7 Thomas Buckmaster, “Defusing Sensitive Issues Through Risk Communication,” presentation at the Public Affairs Council’s National Grassroots Conference for Corporate and Association Professionals, Key West, Florida, February 9-13, 1997. Quoted in PR Watch, vol. 4, no. 1 (first quarter 1997).
8 Daniel E. Geer, “Risk Management Is Where the Money Is,” presentation to the Digital Commerce Society of Boston, November 3, 1998.
9 Ian Stewart, “Playing with Numbers,” Guardian (London), March 28, 1996.
10 C. R. Cothern, W.A. Coniglio and W. L. Marcus, “Estimating Risk to Human Health,” Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 20 (February 1986), p. 111.
11 Peter Montague, “The Waning Days of Risk Assessment,” Rachel’s Environment and Health Weekly, no. 652 (May 27, 1999).
12 David F. Noble, “Cost-Benefit Analysis,” Health/PAC Bulletin, vol. 11, no. 6 (July/August 1980), p. 27.
13 Ibid., p. 30.
14 H.W. Lewis, Technological Risk (New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., 1990), pp. 43-45.
15 Ibid., pp. 45, 41.
16 Ibid., pp. 26, 48.
17 Steven Fink, Crisis Management (New York: American Management Association, 1986), pp. 169-170. An exact figure for the dead and injured does not exist. Estimates of the number of dead range from a low of 1,700 to a high of 4,500. The figure of 200,000 injured has been widely cited and is generally considered a conservative estimate.
18 Peter Sandman, “Speak Out: When Outrage Is a Hazard,” essay on the Qest Consulting Group website,
19 Suketu Mehta, “After Bhopal: What Does It Mean to Take ‘Moral Responsibility’ for a Disaster?” Village Voice, December 10, 1996, p. 54. See also Wilbert Lepkowski, “Ten Years Later: Bhopal,” Chemical & Engineering News, December 19, 1994, pp. 8-18.
20 Fink, pp. 169-170.
21 Geoffrey Bennet, By Human Error: Disaster of a Century (London: Seeley, Service, 1961), p. 144.
22 Carl Sagan, “Galileo: To Launch or Not to Launch,” October 9, 1989,
23 Mark Carreau, “10 Years After Challenger, NASA Feels Shuttle Safety Never Better,” Houston Chronicle, January 19, 1996, p. 1,
24 “Crisis Busters,” PR Week, May 17, 1999, p. 16.
25 Ibid., p. 17.
26 Gary Lewi, “How to Polish a Tarnished Reputation,” presentation at Media Relations ’98, Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, NY, April 27, 1998.
27 Steve Crescenzo, “Fighting a Blitzkrieg: PR Firms Representing Swiss Authorities Find Themselves in a Foxhole,” Public Relations Tactics, vol. 4, no. 7 (July 1997), pp. 1, 12.
28 Public Relations Tactics, November 1995.
29 Kathleen Fearn-Banks, Crisis Communications: A Casebook Approach (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1996), pp. 149-150.
30 Larry Dobrow, “Got a Plan? H&K CD-ROM Simulates Crisis Exercise,” PR Week, April 12, 1999, p. 5.
31 Larry Kamer, “Crisis Drill: Testing Your Company Before Disaster Strikes,” presentation at Media Relations ’98, Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, NY, April 27, 1998.
32 Paul Holmes, “This Is a Drill,” Reputation Management, May/June 1997, pp. 17-28.
33 Ibid., p. 27.
CHAPTER 6: PREVENTING PRECAUTION
1 Crisis Management Plan for the Clorox Company, 1991 Draft Prepared by Ketchum Public Relations. For further excerpts, see the appendix to our previous book, Toxic Sludge Is Good for You!: Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry (Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press, 1995).
2 Charles Campbell, “Crisis Plan’s Leak Smudges Clorox,” Los Angeles Times, May 14, 1991, p. 9D.
3 Hank Baughman and Patty Tascarella, “Ketchum—Winning in the Age of Zapping,” Executive Report, vol. 10, no. 5 (January 1992), sec. 1, p. 16.
