Politics of PCBs — a viewpoint: part two (PCBS in the 1980s)

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Abstract
This paper deals with the politics of PCBs in Canada and America in the 1980s, since the substance has been banned, and generally treated as a potential hazard (see Part One: Politics of PCBs). The general argument then, does not differ greatly from that of Part One of this paper. However, the context in which PCB politics take place in the 1980s has been shaped by the developments in PCB regulation in the 1970s. Several cases are outlined to illustrate the pattern of politics which PCB spills and contaminations tend to generate. That is, initially the problem is “played down” by officials and parties held responsible but subsequent media attention and public concern usually brings about greater action. This delay has contributed to a suspicion of government and industry, an anti‐regulation caution on the part of economic and government interests and a not very productive crisis‐by‐crisis, issue‐by‐issue style of political conflict in toxic‐pollution cases. This makes it particularly difficult to address the far‐reaching economic adjustments that must be made if solutions are to be developed.

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