book reviews Chemistry in the Economy
An American Chemical Society Study supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C., 1973. xii 600 pp. Figs. and Tables. 15 x22.5 em. $6.50.
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This book is more apt to he quoted than read. As such all academic chemistry departments will benefit from having a copy close at hand for quick and easy reference. It will indeed be a pity, however, if faculty and students have contact with the hook only through oecasianal excerpts. With the substantial majority of our majors in chemistry and chemical engineering headed for industrial employment, there are compelling reasons for educators (including counselors) and students to take full advantage of this authoritative look a t chemistry in the economy. In this reviewer's opinion the hook constitutes an excellent text for a professional seminar in which our degree candidates at all levels should participate before leaving academia's hallowed halls for life in the real world. The hook presents an inspiring review of past accomplishments by the chemical industry and takes a sober look a t its future. Far all chemically oriented readers the Opportunities and Recommendations which open the book will have direct, personal applicability. These are supported by anecdotal summaries of the aecomplishments of chemistry in such diverse fields as organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, coatings, detergents, fertilizers, nuclear energy, pesticides, plastics and resins, pharmaceuticals, photographic products, and personal care products. This includes consideration of social and economic impact and environmental aspects. A major section is devoted to the people of chemistry with statistin on employment and some penetrating commentary on our present educational deficiencies. A plea is made for improvement in communication skills and for breadth in chemical training rather than specialization. The case for continuing education is stressed. A concluding section deals with economic factors in terms which will have meaning even for the purest and most thearetically inclined scientist. The book makes a
-Reviewed
strong argument for encouraging the interest of all students in these economic realities. Despite its preparation by committees, the message is presented in clear and orderly fashion with a minimum of duplications. This reviewer does not recognize any significant errors of commission. He wonders whether the text might not have been strengthened by some larger inputs on the health hazards presented by "chemicals" (e.g., asbestos, vinyl chloride, and benzidine) and a Larger emphasis on the roll of chemists in "anti-polluting" (a concept espoused by Dr. W. E. Hanford). It is unfortunate that the nvrent petroleum shortage promises so soon to render useless the handy collection of facts about the price and production of major chemicals. Conceivably critics may wonder why representatives of only one company compiled the report on chemical accomplishments in electronics and essentially only one eompany the chapter on electrical equipment. But overall the committee memberships constitute an honor roll of active contributors to chemical development in this cauntrv. Their messaee warrants the full attention of those kho will become replacements and their mentors. Malcolm M. Redrew
University of idaho Moscow, idaho 83843 Ecological Fantasies
Cy A. Adler, Green Eagle Press, 99 Nassau Street, New York, 1W38, 1973. 350 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 x 21.5 cm. $9.95. A baok which is a "defense of innovation, science, and rational approaches to environmental problems" will surely he welcomed by teachers of courses in environmental science, employees of environmental protection agencies, interested laymen, and industrial environmental engineers. Hence the usefulness of this baok will depend on how well Adler succeeded in his announced goal. I have my doubts. The book is in three parts, an introductory section which briefly and succinctly summarizes environmental ground rules, a middle section on "Myths and fancies of the environment," which makes up the
in this Issue
American Chemical Society, Chemistry in the Economy Cy A. Adler, Ecological Fantasies Carl H.Snyder, Introduction to Modern Organic Chemistry William S. Seese, In Preparation for College Chemistry
S. R. Harshorn, Aliphatic Nucleophilic Substitution
...A375 . . .A375 .. .A376 .. .A376 . ..A376
hulk of the book, and a conclusion "Clearing the air," which reiterates the "Solutions and non-solutions to environmental problems" which Adler has developed (or non-developed, according to your point of view). The author's idea of an environmental paradise is high-rise New York converted to a technological wonderland by rings of offshore power plants. He is "for" DDT, wean dumping, oil spills, etc., not that he thinks they are "good," but he asserts that their effects are unimportant. He is "against" automobiles, suburbia, Rachel Carson, Barry Commoner, Paul Ehrlich, the milita~y, organic farmers, President Nixon, the Club of Rome, the American Advertising Council: indeed the list is so all inclusive that there must he something here for everybody. Even the scientists themselves do not escape, since he points out (and rightly so in my opinion) that some scientists are not above attaching an alarmist interpretation to an innocuous piece of work for selfish reasons. Some of his attacks on cherished environmental myths, however, are really accurate and devastating, particularly his discussion of "The myth of vanishing oxygen." The principal fault of the book is a schizophrenia of purpose and logic. Adler excels in working both sides of the street to prove his thesis. In general, some ecological parameter (wilderness, trees, wildlife) is not vanishing or endangered or, if it $, it is not very important to modem man anyway. Adler's attitude towards pollution itself seems to change depending on what portion of the hook you are reading. On page 105, "pollution may he beneficial to health," whereas on page 23, "I am not arguing that pollution is good for people." After devoting the second longest chapter of the book to demolishing the myth that "City air is killing us," we find SOz "mucking up the environment," on page 268. Most remarkably, on page 22, "Many environmental issues are not susceptible to strict scientific evaluation since the long range effects may he unknown." This seems to conflict with the "Science" in the announced intent of the book (see first sentence of this review). Adler's prejudices are so strong that one tends to suspect that he may he biasing the data presentation. I cannot vouch for this in several other sections of the book (being unfamiliar with the material) but I find a discussion of 2.4.5-T which does not mention dioxin, pretty incomplete and unconvincing. Adler states (quite accurately) that the EPA did not take the advice of the scientific committee in suspending 2,4,5-T, but neither does he present the rationale behind ignoring that advice. Most of the data he presents on the harmlessness of city air is also biased. (In fairness a complete data presentation would
bons into the sea each year by a completely undocumented method (and one which makes no sense to me). Finally, he demanstrates no understanding of the ecosystem as a system. The idea that stress an one part of it might cause another part to give does not seem to have entered his mind. The format has a crude attractiveness. There are frequent misspellings and m i (Continued on pageA376) Volume 51, Number 7, July 1974
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