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E. G. Vallianatos

McKay Jenkins

Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA Hardcover – April 8, 2014

by E.G. Vallianatos (Author), McKay Jenkins (Author)

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Imagine walking into a restaurant and finding chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, or neonicotinoid insecticides listed in the description of your entree. They may not be printed in the menu, but many are in your food.

These are a few of the literally millions of pounds of approved synthetic substances dumped into the environment every day, not just in the US but around the world. They seep into our water supply, are carried thousands of miles by wind and rain from the site of application, remain potent long after they are deposited, and constitute, in the words of one scientist, “biologic death bombs with a delayed time fuse and which may prove to be, in the long run, as dangerous to the existence of mankind as the arsenal of atom bombs.” All of these poisons are sanctioned--or in some cases, ignored--by the EPA.

For twenty-five years E.G. Vallianatos saw the EPA from the inside, with rising dismay over how pressure from politicians and threats from huge corporations were turning it from the public's watchdog into a "polluter's protection agency." Based on his own experience, the testimony of colleagues, and hundreds of documents Vallianatos collected inside the EPA, Poison Spring reveals how the agency has continually reinforced the chemical-industrial complex.

Writing with acclaimed environmental journalist McKay Jenkins, E.G. Vallianatos provides a devastating exposé of how the agency created to protect Americans and our environment has betrayed its mission. Half a century after Rachel Carson's Silent Spring awakened us to the dangers of pesticides, we are poisoning our lands and waters with more toxic chemicals than ever.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Bloomsbury Press
Publication date

April 8, 2014
Dimensions

6.44 x 1.02 x 9.47 inches
ISBN-10

1608199142
ISBN-13

978-1608199143
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Two outstanding environmental writers team up to tell the excoriating story of catastrophic collusion between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the chemical industry. Vallianatos worked for the EPA from 1979 to 2004 and witnessed the systematic undermining of the agency’s mission to set standards for environmental and health safety by major chemical manufacturers whose ruthless lobbying strategies were as insidious as the ecologically disastrous pesticides they aggressively promoted and brazenly misused. The title of this jaw-dropping exposé is a riff on Rachel Carson’s 1963 landmark protest of the use of DDT, Silent Spring. The carefully documented crimes and betrayals Poison Spring reveals unfold on two fronts. Most alarming are the harrowing facts about the thousands of deadly synthetic chemicals that have for decades been released into the biosphere and which we continually absorb, from dioxin to agrochemical nerve gas to the weed killer Roundup. Vallianatos and Jenkins explain the science behind these poisons and their many dire effects, from cancer to the death of honeybee colonies. Equally appalling is the silencing of heroic EPA whistle-blowers, fraudulent scientific studies, and the hijacking of the democratic process. In this riveting indictment, Vallianatos and Jenkins valiantly divulge the blinding greed and unfathomable stupidity behind these unconscionable lies and travesties—assaults against the very fabric of life. A resounding call for genuine and sustained environmental responsibility. --Donna Seaman

Review

“Makes a solid, damning case against putting political appointees in charge of a regulatory agency, as well as corporate claims about product safety. Poison Spring is Vallianatos' call to arms, urging American consumers to hold their government accountable for policies that protect and reward polluters.” ―Associated Press

“An alarming, comprehensive account of a 'fatally compromised' EPA mission crippled by bad enforcement practices and numerous corrupting influences.” ―Publishers Weekly, (starred review)

“In this riveting indictment, Vallianatos and Jenkins valiantly divulge the blinding greed and unfathomable stupidity behind the unconscionable lies and travesties―assaults against the very fabric of life. A resounding call for genuine and sustained environmental responsibility.” ―Booklist, starred review

“Like biologist Rachel Carson, Vallianatos, former staff scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Jenkins sound the alarm about toxins in common use…An indictment that implicates pesticides in wildlife and livestock die-offs, as well as in human maladies and deaths.” ―Library Journal

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Press; 1st edition (April 8, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1608199142
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1608199143
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.22 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.44 x 1.02 x 9.47 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,190,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #217 in Environmental Pollution Engineering
- #1,389 in Environmental Policy
- #3,185 in Environmental Economics (Books)

Customer Reviews:
49 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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t

Thoroughly depressing and eye-opening look inside the EPA

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is a really depressing book... In recent years it's become clear just how corrupt the FDA and USDA are in protecting corporate profits over our health... But the EPA gave the impression of being actually sort of a champion of the public health in certain areas. Certainly it caved to the fracking industry under Obama... But in some things it seemed helpful.

But the fact is we are all exposed to all sorts of toxic chemicals and pesticides that we shouldn't be, and those chemicals wouldn't be allowed at all if the EPA was doing was it's supposed to do. I knew things were bad going into reading this book, but the actual reality is so much worse...

Some quick points that really stuck with me:

-- Even though DDT was 'banned' / phased out in the US in the mid 1970s, it was still being put in pesticide formulations at least into the 1980s as 'inactive ingredients.' As if the lax testing and regulation of the main ingredients wasn't bad enough, this sick loophole allows pesticide companies to call something an 'inactive ingredient' and then it's not regulated at all.

