5 ms·

the problem there is that if you don’t entirely ban asbestos and ensure that everyone knows asbestos = cancer, then like a cancer, corporate interests and the p

the problem there is that if you don’t entirely ban asbestos and ensure that everyone knows asbestos = cancer, then like a cancer, corporate interests and the profit motive will ensure that it slips and slides back into usage to the point where it becomes a problem again with public health risks, strong reaction is absolutely fine, and I wish we had more tendency towards it, not less. let’s do something drastic about micro-plastics!

cogman10 4y ago
Well, this is exactly the problem, it's completely arbitrary and based on public outrage what gets banned and what doesn't. If we can't motivate enough people to care about something, it won't be banned. That's not a way to run health policy. I'd certainly like more action against PFAS, for example. At very least, more science done to know exactly how harmful it is (especially given how it's permeated so much of the public drinking water). But, would I ban PFAS all together? Heck no. Rather I'd want to have a better understanding of where they should and shouldn't be used and how we should treat PFAS chemical outputs.
- CHB0403085482 4y ago
  Yes, ban/restrict PFAS https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32980712 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32980712
- acdha 4y ago
  I think you’re overestimating the degree to which these decisions are made logically based in a desire to avoid problems, and overly quick to dismiss different opinions on acceptable levels of risk as arbitrary or outrage-driven. There’s a long history of companies claiming to be doing the smart thing but cutting corners ruthlessly - for example, here’s a story I read last week contrasting how they told regulators they worked versus the actual plant conditions: https://www.propublica.org/article/asbestos-poisoning-chemical-plant-niagara-falls https://www.propublica.org/article/asbestos-poisoning-chemic...
hwillis 4y ago
To illustrate this: Asbestos is only banned in spray-on insulation, pipe insulation, paper, flooring, and new uses. The actual reason its not used as much (and it certainly is still used) is because of the public opinion and threat of lawsuits. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022215630/http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbbans2.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20121022215630/http://www.epa.go... > EPA does NOT track the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos-containing products. It would be prudent for a consumer or other buyer to inquire as to the presence of asbestos in particular products.

cogman10 4y ago

Well, this is exactly the problem, it's completely arbitrary and based on public outrage what gets banned and what doesn't. If we can't motivate enough people to care about something, it won't be banned. That's not a way to run health policy. I'd certainly like more action against PFAS, for example. At very least, more science done to know exactly how harmful it is (especially given how it's permeated so much of the public drinking water). But, would I ban PFAS all together? Heck no. Rather I'd want to have a better understanding of where they should and shouldn't be used and how we should treat PFAS chemical outputs.

CHB0403085482 4y ago
Yes, ban/restrict PFAS https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32980712 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32980712
acdha 4y ago
I think you’re overestimating the degree to which these decisions are made logically based in a desire to avoid problems, and overly quick to dismiss different opinions on acceptable levels of risk as arbitrary or outrage-driven. There’s a long history of companies claiming to be doing the smart thing but cutting corners ruthlessly - for example, here’s a story I read last week contrasting how they told regulators they worked versus the actual plant conditions: https://www.propublica.org/article/asbestos-poisoning-chemical-plant-niagara-falls https://www.propublica.org/article/asbestos-poisoning-chemic...

hwillis 4y ago

To illustrate this: Asbestos is only banned in spray-on insulation, pipe insulation, paper, flooring, and new uses. The actual reason its not used as much (and it certainly is still used) is because of the public opinion and threat of lawsuits. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022215630/http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbbans2.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20121022215630/http://www.epa.go... > EPA does NOT track the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos-containing products. It would be prudent for a consumer or other buyer to inquire as to the presence of asbestos in particular products.