Book: Body Toxic - An Environmental Memoir

["Gerald Nicholls" <GNICHOLL@DEP.STATE.NJ.US>]

Anyone still interested in why the general public refuses to understand the science behind environmental policy might want to look at the book review of the Body Toxic - An Environmental Memoir by Michael Pollan in the 6/24/01 Times book review section (under the heading "Poison").  The book, by Susanne Antonetta, is a memoir of her growing up in Ocean County, NJ (she was born in Georgia).   Ms. Antonetta apparently believes her myriad health problems are due to exposure to toxic substances from the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station and various contaminated sites (3 of which are now Superfund Sites).  It is much easier for the general reader to be seduced into believing Ms. Antonetta's claims rather than attempting to understand the scientific and public health issues involved.



Ms. Antonetta's reported health problems include "...a spectacular multiple pregnancy, a miscarriage, a radiation induced tumor, a double uterus, asthma, endometriosis, growths on the liver.."   Other problems mentioned are that she "... is a manic depressive who has been treated with lithium, has a seizure disorder and is a recovered drug addict."



A couple of interesting quotes from the review are: "A nuclear plant five miles from her bungalow left the waters of Oyster Creek 'jazzed with radioactive particles.'" and, "Under a geiger counter, Ocean County baby teeth 'twitch with picocuries of strontium 90.'"



The review is available at www.nytimes.com/books/01/06/24/reviews/010624.24pollant.html 







Gerald P. Nicholls

NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection

609-633-7964

gnicholl@dep.state.nj.us



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