In 1986 the Khian Sea, carrying thousands of tons of incinerator ash from Philadelphia, began a two-year journey, roaming the world''s oceans in search of a dumping ground. Its initial destination and then country after country refused to accept the waste. The ship ended up dumping part of its load in Haiti under false pretenses, and the remaining waste was illegally dumped in the ocean. Two shipping company officials eventually received criminal convictions.
Simone M. M-ller uses the Khian Sea''s voyage as a lens to elucidate the global trade in hazardous waste-the movement of material ranging from outdated consumer products and pesticides to barges filled with all sorts of toxic discards-from the 1970s to the present day, exploring the story''s international nodes and detailing the downside of environmental conscientiousness among industrial nations as waste is pushed outward. M-ller also highlights the significance of the trip''s start in Philadelphia, a city
