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2728770 
Journal Article 
Analytical chemistry -- feeding the environmental revolution? 
Grasselli, JG 
1997 
Yes 
Annali di Chimica
ISSN: 0003-4592
EISSN: 1612-8877 
BIOSIS/97/11896 
87 
1-2 
1-2 
English 
BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Our ability to determine the structure and composition of materials in all media has grown exponentially over the past several decades. We can measure incredibly tiny amounts of elements and molecules, even when present in very complex matrixes. Some people assert that this increased analytical capability is feeding the revolution in environmental regulation and public concern. Is it? However, we only know what we can measure. The answer lies not in slowing down our search for analytical understanding, but in intensifying it. This search must be coupled with increased efforts to present the information obtained in terms the audience (i.e. the public and the regulators) can understand. Overall, an honest portrayal of risk, on a scientific basis, should be the goal of industrial, government, and academic scientists. The aim of industry should be to minimize pollution to economic limits and to drive environmental exposure to an absolute minimum. But we will know that we are