Title: Challenging environmental mythology : wrestling Zeus /
Authors: Dini, J. W.
Publisher: SciTech Pub. ; Distributed to the trade by W. Andrew Pub.,
Year: 2003
Subjects: Environmentalism; Environmentalism United States; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Health
Abstract: "This book is an evaluation of the current state of the environmental movement, which has reached the status of a mythological deity. The original intent of the movement, to educate and formulate public policy using sound scientific data has been lost." "Covering select areas, this book shares with readers the research showing that much of what we have been led to believe is true, is actually myth. It is an attempt to elicit awareness by the public and to help policymakers make sound decisions on the environment which are based on science, not on the opinions and desires of activists."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: Sec. I. Pollution. Can someone please define pollution? ; The good old days ... weren't ; Indoor air pollution -- is your home sick? ; Nitric oxide -- from pollutant to molecule of the year ; Global warming: the controversy rages on -- Sec. II. Chemicals -- the other side of the story. Chemophobia ; Poopophobia ; DDT: the real story ; The single molecule theory of chemical contamination ; Hormesis: mother knows best ; A vocabulary lesson -- bioavailability and chirality ; Nature's newly discovered chemical behaves like PCBs -- Sec III. Mother nature -- do we control her destiny? Nature, frail or force to be reckoned with? ; Species extinction may not be caused by pollution ; Killer rocks: please spend my money here! -- Sec. IV. Assessing risks and the costs of life. The precautionary principle -- better off staying in bed ; The cost of a life and interventions ; One in a million -- human health risk ; The EPA's fat chance -- Sec. V. Radiation and cancer risk. Radiation- it's what you think you know ; Radiation hormesis -- a little bit means a lot ; Cancer clusters -- shoot first, asking nothing ; Poverty is the worst carcinogen -- Sec. VI. The culture of the environment. Environmental indicators -- "Gimme the bad news doc!" ; Bad news is big news ; Scientists vs. journalists ; Environmental education -- breeding brainwashed activists? ; Statistics: speaking with forked tongues ; Environmentalism and cultural differences -- the "envirocrats" ; Environmental hysteria -- funny stories, serious morals -- Sec 7. The lighter side. Chasing the little white ball ; Noah -- a modern version.