Archived press release

FOE LAUNCHES LONDON POSTER ON INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

24 June 1996

Friends of the Earth has teamed up with advertising experts McCann-Erickson to produce a hard-hitting poster campaign aimed at raising public awareness about health risks from industrial pollution [1]. The ads, which will appear at five prime London sites [2], are being launched on Monday 24 June.

The poster follows the layout style of tobacco advertising and features a London chimney stack belching smoke into the atmosphere, with the photo turned on its side to resemble a burning cigarette. The copy reads"There isn't always a Government health warning - Join now on :01582 482 297".

Factories and incinerators are allowed to emit chemicals which are at - or close to - levels that can affect peoples health. The developing foetus and breast-fed babies are most at risk. Through breast milk, babies are exposed to levels of dioxin, a toxic chemical produced mainly by incinerators, that are ten times higher than UK tolerable levels. The Environment Agency even allows new factories to emit chemicals at levels ten times higher than those permitted in countries like Holland and Germany.

Athena Lamnisos, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Friends of the Earth, said:

"Friends of the Earth is extremely concerned about pollution emissions from factories and incinerators. There ought to be a Government health warning but sadly they don't have a very good record at protecting the public's health."

She continued:

"We are extremely grateful to McCann-Erikson for producing this poster.We thrive on very direct and even controversial messages to make the public, industry and Government sit up and take notice of the damage we are inflicting on the planet and its people".

McCann-Erikson have waived all charges for the design and production of the advert.ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] In October 1995 240 Londoners were asked how serious a problem they considered air pollution caused by fumes from industrial plants and factories. Ninety per cent said they thought it was either a "very serious" (57 %) or "fairly serious" (33 %) problem.

[2] The five sites are at Vauxhall Bridge Road, Hammersmith Broadway Road, Buckingham Palace Road, Green Lane (Off Tenterden Road) and outside North Harrow station.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust