
Only One Chance: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Brain Development -- and How to Protect the Brains of the Next Generation
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Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9780190239732 |
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Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Publication date: | 08/01/2015 |
Series: | ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND SCIENCE POLICY Series |
Edition description: | Reprint |
Pages: | 232 |
Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d) |
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Only One Chance: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Brain Development -- and How to Protect the Brains of the Next Generation
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Written by an expert scientist for the informed lay reader, this book documents how our most precious and complex organ, the brain, is uniquely sensitive to toxic chemicals. Using known pollutants such as lead, mercury and arsenic, Grandjean shows how scientists were afraid of crying wolf and understated the risks, while industry representatives claimed that the pollution was innocuous. While waiting for better evidence, virtually millions of children suffered toxic effects to their developing brains making them slower, distracted and forgetful. As few would obtain a formal medical diagnosis, Grandjean calls it a silent epidemic. Even more scary is it that at least 200 pollutants are suspected to cause similar effects. But we are just waiting for better proof, that is, for a sufficient number of children to develop brain problems for researchers to discover it. The author argues that the loss of brain functions is already costing us billions of dollars every year, and he proposes a very reasonable action plan. When I got to the last chapter, I was so shocked and upset that I would suggest urgent action to prevent industrial chemicals from damaging the brains of our children and grand-children. Enough is clearly known, and we have no right to 'wait and see' when the safety of the next generation's brains is at stake. I highly recommend this book, and I truly hope that it will inspire courageous action by scientists and decision-makers.
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