Residents of West Anniston refused to accept continual denials from Monsanto as to the potential health effects of PCBs which incidentally are still stated on their website today: “the health effects of PCBs have been extensively studied. Published studies have shown no consistent excesses in cancer.” (Monsanto) This claim flies directly in the face of EPA findings which state that PCBs are probable human carcinogens and these conclusions are supported by 15 peer reviews by experts on PCBs. (USEPA) The residents of West Anniston knew better than to accept Monsanto’s reassurances. Through kitchen table conversations, they had begun to take note of odd patterns of illness and rare conditions that conflicted with what they were hearing from both Monsanto and their personal physicians. Below
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"I knew something was wrong around here," he said. (Grunwald) These conflicting observations from Monsanto, the EPA and local residents surely would insist that the precautionary principle be the prudent course of action. In summary, the Precautionary Principle states that if you have reasonable suspicion of harm, and there is scientific uncertainty, then one has a duty to take action to prevent harm by shifting the burden of proof of safety onto those whose are carrying out said questionable activities. In absence of the precautionary practice and the growing frustration resulting from personal observations/experiences noted above, a grassroots movement developed. This fight in reaction to discriminatory environmental practices is also known as The Environmental Justice Movement. It emerged in the 1980’s but can be traced back to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s as well as the Environmental Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Low-income communities of color transitioned into strong activists against environmental
"I knew something was wrong around here," he said. (Grunwald) These conflicting observations from Monsanto, the EPA and local residents surely would insist that the precautionary principle be the prudent course of action. In summary, the Precautionary Principle states that if you have reasonable suspicion of harm, and there is scientific uncertainty, then one has a duty to take action to prevent harm by shifting the burden of proof of safety onto those whose are carrying out said questionable activities. In absence of the precautionary practice and the growing frustration resulting from personal observations/experiences noted above, a grassroots movement developed. This fight in reaction to discriminatory environmental practices is also known as The Environmental Justice Movement. It emerged in the 1980’s but can be traced back to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s as well as the Environmental Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Low-income communities of color transitioned into strong activists against environmental