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Policy

Questioning Controversial Claims

January 19, 2009 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 87, Issue 3

Executive Compensation Information Available

Information from the American Chemical Society's 2007 Form 990 is now available to ACS members on www.acs.org. To access the information, please have your ACS membership number handy and follow these instructions: Go to www.acs.org. In the upper right-hand corner, log in. If you are already a registered user, enter your user name and password. If you're a new user, follow the link and register (a process that requires your ACS membership number and takes less than a minute). Once you have logged in, you will see a link titled "Member Information." Click on this link, go to the heading "Your Organization" at the bottom of the screen, and click on the link titled "Access the Compensation of ACS Officers and Key Employees." You will immediately go to the introductory text; the Form 990 is available by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page titled "2007 Compensation Schedules." If you have any problems, contact webmaster@acs.org.

I WAS QUITE SURPRISED and disappointed in C&EN's review of the book "Poisoned Profits" (C&EN, Jan. 5, page 34). One would expect a critical and balanced assessment of a controversial book. Unlike many of the reviews that have appeared in the mainstream media, your reviewer questioned none of the claims in the book, which include blaming chemical exposure for the Columbine and Virginia Tech tragedies.

The book's premise is that one out of three American children suffers from a chronic disease and there has been a "steep upward trend" in the incidence of toxic effects in children. But a Washington Post reviewer, who claimed to have once aspired to become an environmental reporter, based on earlier work by the book's authors found that "a look at the data quickly shows" these contentions to be "overreaching, headline-grabbing," and "overblown" (Sept. 7, 2008). Absent from the C&EN review was any investigation of the accuracy of the book's claims and allegations.

The book's authors reluctantly acknowledge that Americans are living longer and healthier lives due in large part to the benefits of chemistry. In fact, chemistry has played a leading role in developing life-saving vaccines and new medical treatments, ensuring supplies of clean drinking water, and products like car seats and bike helmets that protect our children from injury.

The chemical industry recognizes that environmental health issues are a concern for parents and is working on programs that address children's health issues. Since 1988, American Chemistry Council members have reduced environmental releases by 78%. ACC and its members have strongly supported programs such as the High Production Volume Challenge, the Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program pilot, and the National Children's Study that, in conjunction with regulatory requirements, will provide the information that government, industry, and parents can use to make informed decisions that protect children's health.

Michael P. Walls
Vice President, Regulatory & Technical Affairs
American Chemistry Council

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