Environmental Implications of US/NATO Bombings

[Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@earthlink.net>]

For release on May 11, 1999

For further information, contact
Arjun Makhijani: 301-270-5500
Bob Schaeffer: 617-489-0461

NATO BOMBING IN BALKANS COULD RESULT IN WIDESPREAD ECOLOGICAL DISASTER,
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP WARNS

NATO Must Immediately Evaluate Environmental and Health Consequences of Bombing

Takoma Park, Maryland, May 11, 1999: The NATO bombing of petrochemical
factories in Yugoslavia may result in ecological disaster, according to
the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER), in Takoma
Park, Maryland.  The dangers arise both from the direct releases of toxic
materials to the air, soil, and water as a result of the bombings, as well
as from the indirect effects, such as the increased risk of nuclear power
plant accidents.

"NATO has undertaken actions that could put large numbers of people at
risk in Yugoslavia as well as in other countries," said Dr. Arjun
Makhijani, president of IEER.  "It is imperative that NATO provide a full
accounting of why these plants were bombed, and what assessments have been
undertaken of their direct and indirect consequences for present and
future generations."

Among the industrial facilities that NATO has bombed is a combined
petrochemical, fertilizer and polyvinyl chloride manufacturing complex in
Pancevo, near Belgrade.  Among the chemicals reportedly released as a
result were phosgene, vinyl chloride monomer, ethylene dichloride, and
ammonia. These are highly toxic chemicals used as feedstocks and
intermediate materials in chemical manufacturing. IEER has no independent
data on the types and amounts of chemicals present at Pancevo or other
facilities that have been bombed.  However, an examination of the uses of
these materials in the chemical industry indicates that the claims made by
Yugoslavian authorities that these materials were present at the bombed
facilities should be taken seriously, rather than being dismissed out of
hand.

"It appears that NATO actions have let loose deadly chemicals on the area.
It should immediately make public all knowledge of the types and amounts
of chemicals that were present." said Dr. Makhijani.  "The atrocities
committed by the Yugoslavian government and military in Kosovo cannot be a
justification for unleashing highly toxic materials on the population of
the entire region.  There is the potential that local concentrations could
have been high enough to cause acute effects.  Depending on the specific
chemicals and their concentrations, these effects include damage to the
lungs, eyes, liver, bones, skin, and nervous system, and even death." IEER
provided data from the New Jersey Department of Health on the hazards
presented by the four chemicals alleged by Yugoslav authorities to have
been released (see attached hazard descriptions).

According to IEER, long-term damage to people much farther away exposed to
lower concentrations of toxic materials is also possible.  However, the
nature and amount of the health and environmental damage cannot be
assessed due to lack of information. Weather patterns during the bombings
would be particularly important in determining whether and how much the
people of neighboring countries were affected.  Concentrations over
neighboring countries, including NATO members, as well as countries where
NATO troops are located, are unknown.

"NATO apparently did not conduct a proper analysis of the potential health
and environmental consequences before beginning the bombing of chemical
facilities," said Hisham Zerriffi, Project Scientist at IEER.  "If they
did conduct one, they have neglected to inform the public of the possible
dangers.  It is urgent that NATO immediately make public all the
information that it has and provide a thorough report to the public of the
possible consequences of its strategy.  The effects could be serious."

Besides direct airborne contamination caused by the bombing, the products
of combustion would likely include dioxins and furans, which may cause
various kinds of health risks to exposed populations and to ecosystems.  
Extensive soil and water pollution has also been reported.  This appears
to have been from some combination of spills caused by the bombing and
deliberate discharges of chemicals by Yugoslav authorities, reportedly to
prevent even more extensive fires, explosions, and higher concentrations
of materials in air.

Petroleum and other toxic chemicals in the Danube could affect the
drinking water and food supply of people downstream.  It also increases
the risk of a severe nuclear power plant accident at the Kozluduy nuclear
power plant in Bulgaria, which is downstream from Belgrade.  There are six
pressurized water nuclear reactors at the plant.  All of them use Danube
River water for their condenser cooling systems.  Four of the reactors are
of the older VVER-440/230 design and are regarded as particularly unsafe
by international standards.  They do not have secondary containment.  
Safety concerns led Germany to shut down four reactors of this design in
1990 at Greifswald in former East Germany.

"Condenser systems are used in nuclear power plants to condense the steam
discharged from the turbines that drive the electricity generators.  If
condenser cooling water intakes become clogged or the pumps become
unoperational due to the intake of petroleum or other chemicals, it would
be necessary to shut down the reactor in about 30 minutes to prevent
overheating and a severe accident," explained Dr. Makhijani.  "If the
operators become confused and make mistakes, a severe accident is
possible. In that case, a large radiological disaster is not out of the
question, especially since four of the six reactors do not have secondary
containment."

