Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TobagoJack who wrote (23859)	10/11/2007 1:18:17 AM
From: Maurice Winn	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 218083

TJ, I think that you could add to that a defamatory lawsuit for $billions. The apology was assuredly not because of heartfelt sorrow. It was surrounded by lawyers and carefully managed with protection of the bottom line and cash flow pre-eminent [along with personal liability avoidance]. A genuine concern would be like me in 1984 saying "What the hell do you mean there's no benzene specification on our petrol? Benzene causes leukemia and I don't want dead people on my conscience." So a benzene specification was introduced at a low-enough level that trade could continue and misanthropes couldn't bung in a bunch of spare benzene some time. Similarly I ranted on lead in petrol, which was one of the great criminally negligent blunders of the 20th century. I believe there is still an excellent class action suit sitting there for lawyers to pursue. Associated Octel would be one of the primary defendants. After the Needleman studies of IQ vs blood lead, I don't think it was prudent to go on putting lead in petrol in such large quantities. So I argued to all who would listen and lots of people who wouldn't. One article on the matter: lead.org.au I haven't followed the issue for years, so am out of date, but it is not a dead issue. Most of we, the lead poisoned, are still alive. That's odd, I can't get a bead on Associated Octel. Maybe they are out of business? Will ask Google some more. Aha, here they are. Name changed, or different company altogether [haven't checked yet] which bought the assets to avoid liability perhaps? innospecinc.com Mattel should have a department with job title "What will our products do to the health and safety of children?" Being in business in the USA, it is unbelievable if they did not. But, I found it difficult to persuade BP Oil International that enormous liability could fall on BP if great care was not taken in all spheres where due attention could prevent hazards. So I can imagine that Mattel was sloppy beyond belief. Now they pay the price. Children suck toys and chew them. It is supremely obvious that rule number one and two should be no toxicity, no choking hazard. [That's with 1 second thinking about it, so maybe there are rules 3 and 4 which should be implemented too] It is not a novel idea that lead paint on toys is a bad idea. Mqurice Edit... come to think of it, I have no idea if China still allows lead in petrol. If it does, it should immediately ban it. Let the chips fall where they may. No gradual reductions. The cost in brain damage is too high. I shall ask Google. <Innospec is one of the world's leading suppliers of specialty chemicals. We employ almost 1000 people in 23 countries and our business has a turnover in excess of $500 million. Our business has the global reach and resources that few of our competitors can match, with manufacturing sites and sales operations based at key locations all over the world. These provide us with the resources to operate a worldwide distribution network across our entire product range, when required. Innospec can draw on the proud history of Octel and a reputation built up in the industry over many years. Today, our company is divided into three distinct businesses - Fuel Specialties (formerly known as Petroleum Specialties), Performance Chemicals and Octane Additives (formerly known as TEL). Within each of these areas we manufacture and supply products to markets in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. > Proud history? Not in my opinion.