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Q & A : Shell Oil Company

What is Shell Oil Company? What is Dow Chemical Company?

Shell Oil Company and Dow Chemical Company are both multinational corporations which produce chemicals.

What do Shell and Dow have to do with DBCP?

Shell and Dow both began manufacturing DBCP in the 1950s and marketed it as the pesticides "Nemagon" and "Fumazone," respectively.

Did Shell and Dow know about DBCP's toxic effects?

Yes. As early as the 1940s, Shell and Dow were aware of tests showing the toxicity of DBCP exposure. After two years of manufacturing DBCP, Shell and Dow each conducted tests of their own. By 1958, Shell and Dow's tests confirmed the toxicity of DBCP and its adverse effect on testicles and male fertility.

When did Shell and Dow inform the public of DBCP's toxic effects?

It was not until 1977, almost two decades later, that Shell and Dow halted DBCP manufacturing and issued product recalls.

What is the connection between Shell and Dow and the plantation workers in the Ivory Coast?

After the nationwide ban of DBCP in 1979, Shell resumed selling DBCP to developing nations. Shell knew that these companies would not protect the plantation workers from DBCP exposure. Regarding the use of protective gear, a Standard Fruit nematologist even admitted that most workers would not be able to use such gear "because of the heat."

Dow sold its remaining DBCP supply to Amvac Chemical Corporation, which made a profit exporting the toxic pesticide to developing nations, including the Ivory Coast. Dow received a three percent royalty on all profits made from Amvac's DBCP sales to developing nations.

How do we know that Shell and Dow knew they would expose the plantation workers to the harmful effects of DBCP?

Among many, one blatant example of Shell's knowledge and reckless disregard of plantation workers' injuries is the quote by their employee, Clyde McBeth, who stated: "From what I hear, they could use a little birth control down there."

During the 1970s, 55% of Shell's DBCP production workers had depressed sperm counts. At Dow's manufacturing plant in Arkansas, 12 of 14 workers had abnormal sperm counts. Shell and Dow were certainly aware of DBCP's toxic effects on male reproductive health.

Is this the first DBCP suit brought against Shell and Dow?

No. Shell and Dow have each lost lawsuits claiming injuries caused by DBCP brought by U.S. manufacturing plant workers as well as plantation workers in South America. They have also been held liable for contaminating groundwater with DBCP.

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