Precaution Could Be Dangerous

Sometimes in the flurry of media coverage surrounding the most recent "dangerous chemical of the day" the most important underlying principle of the debate can be lost - is our society going to base its decisions about consumer products on fear, passion and perceived risk, or on science, data and real risk?

We do not live in a risk free world.  Simply getting on an airplane or crossing the street carries risk. In an era of rapidly advancing science, we can now measure particulates in levels of parts per trillion.  The question is this - is risk sufficiently small and within acceptable limits based on expert analysis of the entire body of scientific evidence?

Currently, a growing number of states are considering so-called "Green Chemistry" measures, which would establish a new framework for chemicals management that heavily focuses on banning or substituting chemical ingredients found in products.  The cornerstone of modern toxicology dates back to 1536 when Paracelsus established the doctrine that "the dose makes the poison".  In other words, everything, including water, can be dangerous, if consumed in excess.  The U.S. Congress will certainly debate Paracelsus and the proper approach to chemicals management when it considers reauthorization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) this year. 

Yes, we need to be cautious with chemicals, but the ability of an analytical scientist to detect the presence of chemical ingredients alone in any consumer product does not, by any reasonable definition, create the hazard.  But in today's world where we are able to detect the presence of micro-organisms and chemical in parts per trillion, we must balance science of detectability with the science of risk management and common sense.  Risk has been, and will always be, a part of our daily lives.

Check out this excellent Boston Globe opinion editorial piece from last summer by Harvard Law School Felix Frankfurter professor of law, Cass R. Sunstein: Throwing Precaution to the Wind: why the 'safe' choice can be dangerous