01/19 OZ:Gov't Salls on Olympic PVC Alternatives

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> NSW GOVT STALLS ON OLYMPIC GUIDELINES FOR PVC ALTERNATIVES  
 
SYDNEY, January 19, 1996 (GP) The development by the New South
Wales  government of recommendations for Olympic tenderers on
alternatives to   PVC plastic have stalled threatening the
implementation of one of the   major environmental guidelines,
Greenpeace warned today. 
 
Greenpeace, in its third report on the progress of the Green
Olympics in   Sydney, highlights the dangers of PVC plastic
building products.  In   fires they release dioxin and dry
hydrogen chloride gas which turns into   pure hydrochloric
acid when it comes into contact with the mucus   membranes of
the eyes, throat and lungs. 
 
The dangers of PVC building products were illustrated in a
fire in the   Victorian Health and Community Service
Department building in Melbourne   on October 2 last year. 
The fire in the basement of the building, which   contained
large amounts of PVC electrical cable, forced the evacuation  
of 1500 people from the first 20 floors for one week.  A
further 500   people evacuated from the adjacent Immigration
and Ethnic Affairs   building next door because of the toxic
fumes. 
 
Olympic campaigner Michael Bland said Greenpeace had made
detailed   submissions to the building materials working
group, set up by the   former NSW government, on alternatives
to PVC plastic building products   for plumbing and electrical
conduits.  However there has been no   recommendations or
guidelines on these PVC alternatives from the   government for
tendering for the Olympic stadium and village.  The  
successful tenderer for the Olympic stadium is expected to be
announced   by the NSW government in early February. 
 
 The process set up by the government was intended to provide
companies   with clear guidelines on safe alternatives to PVC
plastic products but   it has completely stalled leaving
companies wondering what the   government is expecting,  Bland
said. 
 
The Environmental Guidelines for the Sydney 2000 Olympics
state that the   NSW government is committed to  minimising or
ideally avoiding  the use   of chlorine based products such as
PVC plastic. 
 
Greenpeace Austria chlorine campaigner Dr Thomas Belazzi said
the   Swedish Government had recently decided to phase out PVC
plastic while   in Germany the insurance industry has begun
collecting statistics   specifically on PVC fires which are
likely to lead to increased premiums   for buildings where
large amounts of PVC building products are produced   or
stored. 
 
 Australia is about five years behind Europe in the
replacement of PVC   products but the Sydney Olympics is a
great opportunity to begin the   widespread introduction of
safer alternative products made from non-  chlorinated
plastics, wood and glass,  Belazzi, who has spent the last  
three weeks examining the PVC plastic problem in Australia.   
 
Contact: Michael Bland, Greenpeace Australia 
 

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