For immediate release 
June 21, 2001

Green Bay, WI --- A public health and cleanup campaign is being launched
today, through FoxRiverWatch.com, a new website loaded with information
about the severe PCB contamination of the Fox River (and Green Bay and Lake
Michigan.). 

http://www.FoxRiverWatch.com

The site is a project of the Clean Water Action Council, as
part of the $50,000 Technical Assistance Grant provided by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency under the Superfund program.

The site will be a central reference point and clearinghouse, with links to
numerous other PCB-related sites around the world.

Media representatives are invited to make an appointment to visit the
office of Clean Water Action Council and receive a guided tour and
discussion of the site.

"People need more information about the personal health effects they could
be suffering due to their PCB exposure over many years in this region.   A
big feature of this site will be detailed documentation of such effects,"
stated Rebecca Katers, Executive Director of the Clean Water Action
Council.   "We've included references to several hundred human health
studies involving PCBs, and additional information on wildlife health
effects."

"We were surprised by the wide range of human health effects.  PCBs are
linked to much more than cancer PCBs could also be contributing to local
cases of heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, auto-immune diseases,
Parkinson's disease, reproductive disorders, and sexual impacts.   Children
are clearly at risk of learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and
other health damage,"  added Katers

The site also includes background information on the Fox River and Green
Bay --- the area's history, economy, and physical characteristics.   In
addition, the chemistry and sources of PCB's will be explained. 

One particularly interesting section gives the history of PCBs since 1927,
documenting that Monsanto, Westinghouse and General Electric were already
well-aware of PCB toxicity even before Appleton Paper and NCR Corporation
began using and dumping PCBs into the Fox River in 1954.   Corporate public
relations campaigns downplayed PCB risks for many years, as described in
the timeline.

The site will also include remediation technologies for dredging, treating
and landfilling contaminated sediments from the Fox River --- with
evaluations on which are the safest and most effective.

Two sections will feature sediment cleanup proposals, and the separate
compensation and restoration proposals. Numerous links are provided to
official government websites regarding the Fox River.   We will include
citizen critiques of the official plans, and provide notices of public
hearings and written comment periods.

The website design is by DataScouts Corporation.   The content is by
Rebecca Katers.

For more information, contact: Clean Water Action Council, 1270 Main
Street, Suite 120, Green Bay, WI 54302.  Phone: 920-437-7304  Fax:
920-437-7326  E-mail:

Rebecca Leighton Katers
Clean Water Action Council of N.E. Wisconsin
1270 Main Street, Suite 120 
Green Bay, WI 54302 
Ph: 920-437-7304 
FAX: 920-437-7326

 

CWAC.Net is designed by EarthWINS & hosted by Doteasy.com