-- The image of the fake-science-for-hire lab that chemical companies were paying to produce 'science' claiming the pesticides were safe (which by the way is the only 'testing' required by the EPA). A basement filled with ravenous hungry animals being poisoned and getting out of their cages and running amok. Like some sort of horror movie...

-- There were great scientists at the EPA (and FDA for that matter) at one time. But the heads of these agencies are put there by political administrations which got their campaigns paid for by chemical and pharmaceutical companies, so that's who sets the agenda. Scientists try to do good work protecting the public and raising alarms about pesticides, GMOs, aspartame, etc, but they're knocked down / silenced by the corporate puppets heading the agencies. Eventually, the good scientists leave (or become silent if they want to keep their jobs) and the agency just becomes a mouthpiece for the chemical / pesticide / pharmaceutical industries.

Anyway, read this book to open your eyes to just how bad the situation is. And while you're at it, read Silent Spring to see how much things have 'improved' since then 1960s. Like I said, depressing. But all the more reason to fight for a less-toxic world and food supply. And just because the FDA or EPA says a toxic poison is safe, maybe do some research yourself before believing them.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Bill A

EPA is in cahoots with pesticide makers!

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2017

Verified Purchase

DIsheartening that our EPA is under the thumb of Monsanto, Dow etc, focused on making money for themselves at the expense of environment and our health. Dioxin is deadly, and the EPA, and manufacturers lie about it's safety. Rather than promote more natural pesticides, they promote heavier dosages! I suspect that is why GMO foods are so prevalent (soy, corn, etc), to withstand the heavier dosages. And I suspect the pesticides are killing off our bees! (along with confusing electronic waves). Govt is NOT protecting us--they are in bed with pesticide makers!

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Carr - Public Health Advocate

Replace this sycophantic shell of an agency with people who really care about the environment and public health

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

Everyone needs to read this book, especially scientists at the EPA. We need more transparency, accountability and turnover in these departments. Further, we need to change the payment model such that industry is not routinely paying the EP to pass judgment on its product. That sets up a tacit quid pro quo. We also need to vet those who work there before they're hired. Do these scientists care about protecting environmental and pubic heath? Is it a passion for them? DO they feel a civic responsibility in this regard? If not, don't hire them for this post. This isn't the "CPA"-Corporate Protection Agency. It's the ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency. Protecting the environment, not safeguarding industry interests, is it mandate. In theory, I understand the concept of 'reasonability" in setting environmental regulations, but the way this "reasonableness has been demonstrated is gross rationalization and look-the-other-way, rubber stamping of anything industry wants to do. There are sufficient examples of well-documented malfeasance in this book to foment a change in the status quo. Will that happen? No. Because the decades-long runs of top Administrators at the EPA have basically made it their mission to ensure that no regulations are ever meaningfully enforced.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Nancy F Holt

Poison Spring: EPA Clean up corruption--OR shut down!

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book is a vivid detailed picture of what happens when a federal agency designated to protect the US public health from pollution and toxic chemicals comes under the control of the regulated companies. This is also a book that gives a full accounting of 25 years of observation and confirmation of the toxic damages done to the American people from chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, and other toxins with the approval of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The author discusses fraudulent scientific studies produced by industries and promoted by the EPA as proof of safety. The book also implicates Congress, the Senate, and the White House as protectors of industry at the expense of human health. Scientists now know that children's IQ is dropping because of exposure to chemicals used every day by Americans; in the home, at work, at school, and at play--all approved without proof of human safety. This book should be required reading for everyone in government as well as all parents and physicians. The rise in chronic disease in adults and children can be directly linked to the billions of pounds of chemicals in our environment. The Administrator of the EPA should purchase enough "Poison Spring" books to give to every EPA employee which will shame them and hopefully change some methods of pesticide and chemical approval by using only legitimate scientific evaluation of the risks to human health---and not accepting what industry says as the truth and nothing but the truth!

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

Monika Lolis

A must read for anyone concerned with the quality of human life on Earth

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

Mr. Vallianatos has the expertise, knowledge and experience, to be in a unique place that allows him to write this very well researched book that tells is like it is. He rings the warning bell as he exposes practices that have been going on for too long unchecked and he does not mince his words when it comes to indicating where blame lies. This book could be an instrument of change, if it is read by many people thus creating an awakening by setting the record straight and laying down the bare facts. A must read for anyone who is concerned about the environment, and the quality of human life on Earth.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Ian P.

How the American People have been completely betrayed by the EPA

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2015

Verified Purchase

The Environment Protection Agency's published mission statement is to protect human health and the environment.

This book leaves no doubt whatsoever that the EPA has completely failed in its mission and, indeed, has completely betrayed the trust of the American people.

Truth is the cornerstone of science and although smoke and mirrors works for a time, ultimately, as the EPA is finding out, the words of American Presidents still hold good:

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time (Abraham Lincoln)

and as people know:

Men and nature must work hand in hand. The throwing out of balance of the resources of nature throws out of balance also the lives of men (Franklin D Roosevelt)

and increasingly wake up to what exactly is going on, those in positions of responsibility will find:

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today (Abraham Lincoln)

The way forward unquestionably lies with the words of Abraham Lincoln:

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.

since:

In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal( John F Kennedy)

See all reviews

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