More than 80,000 chemicals are used regularly in our society, but only a few hundred have been studied for their health effects and regulated.  Many of those studied are toxic chemical hazards.  The rest are unknowns.   This ignorant use of chemicals is an outcome of our U.S. government's policy, which considers chemicals "innocent until proven guilty." 

In other words, industry can keep using a potentially toxic chemical and releasing it into the environment, until our governments have "adequate" scientific proof of harm from the chemical.  The interpretation of adequacy is often attacked by corporate lobbyists, therefore many multiple studies are required.  It can take years of study (and millions of taxpayers' research dollars) to develop this proof, and several more years for the agencies to negotiate new regulations, but by then serious damage may have already happened.  Many problems with toxic environmental contamination derive from this lax policy.  This must change.

European Leadership

The European Union is currently considering a reverse policy, by requiring that chemical makers run safety and environmental impact tests on more than 30,000 chemicals before continuing their use in European countries.  The Bush Administration and World Trade Organization are attempting to block the rule, because chemical corporations claim the rule could cost businesses more than $7 billion.

But consider our current state of affairs:  On the Fox River and Green Bay, we've suffered more than $1 billion in damages, just in our region, due to contamination from one poorly studied chemical, PCB.  If PCB economic, health and liability damages were totalled worldwide, they would easily exceed $7 billion.

Then consider PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) which is currently being used in large quantities as a fire-retardant in carpeting, drapes, computer equipment, foam cushions and a wide array of other common consumer products.  PBDE has been measured at high levels in Lake Michigan fish, in mother's breastmilk, in wastewater discharges and sewage sludge which is spread throughout Wisconsin.  PBDE is believed to have many of the same toxic properties as PCBs and it bioaccumulates up the food chain, just like PCBs.  Several European countries have already banned the chemical, and California recently passed a phase-out ban.  Wisconsin and our federal government are slow to respond.   A reverse proof rule, as proposed by the Europeans, would have prevented this costly and unhealthy mistake.

Common Local Toxic Hazards

PCBs --- PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a colorless, odorless oils found in the sediments of the Fox River, Green Bay and Lake Michigan.  PCBs were used as carrier for pigments on the back of carbonless copy paper made by Appleton Papers and NCR Corporation, in Appleton and Combined Locks, Wisconsin, from 1954 to about 1972.  Trimmings and wastepaper from these plants were then recycled by 5 other paper manufacturers.  All seven companies then dumped their PCB-contaminated wastes in the river.  In 2003, the DNR and EPA announced a $400 million PCB cleanup of the river, and up to $333 million more will be required for additional compensation and restoration projects.  Visit our other website, Fox River Watch, for details on this cleanup and on PCB health effects.

Lead --- Lead has been used for many purposes - in paints, leaded gasoline, pesticides, plumbing solder, lead shot, glazed pottery, fishing sinkers, fine crystal, leaded windows, etc.  The health effects include

Mercury --- Mercury is a toxic metal with unusual properties which have made it useful for thermometers, electrical switches, as a mildewcide in paints, etc.  Industrially, it has been used as a slimacide to prevent bacterial growth on pulp in the pulp and paper industry, and as a catalyst in chlor-alkali plants used to produce caustic soda and chlorine for the same industry.   Coal-fired power plants are a large cumulative source of mercury in the environment, because coal contains natural traces of mercury.  Altogether, these sources contribute to the widespread fish consumption advisories throughout our region.  Most freshwater fish from inland lakes, rivers and the large lakes of the Great Lakes region are contaminated with unsafe levels of mercury.

Pesticides --- Many of the most toxic chlorinated pesticides have now been outlawed, but several other are under review for banning in the future (while they're still on the market).

Solvents --- Many common solvents (mineral spirits, xylene, benzene, etc.) are serious toxins which can be breathed in or absorbed through the skin.  Many are carcinogens and central nervous system poisons.  They should be avoided.

Chlorine --- Our area paper industries use large quantities of chlorine gas or chlorine compounds, yet this is a highly hazardous chemical which poses a high accident risk for our communities.  Both acute and chronic exposures to chlorine vapors can be unhealthy.

Who Are Your Local Water Polluters? 

Two national websites provide detailed data about toxic pollution sources in local communities.  Just type  in your zipcode.

• The Scorecard, by Environmental Defense  (enter your zipcode at the right) 

http://www.scorecard.org/

• Envirofacts Data Warehouse, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

http://www.epa.gov/enviro/index.html

Our Stolen Future - an excellent website, with cutting-edge information

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/
 

Environmental Working Group

http://www.ewg.org/
 

Center for Health and Environmental Justice

http://www.chej.org/

• How You Can Avoid Toxic Chemicals at Home
• PCB Contamination of the Fox River and Green Bay
• Newsletter Articles about Toxic Chemicals - by Clean Water Action Council
• Links to More Toxic Chemical Information