Whitewash : the story of a weed killer, cancer, and the corruption of science
Gillam, Carey2017
Books
A journalist exposes new evidence of the dangers of a pervasive pesticide and the corporate influences behind it. Rachel Carson Environment Book Award, First Place (2018) IPPY Outstanding Book of the Year: Most Likely to Save the Planet (2018) Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Award (2018) "Reads like a mystery novel as Gillam skillfully uncovers Monsanto's secretive strategies." -Erin Brockovich "A damning picture...Gillam expertly covers a contentious front." -Publishers Weekly"A must-read." -Booklist"Hard-hitting, eye-opening narrative." -Kirkus It's the pesticide on our dinner plates, a chemical so pervasive it's in the air we breathe, our water, our soil, and even found increasingly in our own bodies. Known as Monsanto's Roundup by consumers, and as glyphosate by scientists, the world's most popular weed killer is used everywhere from backyard gardens to golf courses to millions of acres of farmland. For decades it's been touted as safe enough to drink, but a growing body of evidence indicates just the opposite, with research tying the chemical to cancers and a host of other health threats. In Whitewash, veteran journalist Carey Gillam uncovers one of the most controversial stories in the history of food and agriculture, exposing new evidence of corporate influence. Gillam introduces readers to farm families devastated by cancers which they believe are caused by the chemical, and to scientists whose reputations have been smeared for publishing research that contradicted business interests. Readers learn about the arm twisting of regulators who signed off on the chemical, echoing company assurances of safety even as they permitted higher residues of the pesticide in food and skipped compliance tests. And, in startling detail, Gillam reveals secret industry communications that pull back the curtain on corporate efforts to manipulate public perception. Whitewash is more than an expos about the hazards of one chemical or even the influence of one company. It's a story of power, politics, and the deadly consequences of putting corporate interests ahead of public safety.
Main title:
Author:
Gillam, Carey, author
Imprint:
Washington : Island Press, [2017]
Collation:
xiv, 305 pages ; 24 cm
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 255-293) and index.
Contents:
<div>Preface Introduction. A Silent Stalker Chapter 1. What Killed Jack McCall? Chapter 2. An Award-Winning Discovery Chapter 3. The "Roundup Ready" Rollout Chapter 4. Weed Killer for Breakfast Chapter 5. Under the Microscope Chapter 6. Spinning the Science Chapter 7. A Poisoned Paradise Chapter 8. Angst in Argentina Chapter 9. Uproar in Europe Chapter 10. When Weeds Don't Die, But Butterflies Do Chapter 11. Under the Influence Chapter 12. Seeking Solutions Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes About the Author Index </div>
ISBN:
9781610918329 ((hardcover))
Language:
English
Added title:
Subject:
Monsanto CompanyAgricultural chemicals -- Environmental aspectsAgricultural innovations -- Social aspects -- United StatesPesticides -- Environmental aspectsPesticides -- Social aspects -- United StatesAgricultural chemicals -- Environmental aspectsAgricultural innovations -- Social aspects -- United StatesHEALTH & FITNESS -- Diseases -- CancerPOLITICAL SCIENCE -- Public Policy -- Agriculture & Food PolicySOCIAL SCIENCE -- Agriculture & FoodAgricultural chemicals -- Environmental aspectsAgricultural innovations -- Social aspectsPesticides -- Environmental aspectsPesticides -- Social aspectsFarming and Country LifePest controlCoping with illness & specific conditionsOncology
BRN:
1179511
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