Chlorine concerns
Chlorine concerns - Vinyl Council Australia
| ‘…the presence of chlorine in a chemical compound does not predispose it to be a toxic substance destined to cause harm to humans or the environment.’ |
| Dr. Lawrence Fischer, Michigan State University, 1994 |
| In recent times, the role of chlorine as a feedstock in manufacturing has been criticised because of the potential for emissions of a very reactive substance. Environmental group, Greenpeace, has also called for the phasing out of all synthetic chlorine in the past. Its campaign against chlorine led to it targeting the PVC industry, as the single largest use of chlorine worldwide. It is known that some organochlorine compounds, such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have caused significant global environmental concerns. Yet some forms and uses of chlorine chemistry have provided enormous public health advances, such as chlorination of drinking water and use of PVC pipes. PVC resin is in fact a very stable, virtually inert compound. Many authorities and expert professional associations have issued statements of strong support for the benefits of chlorine chemistry to society. |
| … 50 scientists from nine countries … noted that calls to ban all uses of chlorine to protect the environment are not supported by a critical review of the scientific evidence. They felt that most chlorine chemicals can be produced and used safely. |
| The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1994 |
| For more detailed information on the properties of chlorine, visit the American Chemistry/Chlorine Chemistry Division website |
| http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_chlorine/index.asp |
