From: Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Evolution of chemical law and toxicology...
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 09:52:02 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CAEwQnqjdXirwJUY3F-E6x5nC5PjVKdQC2V4pXU47SBDYzv1d0w**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To <3AE856B5-5942-4FC2-AEBF-94B03B925D0C**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu>


Ralph,

Since you mention radium paint, I'd like to give a recommendation for Kate Moore's book "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women." I picked it up a few weeks ago and was a compelling read.

Jeff


On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 9:09 AM Stuart, Ralph <Ralph.Stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu> wrote:
>a timeline of where chemical law has been and where it has led us to now...I am looking for a helpful website (or several) that gives an overview.
>
>
That would be a great resource to have for many different reasons, and I have looked for something like that on a couple of occasions with no luck. Walking through the history of specific chemicals, such as DDT, asbestos or radium paints can be used to highlight the interplay of technical issues and cultural influences on the history of chemical law, but there is no single pathway that they have in common (with the possible exception of a landmark event, either physical or social, that raises the profile of that issue in isolation).

There is also the challenge of trying to identify "obviously skewed or un-fundamental science" when the evidence base is continuously changing and the range of scientific and regulatory literacy is so wide, both in the general population and among technical experts. Developing a legal response in this setting become unpredictable due to its complexity, due to everyone's frustration.

Thanks for asking a good question!

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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--
Jeff Lewin
Chemical Safety Officer
Compliance, Integrity, and Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
207 Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC)
Michigan Technological University
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