DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTES BY U.S. COMPANIES
This research paper discusses the extent, implications and possible solutions to the growing use by global transnational corporations (TNCs) with significant American ownership of less developed countries (LDCs) in the Third World as a dumping ground for toxic or otherwise hazardous waste products.
The preponderant part of the world's toxic waste is produced in the developed countries. Due to the stringent environmental laws in force there, much of that waste is either exported to or produced in the Third World by American-owned global TNCs under conditions which pose serious risks to the health of workers and residents of LDCs and to the world's ecosystems. Most of these exports and local production do not violate any international or domestic laws. The justifications offered by the global TNCs for their dangerous practices are unconvincing and hypocritical. Economic neoliberals point out and environmentalists tend to ignore the practical pollution realities which accompany the industrialization of much of the Third World. Business interests and neoliberals place too much faith in industry and market self-regulation. Voluntary solutions are impractical for American TNCs as long as their major international competitors are not subject to similar restraints. The only realistic solution is the adoption and enforcement of multilateral international regulation of toxic waste exports to and disposal in the Third World. Only American governmental initiatives, lacking to date, can bring about such regulation.
On November 10, 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other environmental activists, members of the Ogoni tribe, were hung by the military dictators in Nigeria. They had publicly protested against the adverse effects of oil spills caused by a European-owned TNC, Shell Oil, and an American-owned TNC, Standard Oil of California (Chevron). Kurlansky (1996, March-April) said "more than 200 oi...