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The Dow Chemical Company is the world’s second largest chemical company, behind only BASF. Dow’s primary industries are chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, agricultural sciences and plastics. In 2005 Dow sold $46.307 billion worth of goods and employed 42,413 people.

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by Scraper 3 years ago
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Dow seeks outrageously inflated compensation for employee lost work from protesters. [ ] "In 2002 Dow Chemical filed suit in an Indian Court against 200 survivors of the Bhopal disaster who peacefully demonstrated outside a Dow plant in Bombay. Dow is seeking $10,000 for “lost work,” even though only one employee came out to speak to the protestors during the 2 hour protest. Bhopal was struggling with widespread poverty even before the disaster, and the $10,000 sought by Dow, although only a fraction of its daily revenue, would amount to more than 10 years income for the women." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Dow sues survivors of disaster for protesting Dow's involvement. [ ] "In 2002 Dow Chemical filed suit in an Indian Court against 200 survivors of the Bhopal disaster who peacefully demonstrated outside a Dow plant in Bombay. Dow is seeking $10,000 for “lost work,” even though only one employee came out to speak to the protestors during the 2 hour protest. Bhopal was struggling with widespread poverty even before the disaster, and the $10,000 sought by Dow, although only a fraction of its daily revenue, would amount to more than 10 years income for the women." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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CEO gets paid $16 million a year. [ ] "In 2006 Dow Chemical CEO Andrew N. Liveris received $16,821,542 in compensation according to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) calculations, and $12,041,183 by the alternative calculation method used by the AFL-CIO." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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major investors are demanding explanation of Bhopal disaster [ ] "In May 2005 Amnesty International offices around the world sent letters to the top shareholders of Dow Chemical, including 100 top investors in the US such as Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch. The letters asked investment institutions to demand information from Dow about liabilities associated with the Union Carbide chemical disaster in Bhopal, India. In November Dow investors holding shares with a combined worth of $190 million filed a resolution requesting an explanation of company initiatives to deal with the environmental and health impacts of the Bhopal disaster." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Accounting, oversight, and management get 59/100 score no climate action. [ 1 ] "A 2006 CERES report titled "Corporate Governance and Climate Change: Making the Connection," commissioned by Investor Responsibility Resource Center, details a comprehensive measurement of how 100 leading global companies are responding to global warming. Through an evaluation of board oversight, management performance, public disclosure, emissions accounting, and strategic performance, to address climate change, the companies were evaluated on a 0 to 100 scale. Dow scored a total of 59 points." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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illegal release of hazardous air pollutants, etc [ 3 ] "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cited Dow Chemical for violating testing, operating, monitoring, record keeping, reporting, and notification requirements as outlined in the Clean Air Act. The Midland, Michigan-based company also exceeded the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, and the EPA has filed an administrative complaint for the company’s failure to comply with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Dow Chemical has been cited for neglecting to file the required chemical release form for the years 2000, 2001, and 2002. The EPA has proposed a $53,109 penalty for these violations." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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81 of 96 superfund sites still contaminating groundwater. [ ] "According to the nonprofit investigative journalism group the Center for Public Integrity, Dow Chemical has been linked to 96 superfund sites where it may be solely or partially responsible for contamination. A Superfund site is defined as a toxic waste site that falls under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program, which was enacted in 1980. Under the law, companies and other parties found responsible for polluting sites are required to clean up the area or pay the costs for cleanup to the EPA. So far, Dow has only managed to clean up 15 of their 96 sites, and on one site they have failed to prevent contaminated groundwater from spreading." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Dow linked to 96 contaminated superfund sites; allows groundwater contamination to continue. [ 5 ] "According to the nonprofit investigative journalism group the Center for Public Integrity, Dow Chemical has been linked to 96 superfund sites where it may be solely or partially responsible for contamination. A Superfund site is defined as a toxic waste site that falls under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program, which was enacted in 1980. Under the law, companies and other parties found responsible for polluting sites are required to clean up the area or pay the costs for cleanup to the EPA. So far, Dow has only managed to clean up 15 of their 96 sites, and on one site they have failed to prevent contaminated groundwater from spreading." