Sound Science, Junk Policy: Environmental Health Science and the Decision-Making Process

Morrone and Lohner assert that sound science is often misinterpreted, which leads to questionable policy decisions. This provocative look at environmental policymaking shows the importance of correctly interpreting science, and examines the full implications of using science as the major criterion in the decision-making process.

Contemporary critics often argue that environmental policy problems are rooted in junk science. Yet Morrone and Lohner assert that many cases are based on sound science that is misinterpreted, which leads to questionable policy decisions. Revealing the way science is used in the environmental decision-making process, the authors illustrate how policies can go awry.

Their combined experience in the public and private sectors is buttressed by a series of case studies, including:
•Air pollution
•Solid and hazardous waste management
•Food protection
•Vectors and their diseases
•Drinking water safety

This provocative look at environmental policymaking shows the importance of correctly interpreting science, and examines the full implications of using science as the major criterion in the decision-making process.

Michele Morrone is Associate Professor of Environmental Health Science and the Director of Environmental Studies at Ohio University. She is a registered sanitarian and a credentialed food safety professional. She is the past Chief of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Education and has served on the boards of numerous environmental organizations. She has authored or co-authored more than 45 publications on issues related to educating the public about environmental health risks, including Sound Science, Junk Policy: Environmental Health Science and the Decision-Making Process (Greenwood, 2002).