4 Greenpeace scientist Pat Costner notes that sodium hypochlorite is problematic in two ways: “First, its production and use requires the continued production of elemental chlorine, the root source of effectively all anthropogenic dioxins as well as a known dioxin source in its own right. Secondly, some sodium hypochlorite has been found to be contaminated with dioxins,” she says. However, notes former Greenpeace organizer Charlie Cray, “sodium hypochlorite is probably low down on the list of priorities for phasing out the various uses of chlorine, since other uses of chlorine are far greater in terms of their quantity, and since it is not as toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment.” Quoted in Margo Robb, “Fwd: Re: chlorine,” July 3, 2000, personal e-mail to Sheldon Rampton.
5 Carolyn Raffensperger and Joel Tickner, eds., Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Implementing the Precautionary Principle (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1999), p. 1.
6 Jean Halloran, “Re: Beef Hormones,” May 27, 1999, personal e-mail to John Stauber.
7 Frederick Kirschenmann, “The Organic Rule: Risk Assessment vs. the Precautionary Principle,” February 10, 1998,
8 Ibid.
9 Gregory Bond, Ph.D., M.P.H., “In Search of Balance Between Science and Societal Concerns in Shaping Environmental Health Policy,” a presentation at the First Annual Isadore Bernstein Symposium, “Environmental Health Policy: Whither the Science?” March 12, 1999, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI.
10 John O. Mongoven, “The Precautionary Principle,” eco.logic, March 1995, pp. 14-16. eco.logic is a publication of the Environmental Conservation Organization, Hollow Rock, TN.
11 Ibid.
12 “MBD Profile,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin (undated).
13 “MBD—A Brief Description,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin (undated).
14 “Core Issues Monitored by MBD,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin (undated).
15 “MBD—A Brief Description.”
16 “Table of Contents of Each Organizational Profile,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin (undated).
17 For examples of deceptive efforts by MBD and other PR firms to infiltrate and interrogate various activist groups, see Chapter 5, “Spies for Hire,” in our previous book, Toxic Sludge Is Good for You!: Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry (Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press, 1995), pp. 47-64.
18 Bartholomew Mongoven, Letter to the Wilderness Society, Sydney, Australia, January 25, 1995.
19 Samantha Sparks, “South Africa: U.S. Clergy Group Linked to Shell Oil,” Inter Press Service, October 7, 1987. See also “Ex-Nestlé Firm Goes Bankrupt,” O’Dwyer’s PR Services, November 1990, p. 1.
20 Alan Guebert, “Pork Battles: Pork Groups Pays Firm to ‘Monitor’ Other Ag Groups Using Checkoff Money,” The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), February 9, 1997, p. E4.
21 “MBD Update and Analysis: Confidential For: Chlorine Chemistry Council,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, May 18, 1994, p. 2.
22 “MBD Issue Research and Analysis: Activists and Chlorine in August,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, 1994, pp. 1-2.
23 Ibid., pp. 1-4.
24 Ibid., pp. 5-6.
25 There are some 75 different types of dioxin, however, with varying levels of toxicity.
26 Leslie Roberts, “Flap Erupts Over Dioxin Meeting,” Science, vol. 251, no. 4996 (February 22, 1991), p. 866.
27 “MBD Update and Analysis,” p. 6.
28 Gordon Graff, “The Chlorine Controversy,” Technology Review, vol. 98, no. 1 (January 1995), p. 54.
29 American Public Health Association, Policy Statement 9304, “Recognizing and Addressing the Environmental and Occupational Health Problems Posed by Chlorinated Organic Chemicals,” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 84, no. 3 (March 1994), pp. 514-515. Quoted in Rachel’s Environment & Health Weekly, no. 495, May 23, 1996.
30 Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers, Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence, and Survival?—A Scientific Detective Story (New York,
NY: Dutton Books, 1996), pp. 185, 210.
31 Ibid., p. 218.
32 “Exposure to Environmental Chemicals: PR Hype or Public Health Concern,” debate between Elizabeth Whelan, Peter Myers, and Theo Colborn, sponsored by Environmental Media Services, June 12, 1996.
33 Jack Mongoven, “Re: MBD Activist Report for August,” memorandum to Clyde Greenert and Brad Lienhart, September 7, 1994.
34 “Summary of MBD Recommendations to CCC, August 1994,” Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, p. 2.
