In the book, TOXIC DECEPTION, authors Dan Fagin and Marianne
Lavelle talked about the ways and means today's manufacturers
were able to hide their "deceptive practices", and keep harmful
products in the market even with the availability of safer and
cheaper alternatives.
According to the book, there are secret industry documents and
internal records from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
showing how the chemical industry distorted scientific studies
to produce results that are according to their advantage. They
have twisted facts and figures to mislead the consumers on the
dangers of four (4) common chemicals investigated in Toxic
Deception. In addition, the book also told about EPA's inaction
to stop these chemical manufacturers from making their products
available to consumers.
At present, all four chemicals remain in the market and are
reported to be in wide use despite significant evidence that
they cause cancer and other terrible health problems. These
chemicals are usually present in the pesticides commonly used in
households.
The book relates that scientific studies have come out with
evidence that children are more than twice as likely to acquire
leukemia if pest strips have been used in their homes.
Similarly, dogs have 30 percent probability of contracting
lymphoma if their owners spray 2,4-D on their lawns. 2,4-D is
the name of the most common herbicide in the market.
Unfortunately, federal health agencies have all but abandoned
the long-term testing of chemicals on animals. This type of
testing has been the only method known to accurately predict a
substance from causing cancer in humans. The authors contend
that the change was brought about by the barrage of public
relations produced by the big chemical industry players.
Animal-rights advocates are no match to the manufacturers' clout
and financial advantage. This was during the time when
information came out that the manufacturers' products cause rat
tumors and abnormalities.
On the EPA's part, instead of conducting their own tests, they
often evaluate and rely on the tests that have been designed and
conducted by the chemical manufacturers themselves. On other
occasions, it was found out that the EPA evaluated the tests
conducted by companies hired by the manufacturers.
In effect, the federal government provides the opportunity for
these chemical manufacturers to test the toxic effects of their
own products and produce results that are advantageous to their
cause. One review provided a perfect description: "It is a
fox-guarding-the-henhouse system that lends itself to
manipulation and even outright fraud."
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