RE: How to truly reach the masses

[David James <james.david@epa.gov>]

I have a strong reaction to Mark Bohne's thoughts about immediatedly and fully informing the public in the event of an acute exposure.

Bohne says "the public should be educated about the possible short and long-term affects to the environment and the people living ina and around the plume. By issuing factual statements with a complete "picture" of the possibilities, more people will become involved."

To me, it seems like this prescription presumes:

1.)  -- that it is even *possible* for us to know enough about an exposure to make such an announcement. I don't think the science is there yet, and I'm not sure it ever will be.

2.)  -- that a public agency which issues dire warnings about possible ill effects of an acute exposure doesn't leave itself open to all sorts of legal trouble in the event that it's warnings turn out to be overblown. Agencies simply can't shoot off their mouth -- put yourself in the place of someone about to sell their house, when the exposure warning is a "false positive"  -- you've been irreparably harmed financially. No, financial risks are less important morally than health risks -- but they are far easier to document in a law court.

3.)  -- that it is up to public agencies such as the EPA to educate the public. I'm pretty hard-nosed about this line of thought. To me, the job of regulatory agencies is to enforce the laws passed by Congress, while always being open and honest about what they are doing. And it is the job of the public schools of this country to transmit a basic understanding of science to the public. 

A regulators job is to regulate, not to shore up scientific literacy, and if the participants in this fascinating internet dialogue feel so strongly that the public is apathetic because of  a basic incomprehension of enviornmental science -- well, I recommend they find some time to volunteer in their local public schools. 

David James
james.david@epa.gov
(an on-site contractor, opinions don't reflect etc. & etc.)