BONN--During
the 1980's the chlorine industry was attacked.
Environmentalists blamed the industry for harmful
emissions. Individuals around the world feared
chlorine, associating it with poison and chemical
warfare. Today, those views have changed. The
impacts of emissions are minimal due to better
techniques
and fears have been put aside due to positive
exposure. Grier Provoost, communications coordinator
for
Euro Chlor, an organization which represents "the
voice of the chlor-alkali industry", is
at the International Freshwater Conference to
inform
conference participants about the role of chlorine
in drinking water disinfection and sanitation.
"There
is a strong need for chlorine in developing countries," said
Provoost. "It is the best disinfectant and it
maintains disinfection."
According
to literature put
out by Euro Chlor,
chlorine is "a
cost-effective, sustainable
solution to protection
against waterborne
diseases, and a means
of enhancing public
health." A huge
problem plaguing many
developing nations
is a lack of clean
water, which leads
to diseases such as
typhoid, cholera and
diarrhoea. According
to Euro Chlor, 2 million
children die each year
of diarrhoea caused
by waterborne diseases.
Water treated with
chlorine becomes free
of such diseases. Thus,
the potential to save
many lives exists with
its application.
"The situation
in refugee camps is
the worst," said
Provoost. "When
large numbers of people
live closely together,
in unsanitary conditions,
there is an extremely
high risk of cholera
and other such diseases." However,
getting chlorine to
where it is needed
is an extremely complicated
task, she said.
Chlorine
is a vital substance
that will
lead to sustainable
development, according
to the Executive Director
of Euro Chlor Barrie
Gilliatt. For this
reason Euro Chlor has
donated large quantities
of chlorine to troubled
areas such as refugee
camps, and continues
to take part in such
relief efforts. The
company often partners
with other organizations
such as the World Health
Organization (WHO)
to bring chlorine to
areas that need it
most. "We most
recently donated a
large amount of chlorine
in response to cholera
outbreaks," said
Provoost.
Euro Chlor is one
of 27 companies participating
in an exhibition related
to the conference theme
which will take place
throughout the conference
in the main lobby of
the venue hall.
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