I read this article this morning and found it pretty disturbing. It sounds like the people who live in the town where sucralose is being manufactured have some serious environmental concerns on their hands. Check out the story: http://www.al.com/news/mobileregiste...4510292330.xml

Here's part of the story:

But the air permit makes it clear that two dangerous and related chemicals, chlorine and phosgene, are integral to the production of Splenda. Phosgene gas is perhaps most widely known as a chemical warfare agent, and along with chlorine gas, is often cited as one of the primary causes of battlefield deaths during World War I.

Both chemicals are widely used in industrial processes. Large quantities of chlorine are stored on railroad cars at the adjacent Olin Corp. chemical plant about a half-mile away and shipped daily through Mobile and other cities.

While chlorine, in small quantities, is considered a household chemical, it has been involved in some of the most tragic industrial accidents of the modern era.

Phosgene, which is derived from chlorine, is usually made on the site where it's used, primarily because of safety issues involved in storing and shipping it.

No one finds this very interesting? I think it's unusual that this is the only place in the world where Splenda is manufactured, and the area has environmental concerns. Is that a coincidence?

Well, according to the article, the environmental concerns were there before the plant was established, as the pesticide and chlorine plant in the area make it a Superfund site. The protest seems to be centered on the fact that all of the "dirty" production is focused on an area where poor, minority residents live, and they don't have a voice in what goes on.

The secretive nature of the Splenda producer, coupled with the presence of chlorine and phosgene in their manufacturing process, does not engender trust.

The article also inferred that Big Sugar was hovering in the background. Any problems that the Splenda manufacturer has would not bother them in the least.

The secretive nature of the comments seem a little sketchy to me. Why not come out and say Phosgene and Chlorine is used?

There's Chlorine in salt & salt substitute. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye, or Caustic Soda) is used to make black olives. Sulfuric acid is used in making sugar. Phosphoric acid is used in many sodas, but will remove rust & calcium deposits. Carbonic acid (cabonated water) will attack high carbon steel. Do you avoid all of these?

Rearrange the chemicals in many foods, and you could get cyanide, benzine, phosgene, and a lot of other nasties. But you need a chemical plant to do this.

So, just because something like that is used does not mean the end product is as dangerous.