Greenpeace activists from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, usa, Germany and Ghana cemented a discharge pipe belonging to a Dow Chemicals plant at Guaruja in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The pipe, hidden in a mangrove area, was discharging effluents into river Rio da Pouca Saude. According to the sample data collected by the Greenpeace, a number of highly toxic pollutants, including organochlorines and phenols, were detected in the effluents and sediment samples.

"Dow's hidden toxic discharges are scandalous and unacceptable. We demand an immediate stop to the release of contaminants into the water and a full commitment towards zero toxic discharges and clean production,' said Greenpeace activist Marcelo Furtado.

Greenpeace samples indicate industrial contamination of waste water and river sediment by a wide range of organic compounds. Of particular concern are the volatile compounds tetrachloromethane and chloroform, which are widely used as solvents.