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Du Pont Corporation

Du Pont Corporation. The single largest corporate polluter in the United States In 1989, Du Pont and its subsidiaries reported discharging more than 348 million pounds of pollutants to land, air, and water. 1989 was 10 million pounds greater than 1987. Du Pont Comparison: 1989.

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Du Pont Corporation

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  1. Du Pont Corporation • The single largest corporate polluter in the United States • In 1989, Du Pont and its subsidiaries reported discharging more than 348 million pounds of pollutants to land, air, and water. • 1989 was 10 million pounds greater than 1987

  2. Du Pont Comparison: 1989 • More pollution than Allied-Signal, Ford Motor Company, and Union Carbide combined. • 14 times greater than Dow Chemical • 20 times greater than Chrysler • 30 times greater than Mobil

  3. Conservative Estimates • Du Pont’s “Toxic Release Inventory” (TRI) is self-reported and covers only 321 out of approximately 60,000 chemicals. • TRI does not refer to mines, tank farms, oil and gas drilling, or incinerators

  4. Du Pont’s Response • In 1990, Du Pont’s chief executive, Ed Woolard, said that the company would voluntarily reduce its air emissions by 60% by 1993, using 1987 as the base year. • Other reductions were also announced.

  5. Du Pont’s Actions • Change in waste disposal strategies. • Du Pont shifted from visible waste disposal strategies to less visible methods. • Greater use of deep-well injection and high-temperature incineration. • Partial treatment only for other waste flows.

  6. Du Pont’s Deep-Well Methods • 1989: 254.9 million pounds • More waste than most Fortune 500 companies produce from all sources in a year. • 39 Class 1 hazardous waste wells, ranging from 2,500 to 10,000 feet deep. • High levels of toxicity.

  7. Uncertainty • Congressional Office of Technology Assessment knows where the wells are located. • But no one knows where the wastes will end up. • Many reports of deep-well leaks into drinking water, and blowouts.

  8. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) • Du Pont chemist, Thomas Midgely Jr. discovered CFCs in 1928. • Marketing began in 1931 under trade name of Freon. • Many varied uses for CFCs. • Du Pont held a near monopoly of market for more than 40 years for many CFC lines.

  9. CFCs and the Ozone Problem • 1974 discovery that chlorine in CFCs caused destruction of ozone. • By 1978, aerosol sprays were banned in U.S. Demand for CFCs dropped by 50%. • Du Pont fought the ban.

  10. New Research • By 1979, four years of research led to two alternatives to CFC, both better, but with problems. • In 1981, all research stops when Ronald Reagan wins presidency.

  11. The Ozone “Hole” • 1985, a team of British scientists discover an ozone hole over Antarctica. • 1986, research at Du Pont for CFC alternatives resumes. • 1989, Du Pont announces unilateral withdrawal of CFC production.

  12. CFC /Alternatives • HCFCs - partially halogenated CFCs, still have chlorine • HFCs - non-chlorine, with hydrofluorocarbons

  13. Montreal Protocol Acceptance • Non-binding resolution to phase out HFCs and HCFCs by 2040. • U.S. Clean Air Act calls for phase-out of HCFCs by 2030. • Du Pont’s lobbyists win argument to guarantee minimum life of 20 years for new chemicals. New monopoly established.

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