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News Release! National Academies New Study Concludes Dioxin is Toxic The National Academies (NA) released a report on July 11, 2006 confirming what numerous scientific panels have concluded over the past 15 years: dioxin is a potent cancer-causing chemical. Chlorine-based industries have been effectively stalling the release of the EPA’s controversial dioxin reassessment for 15 years. Lois Gibbs, CHEJ Executive Director, said "Enough is enough—EPA should establish health protective regulations around dioxin discharges and clean ups now." CHEJ and 50 groups across the country did media releases to highlight the need to take action on many local dioxin hazards. Dioxin contamination is particularly high in areas with dioxin sources like incinerators, smelters, pulp and paper mills, chemical factories or other industries that use chlorine. The disposal of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic is the largest source of dioxin-forming chlorine in solid waste. PVC is the leading contributor of chlorine to four combustion sources— municipal solid waste incinerators, backyard burn barrels, medical waste incinerators and secondary copper smelters—that account for an estimated 80% of dioxin air emissions. Get Involved in the PVC Consumer Campaign! CHEJ has launched a PVC consumer campaign to encourage major corporations to phase out their use of PVC and to support policies that phase out PVC. We have already convinced Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Victoria’s Secret, and Bath and Body Works to phase out their use of PVC in their packaging! We want to leverage these victories to build momentum for further commitments to safer products in the year to come. We would like you to be part of this successful effort by being part of the campaign. To get involved, e-mail CHEJ's PVC Campaign Coordinator, Mike Schade, at mike@besafenet.com or give him a call at 212-964-3680.
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