:: rawblogXport ::

:: Friday, June 25, 2004 ::

beyond irony - the braindead press release of the month goes to The Creosote Council:
Industry Defends Creosote, Condemns Unfounded Bills Market Wire
'The bills' very selective restrictions on creosote were inspired by Dockbuilders Local 1456 of the New York City District of Carpenters, which alleged health hazards from creosote-treated wood without any scientific justification. In fact, this small faction of the labor movement announced that it had commissioned a study to 'prove the long term harm' from creosote but failed to release any results. Current scientific evidence clearly shows that creosote and creosote-treated wood do not pose a hazard to human health or to the environment when used properly, in accordance with labeling approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

... especially in light of this article (and it's related sidebar links) from late May:
Creosote: 'Witch's brew' By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER, Bonita Daily News, FL
As creosote-related illnesses and deaths mount, an industry resists tougher regulation and fights for its survival

Faced with financial woes caused by a steady stream of lawsuits over health problems linked to CCA-treated playground equipment, the American Wood Preservers Institute, a leading industry advocate, shut its doors in late 2002.

That same year industrial giant Kerr-McGee — one of a handful of American creosote manufacturers and owner of six wood treatment plants — announced it was getting out of the wood products business entirely.

It too had suffered too many legal wounds.

In Vermont, telecommunications leader Verizon agreed last year to no longer use creosote-coated telephone poles after a three-year legal battle with local utilities and labor unions concerned about health risks.

And state legislators in New York and California have echoed those concerns in the past year, introducing proposals to ban the sale, manufacturing and use of creosote. While each of the proposals was not successful in 2003, supporters vow to keep up the fight.

"We plan to do everything we can to ban the use of this harmful product in the future," said Stephen McInnis, political director for the New York City District Council of Carpenters.

posted 7:32 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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