35 Devra Lee Davis et al., “International Trends in Cancer Mortality in France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, England and Wales, and the USA,” Lancet, vol. 336, no. 8713 (August 25, 1990), pp. 474-481.
36 Devra Lee Davis, Capitol Hill Hearing Testimony on Use of Estrogenic Pesticides and Breast Cancer, U.S. Congress Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, October 21, 1993.
37 Karen Wright, “Going by the Numbers,” New York Times, December 15, 1991, section 6, p. 59.
38 Devra Lee Davis et al., “Medical Hypothesis: Xenoestrogens as Preventable Causes of Breast Cancer,” Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 101, no. 3 (October 1993), pp. 372-377.
39 Gayle Greene and Vicki Ratner, “A Toxic Link to Breast Cancer?” The Nation, vol. 258, no. 24 (June 20, 1994), p. 866.
40 Michael Castleman, “Despite Mounting Evidence,” Mother Jones, no. 3, vol. 19 (May 1994), p. 33.
41 Mary S. Wolff et al., “Blood Levels of Organochlorine Residues and Risk of Breast Cancer,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, vol. 85, no. 8 (April 21, 1993), pp. 648-652.
42 F. Laden and D. J. Hunter, “Environmental Risk Factors and Female Breast Cancer,” Annual Review of Public Health, vol. 19 (1998), pp. 101-123. See also N. Krieger et al., “Breast Cancer and Serum Organochlorines: A Prospective Study Among White, Black, and Asian Women,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, vol. 86, no. 8 (April 20, 1994), pp. 589-599.
43 E. J. Feuer et al., “The Lifetime Risk of Developing Breast Cancer,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, vol. 85, no. 11 (June 2, 1993), pp. 892-897. Lezak Shallat, “Up in Arms Over Breast Cancer,” Women’s Health Journal, January 1995, p. 31.
44 Davis, Capitol Hill Hearing Testimony.
45 Ibid.
46 Michele Landsberg, “Breast Cancer Battle Now Focuses on Deadly Chemicals,” Toronto Star, July 20, 1997, p. A2.
47 Wright, “Going by the Numbers.”
48 Michelle Slatalla,“The Lagging War on Breast Cancer,”Newsday, October3, 1993, p.4.
49 Peter H. Stone, “From the K Street Corridor,” National Journal, vol. 26, no. 51-52 (December 17, 1994), p. 2975.
50 Peter H. Stone, “Back Off!” National Journal, vol. 26, no. 45 (December 3, 1994), p. 2840.
51 Allison Lucas, “Health Studies Raise More Questions in Chlorine Dispute,” Chemical Week, December 21, 1994, p. 26.
52 Joseph Walker, “Gender-Bending Chemicals,” Quill, October 1996, FACSNET,
53 “MBD Update and Analysis,” p. 10.
54 “Summary of MBD Recommendations to CCC,” p. 3.
55 “Koch Hit With Record Fine for Pipeline Spills in Six States,” Octane Week, January 24, 2000.
56 ex femina, The Newsletter of the Independent Women’s Forum, special edition (May 1999), Washington, DC.
CHAPTER 7: ATTACK OF THE KILLER POTATOES
1 Alastair Thompson, “A Conversation with Robert Shapiro,” State of the World Forum, October 28, 1998,
2 Pennie Taylor, “Smear Campaign Fails to Silence Scientist Who Spilled GM Beans,” Sunday Herald (Scotland), May 23, 1999, p. 7.
3 B. G. Hammond, J. L. Vicini, G. F. Hartnell, et al., “The Feeding Value of Soybeans Fed to Rats, Chickens, Catfish and Dairy Cattle Is Not Altered by Genetic Incorporation of Glycophosphate-Tolerance,” Journal of Nutrition, no. 126 (1996), pp. 717-727.
4 Arpad Pusztai, “SOAEFD Flexible Fund Project RO 818: Report of the Project Coordinator on Data Produced at the Rowett Research Institute (RRI), October 22, 1998,
5 Liane Clorfene-Casten, “FrankenFoods: Monsanto Engineers the Farming Biz,” Conscious Choice: The Journal of Ecology and Natural Living, vol. 12, no. 5 (May 31, 1999), pp. 48-49.
