The Precautionary Principle
The Precautionary Principle is a no-brainer; if any scientific uncertainty exists about the harm a substance may cause, we shouldn't use it! This common-sense principle was adopted by the European Union in 2001 as the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals policy, or REACH.
Not surprisingly, chemical manufacturers are unhappy about it.
According to an article entitled, "The Chemical Wars", by Peter Montague, for too long we have given chemical companies the benefit of the scientific doubt. We generally consider new chemicals safe until risk assessments prove them harmful. Yet, this "prove harm" system has allowed significant damage to human health and the environment.
"Under the 'prove harm' system, scientific uncertainty creates a green light - full speed ahead until someone can line up the dead bodies. Victims must prove harm before decision-makers can act.
"Under a precautionary approach, scientific uncertainty flashes a yellow light or a red light - urging us to take preventive action, assess all available alternatives, shift the burden of proof of safety onto the proponents of a questionable activity, and move ahead slowly (if at all) until we have a better idea of what we're doing."
While North Americans remain under a 'prove harm' system, individuals can take action to educate themselves about the dangers of synthetic chemicals in the products they use, and can replace them with safe alternatives.