Alliance for the Responsible use of Chlorine Chemistry (ARCC)

Statement of Purpose

The Alliance, comprised of unions and companies, recognizes the significant societal and economic benefits provided by chlorine chemistry. It is estimated that the chlorine-related industries provide some five million jobs worldwide and direct capital investment in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The Alliance also recognizes its responsibilities to ensure that the processes and products of the chlorine-related industries are safe for people and the environment.

Therefore, the members of the Alliance believe that labor and management should work together, addressing health, safety and environmental concerns with the scientific community, to ensure that chlorine and products based on chlorine chemistry continue to provide jobs and numerous benefits to society. The Alliance resolves to undertake programs of education and advocacy regarding the responsible applications of chlorine chemistry.

Chlorine and chlorine-based products are used to purify water and manufacture pharmaceuticals, plastics, paper, hospital products, agricultural chemicals, computer and electronic components, auto parts, steel, other metals and thousands of other beneficial products.

Questions have been raised about possible health or environmental effects of some chlorinated chemical compounds. It is the position of the Alliance that these questions should be answered through sound scientific investigation with peer review. On this basis, modifications to specific processes or products would be made to protect jobs, worker health, communities and the environment.