More carcinogens in the air in "Cancer Alley"

[charlie.cray@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      dioxin-l@essential.org
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        DECEMBER 12, 1996
 
 
            HUNDREDS OPPOSE SHINTECH PROPOSAL IN LOUISIANA
       Citizens and other interest groups cite health concerns
 
Convent, La, December 9, 1996 - Representatives from Greenpeace
and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, joined St. James
Citizens for Jobs and the Environment and approximately 300 
other concerned residents in opposing a proposed polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) production complex by the Japanese owned company,
Shintech, at a air permit hearing. The Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) hearing lasted over eight hours with
testimony after testimony concerning health and environmental
justice concerns from opposition.
 
"Enough is enough," testified Patricia Melancon, president of the
local group, St. James Citizens, "This is a low income area, and
less than half of the adults in this community have a high school
diploma. We will get all of the pollution, but none of the jobs." 
Residents are concerned that the area is already overburdened by
toxic chemical emissions with St. James ranking third in the
state for toxic releases.
 
Those opposed are especially concerned with dioxin exposure with
the proposed facility.  Dioxin, an unintentional by product in
PVC production, is a known carcinogen and acts as a hormone
mimicker.  
 
To demonstrate public support, Shintech, flew in more than 40
employees from its Freeport, Texas plant as well as its paid
consultants whose testimony centered around potential employment
and tax revenue from the company's proposal.  "Why are they
[Shintech] speaking of economic development at a air permit
hearing?" said Kishi Animashaun, Greenpeace Toxics campaigner.
 
The proposed facility would release more than 600,000 pounds of
toxic chemicals per year in an predominantly African American
neighborhood where 45% of the population lives below the
poverty level.  Shintech's announcement to build a PVC plant in
"Cancer Alley" appears to be one of the biggest PVC plants 
planned in the world.
 
Shintech has applied for air, water, hazardous waste permits. If
the air permit is approved, the company is allowed to begin
construction.  A member of the local parish coastal zone
commission has appealed the land use permit, asking for a more
extensive environmental review.
 
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Contact:
 Marylee Orr, Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)    
504-928-1315
Patricia Melancon, St. James Citizens for Jobs & the Environment  
 504-562-3795
Kishi Animashaun, Greenpeace    800/216-0265
 
 

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