Press release from Citizens Against Chlorine Contamination

["Center for Health, Environment and Justice" <cchw@essential.org>]

CITIZENS AGAINST CHLORINE CONTAMINATION
A committee of the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club
 
PRESS RELEASE - November 23, 1998

Citizen Watchdogs Claim State Understates Dioxin Dangers at MagCorp

Scientists with the Citizens Against Chlorine Contamination have
received and examined the data from the Utah Department of Environmental
Quality's (UDEQ)recent dioxin testing at MagCorp, a magnesium refinery
on the shores of Great Salt Lake, and are alarmed by what they see.  The
State released results from a first round of testing on November 13. 
Citizens Against Chlorine Contamination, an environmental group that has
been lobbying UDEQ to test for two years, claims UDEQ grossly
understated the serious nature of dioxin contamination found at the
site.  According to UDEQ's data, dioxin levels found in a waste stream
ditch outside the plant are 2,000 times higher than dioxin levels found
at Love Canal before the town was abandoned.  Times Beach, Missouri, was
evacuated when dioxin levels were comparable to the MagCorp numbers. 
Dioxin, a well-known cancer causing chemical, has also been linked to
immune system dysfunction, reproductive problems, and diabetes.

The Center for Disease Control has set 1 part per billion (ppb) as an
action level for clean up of dioxins.  Soil from a waste ditch into
which MagCorp discharges liquids had 39 ppb of dioxins.  MagCorp workers
are exposed daily to an environment that is loaded with chlorine.  Now,
it appears they may also be exposed to levels of dioxins higher than
that at Love Canal and typical of a Superfund site.  What protection do
they have from these toxic compounds?

Although DEQ agrees that more expanded testing is required to understand
the full depth and range of what has been uncovered at MagCorp, the CACC
doubts UDEQ will have the resolve to follow through.  A thorough
investigation of MagCorp's waste stream is now imperative.  For example,
because it was not known that scrubber packing material from MagCorp's
pollution abatement system could contain dioxins, they were never tested
for or regulated for dioxins before disposal.  While CACC has identified
the packing material as a possible prime collector of dioxins, UDEQ has
not yet identified the disposal location(s) of this material. 
Improperly disposed material may be threatening ground water or
wildlife.  Millions of birds migrate through the Great Salt Lake each
year and many feed near MagCorp and may be at risk.

There may also be chemicals at MagCorp containing dioxins that are
recycled and sold.  Where do they go and how are they used?  Tests to
understand contamination levels and pathways cannot be conducted
effectively unless UDEQ is willing to vigorously investigate and
document  MagCorp's waste stream.

If UDEQ's presentation of the facts was timid, MagCorp's response was
downright misleading.  The State did a number of tests designed to
reveal dioxin levels both before and after MagCorp's waste stream.  The
contrast, 0.000,003 ppb (before) to 39 ppb (after), speaks for itself. 
MagCorp, however, claims the lower levels cast doubt on the seriousness
of the problem. This not only misses the point, it encourages others to
do likewise. To do the kinds of investigation and testing that will be
required to understand the problem so public health and ecosystem
integrity are protected, UDEQ must be more assertive and make MagCorp a
priority.  UDEQ's tentative characterization of the first dioxin testing
results does not inspire confidence.

For more information, call:  Scott Endicott, 596-1325; Howard Gross;
322-4307; Chip Ward, 435-884-6291.

-- 
Center for Health, Environment & Justice
P.O. Box 6806
Falls Church, VA 22040
(703) 237-2249