RT Journal
A1 Sagan LA
T1 Environment, technology, and health: Human ecology in historical perspective
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1979
FD May 25
VO 241
IS 21
SP 2315
OP 2315
DO 10.1001/jama.1979.03290470063036
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1979.03290470063036
AB Today's common environmental wisdom often lacks historical perspective and is often more trendy than wise. Merrill Eisenbud's new book helps to provide that missing perspective (as suggested by the subtitle) and, contrary to a widely held view, strongly supports the position that technological development is associated with a profound improvement in health. What may be unfamiliar to many readers is the evidence that many levels of environmental contaminants are falling rather than rising. For example, Eisenbud cites 1,000 known cases of lead poisoning occurring in the United Kingdom in 1900, including 40 deaths; whereas in 1960 there were only five cases, with no fatalities. It is the failure to recognize this historical record and the environmental achievements of technology for which Eisenbud criticizes environmentalists. They have, he says, attempted too much too quickly and in doing so have adopted poorly conceived programs whose costs have greatly outweighed their benefits.Eisenbud