Rachel's Precaution Reporter

"Practical Precaution, in the News and in the World"

Thursday, September 15, 2005
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                   Table of Contents Edition
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        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?
  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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