Archived press release

Chemical warfare agent in toxic explosion at Avonmouth

3 October 1996

Mike Childs, Senior Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

" The risk posed by poor handling standards at chemical works is unacceptable. So called accidents happen far too often [1]. We need a full public inquiry led by the Health & Safety Executive which reveals who was responsible both at the factory floor and in the board room."

Albright & Wilson is a member of the Chemicals Industries Association which has been lobbying for deregulation. The Government have been talking with the chemical industry about agreeing how the industry's environmental performance should change.

Mike Childs added;

" It was time the Government stopped cosying up to the chemical industry and started a debate with the public on how we control this filthy industry. The public would demand that industry use clean technologies and get these toxic chemicals out of their neighbourhood if they knew that they were there but they don't. Friends of the Earth are campaigning hard for the public right to know and for industry to clean up its act and move towards a sustainable society. "

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Tomorrow (4th October) Castle Cement are being prosecuted at Bolton Magistrates Court by the Environment Agency over a major spillage of the toxic waste Cemfuel that occurred at their Clitheroe works in Lancashire at the end of March this year.

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Archived press release

Chemical warfare agent in toxic explosion at Avonmouth

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