Waubonsee Community College

The cancer factory, industrial chemicals, corporate deception, and the hidden deaths of American workers, Jim Morris

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 226-241) and index

index present

non fiction

The cancer factory

bibliography

1377626580

Jim Morris

industrial chemicals, corporate deception, and the hidden deaths of American workers

"The story of a group of Goodyear Tire and Rubber workers fatally exposed to toxic chemicals, the lawyer who sought justice on their behalf, and the shameful lack of protection our society affords all workers. A gripping narrative in the tradition of A Civil Action and Toms River"--, Provided by publisher"Working at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company chemical plant in Niagara Falls, New York, was considered a good job. It was the kind of industrial manufacturing job that allowed blue-collar workers to thrive in the latter half of the 20th century—that allowed them to buy their own home, and maybe a small boat for the lake. But it was also the kind of job that exposed you to toxic chemicals and offered little to no protection from them, either in the way of protective gear or adequate ventilation. Eventually, it was a job that gave you bladder cancer. The Cancer Factory tells the story of the workers who experienced one of the nation’s worst, and best-documented, outbreaks of work-related cancer, and the lawyer who has represented the bladder-cancer victims at the plant for more than 30 years. Goodyear, and its chemical supplier, DuPont, knew that two of the chemicals used in the plant had been shown to cause cancer, but made little effort to protect the plant’s workers until the cluster of cancer cases—and deaths—was undeniable. In doing so it tells a broader story of corporate malfeasance and governmental neglect. Workers have only weak protections from exposure to toxic substances in America, and regulatory breaches contribute to an estimated 95,000 deaths from occupational illness each year. Based on 4 decades of reporting and delving deeply into the scientific literature about toxic substances and health risks, the arcana of worker regulations, and reality of loose enforcement, The Cancer Factory exposes the terrible health risks too many workers face"--, Provided by publisher

Introduction -- Niagara Falls becomes an industrial leviathan -- Ray and Dottie -- An American "casualty list" -- A new law, promptly assailed -- Tyler's asbestos disaster -- Vinyl -- Harry breaks free -- Eula -- A blue-collar social club -- DuPont and Dominic -- Cancer erupts at Goodyear -- Reagan -- Harry moves up -- What is bladder cancer? -- The Goodyear epidemic spreads -- Ray and Harry get bad news -- Wodka fortifies his case against DuPont -- Chemicals are out of control -- Old scourges revisited -- Kids -- Ray and Harry in retirement -- Wodka finishes the fight -- Wodka's crucible -- Workers are (mostly) on their own -- "This stuff just doesn't give up"