Chlorine industry hits back over mercury claims

The chlorine industry has rejected claims by green group EEB that mercury emissions from its plants are significantly under-reported (EED 13/11/06).  In a statement issued on Wednesday, trade body Euro Chlor insisted its figures were accurate, pointing out that they are accepted by national authorities and the Ospar marine protection convention secretariat.  The dispute forms part of a larger tussle over the eventual phase-out of mercury-based chlor-alkali plants: the industry has adopted a voluntary deadline of 2020 (EED 26/02/03), while green campaigners favour 2010 (EED 13/10/00).  See Euro Chlor statement.