Document 6mo0XDOjZDoaQkB00Rm9e65E

H'i ^'ooa-3 |January 1985 NEWS OF INTEREST TO THE PVC AND VCM 'USTRIES ANTI-PLASTICS VIDEO DISCREDITED IN PBS BROADCAST Capt, Daniel "Boone" Gardiner, Director of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, appeared on Chicago TV Dec. 26, refuting arguments against PVC. The IBS talk show, "Chicago Tonight," hosted by John Calloway, matched Capt. Gardiner against Martin Holland, head of the Chicago firefighters union. Most of the discussion related to the ATCOR-funded film, "Burning Isanti*" with Capt. Gardiner opposed to the film's anti-pljffltics message, while Holland defended it. From the outset, Capt. Gardiner got the better of the debate. Host Calloway, learning of AT COR's major role in the production of "Burning Issue," immediately questioned the film's validity. He had other questions: Why were there no opposing viewpoints? Were plastics experts contacted? Why were there no independent scientists? Responses to these queries were weak. Meanwhile, Capt. Gardiner articulated several arguments in support of vinyl. Along th way, he cast serious doubts about the legitimacy of "Burning Issue." He said no valid toxicity test supports the film's thesis that plastics are more toxic than other materials. Moreover, "The issue isn't toxicity. The issue is fire," he stressed. The televised debate was a result of successful efforts by the VI to stop the film from being aired on IBS stations. In an open letter to all of the IBS stations in the United States, and an advertisement placed in Broadcasting Magazine, the VI said, "The film portrays vinyl and other plastics as unusually hazardous materials that cause needless loss of life in fires, a charge that fire statistics disprove." The Vinyl institute acknowledges the outstanding contribution of Dr. william Carroll, Research Manag r of Occidental Chemical and Chairman of the VI Fire Research Subcommittee, providing technical assistance to Capt. Gardiner in preparation for this appearance. FVC PRODUCTION UP 7,2% IN 1984 V3js- SPI president, L. William Sessions, announced last month that production and sales of plMtics resins in the U.S. in 1984 will reach record lettfls. polyvinyl chloride production will total 6.5 b|Kion pounds, up 7.2% from 1983 . Sales and captive OT will increase to 6.4 billion pounds, a 4% rise. 355 Lexington Avenue. New Y rk, NY 10017 BOR 008644 HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY URGED VI cutive Dir ctor Roy T. G> ssman appeared on a New jersey cable tel vision news program, "Meadowlands '84," last month to discuss fire safety during the holiday season. Using excerpts from th vi-sponsored film, "Vinyl: Trial By Fire," Dr. Gottesman demonstrated to viewers that ignition-resistant vinyl Christmas trees are safer than wood trees. He also urged families to protect themselves against fire with smoke detectors and sprinkler systems. ANTI-PLASTICS In a Dec. 4 article in Newsdav. professor Yves Alarie, CRITIC ACKNOWLEDGES the University of Pittsburgh professor who claims that TOXICITY TESTING burning synthetic materials--such as polyvinyl WILL NOT REDUCE chloride and other plastics~are six times mor toxic FIRE DEATHS than wood, admitted, "I don't think testing for toxicity itself is going to reduce the number of fire deaths. we have to attack the problem from many different aspects: ease of ignition, flame spread, heat release, smoke release that impairs visibility. It's part of a total picture." This is significant coming from Prof. Alarie. His dubious test was recommended to the State of New York as the basis for a "data bank" on combustion toxicity. The NY proposed calls for manufacturers of insulation, duct work, furniture, window treatments, mattresses, bed pads, interior wall finishes, electrical wire insulation and conduit, water distribution and sanitary pipes, and other materials, to file toxicity data about their products. Such information would presumably guide purchasing decisions. SPI and the VI oppose the NY proposal. ACSH PAPER HIGHLIGHTS "SCARE" TACTICS OF ANTI-FVC COMPETITIVE MATERIALS PRODUCERS The November/December issue of ACSH News & Views, a publication of the American Council on Science and Health, featured an in-depth article by ACSH res arch associate, Sharon Lynn Campbell, titled, "IVC: How Toxic is the Smoke?" Ms. Campbell wrote, "The smoke from burning polyvinyl chloride (FVC) conduit is little, if any, more toxic than ordinary wood smoke." She adso cited "scare" tactics by competing industries such as steel and metal, as well as the shortcomings of the research documented by Yves Alarie. "Experts in the field generally agree that the current tests are of value primarily as scientific tools. They are inadequate as a basis for regulations," she wrote. The article revealed that much scientific evidence which allegedly shows the extreme toxicity of FVC smoke comes from the Foundation for Fire Safety and the Public interest Scientific Consulting Service. Campbell reported that the Foundation -#or Fire Safety is funded by large contributions from ATCOR. To obtain additional copies of Advisory, or add your name to the mailing list, contact Miriam Swerdloff, the Vinyl Institute, 355 Lexington Avenue, 4th flo r, New York City 10017. Volume 3 No. 1 January 1985 BOR 008645