Sound Science, Junk Policy: Environmental Health Science and the Decision-Making Process

(Hardback)

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Demonstrates that sound science is prevalent in environmental decision-making processes but that it is often misinterpreted by policymakers, with critics unfairly blaming poor policy on the underlying science. Contemporary critics argue that environmental policy problems are rooted in poor, or "junk," science. While this may sometimes be true, Morrone and Lohner argue that in many cases, the science is perfectly sound but has been misinterpreted, leading to questionable policy decisions. By revealing how science is used in the environmental decision-making process, the authors illustrate how this can happen. Bringing their experiences in the public and private sectors to bear on the problem, they buttress their points with a series of case studies. Case studies include air pollution, solid and hazardous waste management, food protection, vectors and their diseases, and drinking water safety. This book is a provocative look at the importance of properly interpreting science when setting environmental policy. The authors thoroughly examine the full implications of using science as the major criterion in policy decisions, and they discuss the merits of such alternative approaches as comparative risk assessment. This book makes a valuable contribution to the literature for scholars of environmental science, environmental law, environmental regulations, and scientific theory, as well as for policy makers, lawyers, environmental advocates, and industry leaders.

Reviews

"An important book that highlights the friction and interplay between science and environmental policy. The book encourages wider use of sound science in environmental policy making. It serves as a good primer for those who are now making environmental policy decisions and for those who may be called upon to make such decisions in the future."-John Veil Manager, Water Policy Argonne National Laboratory
[T]hose who feel that industry is burdened by unnecessary regulations will applaud the book and quote it....Sound Science, Junk Policy is a useful book because it doe a good job in articulating the difficulties in translating science into policy. It is well refeenced and the case examples present sufficient scientific and regulatory detail for the reader who seeks more information on this important and controversial topic.-EHP Online
General readers; graduate students through professionals.-Choice
I can recommend this book as a useful survey of the tate of science and policy in a broad range of areas of enviornmental health. I can also recommend the case studies as stimulants for each reader to examine the basis of his or her conclusions regarding the best policy in each area. This is a provocative book.-Journal of Technology Transfer
Sound Science, Junk Policy is a useful book because it does a good job in articulating the difficulties in translating science into policy. It is well referenced and the case examples present sufficient scientific and regulatory detail for the reader who seeks more information on this important and controversial topic.-Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 111, No.2
"Those who feel that industry is burdened by unnecessary regulations will applaud the book and quote it....Sound Science, Junk Policy is a useful book because it doe a good job in articulating the difficulties in translating science into policy. It is well refeenced and the case examples present sufficient scientific and regulatory detail for the reader who seeks more information on this important and controversial topic."-EHP Online
"General readers; graduate students through professionals."-Choice
"I can recommend this book as a useful survey of the tate of science and policy in a broad range of areas of enviornmental health. I can also recommend the case studies as stimulants for each reader to examine the basis of his or her conclusions regarding the best policy in each area. This is a provocative book."-Journal of Technology Transfer
"Sound Science, Junk Policy is a useful book because it does a good job in articulating the difficulties in translating science into policy. It is well referenced and the case examples present sufficient scientific and regulatory detail for the reader who seeks more information on this important and controversial topic."-Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 111, No.2
"[T]hose who feel that industry is burdened by unnecessary regulations will applaud the book and quote it....Sound Science, Junk Policy is a useful book because it doe a good job in articulating the difficulties in translating science into policy. It is well refeenced and the case examples present sufficient scientific and regulatory detail for the reader who seeks more information on this important and controversial topic."-EHP Online

Author Bio

MICHELE MORRONE is Assistant Professor of Environmental Health at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. TIMOTHY W. LOHNER is a senior environmental specialist with American Electric Power.