Swedes to nix PVC

[Dave Pettingill <isobar@igc.apc.org>]

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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> SWEDISH PARLIAMENT DEMANDS RAPID PHASE OUT OF PVC

STOCKHOLM, 23 November 1995 (GP) Greenpeace today hailed the
Swedish Parliament's decision to phase out the toxic, chlorinated
poly vinyl chloride (PVC) as a momentous decision for the future
of the planet/ future generations.

At a hearing on chlorine and chlorinated compounds arranged by
the Swedish Ministry for Environment this week, the Swedish
Minister for Environment, Anna Lindh stated: "It is no longer a
question if PVC should be phased out, but how it shall be phased
out."

"The Swedish Parliament has taken seriously the harmful effects
on the human health of chlorine based substances and has taken
real steps to address the problem," said Mats Knapp of Greenpeace
Sweden, "It is now time for other countries to do the same and
work towards the total phaseout of PVC and chlorinated substances
worldwide."

The proposal, submitted by the Committee for Agriculture, stated
that "an overall assessment shows that PVC cannot be part of an
eco-cycle society. Today's plasticised as well as rigid PVC with
environmentally harmful additives, should therefore be phased
out.  The phaseout should begin speedily." The proposal added
that it is possible to make an overall assessment of today's PVC
in all its parts from chlorine manufacture to waste.

"Greenpeace has been working on the phaseout of chlorine based
substances such as PVC for many years," added Knapp, "This is a
tremendous step in the right direction for the future of our
planet."

The Swedish Chemical Inspectorate and the Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency will now investigate how to phase out PVC. They
are due to present their findings to the Ministry for Environment
in June 1996.

For further information contact: Mats Knapp Greenpeace Sweden
+46 31 226284 or Olov Agne +46 8 7027079.
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