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JUNE — JULY 2000 © REVIEWS outgassed by carpet, furniture, panels, glue, newly revised Australasian edition had a B oO oO K Ss dyes, paints, photocopiers, and many of the similar response. This one has three new . items which children use for playing and chapters covering corporate-sponsored con- Reviewed by Ruth Parnell learning. She also stresses the importance of fusion on global warming, the "ereenwash- THE TOXIC PLAYGROUND maintaining good indoor air quality and ven- ing" of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and by Jo Immig tilation. Greenpeace's adoption of a solutions-based Publisher: Total Environment Centre. Innig also looks at chemical risk reduction _ approach with industry that is arguably at Sydney, Australia, 2000 , policies and strategies in Australia and the odds with its "green warrior" stance. ISBN: 0-947360-1 6-6 (104pp tpb) United States. Her slim but invaluable book Dr Beder is an engineer and associate pro- Price: AUD$23.00 + $3 p&h in NSW, $5 is an accessible read and presents case histo- _ fessor in science, technology and society at other states $6 to NZ $10 elsewhere , ries, checklists, safe alternatives as well as the University of Wollongong, Australia. Available: ‘Australia—Total Environment resources and references. This is essential Her analysis is an indictment of the way our Centre 362 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW information to act upon to help children environmental problems are managed in this yoney, grow up to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. PR mega-spin era. The lead-up to Sydney's 2000, tel +61 (0)2 9299 5599, fax +61 0)2 9299 4411, website http://tec.nccnsw.org.au/ . . Baenmentel scientist Jo Immig, an anti- ON Environmentalism once so-called "Green Games" is a classic GLOBAL SPIN: The Corporate Assault example of how a major problem of a for- mer toxic waste dump on the site can be stage-managed and the public duped into chemicals campaigner for the Sydney- by Sharon Beder inki based Total Environment Centre, — The Publisher: Scribe, Australia, 2000, rev. ed. ™ vote, le problem Ras be en SOV. ont Toxic Playground to alert us to the dangers ISBN: 0-908011-44-X (336pp tpb) read this book to be wiser to the tactics children face at home, at school and at child- Price: AUD$29.95; NZD$44.95; £10.95 utilised to protect corporate vested interests. care centres from the toxic chemical load Available: Australia—Scribe Publications, that causes "sick building syndrome" anda _ tel (03) 9349 5955, e-mail scribe@big- ost of human health problems. Knowing pond.net.au; NZ—Addenda, tel (09) 834 G LOBAL ow vulnerable children are to exposure, she 5511; UK—Green Books, tel 01803 is on a mission to promote risk-reducing 863260 (1997 edition only) strategies. t should come as no surprise to NEXUS The huge increases in recent years in child- readers that corporations employ sophisti- ood asthma, multiple chemical sensitivity, cated techniques to persuade public opinion chronic fatigue, so-called attention deficit in favour of various agenda they wish to disorder and food allergies/intolerances must push. The environment is one area where be seriously viewed against the onslaught by their drive is particularly relentless. As Dr environmental chemicals (many of which Sharon Beder explains in Global Spin, cor- have endocrine-disrupting effects) as well as _ porations utilise industry-funded scientists, toxic food additives. Innig gives a brief specialist public relations companies, the overview of toxicology and highlights some — media, conservative think-tanks and the of the most dangerous substances including _legal system to win over the hearts and lead, volatile organic compounds, formalde- _ minds of politicians and the people. hyde, solvents and combustion products. When Global Spin was first published in She gives tips on identifying, auditing and 1997, it was ignored by the mainstream removing the chemical pollutants that are media, and it would be unfortunate if this Sisk ON BEDER! outgassed by carpet, furniture, panels, glue, newly revised Australasian edition had a dyes, paints, photocopiers, and many of the similar response. This one has three new items which children use for playing and chapters covering corporate-sponsored con- learning. She also stresses the importance of fusion on global warming, the "greenwash- maintaining good indoor air quality and ven- _ing" of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and tilation. Greenpeace's adoption of a solutions-based Innig also looks at chemical risk reduction —_ approach with industry that is arguably at policies and strategies in Australia and the odds with its "green warrior" stance. United States. Her slim but invaluable book Dr Beder is an engineer and associate pro- is an accessible read and presents case histo- _ fessor in science, technology and society at ries, checklists, safe alternatives as well as the University of Wollongong, Australia. resources and references. This is essential Her analysis is an indictment of the way our information to act upon to help children environmental problems are managed in this grow up to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. PR mega-spin era. The lead-up to Sydney's once so-called "Green Games" is a classic GLOBAL SPIN: The Corporate Assault example of how a major problem of a for- on Environmentalism mer toxic waste dump on the site can be by Sharon Beder stage-managed and the public duped into + har: h . thinking the problem has been solved. SEN SON ta eae an rev. ed. If you're concerned about the environment, Price: AUD$29 ce epstas M0 95 read this book to be wiser to the tactics Available: Australia— Scribe Publications, utilised to protect corporate vested interests. NEXUS -71