6 Alan Rimmer, “I Have Been Crucified, Says Dr. Arpad Pusztai,” Sunday Mirror, February 21, 1999, p. 7.
7 Ibid.
8 Arpad Pusztai, “Reply,” December 9, 1999, personal e-mail to Sheldon Rampton.
9 Nigel Hawkes, “Scientist’s Potato Alert Was False, Laboratory Admits,” The Times (London), August 13, 1998.
10 Arpad Pusztai, “Your Book,” November 23, 1999, personal e-mail to Sheldon Rampton.
11 Euan McColm, “Doctor’s Monster Mistake,” Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail, October 13, 1998, p. 6.
12 Charles Arthur, “The Strange Case of the Rats, the ‘Cover-up’ and a Political Hot Potato,” The Independent (London), February 16, 1999, p. 3.
13 Charles Clover and Aisling Irwin, “Heartfelt Fears of the Whistleblower Who Spilled the Beans over GM,” The Daily Telegraph (London), June 10, 1999, p. 4.
14 Christopher Leake and Lorraine Fraser, “Scientist in Frankenstein Food Alert Is Proved Right,” Mail on Sunday, January 31, 1999, p. 20. Euan McColm, “Doctor’s Monster Mistake,” Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail, October 13,1998, p. 6.
15 Pennie Taylor, “GM Food Feud Comes to the Boil,” Sunday Herald (Scotland), March 14, 1999, p. 3.
16 Ibid., and Charles Clover and Aisling Irwin, “Heartfelt Fears of the Whistleblower Who Spilled the Beans over GM,” The Daily Telegraph (London), June 10, 1999, p. 4.
17 Geoffrey Lean, “How I Told the Truth and Was Sacked,” The Independent (London), March 7, 1999, p. 11.
18 Christopher Leake, “Minister Blackened My Name Says Doctor,” Mail on Sunday (London), February 14, 1999, p. 5.
19 Taylor, “Smear Campaign.”
20 Stuart E. Eizenstat, testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance during hearings on his nomination to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, June 29, 1999.
21 For a review of the history and scientific issues pertaining to mad cow disease, see our previous book, Mad Cow U.S.A.: Could the Nightmare Happen Here? (Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press, 1997). For a specific discussion of the impact of the mad cow scandal on European opinions about biotech foods, see Frank Mitsch, Ag Biotech: Thanks, But No Thanks? Deutsche Banc, July 12, 1999, p. 6.
22 Sarah Ryle, “Food Furor: The Man With the Worst Job in Britain,” The Observer (London), February 21, 1999, p. 13.
23 Howard J. Lewis, “Science Journalism Around the World: Vive la Difference!” ScienceWriters (newsletter of the National Association of Science Writers), vol. 48, no. 2 (Summer 1999), p. 12.
24 Ziauddin Sardar, “Loss of Innocence: Genetically Modified Foods,” New Statesman (UK), No. 4425, vol. 129 (February 26, 1999), p. 47.
25 Tom Rhodes, “Bitter Harvest,” Sunday Times (London), August 22, 1999.
26 Marian Burros, “Additives in Advice on Foods?” New York Times, November 15, 1995, p. C1.
27 James C. Barr and E. Linwood Tipton, letter to Mary Jane Wilkinson, February 8, 1996.
28 Dairy Coalition, “Dairy Coalition Has Meeting, Heated at Times, with USA Today” (memorandum), February 9, 1996.
29 Dairy Coalition, “Making Headway with the Media” (memorandum), February 23, 1996.
30 Ibid.
31 For further documentation of this point, see Larry Lebowitz, “Hormone-Free Milk? There’s No Guarantee,” Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, April 4, 1998, p. 1A.
32 Jennifer Nix, “Hard-Hitting TV News Hard to Get on Air,” Variety, April 20-26, 1998, p. 5.
33 “Improving on Mother Nature?” Consumer Reports, vol. 60, no. 7 (July 1995), p. 480.
34 Michael Pollan, “Playing God in the
Garden,” The New York Times Magazine, October 25, 1998.
35 Phil Bereano and Florian Kraus, “The Politics of Genetically Engineered Foods: The United States Versus Europe,” Loka Alert vol. 6, no. 7 (November 22, 1999), Loka Institute, Amherst, MA.
36 Clive James, “ISAA Briefs: Global Review of Commercialized Transgenic Crops,” 1998, Ag Biotech InfoNet,
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