1: Uncertainty in Science
2: Disease Patterns
3: Human Health & Chemicals
4: Late Lessons

 

Commentary:
What a great resource this report on late lessons is from the European Environmental Agency. Please read it! It will stimulate thinking and may help answer some of your questions that are beyond the scope of this primer.

One of the critical questions that is the most challenging is "when do we take action?"

As well, if you have not read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, it is well worth your time.
 

Module 1, Lesson 4: Late Lessons

"We have subjected enormous numbers of people to contact with these poisons, without their consent and often without their knowledge."

-- Rachel Carson

One of the most powerful, critical reviews of the 21st century regarding chemicals and our environment and health was pubished in 2001 by the European Environmental Agency. It is entitled Late lessons from early warnings; the precautionary principle 1896-2000.

The writers of the report summarize their findings into "twelve late lessons."

Case studies include fisheries, radiation, benzene, asbestos, PCBs, Halocarbons (such as CFCs), DES, Antimicrobials as growth promoters, sulphur dioxide, MTBE, chemical contamination of the Great Lakes, TBT antifoulants, Hormones as growth promoters, and Mad Cow disease.

This 200+ report can be accessed online and it is recommended reading. At the very least it should be acquired and used for reference. The report is a very large file. To download the report, click here.

For now, please view a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. This is a large file which may take a moment to download. It will take approximately 10 minutes to view the presentation.

Consider while viewing whether we have actually "learned" these lessons and are changing our processes accordingly.

Go now to Twelve Late Lessons PowerPoint.

When finished, go to Practice1.