From: cls@truffula.sj.ca.us (Cameron L. Spitzer)
Subject: Circle of Poison, please write
Organization: Save the Humans!
Followups-To: alt.save.the.earth
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 92 07:21:04 GMT


   Global Response Bulletin Sept 30 '92
                  "Banned Pesticides - Circle of Poison"

"We're not on top of what's happening in Pakistan, or any other country for
that matter."  -- Velsicol spokesperson responding to questions as to how rice
from Pakistan, destined for import to the United States, became contaminated
with the pesticide heptachlor.


    *Global Response* members are asked to write letters urging the Velsicol
Chemical Corporation to *immediately* stop the production of the pesticides
chlordane and heptachlor.

    Thirty years ago Rachel Carson's book _Silent Spring_ alerted the public
to the human and environmental threats posed by chemicals pesticides.  Two
particularly dangerous pesticides targeted by Carson were chlordane and
heptachlor.  These chemicals are considered "probable human carcinogens" by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  They accumulate in the
fatty tissue of humans and animals, and persist in the environment for
decades.  Other effects include harm to the nervous and immune system,
reproductive disorders and blood diseases.  Except for the use of heptachlor
for underground cable treatment, the two chemicals have been banned in the
US.

    Velsicol remains the world's only known producer of chlordane and
heptachlor.  This year Velsicol has exported over 1.1 million pounds of the
poisons from its Memphis, Tennessee plant.

    Since the publication of _Silent Spring_ more than 50 countries have
banned or severely restricted the use of chlordane and heptachlor.  This has
not stopped the spread of the pesticides' impact.  Dangerous levels of these
products has been found in the breast milk of women in Australia and Iraq.
Chlordane and heptachlor have been found in coral reefs, and in the tissues of
birds, dolphins, whales and polar bears - far from any original point of
application.

    Although use of these pesticides is virtually banned in the United States,
their residues have been found in asparagus imported from Argentina, boneless
beef imported from Honduras, and in imported mushrooms, fish, squash, chilies,
and pickles.  This completes the "Circle of Poison."  Pesticides, too
poisonous for domestic use, are produced here, exported, and then return to
the US as toxic residues on imported foods.


*Recommended Action - US Members:*
{}Arthur R. Sigel/CEO Velsicol Chemical
-Strongly urge Mr. Sigel to immediately stop the production of chlordane and
heptachlor; 
-Ask Mr. Sigel to explain why, if "a large segment of the scientific
community" believes that chlordane and heptachlor are safe, 57 countries
worldwide have banned or severely restricted their use;
-Request copies of the scientific research which Mr. Sigel cites as supporting
Velsicol's position that chlordane and heptachlor pose no threat to human
health; and,
-Ask Velsicol to make other products that are not toxic.

{}William Reilly/ Administrator-EPA
-Ask the EPA to support legislation which would prohibit the export of banned
pesticides and pesticides which, because of their toxicity, are not registered
in the United States;
-Remind Mr. Reilly that, even though the use of a pesticide may be banned in
this country, its domestic production still exposes US citizens to dangers
inherent in the production, transportation, and disposal of the poisons as
well as the consumption of residues on imported foods; and,
-Urge the EPA to conduct research into non-chemical alternatives to chlordane
and heptachlor.

[box]
*Background: "Circle of Poison"*  Each year $1 billion worth of banned or
never-registered pesticides are produced in the United States for export.
These pesticides include those that are prohibited from domestic use by the
EPA due to their toxicity.  Nationwide, workers at chemical manufacturing
plants and residents in surrounding communities are exposed to hundreds of
thousands of pounds of dangerous pesticides and other chemicals which are
discharged into the air, water, and soils during production.  Overseas,
workers who are untrained, ill-equipped, and without protective equipment, are
poisoned by exposure to pesticides.  Improper use of the pesticides
contaminates crops and food consumed overseas or imported into the United
States.

    Velsicol claims that "a large segment of the scientific community believes
that chlordane and heptachlor do not pose a human health threat," and that the
pesticides "provide important benefits... particularly in tropical regions."
Many tropical nations, located on every continent, including Kenya, Belize,
Fiji, Brunei, Ecuador, and Brazil have banned chlordane and/or heptachlor.
[end box]

*Addresses:*  The following officials are in a position to help prevent the
export of *chlordane* and *heptachlor* and contribute to stopping the "Circle
of Poison."

Mr. Arthur Sigel
President and CEO
Velsicol Chemical Corporation
10400 West Higgins Rd. Suite 600
Rosemont IL 60018-3713
(Tel: 708/298-9000)(Fax: 708/298-9014)

William Reilly
Administrator
EPA
401 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20460
(Tel: 202/260-4700)(Fax: 202/260-0279)

*Important note:*  The Greenpeace Pesticide Campaign team would like to
receive _copies_ of the letters you write to Velsicol and EPA.  A sizable
stack of your letters will help the Pesticide Campaigners impress on their
congressional, media, and chemical industry contacts the concern
environmentalists have for this issue.  Who knows?  Your letter could end up
front row center at a Senate hearing on pesticide exports.  Please send copies
to the address below c/o Sandra Marquardt.
[box]
The information for this *Global Response Action* was provided by the
Greenpeace Pesticides Campaign, 1436 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202/319/2472).  Please contact them for further information on this case.  A
1989 Greenpeace Report, "Exporting banned pesticides: a Case Study of Velsicol
Chemical Corporation's Export of Chlordane and Heptachlor" is available from
Greenpeace- $5.
[end box]
-end-


Progress report:  Moscow's Ministry of Ecology and Committee of Forestry have
temporarily halted Hyundai's efforts to log in the Bikin River basin.  The
Udege tribal chief is meeting with loggers, who have pledged not to log areas
without Udege permission.  My thanks to everyone who wrote letters last month!


I've attempted to preserve GR's typographic style, right down to the spelling
error (can you find it?) and funny emphasis.
You can subscribe to these monthly bulletins from Global Response
Environmental Action Network, POB 7490, Boulder CO 80306-7490  (303/444-0306)
Reprinted by permission.

Cameron Spitzer, south of Sutter Hill, cls@truffula.sj.ca.us.
My apologies to those who've asked questions and got no reply.  My
connectivity provider has chronic configuration problems which get my reply
mail bounced by many sites.  I'm evaluating other providers.
Newsgroups: alt.save.the.earth