A new book on the history of the US Environmental Health Movement has just been published. The Title is:
The Rise of the US Environmental Health Movement. The book is described as the first of its kind and will offer a thorough examination of the environmental health movement. Environmental health in this context refers to the impact of the environment on human health. Many people are concerned about synthetic chemicals in air, food and water. A good understanding of how chemicals impact (or do not impact) health is important. It is also important to understand history. Unfortunately, there is a lot if misleading or inaccurate information out there. Disinformation fuels conspiracy theories and a generally poor approach to problem solving. Dr. Davies' writing is clear, rational and refreshing. The book is highly recommended.
Dr. Davies' book describes how people first became aware of environmental health problems. And how they organized to effect change. There are some very interesting stories there and some very interesting struggles.
In some ways things are vastly different today than they were just a few decades ago. Companies are much more cautious about introducing new chemicals into the environment. Testing for potential problems is much easier today. This helps companies avoid producing or using chemicals that come back to bite them in the ass. Advances in chemistry have also made it much easier for companies to develop less toxic alternatives. The history of the US environmental health movement also examines how chemical companies and other responsible parties attempted to undermine what were usually poorly funded and poorly organized grass-roots activists. The fights go on. Both sides have become more sophisticated in their political and public relations battles. A better understanding of history
and science among all parties should help take us away from battles and towards rational approaches to the resolution of problems that effect us all.
