'Sound science' a barrier

Editorial: Richard A. Maltby, Midland Daily News 11/13/2005

In response to Warren Crummett’s Forum article ("Uncertainty’ needs to be addressed in dioxin debate," Oct. 16, 2005), Crummett stresses using science exclusively in resolving public health and environmental problems, such as the dioxin issue facing the residents of the Saginaw Valley.

Crummett says, "The problem of ‘uncertainty’ is especially acute in epidemiology studies and, without true measurements of ‘uncertainty,’ reliable statements about ‘risk’ cannot be made ... Sound science demands the highest integrity! It can never consist of a ‘quick fix."

In addition to Crummett’s "sound science," I offer three interrelated approaches to resolving the dioxin issue in the Saginaw Valley as alternatives to relying exclusively on sound science. Sound science by itself will not resolve the public health and environmental issues confronting the residents of the Saginaw Valley: (1) The Precautionary Principle; (2) Environmental Science and Technology; and (3) Environmental Planning.

Environmentalists and planners often support the precautionary principle, which holds that the absence of complete scientific certainty (i.e., "sound science") should not be an excuse for refusing to take action. For instance, dioxin is one of the most intensively studied substances ever, but we remain ignorant about the full range of its impacts. However, growing evidence suggests that dioxin is harmful to humans and other living things, but absolute proof of harm has not been established.

The dioxin assessment and reassessment process instigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the early 1990s, is a seemingly endless attempt to reduce the uncertainties about the impacts of this chemical. But it will not stop exposure to dioxin. Instead, it is likely to lead to more debates about controlling sources of dioxin and about how much of the substance can be tolerated by humans and the ecosystem.

 Environmental science and technology in the broadest sense is the science of the complex interactions that occur among the terrestrial, atmospheric, aquatic, and living environments. It includes all the disciplines, such as chemistry, biology, ecology, sociology, and government that affect or describe these interactions. For instance, environmental science may be defined as the study of the earth, air, water, and living environments and the effects of technology thereon. Environmental planning is deciding how to use natural resources, financial capital, and people to achieve and maintain healthy communities and ‘a high quality of life. For instance, environmental planning involves avoiding problems before they happen, although remedial environmental planning may be initiated to avoid obvious public health problems. Environmental planning can also help communities avoid or minimize air and water pollution, loss of wildlife, the conversion of farm and forestlands, and degradation of the built environment.

As for example, the remediation of the infamous Love Canal in Niagara Falls, N. Y., was successful due to the Erie and Niagara Counties Regional Planning Board’s involvement in three areawide environmental planning programs: (1) International Joint Commission’s Environmental Enhancement Study of the Niagara River; (2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Zone Management Program; and (3) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Area wide Water Quality Management Program.
It’s apparent that the precautionary principle coupled with environmental science and technology and environmental planning is the preferred method for addressing the dioxin issue.

In conclusion, the burden of scientific proof as an exclusive policy as called for by Crummett would pose an unnecessary, monumental barrier in the campaign to protect the environment and public health in the Saginaw Valley.

Richard A. Maltby is a Midland resident.
 

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