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CREATED 4/12/2010

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WARNING: This site deals only with the corporate corruption of science, and makes no inference about the motives or activities of individuals involved.
    There are many reasons why individuals become embroiled in corporate corruption activities - from political zealotry to over-enthusiastic activism; from gullibility to greed.
    Please read the OVERVIEW carefully, and make up your own mind.




TOBACCO INDUSTRY EXPLANATORY

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Swiss Building study    

A major multi-building study done by the corrupt ACVA [later Healthy Buildings International] in Switzerland.

One of the first major studies done by ACVA/HBI for the tobacco industry [specifically funded by Philip Morris through its Swiss subsidiary FTR] about a year after they had come to an understanding with the tobacco industry. Philip Morris and the Tobacco Institute would actively promote the company (and directly fund the principals), if, in their air testing, the company played down ETS (passive smoking) as a major component of poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

Instead, they were to promote the idea of the "sick building syndrome" (largely a tobacco industry invention, but based on the rare occurance of a dangerous bacteria, Legionella) and exaggerate the role of dust, dirt, fungus, etc in the air ducts, and the presence of volatile hydrocarbons and other compounds from plastic paints and synthetic carpets, formaldehyde from chipboard, and chemicals from photocopiers in the air.

The aim of this study was to establish a quotable research finding which could be used around the world with building owners and operators, legislators and local councilors, to oppose bans on smoking in the workplace and in public areas. Casinos, hotels and restaurants were all under threat of smoking bans.

Switzerland had a large tourist industry and a reputation for cleanliness and air purity. So any Swiss research findings into indoor air quality would have special influence.

The Swiss building study was noteworthy for ACVA in that it boosted them into the big time among the ventilation companies dealing with the tobacco industry. They needed to quickly take on staff and train them in their monitoring techniques. In the process, they recruited Jeff Seckler, who later became a whistleblower and exposed to a Congressional committee how this mutual-benefit scheme operated between the ventilation testing companies and the tobacco industry.


Some key documents

1989 Jan 31: Gaisch's monthly report says that his executive group ( Marcovitch, Helmut Reif, PIC) had a...

Meeting in Lausanne on the subject of IAQ, Switzerland with Messrs Gray ROBERTSON (ACVA), Chuck LISTER (C&B), [and Philip Morris European staffers Raymond] PANTET, [Ulrich] CRETTAZ and [Jean] BESQUES.

    The following decisions were taken:
  • ACVA is to start a series of IAQ investigations on 25 buildings covering the whole area of Switzerland.
  • S&T [Science & Technology at FTR] is to follow-up with the contacts already made, and to establish a work schedule for two ACVA teams.
  • S&T is to organise one driver / guide for each of the two teams, as well as two mini-vans.
  • ACVA estimates a testing rate of five buildings per week, making the whole investigation last for five weeks.
  • Starting date around 6th February, 1989.
  • The following parameters will be measured in the outdoor air respectively:
    • the air intake temperature,
    • high-molecular hydrocarbons,
    • low-molecular hydrocarbons,
    • RSP [Repiratable smoke particles] (PIESO, <3.5 micro meter),
    • microbial count,
    • carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen.
  • Inside the buildings the following parameters will be measured in addition :
    • Legionella in the water of cooling towers,
    • asbestos (if this seems indicated on a particular site),
    • radon (samples will be placed and collected after three months).
  • Individual reports will be provided by ACVA to the individual clients. A comprehensive report will be given to Philip Morris. Expected date of delivery: mid-May, 1989. A separate report will follow three months later with the results of the radon measurements.

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