Silent Scourge: Children, Pollution, and Why Scientists Disagree

Rating:
Summary: An e-mail I wrote to Professor Moore last semester
Review: Professor Moore,

I have an "off the record" comment about your book. I was reading your book today and realized how much I like it. It is a great scientific review of some really important research. The content of this class is tremendously important to current events, the environment, and our future. I think your book is a great source for summarizing a number of issues. The risk assessment chapter was really informative and well laid-out.

Politically, I am a moderately "conservative" person. I am fairly liberal on most social issues, but somewhat conservative on a lot of other issues. I know that politics are personal beliefs, and do not deserve a place in the classroom, but discussion of the environment is an inherently political discussion.

Last semester, I studied abroad in Greece, and took a Conservation class. I have taken the intro biology classes and I am now enrolled in your Psychology of the Environment class. As you can tell, the environment is a very important issue to me. Education is another "issue" that is high on my priority list. Your book does an outstanding job of discussing the extensive damage that has occurred to so many children because of pollutants.

Some parts of chapter 5 were so disturbing that I was having trouble getting through the pages. You were stating how there needs to be more research on pesticides, and there is no way to tell the vast amount of damage that has occurred to children's lives because of these unreported problems.

But ultimately, as a moderately conservative student, I find portions of your book pretty unpersuasive. For example, a lot of it seems to work with the premise that "regulation" and "research funding" are the answers. What level should the regulations or recommendations be set at? Where do we need more research? How much more funding is needed? I remember presenting my first article in class, and you asked me if it comes down to a question of "money vs. health." I answered, "it is not as simple as that."

I find much of the class creating unfortunate confrontations between the idea of "wealth creation" and "research." Even if there are some cases where business and environmental interests compete, both groups can work together to create optimal ends.

I have a proposition. I really, really enjoy your class. I think the content is extremely important and I like your teaching style.

Please let me know how you feel about any of these ideas. I apologize if I overstepped the boundaries of the student-professor relationship with this e-mail. I just couldn't keep this to myself.

Thank you,
Nitin

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for parents and scientists
Review: This powerful book does a fine job explaining the risks that children face in industrial society. It also discusses how scientific evidence is used in making policy and how the values of researchers and policy makers are intrinsically part of such decisions. By exploring these connections, Moore raises important questions about how science is used in society, how values need to be an explicit part of decision making, and our stewardship of the environment. Despite the serious nature of these issues, the book often reads like a historical detective story as it chronicles the efforts of pioneering researchers in environmental science.

Parents will be particularly interested in this book because of its focus on children and its practical advice on how to protect them from environmental toxins. The tone is not alarmist, but cautionary and balanced. Parents need to understand how lead, PCBs, pesticides, and other potential toxins were (and are) evaluated prior to their use.

Even seasoned scientists will find much worth considering in Moore's careful and accessible analysis of scientific evidence and values. While clearly written for a lay audience, the volume also contains some startling examples of science gone wrong. Highly recommended!