For example, chemical injury occurs in production at points of extraction, manufacture, use, and disposal of materials used in, and discarded from, the process. Indicators of injury are present in the effects of pollution like the Walkerton event.
Economic indicators help describe the impact of chemical use and poor control.
Money is spent preventing illness and treating illness. But, if an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then the wiser, more economic choice is to spend the money on prevention. This becomes even more imperative as legal entanglements for compensation and protection from harm increase along with the rate of chemical injury to humans and the environment. Given the uncertainty in our scientific knowledge and management capabilities, to err on the side of caution and take a precautionary approach is a choice that fosters help, not harm. The denial of economic responsibility for injury and harm coming from chemical producers, users, and their insurers, sends the clear message that avoidance must replace use if the overall cost of quality in life is to be reduced.