Our job here is ranking risks, and here's a little exercise in doing so:
(1) A Real Risk:
Marilyn Larkin provides a balanced New York Academy of Sciences overview of foodborne illnesses: "Health Threats from Domestic and Imported Produce."
(2) A Small But Discussion-Worthy Risk:
Ryan Evans looks at exaggerations over secondhand smoke in this PDF file of his attack on the rationale behind some recent smoking bans -- though when it comes to smoking, the leading preventable cause of death, exaggeration should be unnecessary. Smoking kills, being around smokers for short periods does not.
(3) Ludicrous Non-Risks:
Here's my contribution to an exciting ongoing Spiked-Online forum on the "Best" and "Worst" science and medicine have to offer: a look at the general paranoia over "chemicals."
(4) And the World of Hollywood Make-Believe (with Some Real Science):
Here's the NPR transcript of a recent look at "Hollywood science" -- how movies from the fantastical to the almost-plausible depict science -- and why physicist Sidney Perkowitz thinks it's beneficial.
Todd Seavey is Director of Publications at the American Council on Science And Health (ACSH.org) and edits HealthFactsAndFears.com. See also: ACSH's Riskometer.
