Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council Endorses National Academies Dioxin Science Review

C. T. "Kip" Howlett, Jr., Executive Director of the Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council, released the following statement today:

"The Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council is pleased to note that the National Academy of Sciences' dioxin reassessment review panel has received the most recent version of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) draft dioxin reassessment. This represents the first step in the critical work before the panel. We were also pleased to submit comments on the provisional panel and propose additional candidates.

Even as industrial dioxin releases decline, this review is critical to harmonizing EPA's dioxin risk characterization with those of respected public health agencies worldwide. The charge questions that have been given to the panel appropriately target the fundamental public health policy issues that have led to the deep discrepancy between the EPA dioxin risk analysis and the conclusions of those agencies.

According to EPA estimates, dioxin emissions have been reduced by 92 percent since 1987. This success can be attributed to a winning combination of government regulations and voluntary industry efforts. And these efforts have paid off: Today, average dioxin levels in foods have returned to the low levels measured in archived foods from the early 1900s.

While the knowledge of dioxin science grows daily, our member companies continue to support efforts to further reduce dioxin emissions and, at the same time, provide the building blocks of chlorine chemistry that help produce essential products that make our lives safer, healthier and more convenient."

Note: See excerpts from The Interagency Working Group on Dioxins', "Questions and Answers About Dioxins."

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