NATO's use of depleted uranium munitions in the Yugoslavia war could add
to the controversy, especially since their use is again occurring in the
context of chemical pollution, IEER noted. "The diverse reported symptoms
that characterize Gulf War Syndrome are unlikely to have been caused by
depleted uranium alone," said Dr. Makhijani.  "But the combination of
contaminants, including potential synergistic effects, is worrisome."


                                -30-

Attachment

Summary of the Uses and the Effects of the Chemicals Reportedly Present or
Released as a Result of the NATO bombing of the Pancevo petrochemical
complex in Yugoslavia

Data are from New Jersey Health Facts Sheets as posted by the right to
know network on the Internet at http://www.rtk.net/T29/.  Data on a large
number of chemicals, including uses, acute effects, long-term effects, and
ecological effects can be found at this address.  The listed postal
address for the New Jersey Department of Health, the source of the data,
is New Jersey Department of Health, Right to Know Program, CN 368,
Trenton, NJ 08625 0368.  The Right to Know Network Internet posting
(http://www.rtk.net) gives its organizational identification as follows:
"RTK NET started in 1989 in support of the Emergency Planning and
Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), which mandated public access to the
Toxic Release Inventory.  RTK NET is funded by several foundations and
government agencies and operated by two nonprofit organizations: OMB Watch
and The Unison Institute."  Its office is in Washington DC.  The exposure
limits given below are workplace limits.  Capital letters in the quotes
below are as in the Internet postings.

1. Phosgene

Phosgene, which was used as a chemical warfare agent during World War I,
is used industrially to make polyurethanes, resins, isocyanates,
pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.  Its hazard summary is
as follows:

· "Phosgene can affect you when breathed in."
· "Exposure to even low levels can cause severe burns of the lungs.
   Irritation or discomfort may not be noticed until hours after exposure,
   but can lead to fluid in the lungs, which can cause death."
· "Repeated exposure to very low levels can cause permanent lung damage."
· "Phosgene is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and contact with liquid Phosgene can
   cause severe burns of the eyes and skin with permanent damage.""

A full-face respirator should be used when phosgene is present in
concentration of more than 0.1 parts per million.  Short-term exposure
limit is 0.2 parts per million.  Exposure to levels of 2 parts per million
"is immediately dangerous to life and health."

2. Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride is used as a feedstock in the manufacture of PVC (polyvinyl
chloride.  Its hazard summary is as follows:

· "Vinyl Chloride can affect you when breathed and by passing through skin."
· "Vinyl Chloride is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. It also may
  cause damage to the developing fetus."
· "Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded and sleepy. Higher
  levels can cause you to pass out and even die."
· "Repeated exposure can damage the liver, the bones and blood vessels of
  the hands, and cause skin changes."
· "Vinyl Chloride may cause stomach problems, kidney damage, skin allergy
  and damage the nervous system and blood. 
· "It is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID or GAS and a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD."

The workplace eight-hour concentration limit is 1 part per million and the
fifteen-minute limit is 5.0 parts per million.  Note that the
carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride is currently being re-evaluated by the US
Environmental Protection Agency.  The EPA's IRIS database lists
"carcinogenicity assessment" for this material as "not available at this
time."  Internet reference: http://www.epa.gov/docs/ngispgm3/iris/subst/0512.htm

3. Ethylene dichloride

1,2-Dichloroethane is another name for ethylene dichloride.  It is used to
make vinyl chloride, as a solvent, and in other industrial applications.
Its five-minute exposure limit is 200 parts per million.

· "1,2-Dichloroethane can affect you when breathed in and by passing through
  your skin."
· "1,2-Dichloroethane should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH EXTREME CAUTION."
· Exposure can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, liver and kidney damage
  and can cause you to pass out and even die."
· "Exposure can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Higher levels can cause
  fluid build up in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death."
· "Contact can irritate the skin and eyes."
· "1,2-Dichloroethane is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD."

4. Ammonia

Ammonia is used in fertilizer manufacture and in making plastics, dyes,
and textiles.  Its workplace limit is 50 parts per million during any five
minute period.  Its hazard summary is as follows:

· "Ammonia can affect you when breathed in."
· "Breathing Ammonia may irritate the lungs, causing coughing and/or
  shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a buildup of fluid in
  the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can cause death."
· "Ammonia is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and can severely burn the eyes, leading
  to permanent damage. Contact with Ammonia liquid can severely burn the
  skin."
· "Long term exposure to Ammonia can cause chronic irritation of the eyes,
  nose, mouth, and throat."