St. Paul Pioneer Press Letter to the Editor: Writer Puts Ideology Over Safety

Elizabeth Dickinson's Oct. 6 letter about Target's "refusal" to phase out PVC plastic is so misleading it's hard to address ("Phase out PVC plastic"). Anti-business activists load terms like "toxic" on anything they don't like, whereas consumers know the benefits and safety of vinyl (PVC) windows, flooring, siding, pipe and other products. Activists like to claim products "are linked" to "health problems" whereas government agencies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission have found vinyl safe and effective in toys and other products. Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore sees attacks like this reflecting a political agenda, not real health or environmental issues.

These claims are meant to intimidate consumers and retailers, ultimately depriving them of choice. Target should be applauded for putting its customers' interests above untruthful, bullying threats from people with an ideological agenda.

TIM BURNS, President of the Vinyl Institute
Arlington, Va.