Consumer Education Group Releases Evidence of Growing Chemophobia Among American Public

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) releases a new position paper, Scared to Death: How Chemophobia Threatens Public Health, authored by Jon Entine, a scholar with the American Enterprise Institute and highly regarded science journalist. In response to the growing level of chemophobia – the irrational fear of chemicals – among the American public, ACSH compiled this resource book to educate legislators, industry, media, consumers and parents on the actual risks of chemical exposure and use in everyday products.  

"Over the last several years the level of fear, misinformation and media hype surrounding the use of safe chemicals in everyday, household products has swelled to a level which we feel must be addressed in detail before this situation gets even further out of hand," said ACSH president, Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. "Pseudoscience and fear of perceived environmental risks among the public has led to what we call Chemophobia.  Keeping in mind that exposure does not necessarily equate to risk, activists and some in the media have led Americans to believe that chemicals are not to be trusted in our environment – even those with fifty or more years record of safe use. This kind of panic can – and historically has – led to potentially dangerous outcomes and unintended consequences.  A perfect example of this overhyped media misconception is the recent release of Environmental Health Perspectives on pregnant woman.  The study merely notes that chemicals have been detected in women's bodies.  Yet, it fails to identify any definitive ill effects."

Scared to Death: How Chemophobia Threatens Public Health addresses scientific realities and dispels unfounded fears regarding the safe use of chemicals. The position paper and resource book brings research to light that illustrates how little evidence-based support exists for Chemophobia. This paper serves as a resource for media, parents, consumers and policymakers to put risk into proper perspective and reduce public support for harmful, unnecessary regulations.

For more information, please visit ACSH's website (ACSH.org) to read Scared to Death: How Chemophobia Threatens Public Health. If you are interested in interviewing any of ACSH's experts on this issue or would like to request a copy of the position paper to be mailed, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Whelan or Dr. Gilbert Ross at 212-362-7044. Dr. Whelan can also be reached at 917-439-8043 and Dr. Ross at 516-581-8400.

The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) is a consumer education consortium concerned with issues related to food, nutrition, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, the environment and health. ACSH is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.   ACSH was founded in 1978 by a group of scientists who had become concerned that many important public policies related to health and the environment did not have a sound scientific basis. These scientists created the organization to add reason and balance to debates about public health issues and bring common sense views to the public.  http://www.acsh.org/about/

SOURCE American Council on Science and Health