How Safe is…?

Do we really know how to decide what is safe? Are assumptions on the “data” we use to declare something safe or not valid?

Check out this article in C&EN on “How to Define Safe Water”: http://bit.ly/dk0i20

We have to check and re-check the assumptions we make when we make “scientific” declarations.  Bisphenol-A:  is it or isn’t it the cause of every adverse effect (including obesity) just because we can detect minute levels?  I don’t know.  Let the arguments continue – but make sure the best science is being done and reviewed.  Don’t let the uninformed emotion or administrative ease be the only basis for “the answer.”

PS – check out http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-risky-is-it-really for great blogs on risk perception.