Class 1

Class presentations

• Overview slides (ppt) - Introduction to ENVH 472/572
• Wikis and communication (ppt-8 mgb) - Introduction to wikis and risk communication

Class readings

• Scientists need to speak up the importance of communication

Current events

three current reports - different aspects of the collision between health, risk, business, and policy/regulation.

Use of potentially harmful chemicals kept secret under law. Of the 84,000 chemicals in commercial use in the United States - from flame retardants in furniture to household cleaners - nearly 20 percent are secret, according to the EPA, their names and physical properties guarded from consumers and virtually all public officials under a little-known federal provision. Washington Post [Registration Required] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/03/AR2010010302110.html

New York considers list of 85 chemicals to avoid buying. New York is poised to create a list of 85 chemicals for state agencies to avoid buying - a measure short of a ban, but which could still drive industry to produce fewer products with toxins and carcinogens. Associated Press http://www.lohud.com/article/20100103/NEWS02/1030391/1018/NY-considers-list-of-85-chemicals-to-avoid-buying

A tough new chemical law. There are tens of thousands of chemical compounds on the market these days. And, for the most part, unless regulators can prove a chemical is harmful, it stays there. Now, Europe has turned that way of doing things on its head, and the US is showing signs of moving in that direction, too. Environment Report, Michigan. http://www.environmentreport.org/story.php?story_id=4815

From - http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/