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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NatureWorks products a form of greenwashing of GMO crops. [ ] "Cargill and Dow are the parent of companies of Cargill Dow, maker of NatureWorks PLA, a synthetic material made without petroleum and instead uses corn. While the use of this biodegradable and renewable resource is an important step toward sustainability, the company fails to inform consumers that the corn used for its products is genetically engineered. Many environmental groups are adamantly opposed to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for a host of reasons, including concerns about what would happen if GMOs manage to contaminate non-modified crops. Cargill is one of the world’s largest producers of genetically engineered corn. Critics claim that Cargill Dow products are merely another manifestation of the company’s attempts to fight the growing criticism of genetically modified organisms through greenwashing." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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NatureWorks using renewable corn to make products amidst controversy [ ] "Cargill and Dow are the parent of companies of Cargill Dow, maker of NatureWorks PLA, a synthetic material made without petroleum and instead uses corn. While the use of this biodegradable and renewable resource is an important step toward sustainability, the company fails to inform consumers that the corn used for its products is genetically engineered. Many environmental groups are adamantly opposed to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for a host of reasons, including concerns about what would happen if GMOs manage to contaminate non-modified crops. Cargill is one of the world’s largest producers of genetically engineered corn. Critics claim that Cargill Dow products are merely another manifestation of the company’s attempts to fight the growing criticism of genetically modified organisms through greenwashing." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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NatureWords switches to GMO corn instead of petroleum [ 4 ] "Cargill and Dow are the parent of companies of Cargill Dow, maker of NatureWorks PLA, a synthetic material made without petroleum and instead uses corn. While the use of this biodegradable and renewable resource is an important step toward sustainability, the company fails to inform consumers that the corn used for its products is genetically engineered. Many environmental groups are adamantly opposed to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for a host of reasons, including concerns about what would happen if GMOs manage to contaminate non-modified crops. Cargill is one of the world’s largest producers of genetically engineered corn. Critics claim that Cargill Dow products are merely another manifestation of the company’s attempts to fight the growing criticism of genetically modified organisms through greenwashing." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Dow averages 5 chemical accidents a day! [ ] "US PIRG’s report “Irresponsible Care: the Failure of the Chemical Industry to Protect the Public from Chemical Accidents” questions the legitimacy of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and its Responsible Care guidelines. US PIRG found that ACC members, one of which is Dow Chemical, averaged 5 chemical accidents a day. According to National Resource Center data on reported accidents, Dow had 2,562 accidents, between 1990 and 2003, the second highest of all companies included in the report." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Top 12 most deadly companies! [ ] "US PIRG identified Dow Chemical as one of twelve companies endangering the most people. A 2004 report entitled, “Dangerous Dozen: A Look at How 12 Chemical Companies Jeopardize Millions of Americans,” found that approximately 6.03 million people live in Dow Chemical’s “vulnerability zones.” The EPA defines the radius of a “vulnerability zone” as the greatest distance between “the point of release of a hazardous substance in which the airborne concentration could reach the level of concern under specified weather conditions.” People living within these zones have an increased risk of being affected by Dow Chemical’s production of phosgene, chlorine, and hydrocyanic acid." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Dow hides chemical health effects from workers [ ] "A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a group of fruit growers in the first of five trials pitting thousands of Central Americans against the fruit giant Dole and pesticide manufacturer Dow Chemical. Although the jury did not find that all the defendants had been sufficiently injured by the companies to warrant compensation, in the case of 6 workers the jury felt that Dole and Dow had caused them grievous harm. Specifically, the workers were exposed by Dole to the pesticide Nemagon (DCPB), which among other toxic side effects can cause sterility. While Dole was found to bear the majority of the blame for exposing the workers, Dow, the manufacturer of the chemical, was found to have concealed and “actively suppressed” information regarding the pesticide’s reproductive toxicity. The workers won a total award of $3.3 million dollars, and the companies still face legal challenges from more than 5,000 other workers who claim that they were sterilized by exposure to Nemagon." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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LA jury decides Dow chemicals cause 6 farmers grevious harm [ ] "A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a group of fruit growers in the first of five trials pitting thousands of Central Americans against the fruit giant Dole and pesticide manufacturer Dow Chemical. Although the jury did not find that all the defendants had been sufficiently injured by the companies to warrant compensation, in the case of 6 workers the jury felt that Dole and Dow had caused them grievous harm. Specifically, the workers were exposed by Dole to the pesticide Nemagon (DCPB), which among other toxic side effects can cause sterility. While Dole was found to bear the majority of the blame for exposing the workers, Dow, the manufacturer of the chemical, was found to have concealed and “actively suppressed” information regarding the pesticide’s reproductive toxicity. The workers won a total award of $3.3 million dollars, and the companies still face legal challenges from more than 5,000 other workers who claim that they were sterilized by exposure to Nemagon." