Document Y7M5DMvQzo4xjQ57954V0RqK

ON H3S51 Envir nm ntal N wsl tter February 25, 1994 mi Message from Bill Patient More and more attention is being given these days to environmental issues. And because so much is happening so quickly, it's important we communicate on these issues regularly. Our new environmental newsletter. On Geon, is being sent to all employees (bi-weekly) and to customers (periodically). Geon--the literal translation means "of the earth' --has a fine environmental tradition. The product we make is transformed by customers into useful products which benefit society by enhancing our standard of living without harming our ecosys tem. Additionally, our manufacturing facilities maintain high environmental standards and have been recognized as model plants in our industry. Beyond talking about issues in this newsletter, we'll highlight and share with everyone some examples of Geon's good citizenship, vinyl's benefit to society and the crucial importance of plastics in our world. We welcome your ideas. It's a Critical Tima for Vinyl On February 1, the Clinton Administration/ U.S. EPA asked Congress for authorization to develop a 'strategy to prohibit, reduce or substitute (for) the use of (all) chlorine and chlorinated compounds' as a part of the re authorization of the Clean Water Act. The conse quences would be devastating to Geon and its employees. Vinyl's composition is more than 50 percent chlorine. Ironically, just a few months ago during the International Joint Commission's last meeting, the EPA said, 'The United States does not support sunsetting all uses of chlorine and chlorinecontaining compounds..." favoring, instead. an examination of those specific chlorinated compounds that might harm human health or the environment. Now, the EPA has changed direction without input from chlorine-related industries and their more than one million employees. Geon strongly objects to the EPA's proposal, which is now being debated in Congress, since there is no scientific evidence to suggest the manufacture and use of vinyl represents an environmental hazard. Geon is working with others in the vinyl industry to defeat this pro posal. You can help by calling or writing your federal and state government representatives. You should have names and addresses by now. If not, check with your facility manager. Chlorine Linked to Jobs, Economy About 45 percent of all U.S. industries are direct consumers of chlorine and its co-products. More than 1.3 million U.S. jobs, including about 2,000 at Geon, are dependent on the use of chlorine chemistry. Chlorine is used in everything from adhesives to zirconium for heat-resistant metals, and provides $31 billion annually in wages and salaries. Chlorine Use... From Plastic to Water Purification 14% Pulp > paper Matching CTL014590 Polyvinyl chloride makes up the bulk of cMortnotod plastics. Source: Chlorine Institute printed on recycled paper MgCOMPAA/r 6100 Oak Tree Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44131 (216) 447-6600 Fax: (216) 447-7783