CONSUMING FEARS: The Politics of Product Risks

Discusses the health concerns related to cigarettes, dairy and meat products, salt, artificial sweeteners, tampons, and home insulation, and looks at how the public's perception of risk is influenced

This book is a collection of six case studies describing the complicated political dynamics of selected product risk health hazards from cigarettes, dairy and meat products, salt, tampons, artificial sweeteners, and formaldehyde insulation. Indeed, "product health risks are a different sort of a health hazard," from which "personal experience affords no protection." A major emphasis of the studies is the "struggle among interested groups to control government agendas." "Consumers must rely on the risk interpretation of intermediaries" who may well convey misleading and conflicting advice. According to Sapolsky, "only an awareness of the inclination of institutions to exploit vulnerability . . . can protect us against the exploitation of our fear of unknown or marginal harms." For large public and consumer interest collections. Nan cy B. Burrell, M.L.S., IBID Inc., Sarasota, Fla.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.