Re: stages of denial - lead

["Jon Campbell" <jon@cqs.com>]

   Hello, MrBill,
  
           Whether or not Greenpeace's exact analysis
  of the lead/vinyl connection was totally on target
  is rather immaterial.
  
         You are right that the lead is
  there as a pigment, and that Greenpeace (and
  others) should be going after the Lead Industries
  Association to stop the production of lead
  pigments.
  
        However, your position regarding the  vinyl
  industry and its use of lead as a pigment is
  rather shoddy. But what you (and Greenpeace,
  unfortunately) left out is
  the leaching of vinyl chloride monomer and
  the strong possibility of dioxin leaching from
  the PVC polymer matrix. Toys should not be
  made of PVC...whether it is toys that babies
  put in their mouths or Beanie Babies that
  children sleep with (the pellets are Chinese PVC).
  
  Jon
  
  
  -----Original Message-----
  From: DrBillC@aol.com <DrBillC@aol.com>
  To: Multiple recipients of list <dioxin-l@essential.org>
  Date: Saturday, October 11, 1997 10:02 PM
  Subject: Re: stages of denial
  
  
  
  >Charlie, and all:
  >
  >Let's not pretend that the recent toy report was science for its own sake.
  > Break down the list of products and you find:
  >
  >Electrical wires.  They are not toys.
  >
  >Most of the rest.  Appear to be calendared films adapted for parts of
  >articles.  Not many children suck on their raincoats.  The bulf of the lead
  >contents are in the 100 ppm range.  These are not stabilizers, they are
  >pigments and are used in other plastics and paints.  If Greenpeace was in
  the
  >business of exposing risks to children, they would  have tried to find lead
  >wherever it lurks.  On the other hand, since the objective is to get vinyl,
  >rather than to protect public health, it was done the other way around.
  >
  >Lead pigments should not be used in toys, I agree.  On the other hand, they
  >should not be used in any toy made of any material.
  >
  >Analytical chemistry is not Greenpeace's long suit: see Brent Spar and
  >phthalates in blood (where large concentrations found were of materials
  that
  >are not produced commercially--clearly an impossibility).  Kudos to CPSC
  for
  >staying on this  issue and being forthright--despite much lobbying by
  >Greenpeace, it should be added.
  >
  >Bill Carroll
  >Chlorine Chemistry Council
  >
  >