Engineers and scientists have made great progress in advancing the understanding of the principles underlying environmental quality and public health. However, all too often, society and the scientific community do not realize the connections between environmental occurrences. In their haste to remedy a situation, they overlook lessons that could be learned to prevent future disasters. Paying attention to the past instructs us about the future.

Paradigms Lost combines the historical case perspective with credible and sound scientific explanations of key environmental disasters and problems. The author sorts through natural disasters and human mistakes from Love Canal, New York to Bhopal, India to provide larger lessons that can be applied by scientists, engineers and public safety officials. The analysis of these events includes viable alternatives for future generations.

* Includes alternative approaches to environmental issues from preventative measures to contingency plans

* Richly annotated with sidebars, discussion boxes and generous examples from Exxon Valdez and Love Canal to Agent Orange and Bhopal

* A usable tool for all professionals from lawyers to chemical engineers

• Table of Contents 8
• Preface and Introduction 14
  • Structure and Emphasis 15
  • Quality Control 22
  • Notes and Commentary 31
  • Acknowledgments 31
• Part I: New Science and New Paradigms 34
  • CHAPTER 1: Lessons Learned: A Case Approach to Environmental Problems 46
    • MTBE and Cross-Media Transfer 51
    • The Incremental Effect 52
    • Failure and Blame 54
    • A Lesson from the Medical Community 64
    • Professional Accountability 66
    • Villain and Victim Status 67
    • Other Lessons: Risk and Reliability 70