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Table of Contents Edition
European Union Re-Endorses the Precautionary Principle
"Where there is scientific uncertainty, implement evaluation
procedures and take appropriate preventive action in order to avoid
damage to human health or to the environment."
European Union Bans Phthalates in Toys
The ban has had mixed reactions. Consumer organisations and NGOs
are relieved while the toy industry points to a 'misuse of the
precautionary principle.'
Newborns Have Dangerous Chemicals in Their Blood
Weil and Mazur aren't alarmists. But they both support the ban-
first, study-it-later "precautionary principle," adopted in some
countries in Europe.... In the United States, it's the opposite
scenario: science has to first prove something is harmful before it is
banned.
Can Too Much Safety Be Hazardous?
"There are at least two reasons why the precautionary principle
itself, when applied in its extreme, is a hazard, both to our health
and our high standard of living."
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Rachel's Precaution Reporter offers news, views and practical
examples of the Precautionary Principle, or Foresight Principle, in
action. The Precautionary Principle is a modern way of making
decisions, to minimize harm. Rachel's Precaution Reporter tries to
answer such questions as, Why do we need the precautionary
principle? Who is using precaution? Who is opposing precaution?
We often include attacks on the precautionary principle because we
believe it is essential for advocates of precaution to know what
their adversaries are saying, just as abolitionists in 1830 needed
to know the arguments used by slaveholders.
Rachel's Precaution Reporter is published as often as necessary to
provide readers with up-to-date coverage of the subject.
As you come across stories that illustrate the precautionary
principle -- or the need for the precautionary principle --
please Email them to us at rpr@rachel.org.
Editors:
Peter Montague - peter@rachel.org
Tim Montague - tim@rachel.org
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