Richmond Residents demand human tests for deadly dioxin

[Neil Tangri <ntangri@essential.org>]

Press Advisory

For immediate release:  Wednesday August 11, 1999

Richmond Residents demand human tests for deadly dioxin
-ATSDR conducted tests in Louisiana that revealed high dioxin levels-

For more information contact:
Karen Susag, Communities for a Better Environment  (415)243-8373
x305                           Ethel Dotson, Richmond community
resident  (510)236-4234
Eddrick Osborne, President, Parchester Village Neighborhood Council
(510)215-9536

Who: Richmond, CA residents who live near Chevron’s refinery and other
dioxin sources will demand  dioxin blood tests from the Federal Health
and Human Services agency known as the ATSDR  (Agency for Toxic
Substance Disease Registry).

What:   Press conference with community members from Richmond, CA.

Where:  Parchester Village Neighborhood Community Center--(directions:
I-580 to  the Richmond Parkway, to Giant Highway exit, and follow signs
to Parchester Village.  Cross  railroad tracks and take a left on
McGlothen Way.  Community Center is at the end of the street.)

When:  Wednesday August 11, 1999     6 p.m.

Why: Richmond residents recently became aware of the disturbing results
of dioxin blood tests conducted  by the ATSDR in Mossville, Louisiana
that revealed significant levels of dioxin in community  members who
live near local refineries and chemical facilities.
 Richmond has a strong family connection to the Mossville/Lake Charles
communities in Louisiana.   Many current Richmond residents grew up in
these Louisiana communities and still have family  who live and work in
Mossville, LA.

Dioxin is a group of the most toxic chemicals known.  Dioxin is formed
as a useless by-product of  industrial processes that contain
chlorinated chemicals.  Dioxin exposure is associated with cancer  and
other serious and often debilitating health problems.
 Richmond residents live and work near several known dioxin sources
including Chevron’s  Richmond oil refinery which is a source of dioxin
to the air and in its discharge to the SF Bay.

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Neil TANGRI