Women Demonstrate Against Dow

An ounce of prevention beats a pound of dioxin

(ENS)-Women from across the country demonstrated at the Dow Chemical Company’s shareholder meeting recently, demanding the company change its products and operations to prevent environmental chemical contamination. All Americans carry a burden of industrial chemicals in their bodies, including dioxin, solvents, plastic additives and pesticides. “We are demanding that the chemical industry get these contaminants out of our bodies,” said Monica Rohde, director of the National Stop Dioxin Exposure Campaign. “It is unacceptable that we are exposed to chemicals that threaten our health and the health of our children. We are demanding today that Dow Chemical get their products out of our children and our communities.” Dioxin is a carcinogen, and can also disrupt the immune, hormone and reproductive systems even in small amounts. Through food alone, Americans are getting 22 times the maximum dioxin exposure suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Campaign charged. Among nursing infants, the exposure is 35 to 65 times the recommended dosage.