. . Precaution trainings are now set for Mar. 31-Apr. 2 in New Brunswick, |
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Table of Contents Edition Maine's Governor Baldacci Orders a New Policy for Chemicals Pressured by a lot of well-organized citizens, Maine's governor, John Baldacci, signed an executive order Feb. 22 committing state government to finding less-harmful alternatives to toxic chemicals for consumer products and services -- a precautionary approach that doesn't even mention precaution. More great work from activists in Maine! And hats off to Governor Baldacci! Resolution for Healthy, Environmentally Sound Schools The Emeryville, California School District has adopted the precautionary principle and has spelled out what it means: anticipatory action to avert harm, community right to know, assessment of alternatives to find the least harmful way, full cost accounting to tally up both goods and bads, and decision-making that respects and involves the people affected. Phthalate Safety Concerns Merit Substitute Products When do we know enough to act? For sure when less-harmful alternatives are readily available. In the case of DEHP (a phthalate) in medical devices, good alternatives are available now. As physician Ted Schettler says, the Food & Drug Administration should use its authority to meet its public trust responsibility: require labeling of DEHP-containing PVC medical devices and move the medical device market to safer alternatives by requiring substitution where suitable alternatives exist. This is the "substitution principle" -- an important part of precautionary action. Critic Says Precaution 'Dictates' the Use of a Toxic Chemical Want to see a neat trick? In this op-ed, Patrick Moore argues that precaution 'dictates' that we continue to use a dangerous flame- retardant (deca-BDE) instead of searching for a less-harmful alternative. George Orwell would feel vindicated by Mr. Moore's inventive double-speak. Oh, and be sure to check out the web site maintained by activists who keep tabs on Mr. Moore's work. Leaked Report: U.S. Misled the World On Biotech Foods 'Victory' In Rachel's Precaution Reporter #24 we reported that the World Trade Organization (WTO) had basically outlawed the precautionary principle for genetically-modified foods, forcing the European Union to allow the import and sale of such products. Now it seems that we may have been duped by U.S. spin doctors who misrepresented what the WTO actually said in its secret report, which has just been leaked. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 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 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: To start your own free Email subscription to Rachel's Precaution Reporter send a blank Email to one of these addresses: Full HTML edition: join-rpr-html@gselist.org Table of Contents edition: join-rpr-toc@gselist.org In response, you will receive an Email asking you to confirm that you want to subscribe. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: |
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