Ivory Coast waste 'was not toxic'

[YankeyMCC]

(snip)
The company that discharged 500 tonnes of waste in Ivory Coast has denied that the product was toxic.

The Netherlands-based company, Trafigura, said independent analysis showed the chemical sludge met international safety standards.

Seven people died and 40,000 were treated in hospital for nausea, breathing problems and nosebleeds.
(snip)

(snip)
"We do not know whether there was any attempt to use the product in any way or form, which could have generated some toxicity."
(snip)


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5380296.stm

BS!!

[uppityperson]

1. Global Sludge Ends in Tragedy for Ivory Coast

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/world/africa/02ivory.html?ex=1160452800&en=3c90459551308d25&ei=5070&emc=eta1

...How that slick, a highly toxic cocktail of petrochemical waste and caustic soda, ended up in Mr. Oudrawogol’s backyard in a suburb north of Abidjan is a dark tale of globalization. It came from a Greek-owned tanker flying a Panamanian flag and leased by the London branch of a Swiss trading corporation whose fiscal headquarters are in the Netherlands. Safe disposal in Europe would have cost about $300,000, or perhaps twice that, counting the cost of delays. But because of decisions and actions made not only here but also in Europe, it was dumped on the doorstep of some of the world’s poorest people.

So far eight people have died, dozens have been hospitalized and 85,000 have sought medical attention, paralyzing the fragile health care system in a country divided and impoverished by civil war, and the crisis has forced a government shakeup.

MUCH more at link. If this isn't toxic, what the hell is it?