In Defense of Risk Assessment: A Reply to the Environmental Justice Movement's Critique
- 1 June 2000
- journal article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal
- Vol. 6 (4), 555-560
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10807030008951329
Abstract
The environmental justice movement believes risk assessment is undemocratic. The movement believes risk assessment is a way of trading human health for profit and a means of legitimizing exposure to toxic chemicals. The movement considers risk assessment an evil industry and a tool developed by those who wish to oppress racial and ethnic minorities. These beliefs are wrong and the environmental justice movement is a Luddite enterprise. Risk assessment is a fundamentally democratic process and enables all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, income or social status, to enjoy the benefits of technology and also suffer its drawbacks within a framework of equality and democracy. “A savage servility slides by on grease.” -Robert Penn Warren For the Union DeadKeywords
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