KEEPING A PLANET CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT : THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY'S AGENDA

The chemical industry has fostered a chemically dependent planet. CFCs are very stable compounds and consequently have numerous industrial applications as refrigerants, foam blowing agents, electrical circuit-board solvents and aerosol propellants. For many decades CFCs provided the industry with a worldwide monopoly.

Even when it became evident in the early to mid 1970's that CFCs were harming the ozone layer, the chemical companies continued to vigorously market their dangerous products and steadily opposed regulatory measures on CFCs. The industry has yet to apologize for putting life on Earth at risk, and it has yet to be held accountable or compelled to pay reparations.

The following quotes from Du Pont, the developer and largest manufacturer of CFCs, and related facts, are indicative of the chemical industry's response to the pending crisis:

Du Pont says that the ozone depletion theory is "a science fiction tale...a load of rubbish...utter nonsense." - Du Pont Chair Scorer, Chemical Week, 16 July 1975.

"Should reputable evidence show that some fluorocarbons cause a health hazard through depletion of the ozone layer, we are prepared to stop production of the offending compounds." - Du Pont advertisement, New York Times, 30 June 1975.

After the aerosol ban in 1978, Du Pont deterred further legislation controlling CFCs by warning of dire economic consequences pending regulation. Charles Masten, Director of Du Pont's Freon products division, said, "A production freeze could drive up prices artificially, and could affect consumer safety, energy costs and jobs."

In 1980, Du Pont initiated the formation of the Alliance for Responsible CFC Policy, an anti-regulatory industry lobby group that found a natural ally in the Reagan administration.

In1981: Du Pont abandons its research into alternatives for CFCs, anticipating no further regulation of CFCs. Meanwhile, it expands CFC production in Japan.

"When you have $3 billion of CFCs sold worldwide and 70 percent of that is about to be regulated out of existence, there is a tremendous market potential." - Joseph Glas, Du Pont Freon division director.