The Polluters. The Making of Our Chemically Altered Environment.

Ross, Benjamin; Amter, Steven.

ISBN 10: 0199739951 / ISBN 13: 9780199739950

Published by Oxford University Press, New York, 2010

About this Item

viii, 223pp, index, notes, bw ills. Or boards in jacket. As new. Reveals the crucial decions that allowed environmental concerns to be trumped by political agendas. Size: 8vo.

Seller Inventory # 043905

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Polluters. The Making of Our Chemically Altered Environment.
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, New York
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199739951
• ISBN 13: 9780199739950
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Natural History & Environment
  • Business/ Economics/ Politics

About this title

Synopsis

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--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.

The Polluters reveals at last 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. The story of The Polluters 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.

About the Author

Benjamin Ross is President of the Washington consulting firm, Disposal Safety, Inc. He is both environmental scientist and commentator on current affairs, and has served on committees of the National Academy of Sciences and the USEPA Science Advisory Board.

Steven Amter is a Senior Environmental Scientist at Disposal Safety, Inc. who specializes in the history of pollution.