Re: dioxin contaminated bentonite

["Rebecca Leighton Katers" <cwac@execpc.com>]

  One possible clay source could be the 
  product of Granulation Technologies Inc. in Green 
  Bay, Wisconsin.
  
  This company takes contaminated waste sludges 
  from Fort Howard Corporation --- a huge paper 
  recycler --- and these sludges are very high in 
  clay content because the glossy coatings on 
  magazines and other papers are primarily clay.
  
  (The paper companies usually call it "kaolin" clay not 
  "bentonite" clay --- is there a significant difference after 
  it's been through industrial processes?)
  
  GranTech dries and pelletizes the sludge and 
  sells it as the inert ingredient for pesticides 
  and fertilizers --- but they also mention in 
  their brochure that FDA allows them to sell it 
  for use as a carrier for PHARMECEUTICALS FOR 
  LIVESTOCK.    These carriers can form the bulk of 
  the pharmeceuticals.
  
  Since chickens and other livestock are often fed 
  supplements, anti-biotics and other medicines --- 
  could the dioxins (etc.) be coming from the 
  supplements?
  
  There's no labelling requirement forcing 
  producers to notify farmers of the source of the 
  "inert ingredient."
  
  Fort Howard sludges contain dioxins, PCBs, 
  furans, and a whole host of other toxins.   
  Perhaps they would justify use of the sludge 
  because it has a high calcium content also.  
  ("Builds strong, contaminated bones...")
  
  Perhaps other companies are also getting rid of 
  their contaminated clay wastes in similar 
  fashion.
  
  The color of the GranTech pellet is 
  pale gray, unless it's dyed.
  
  
  
  
  Date:          Fri, 1 Aug 1997 10:49:00 -0400 (EDT)
  Reply-to:      jharvie@wlssd.duluth.mn.us
  From:          Jamie Harvie <jharvie@wlssd.duluth.mn.us>
  To:            Multiple recipients of list <dioxin-l@essential.org>
  Subject:       dioxin contaminated bentonite
  
  News on the dioxin contaminated bentonite has been rather scarce lately. I
  am wondering where the dioxin contamination of the bentonite came from. Was
  it really from the bentonite? If it was a "natural" clay deposit there
  should not be such high dioxin contamination. Anyone yet know the real scoop?
  Jamie Harvie
  2626 Courtland St.
  Duluth, MN
  55806
  p 218-722-3336
  f 218-727-7471
  
  Rebecca Leighton Katers
  Clean Water Action Council of N.E. Wisconsin
  2220 Deckner Avenue
  Green Bay, WI 54302
  Phone:  414-468-4243
  Fax:  414-468-1234
  E-mail:  cwac@execpc.com