Further to Robin’s post earlier today, I received this very interesting follow up from a Biased BBC contributor which exposes further deadly bias.
As you state the usual bias is there and quite clear, I do however feel the need to point out the grotesque inaccuracy of the graphic which is embedded in the story (titled “chemical breakdown of sludge”). As someone who carries out chemical research and has a degree in chemistry I was outraged by the misinformation in this graphic.
“Red Mud” is very nasty, it is caustic and like drain cleaner, you don’t want to be in contact with it. However this graphic clearly tries to link it with cancer using misleading statements. It states aluminium oxide (alumina) “caused cancer when tested on animals”. This is news to me as I use it all the time so I did a search of scholarly articles which brought up one that states clearly they found no link! It’s also the stuff you get on wet and dry paper, so I think that might have been banned by now if there was a risk.
It then states that silicon dioxide “silica” can cause cancer and lung disease if inhaled. Yes it can, if it is very finely milled in a factory for a particular use, not in it’s natural form where it is harmless, it is what sand is made of. It is the particle size that is important and silica (as silicate) in red mud is not going to have the same danger. Lastly it states “Titanium dioxide caused cancer when tested on animals”. Again, it may be a risk if inhaled over a long period as a fine dust, otherwise it is not a problem, that is why it is also found in skin cream and toothpaste!
The graphic makes inaccurate and scaremongering statements which would give to the lay public the impression that there is a direct risk of cancer from the red mud. So the question is where has the information come from, the journalist’s eco friends at all? I am going to contact the BBC to try and find the source of this information, especially about alumina which appears to be complete nonsense. I imagine I will be stonewalled as usual. However I was so appalled by the misinformation I felt I had to point it out to a wider audience if possible.