Toxic Melbourne

By Ben Reid

MELBOURNE -- Greenpeace released a report here on September 12 detailing the dangerous amounts of carcinogenic and toxic chemicals that are being legally released into Victoria's environment. The Chemical Crisis surveys the pollution levels of numerous major chemical manufacturers.

Twenty-seven of 34 companies responded to the survey. On the basis of this, the report conservatively concludes that some 2613 tonnes per year of toxic emissions are legally being dumped into the environment. These include 447.5 tonnes of carcinogens; 126 tonnes of mutagens (capable of producing heritable mutations); 665 tonnes of chemicals capable of damaging reproductive capacities; 682.4 tonnes capable of causing death after short-term exposure; 830 tonnes of toxins that can damage lungs, liver or bone.

In launching the report, Greenpeace toxics campaigner Matt Rundel called for more stringent national guidelines and monitoring.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
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