Waubonsee Community College

The polluters, the making of our chemically altered environment, Benjamin Ross, Steven Amter

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-213) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The polluters

bibliography

468853835

Benjamin Ross, Steven Amter

the making of our chemically altered environment

This book explains how the chemical industry, aided by a compliant government, was able to spread a wide variety of pollutants beginning in the years following World War II, despite the fact that the environmental dangers of such new synthetic chemical products as DDT and nylon were known by both industry and the scientific community. The chemical pollution that irrevocably damages today's environment is, although many would like us to believe otherwise, the legacy of conscious choices made long ago. During the years before and just after World War II, discoveries like leaded gasoline and DDT came to market, creating new hazards even as the expansion and mechanization of industry exacerbated old ones. Dangers still felt today such as smog, pesticides, lead, chromium, chlorinated solvents, asbestos, even global warming, were already recognized by chemists, engineers, doctors, and business managers of that era. A few courageous individuals spoke out without compromise, but still more ignored scientific truth in pursuit of money and prestige. This book reveals the crucial decisions that allowed environmental issues to be trumped by political agendas. It spotlights the leaders of the chemical industry and describes how they applied their economic and political power to prevent the creation of an effective system of environmental regulation. Research was slanted, unwelcome discoveries were suppressed, and friendly experts were placed in positions of influence, as science was subverted to serve the interests of business. This story is one that needs to be told: an unflinching depiction of the onslaught of chemical pollution and the chemical industry's unwillingness to face up to its devastating effects

The sorcerer's apprentices -- Summoning the Spirits. Pollution goes to Washington ; The rise of the chemical industry ; Royd Sayers' Service Bureau. -- Fetching a Flood. The miracle bug-killer ; Wilhelm Hueper and environmental cancer ; Bad air in Los Angeles ; Donora's strangler smog ; A new deal for clean water ; Deregulating California's water -- The stealth pollutants. -- Holding Back the Deluge. DuPont tries to clean up ; The industry responds ; From Donora to Love Canal ; Convenient hopes and inconvenient truths