dioxin in paper products

[Willi Nolan <willi@biobiz.com>]

Carol Meeds wrote:
>As you can see, he quotes the article that says dioxin really isn't
>all that bad and the Bruce Ames guy as well.  Is there a response that
>someone would care to forward to me  that I could send back to present
>another view?  to composters

Re: "Jim the Compost Man"

I have been working for almost five years researching links between 
diseases in women and the use of chlorine-treated rayon tampons. It has 
become clear to me that dioxin in tampons is related to various cancers 
and other diseases in females.  
As a matter of fact, bill HR3796 the "Women's health & Dioxin Act of 
1996" currently before the House, requires the National Institutes of 
Health to determine health risks to women from the use of tampons 
containing dioxin.  
Also, a report from an FDA scientist in 1987 suggested that  menstrual 
products and disposable diapers created the highest risk for dioxin 
exposure because of the density of the material and lengthy time in close 
proximity to the body. This was reported in a Congressional hearing in 
1992.
I have created a page on my web site <http://www.biobiz.com/terrafemme/> 
called "The Politics of Tampons" where you can find more information on 
the subject.
I hope that this helps.

Willi Nolan

>Jim the Compost Man~
>
>It is true that there are slight parts per trillion and even a few parts
>per billion dioxin in paper products.  There is nothing I have read
>which suggests that these levels are associated with any adverse effects
>on anything or anyone.  If paper products are safe for q-tips, tampons,
>diapers, and 1001 other uses, then the diluted compost made partially
>with paper is also safe.
>
>Even high levels of dioxin would not be associated with slow
>decomposition as you suggest as it is not a bacterial inhibiter.

"The country is yours, ladies. Politics is simply a public affair - 
yours, mine and everyone's. The government has enfranchised you but it 
cannot emancipate yu. That is done by your own process of thought."
                                                      Nellie McClung, 1917

Visit the terra femme web site! <http://www.biobiz.com/terrafemme/>