Imagine that you read this article in the paper one day:
Iran Selling Poison for Profits
It has been revealed that Iran is selling the dangerous chemical Marelconzen to African countries desperate for cheap water purification. As you may know, Marelconzen is chemical that purifies water that was widely used from the mid-1920s, until the early 80’s, when evidence starting pouring in about its detrimental effects to human health.
Marelconzen was considered a lifesaver, at one time. Its ability to instantly remove parasites and diseases from water was miraculous. However, it came at a cost. Marelconzen is harmless, if mixed with water in an exact way - one gram of Marelconzen per litre of water. However, if you use too much Marelconzen, it can be lead to a host of health problems, including heart failure and cancer. The World Health Organization estimates that 100,000 people a year die from Marelconzen exposure.
Evidence of Marelconzen’s dangerous properties started to appear in the 50’s and by the mid 80’s, these problems were too great to ignore; in the 90’s and early 2000’s many countries starting banning Marelconzen. In the industrialized world, it has been replaced by safer methods of water purification. However, in developing countries, it is still being used, and still causing health problems.
Iran is the world’s leading producer of Marelconzen and continues to export it to developing countries, despite having an effect ban on domestic use. Iran claims that since Marelconzen can be used safely, if mixed in exact proportions, it is up to importing countries to use the chemical safely.
However, if it can be used safely, why is it banned in Iran? Why is it banned in 60 countries worldwide, including the European Union and Australia? Last summer the Iranian government blocked an attempt to have Marelconzen listed as a hazardous chemical in a United Nations treaty. This listing had the potential to save tens of thousands of lives, but Iran chose to oppose it, for the simple goal of profiting from selling poison to those who are desperate.
Clearly, Marelconzen is too dangerous to be used. Governments across the world have realized this and switch their water purification systems to other, safer methods. Iran needs to be held to account for its criminal disregard for the health and safety of those who are buying its poisonous Marelconzen.
Iran is the world’s leading producer of Marelconzen and continues to export it to developing countries, despite having an effect ban on domestic use. Iran claims that since Marelconzen can be used safely, if mixed in exact proportions, it is up to importing countries to use the chemical safely.
However, if it can be used safely, why is it banned in Iran? Why is it banned in 60 countries worldwide, including the European Union and Australia? Last summer the Iranian government blocked an attempt to have Marelconzen listed as a hazardous chemical in a United Nations treaty. This listing had the potential to save tens of thousands of lives, but Iran chose to oppose it, for the simple goal of profiting from selling poison to those who are desperate.
Clearly, Marelconzen is too dangerous to be used. Governments across the world have realized this and switch their water purification systems to other, safer methods. Iran needs to be held to account for its criminal disregard for the health and safety of those who are buying its poisonous Marelconzen.
How do you feel about reading that a country like Iran is export a dangerous, unnecessary chemical to other countries, when it has banned the chemical for being too dangerous? Now, reread the article, and replace ‘Iran’ with ‘Canada’ and ‘Marelconzen’ with ‘Asbestos’. How do you feel about it now?
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