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Tainted Earth: Smelters, Public Health, and the Environment (Critical Issues in Health and Medicine)

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Arrives Friday, Dec 27
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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rutgers University Press; Illustrated edition (January 23, 2014)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0813562783


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 80


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #2,467,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #377 in Health Policy (Books) #615 in Epidemiology (Books)


#377 in Health Policy (Books):


#615 in Epidemiology (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Marianne Sullivan has written a meticulously documented and devastating indictment ...
Marianne Sullivan has written a meticulously documented and devastating indictment of the non-ferrous metals smelting industry, corporate determination to put profits before children's health, and government agencies either in the pocket of the industry or too weak and faint-hearted to be effective. Smelter operations in Ruston (near Tacoma), Washington, El Paso, Texas, and Silver Valley, Idaho dumped enormous quantities of toxic sulfur dioxide, lead, and/or arsenic into the air of these communities for many, many years, poisoning people and contaminating soil for miles around. The industry initially followed a policy of controlling the science dealing with the environmental and health impacts of smelting operations; needless to say, their "scientists" were never able to find evidence for any damage. When this was no longer effective they employed the tactics of systematically casting doubt on the scientific findings of others that demonstrated the massive damage they were inflicting upon their communities; they employed the same firm to do this that was hired by the tobacco industry to cast doubt upon the health effects of tobacco. Another tactic was using all possible legal challenges and obfuscations to delay, if not eliminate, the establishment and enforcement of standards and regulations designed to protect the public's health, particularly that of children. The problem was finally solved, for America, at least, when these smelters became unprofitable due to foreign competition and were closed down, leaving as a toxic legacy large areas of soil massively contaminated with lead or arsenic. The industry moved abroad. So now the children of China, Peru, Zambia, and Chile are being poisoned, just as American children were poisoned for so many years. Ms. Sullivan, you have given us a very readable, clearly written history of one aspect of corporate greed, and your thorough documentation provides ample justification for the anger that rises from almost every page. Many thanks. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2014 by David J. Wilson

  • Disturbingly thorough and eye opening!
Very helpful for my researching of ASARCO Smelter in Rustin, WA. Good science communicated in enough layman's terms for quick digestion. Disturbing on many levels.
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2019 by MTRoadkill

  • I live in the Tacoma Smelter Plume
Excellent book by Ms. Sullivan. I live across Commencement Bay to the east of the old Tacoma Smelter and have learned that my property is probably contaminated with arsenic. Sullivan's book gave me much historical insight as to the background of the Tacoma Smelter. I get to Ruston, WA during my local travels here, and I will look upon it much differently than I have in the past. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2019 by Harry Jarnagan

  • Five Stars
Fascinating details of environmental contamination from the past helps to clarify our contemporary toxic situations.
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2014 by Michele G Grodner

  • Five Stars
Amazing book! It should be school reading requirement!
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2016 by Jamie

  • An excellent introduction to these topics
An excellent introduction to these topics. It clearly shows the ongoing necessity of having external watchdogs to ensure that mining giants do not forget to protect the health of their nearby communities in their haste to make money.
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2015 by Bruce Armstrong

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