Claims about chemical are wrong
Tuesday October 29, 2013, 11:48 AM
The Ridgewood News
Claims about chemical are wrong
Madeleine Beresford
To the Editor:
When I read, “Expert: chemical level safe” (The Ridgewood News; Oct. 18; page A1), I wondered how this PSE&G-paid “expert” could provide such erroneous information. The chemical he likened to aspirin, pentachlorophenol (PCP), is described by the EPA as “extremely toxic to humans.” Twenty-six countries ban its use. So does the U.S., though an exception is made here for utility poles. A Cornell University study concluded that ‘”PCP is a very toxic compound…Skin penetration is the most dangerous route of exposure, but inhalation or ingestion of PCP may also cause toxicity. There are about 50 known cases of poisoning from PCP containing herbicides, molluscicides or wood preservatives, 30 of which have resulted in death.”The article continues: “Prolonged exposure to PCP by humans may result in adverse reproductive effects that are associated with changes in the endocrine gland function and other changes in the body (immunological dysfunction).”
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