Ecosystems and Human Health, 3rd Edition

Chapter 2

Risk Analysis and Public Perceptions of Risk

(Risky Business)

Introduction

As noted in the opening page of Chapter 1, the American Chemical Society adds about 4000 new chemicals every day to the roughly 60 million already on its registry. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 70,000 industrial and commercial chemicals are currently in use in North America; a number that doubtless is already out of date. The (U.S.) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists over 10,000 chemicals it considers to be hazardous as of 2011. Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act the Toxic Substance List contains only 120 chemicals, but this list is more akin to a controlled substance list. It should be obvious that only a very ...