Sound Science, Junk Policy

Environmental Health Science and the Decision-Making Process

Michele Morrone, Timothy W. Lohner

• Publisher: Praeger
• Year: 2002
• Print ISBN: 9780865693081
• eBook ISBN: 9780313076992
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Public Health, Administration & Care

Morrone and Lohner assert that sound science is often misinterpreted, which leads to questionable policy decisions. This provocative look at environmental policymaking shows the importance of correctly interpreting science, and examines the full implications of using science as the major criterion in the decision-making process. Contemporary critics often argue that environmental policy problems are rooted in junk science. Yet Morrone and Lohner assert that many cases are based on sound science that is misinterpreted, which leads to questionable policy decisions. Revealing the way science is used in the environmental decision-making process, the authors illustrate how policies can go awry. Their combined experience in the public and private sectors is buttressed by a series of case studies, including:
•Air pollution
•Solid and hazardous waste management
•Food protection
•Vectors and their diseases
•Drinking water safety This provocative look at environmental policymaking shows the importance of correctly interpreting science, and examines the full implications of using science as the major criterion in the decision-making process.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface and Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1 What Is Science?
• 2 Science and Environmental Policy
• 3 Science and Politics
• 4 Science and Air Quality
• 5 Science and Waste Management
• 6 Science and Food Safety
• 7 Science and Vectors
• 8 Science and Drinking Water
• 9 What If...?
• 10 Innovative Policy Approaches
• Notes
• Additional Recommended Reading
• Index