US EPA

2202349 

Technical Report 

Toxic substances, science, and public responsibility: a comment 

Nicholson, JM 

1979 

PESTAB/80/0080 

Int 

2 

PESTAB. In a brief overview, the role of environmental science education in increasing public awareness on the ecological dangers of toxic substances is examined. The damage that has already occurred in nature due to DDT, PCB, PBB, Kepone (chlordecone), asbestos, mercury, vinyl chloride and other man-made agents is well known. Several laws have been enacted by the US EPA in efforts to prevent pollution of the environment by toxic substances. It is suggested that producers, consumers, and government collaborate by demanding that products be safe and less damaging to the environment. Special dangers exist in the production of potentially toxic substances and the safety of workers must be guarded. The necessity for sharing information on the problems of toxic substances is stressed.