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Judge decides Dow peticides caused 6 farmer grievous harm - anti-organic [ ] "A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a group of fruit growers in the first of five trials pitting thousands of Central Americans against the fruit giant Dole and pesticide manufacturer Dow Chemical. Although the jury did not find that all the defendants had been sufficiently injured by the companies to warrant compensation, in the case of 6 workers the jury felt that Dole and Dow had caused them grievous harm. Specifically, the workers were exposed by Dole to the pesticide Nemagon (DCPB), which among other toxic side effects can cause sterility. While Dole was found to bear the majority of the blame for exposing the workers, Dow, the manufacturer of the chemical, was found to have concealed and “actively suppressed” information regarding the pesticide’s reproductive toxicity. The workers won a total award of $3.3 million dollars, and the companies still face legal challenges from more than 5,000 other workers who claim that they were sterilized by exposure to Nemagon." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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products cause helth problems even when used as intended [ ] "Although the Bhopal disaster is often held up as the worst example of the chemical industry’s disregard for human life, Dow’s products have a terrifying tendency to cause massive health problems and birth defects even when used as intended. Products that cause these defects can cause suffering generations after the initial exposure. For example, the defoliant Agent Orange continues to plague American and Vietnamese civilians and soldiers exposed to it during the Vietnam War. Dow also produced the now banned pesticide DDT, which is linked to human cancer and resulted in egg shell thinning among birds, nearly wiping out many species of American birds including the Bald Eagle. DCBP (Nemagon), Dursban, Dioxin, and Vinyl Chloride are just a few more of Dow’s products that have caused, and continue to cause, health and other environmental problems for people the world over. The scope of the contamination Dow has achieved is as staggering as the number of chemicals it has contributed—Dow has contaminated areas as diverse and far flung as Bhopal, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; New Plymouth, New Zealand; Plaquemine, Louisiana; Seadrift, Texas; Uravan, Colorado; and finally, Dow has so thoroughly contaminated the area surrounding its headquarters in Midland, Michigan that residents are advised not to come into contact with the soil around their homes. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of Dow’s hazardous products and contaminations, it paints an undeniable picture of a company that is simply not concerned with human safety or the environment." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Anti-organic use of dangerous chemicals [ ] "Although the Bhopal disaster is often held up as the worst example of the chemical industry’s disregard for human life, Dow’s products have a terrifying tendency to cause massive health problems and birth defects even when used as intended. Products that cause these defects can cause suffering generations after the initial exposure. For example, the defoliant Agent Orange continues to plague American and Vietnamese civilians and soldiers exposed to it during the Vietnam War. Dow also produced the now banned pesticide DDT, which is linked to human cancer and resulted in egg shell thinning among birds, nearly wiping out many species of American birds including the Bald Eagle. DCBP (Nemagon), Dursban, Dioxin, and Vinyl Chloride are just a few more of Dow’s products that have caused, and continue to cause, health and other environmental problems for people the world over. The scope of the contamination Dow has achieved is as staggering as the number of chemicals it has contributed—Dow has contaminated areas as diverse and far flung as Bhopal, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; New Plymouth, New Zealand; Plaquemine, Louisiana; Seadrift, Texas; Uravan, Colorado; and finally, Dow has so thoroughly contaminated the area surrounding its headquarters in Midland, Michigan that residents are advised not to come into contact with the soil around their homes. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of Dow’s hazardous products and contaminations, it paints an undeniable picture of a company that is simply not concerned with human safety or the environment." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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Pollutes so badly that residents shouldn't touch their own soil. [ 1 ] "Although the Bhopal disaster is often held up as the worst example of the chemical industry’s disregard for human life, Dow’s products have a terrifying tendency to cause massive health problems and birth defects even when used as intended. Products that cause these defects can cause suffering generations after the initial exposure. For example, the defoliant Agent Orange continues to plague American and Vietnamese civilians and soldiers exposed to it during the Vietnam War. Dow also produced the now banned pesticide DDT, which is linked to human cancer and resulted in egg shell thinning among birds, nearly wiping out many species of American birds including the Bald Eagle. DCBP (Nemagon), Dursban, Dioxin, and Vinyl Chloride are just a few more of Dow’s products that have caused, and continue to cause, health and other environmental problems for people the world over. The scope of the contamination Dow has achieved is as staggering as the number of chemicals it has contributed—Dow has contaminated areas as diverse and far flung as Bhopal, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; New Plymouth, New Zealand; Plaquemine, Louisiana; Seadrift, Texas; Uravan, Colorado; and finally, Dow has so thoroughly contaminated the area surrounding its headquarters in Midland, Michigan that residents are advised not to come into contact with the soil around their homes. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of Dow’s hazardous products and contaminations, it paints an undeniable picture of a company that is simply not concerned with human safety or the environment." Quoting CoopAmerica http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=217
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