EVC PLANT NOT ONLY POISONS VENICE: PVC REPRESENTS A POTENTIAL THREAT FOR INFANTS' HEALTH SAYS GREENPEACE

18 June 1998

Venice --- 14 Greenpeace activists today blocked the entrance of the administrative centre of EVC, the main European PVC producer, by chaining a hundred-kilo model of a cheque to the gate. This activity occurs only 48 hours after the discharge pipe of the Porto Marghera chemical company was shut down by Italian magistrates, because of its polluting effects on the Venice Lagoon.

The environmental organisation has warned that the activities of the EVC chemical plant are not only poisoning the Lagoon, but that some of their products represent an environmental and health threat for infants in the countries where they are distributed.

The "delivery" of this 60-billion lire (USD 34.1 million) cheque to EVC and Solvay follows the three charges that the two PVC producers, EVC and Solvay, have moved against Greenpeace to stop its campaign against the use of PVC in products for infants.

Analysis conducted in different countries, which has been assessed by an EU Scientific Committee, has shown that, when these toys for infants are sucked or chewed, there is a risk that hazardous softeners added to the plastic are released. However, PVC and toys producers still claim that this risk is not significant.

"The compensation claimed by PVC producers from Greenpeace is equal to the sum paid by Enichem and Montedison for the hundreds of workers who are victims of the chemical activities of the plant in Porto Marghera. Such a coincidence should make us think about the value these companies attribute to human lives, public health and the environment", said Fabrizio Fabbri of Greenpeace.

Paradoxically, EVC and Solvay have decided to take legal action against Greenpeace's international campaign only in Italy, where the first trial against VCM (1) production for offences against individuals and the environment is now taking place.

After the findings of several European governmental agencies, a Scientific Committee was delegated by the European Commission to assess these studies. The Committee recently confirmed the potential risk for children sucking on soft PVC products. Despite international concerns, PVC and additives producers as well as toys manufacturers have lobbied against a proposal by Emma Bonino, Commissioner for Consumer Protection, to withdraw certain soft PVC toys containing two phthalates softeners.

"The evident interference of US Department of Commerce, contacted by firms like Mattel, to prevent European actions aimed at preventing health risks associated with the use of soft PVC products is shocking and irresponsible, if not criminal", added Fabbri.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Fabrizio Fabbri, Greenpeace Italy,mobile +39 330/924373
- Greenpeace Italy Press Desk, +39 6/57299904-5
- Stills of this morning action are available on the national picture network of ANSA

(1) VCM, which is carcinogenic, is the basic compound from which PVC derives.