2 March 2004, Manila, Philippines. A coalition of non-profit groups from 70 countries today expressed strong objections against the planned transfer of tons of stockpiled toxic waste from the notorious Rhodia plant in Cubatao to its facility in Bahia for incineration. In a statement issued from its headquarters in Manila, Philippines, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) conveyed its support to Brazilian groups opposed to the plan and warned the authorities against additionally exposing its citizens and their communities to poisonous chemicals that will severely cause danger to public health and the environment.

While agreeing that the containment and treatment of Rhodia's toxic stockpile is a priority concern, GAIA cautions the company from using incineration to dispose of the wastes. Incinerating the toxic wastes would disperse hundreds of hazardous by-products and pollutants into the surrounding areas, including cancer-causing dioxins. GAIA urges the company to clean up its toxic legacy in Cubatao, once and for all, by applying non-combustion destruction technologies to prevent hazardous releases into the environment. GAIA believes this is consistent with the objectives of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which is expected to enter into force on 17 May 2004.

Von Hernandez, GAIA Co-Coordinator said: "Rhodia must clean-up the toxic mess it left behind in Cubatao. However, this doesn't mean they can transfer the pollution to the air and the lungs of people living in Bahia. They must find a way to destroy their stockpiles without creating new and deadlier pollution."

The Brazilian groups led by the Association to Combat POPs (ACPO) has condemned the plan, which was made without public consultation and unmindful of the great risks involved in transporting the toxic waste to the Rhodia plant in Bahia, which is about 2,000 kms. away from its defunct facility in Cubatao.

Echoing the sentiments of local environmental health and justice groups, Hernandez lamented the failure of the state authorities to conduct genuine consultations with all concerned parties, particularly the citizens of Bahia where the toxic waste will be transferred and incinerated. "The people have every right to full access to information and to speak out in decision-making processes that will have a bearing on their health and surroundings," said Hernandez.

GAIA is asking the Bahia state officials to consider very seriously the 11-page petition submitted by ACPO and act determinedly in favor of public health and welfare. It is also asking Rhodia to take full responsibility in safely containing and disposing its toxic waste and to stop from further contaminating human bodies and the environment with poisons resulting from incineration.

GAIA is an expanding international NGO coalition working for environmental health and justice. It has over 400 member groups and individuals from 70 countries across the globe, including Brazil and several other countries in Latin America. GAIA and its members are committed to phasing out all forms of waste incineration and to promoting clean production, zero waste and sustainable systems for managing discards. For more information on GAIA, please log on to http://www.no-burn.org or contact Manny C. Calonzo.

To know more about the environmental contamination and human exposure caused by Rhodia in Brazil, please log on to http://acpo94.sites.uol.com.br/English1.htm.