GREENPEACE BLOCKS EXXON'S DISTRIBUTION OF HAZARDOUS PVC SOFTENERS
The environmental group exposes multinationals' attempts to thwart Europe-wide ban on soft PVC toys

30 June 1998

Amsterdam -- 23 Greenpeace activists today blocked the loading of hazardous chemicals used to manufacture soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) toys at an Exxon factory in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Exxon Chemical Holland BV is, with a production of 300,000 tonnes a year, the biggest producer of these chemicals (or phthalates) in the world, including the most common one found in soft PVC toys.

The international environmental organization, based in Amsterdam, stopped the loading and distribution of the phthalates to protest Exxon's continued sale of them, ignoring orders by the Dutch Minister of Health and other European governments that babies and small children should be protected from the dangers associated with these chemicals in soft PVC toys.

Meanwhile the European Commission is still struggling with how to restrict the sale of soft PVC toys after the Spanish government asked for Europe-wide action in March. Action has been stalled since the Dutch government has announced a new series of tests to assess the hazards to children.

Exxon is producing the samples for the Dutch government study in which human volunteers will suck on soft PVC toys so their saliva can be analysed for phthalates.

"Exxon is controlling the debate on the safety of soft PVC toys and the protection of children's health," said Axel Singhofen of Greenpeace. "Exxon manufactures the chemicals, it conducts the Dutch tests, and it works with the US government to convince the EU that there are no hazards associated with soft PVC toys".

Moreover, memos between the US government in Europe and Washington D.C. reveal close cooperation with the Exxon Corporation in an attempt to thwart Europe-wide restrictions on soft PVC toys.

One cable from the US Representative to the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Vernon Weaver, to Washington and US missions in Europe extends "heartfelt thanks to all EU posts [...] in making contact with member state representatives of the EU Product Safety Emergencies Committee. We are told by Exxon Chemical Europe Inc. that the input was very effective and the weigh-in was invaluable." (1)

The phthalates, used to soften PVC toys, have been linked to health effects in laboratory animals ranging from liver and kidney damage to reproductive abnormalities. Soft PVC can leach hazardous chemicals when children suck, chew or bite on toys.

The hazards of soft PVC toys were revealed more than a year ago by Danish authorities who recommended the withdrawal from sale of three PVC teething rings which leached phthalates.

The entire life cycle of PVC plastic is a polluting process. Its production involves highly toxic precursors and generates hazardous emissions and wastes. When burned in accidental fires or waste incinerators, PVC is a significant source of dioxin and secondary hazardous wastes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Axel Singhofen, Greenpeace International, tel. +32 2 280 19 87
- Luisa Colasimone, Greenpeace Communications, mobile +31 6 53 66 29 70