Toxics Evidence

Applying Quality Criteria to Exposure in Asbestos Epidemiology Increases the Estimated Risk

05/29/2011

By Alex Burdorf and Dick Heederik. British Occupational Hygiene Society. May 29, 2011.

Industry Opposition to Government Regulation

10/01/2010

Pew Environmental Group. October 2010.

“Industry Opposition to Government Regulation” provides a nice chart comparing the real price tags of environmental, safety, and health regulations to industry’s original estimation of their costs. Very clear, very succinct.

A Repeat Call for the Banning of Asbestos

07/01/2010

By Linda S. Birnbaum, Jane C. Schroeder, Hugh A. Tilson. Environmental Health Perspectives. July 1, 2010.

The Going-Out-Of-Business Myth

07/01/2005

OMB Watch. July 2005.

OMB Watch compiled this useful chart of the predicted costs of various federal regulations, including OSHA standards, and the actual costs (“The Going-Out-of-Business Myth”). It includes an “Ex Ante” and an “Ex Post” column. Very good for a quick look at the industry’s history of exaggeration.

Behind the Numbers: Polluted Data

11/01/1997

Eban Goodstein and Hart Hodges. The American Prospect. November 1, 1997.

This impressively comprehensive report, "Behind the Numbers: Polluted Data," exposes the over-exaggerated price estimates of academics, business groups, and even regulatory agencies themselves.

The Myths About Asbestos

01/01/1995

Authors unknown. London Hazards Centre. 1995.

Methods for Reducing Lead Exposure in Young Children and Other Risk Groups

11/01/1990

P Mushak and AF Crocett. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. November 1990.

“Methods for reducing lead exposure in young children and other risk groups” shows that blood-lead levels in children fell every year, eventually to below toxic levels, as leaded gasoline was slowly phased out.

Costs and Benefits of Reducing Lead in Gasoline

02/01/1985

Joel Schwartz, Hugh Pitcher, Ronnie Levin, Bart Ostro, Albert L. Nichols. Environmental Protection Agency. February 1985.

Environmental Protection Agency’s own “Costs and Benefits of Reducing Lead in Gasoline” shows that benefits already outstripped costs by $700 million in 1985, largely due to reduced medical and auto maintenance costs.

Chronological Trend in Blood Levels Between 1976 and 1980

06/09/1983

Joseph L. Annest, James L. Pirkle, Diane Makuc, Jane W. Neese, David D. Bayse and Mary Grace Kovar. New England Journal of Medicine. June 9, 1983.

“Chronological Trend in Blood Levels between 1976 and 1980” (subscription required) clearly depicts the success of the EPA’s effort to remove lead from gasoline. Due to the agency’s regulatory push, the lead levels in American gasoline fell by 50 percent (between 1976 and 1980). Atthe same time, blood-lead levels fell 37 percent.

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Toxics