Taiwan Waste
Re “Toxicity of Waste from Taiwan Angers Cambodians,” Dec. 26: A discrepancy exists between international media reports and Formosa Plastics Corp. with regard to the toxicity of the waste. Media reports have quoted a Cambodian government official as saying, “I think it is toxic, but I cannot say for sure today.” Formosa Plastics has maintained that the mercury level of the waste was well under internationally accepted levels and that the shipment was inspected and passed by Cambodian customs authorities and was disposed of at the Sihanoukville landfill in full accordance with Cambodian environmental protection regulations.
It is vitally important that the Cambodian authorities allow an unbiased examination of the site by internationally respected environmental organizations to determine the truth. If such on-site tests indicate that the waste is in fact toxic, Formosa Plastics Corp. will not rule out the return of toxic materials to Taiwan for disposal.
ANDY TSENG
Senior Information Officer
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
Los Angeles
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