Part 2 of URGENT DIOXIN ALERT - Fax to State Dept.: "Propose treaty to eliminate

[Joseph R Parrish Jr <JoeParrish@compuserve.com>]

Urgent Fax 

********** 


To: Mr. Brooks Yeager (HOTEL STAFF - PLEASE HOLD FOR MR.YEAGER) 

 U.S. Department of State, c/o Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva,
Switzerland 


From: Joseph Parrish, Ph.D., NY/NJ Environmental Watch 


Re: POPs Treaty/U.S. Position on Dioxin 


Fax: 011 41 22 919 38 38 


Date: September 3, 1999 

  


Dear Mr. Yeager: 


 I am writing to express my concern about the U.S. position on dioxin and
other by- product POPs in global negotiations on persistent organic
pollutants (POPs). As you know, dioxin is a pollutant of particular
concern around the world, including in the U.S., where 46 states have
issued advisories against eating local fish because of dioxin
contamination. The average American adult receives 300 to 500 times the
daily "safe" dose of dioxin through diet, and breastfeeding infants
receive 50 times that amount. Dioxin has been linked to serious health
problems, including cancer, immune system disruption, and reproductive
and developmental problems. 


 The United States has an opportunity to take a leadership role in moving
the world toward reducing and eventually eliminating man-made sources of
toxic dioxins. But your proposal that countries develop national action
plans without reduction targets and timetables falls far short of this
goal. As intergovernmental negotiations resume this week, please
reconsider this proposal. 


 If it is to be effective, a global POPs treaty must require more than
plans for action — it must require real action to eliminate sources of
dioxin. The U.S. should propose treaty language that emphasizes pollution
prevention and a gradual phaseout of dioxin-producing materials and
technologies. Emission reductions should be required where possible, and
as soon as feasible, with the ultimate aim of elimination. 


 Thank you for your attention to this very important public health issue. 


 Sincerely, 





Joseph Parrish, Ph.D.
NY/NJ Environmental Watch
300 East 56th Street
New York, NY 10022
and
61 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
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