THE PERILS OF PROGRESS
The Health and Environment Hazards of Modern Technology,
& What You Can Do About Them

Reviewed by Bill Wilson

The foreword, by Emeritus Professor Charles Birch of the University of Sydney and Challis professor of biology, states that this is a book whose time had come and indeed was overdue. Dr John Ashton, a chemist, and Dr Ron Laura, a Professor of Education, have written a comprehensive, thought-provoking book with 52 pages of references and an excellent index.

Part one of the book briefly outlines technological progress, from the Industrial Revolution to the present day, with the increase in scientific knowledge. The extent to which the consequences of the use of technology, in electricity and electronics, food and water processing, imperil human health and affect the environment is discussed in more detail in Parts two to five.

The possible dangers of electromagnetic fields and radiation from power and communications lines, computers, VDUs and microwave ovens are analysed in Part two. The authors conclude that there is no certainty of safety in the use of these power sources.

Food and water technology impact on humans is covered in Parts three and four. Reduction in nutritional value of processed food and the possible toxicity of food additives, which occur due to inadequate health regulations, are discussed. Chlorine added to water and aluminium from water, food additives and dissolved from cooking vessels indicate cause for concern. A whole chapter discusses the water fluoridation debate, fully examines the evidence of benefit and risks, and concludes: "Whether the fluoridation campaign must be indicted as a public health campaign gone badly wrong is a judgement best reserved for the reader. Whatever the judgement, it is incontestable that the prevention of tooth decay is not the bottom-line of the fluoridation debate, if the panacea has become the poison."

Part five discusses air conditioning and artificial light in relation to "sick building syndrome" and the effect on health. The influence of excessive sound is also canvassed.

Each chapter ends with suggestions of what the reader can do to minimise the effects discussed in that chapter. Some of these suggestions are impractical for many people. This is the only criticism of a book which I strongly commend to both professionals and laypersons.

FLUORIDE 31(2)  1998, p 102	International Society for Fluoride Research
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