Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
BREDL
 


 

NC PEOPLE’S HEARING on DIOXIN
April 29, 2000

  



NC PEOPLE’S HEARING on DIOXIN
“America’s Choice: Children’s Health or Corporate Profit.”  

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, (BREDL) has scheduled the Dioxin People's Hearing where the report, "America's Choice; Protecting Children's Health or Corporate Profits" will be released in North Carolina.  The alarming new findings in the report are--the amount of dioxin in the body of the average American is approaching the levels that cause health damage. This new scientific report details the problems of this life-threatening chemical and calls for immediate policy changes at the state and federal levels.   

The keynote speaker for the hearing is Dr. Paul Connett. Dr. Connett is a chemistry professor at St. Lawrence University in New York State. He has traveled throughout the United States and to 43 countries to conduct educational work on incineration, dioxin, and positive approaches to waste management.  

Where: The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh
3313 Wade Ave.  Raleigh, NC
When: Saturday, April 29, 2000
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  

GOALS

  • To hold a public informational hearing.

  • To educate decision-makers on the dangers of dioxin exposure.

  • To develop policy recommendations which will be introduced to agency and elected officials.

  • To release the report “America’s Choice: Children’s Health or Corporate Profit.”  

This event is being sponsored by:  

Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
Greenpeace
NC WARN
Clean Water Fund of North Carolina
Conservation Council of North Carolina
Piedmont District of the Episcopal AME Zion Church
Agricultural Resource Center
Center for Health, Environment and Justice      

Health effects associated with exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like chemicals:
 
Effects known to be caused by dioxin

  • Cancer

  • Chloracne

  • Elevated gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels

  • Diabetes

  • Altered glucose response

  • Altered reproductive hormones  

Effects probably caused by dioxin

  • Skin problems other than chloracne (hirsutism, hyperpigmentation)

  • Lung problems

  • Neurological problems  

Effects likely caused by dioxin but further research is needed

  • Heart disease

  • Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides

  • Thyroid function  

Dioxins have been associated with IQ deficits and increased susceptibility to infections in Dutch studies.  

Major sources of dioxin:

  • Municipal waste incineration

  • Secondary copper smelting

  • Medical waste incineration (as in BMWNC in Matthews, NC)

  • Cement kilns (hazardous waste burning)

  • Coal combustion

  • Cement kilns (non hazardous waste burning)

  • Hazardous waste incineration (including Solite in Stanly County, NC)

Some Potential Emissions Sources

 Landfill fires
 Backyard trash burning
 Asphalt mixing plants
 Combustion of landfill gas in flares
 Dry cleaners