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PolyVinylChloride toxicity
Via Environet:
=================================================================
17 October 1992
PVC RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGH DIOXIN VALUES AT GERMAN COMPANY
HAMBURG, Germany October 16, 1992 (GP) Larger amounts of toxic
dioxins were produced at the fire on the premises of the Microplast
plastic recycling company at Lengerich than have so far been
-More-
assumed by the authorities. This is shown by the laboratory
analyses of three wiping samples and two fire residues taken by
Greenpeace directly at the site of the fire and its immediate
vicinity last Thursday. The results of these are now known.
Values of up to 13,700 nanogrammes per kilogramme have been
measured in the burned out warehouse. The warehouse and plastic
remains from the fire are therefore highly contaminated. They are
poisonous toxic waste and must be made immediately safe from wind
and rain. The work of removal ought to take place under
maximum safety precautions.
This dioxin pollution is particularly critical for
agriculture and horticulture in the area around the site of the
fire. The authorities measured dioxin values which sometimes
exceed the upper limit for agricultural use, 5 nanogrammes per
kilogramme, by more than double.
In Greenpeace's view agricultural use of the polluted areas
must be stopped. Further soil analyses ought to be made in order to
determine the size of the polluted area on which agricultural use
must cease and the soil removed and disposed of. Fruit, vegetables
and feed stuffs must in no circumstances be consumed. Plants up to
a distance of several miles must be harvested and disposed of.
-More-
Soot from the fire and oil films have been deposited in and on
buildings over a broad surrounding area. Given the measurements by
Greenpeace and the authorities Greenpeace demands the immediate
removal of the remains of the fire in accordance with Federal
Health Ministry clean-up guidelines. The cause of the production
of the toxic dioxins is the burning of the chlorine chemical
product stored at Lengerich, PVC. PVC contains up to 40
kilogrammes of lead and cadmium per tonne, meaning that high
pollution of the surrounding area with heavy metals may likewise be
assumed. It must be assumed that other dangerous pollutants, which
also must be analysed, were released in the fire too.
A ban on what is by far and away the most environmentally harmful
plastic is overdue. Eighty local councils have already switched on
environmental protection grounds to procuring PVC-free products for
their official supplies. Greenpeace calls on all local authorities
to take this step now as well.
"PVC time bombs are ticking everywhere, both in some hundred more
PVC recycling company stores and in every household," confirmed
Manfred Krautter, the expert on chlorine chemicals at Greenpeace.
"The chlorine chemicals industry is a highly risky and
environmentally dangerous branch of industry. PVC is its most
important product. The only consequence that may be drawn from the
fire disaster at Lengerich is a ban on PVC production and the
irrevocable phase-out of chlorine chemicals."
Greenpeace's figures in detail:
Polychlorinated dioxin and furan measurements at the site of the
fire (warehouse):
1. Fire remnant, sample A: 13,700 nanogrammes TE BGA per kg
2. Fire remnant, sample B: 9,200 nanogrammes TE BGA per kg
3. Wiped sample, steel wall: 2,200 nanogrammes TE BGA per m2
Measurements 150 metres from the site of the fire in a south-
westerly direction (Rahestrasse 64):
4. Smooth surface on outside of building:
0.94 nanogrammes TE BGA per m2
5. Smooth inside surface in building:
0.03 nanogrammes TE BGA per m2
TE BGA = toxicity equivalent as laid down by Federal Health
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