Paulo. The pipe, hidden in a mangrove area, was discharging into the river
Rio da Pouca Saude, which means "Poor Health" river, part of the
Santos estuary system. According to sample data collected by Greenpeace a number
of highly toxic pollutants including organochlorines and phenols were detected
in the effluent and sediment samples.
Later today, the Greenpeace ship 'MV Greenpeace' will collect eight drums of contaminated river water and deliver them to the company's dock in a symbolic gesture to return the contamination to the company. "Dow's hidden toxic discharges are scandalous and unacceptable. We demand an immediate stop to the release of contaminants into the water and a full commitment towards zero toxic discharges and clean production," said Marcelo Furtado from Greenpeace. Greenpeace samples indicate industrial contamination of waste water and river sediment by a wide range of organic compounds. Of particular concern are the volatile compounds tetrachloromethane (also known as carbon tetrachloride) and chloroform, widely used as solvents. The phenol BHT which is used as an antioxidant in rubber and plastic was also found. All three substances are suspected to cause cancer. Tetrachloromethane has been used as a cooling gas and aerosol propellant. It is a controlled chemical under the Montreal Protocol as it can cause ozone layer depletion. It is highly toxic and exposure to low doses over extended periods of time can cause permanent damage to the liver and kidney failure. The Dow plant in Guaruja manufactures epoxy resins, latex and polyglicols and has been fined by the Sao Paulo State environmental protection agency (CETESB) for improper disposal of sludge contaminated with tetrachloromethane. Last December in Argentina Greenpeace initiated the first phase of a Global Tour for a toxics free future and against industrial pollution and chemical contamination. During the tour Greenpeace is releasing information and mobilizing public support for a global commitment to phase out toxic substances. The expedition is currently in Brazil and will later move on to the Mediterranean, Europe and Asia. ### |
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