-
LETTERS Zimmerman Award Dear Sir: The Central Wisconsin Section of the American Chemical Society, in conjunction with Zimpro, a subsidiary of Sterling Drug, is seeking nominations for the E J. Zimmerman Award in Environmental Science. The award, which consists of $lo00 and a plaque, is given annually to an individual whose research has had a significant influence on environmental protection. The award announcement and presentation will be made at the ACS 19th Great Lakes Regional Meeting, June 10-12, 1985, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. The award recipient will be invited to present an overview of the scientific contributions upon which the award is based. Any scientist residing in the U.S. is eligible for the award. Nomination forms are available from L. A. Ochrymowycz, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire,
Eau Claire, Wis. 54701. Nomination forms and supporting documents must be received no later than Feb. 1, 1985. Clarence A. Hoffman Zimpro Rothschild, Wis. 54474
Editorial opinion Dear Sir: I have enjoyed ES&T for several years and have obtained a good deal of useful information from it, but your editorial in the November 1984 issue (p. 323A) disturbed me very much. Your statement that President Reagan “stands firmly in opposition to the continuity of the nonpartisan environmental progress of the past 14 years,” is certainly not the opinion of most of us in the regulated community. During the Carter administration we did not have nonpartisan environmental participation; Congress and EPA, listening primarily to the so-called environmentalists, passed laws and regula-
tions like a runaway train. It’s my opinion and certainly that of others, that President Reagan has brought the common sense into the picture that was lacking during the 1970s. It’s obvious you have not been out here in the environmental trenches or you would not have written such an absurd editorial. As ES& T is supposed to be nonpartisan and is purchased by the regulated community as well as environmentalists, I suggest you stick to science and technology. B. M. Beal Manager, Environmental Activities Columbia Nitrogen Corporation Augusta, Ga. 30913
Acid rain research Dear Sir: I have just finished reading “Red herrings in acid rain research,” (June 1984, p. 176A). I found the article very interesting, but I am most concerned about the conclusions. I realize that feature articles are not subject to the same criteria, accuracy, and objectivity as research papers and that they serve as discussion initiators. I found the conclusions to be inflammatory and not based at all on the facts presented in the body of the discussion. Am I mistaken in my view of the role of feature articles? I was caught completely off guard when I came to the section on conclusions. Carlos M. Bowman Associate Editor Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences
0 . .
call your BANCO@dealer,
In a profession where accuracy is a must, quality cannot be taken for granted. BANCO stands for the finest in quality clinical reagents. We take particular care in formulating, compounding and packaging all of our products. We have over 2000 specific
solutions, reagents and chemicals ready to ship at all times. In fact, -we can usually fill your order within 48 hours, and we never have to sacrifice quality to do so. For more information, call your BANCO dealer. There is one in your area.
ANDERSON LABORATORIES, INC. 5901 Fitzhugh Fort Wrth, Texas 76119 Telephone: (817) 457-4474
Dear Sir: As chairman of a company largely devoted to solving environmental problems, I should applaud “Red herrings in acid rain research,” because such articles directly or indirectly contribute to my organization’s welfare. However, I do not applaud. I think that the tone and slant of the article are unscientific and therefore inappropriate. The title of the article is emotional and indicates an extreme bias. The basic conclusion by the authors appears to be that all information is in; let’s get on with it. Yet they also say: “It is easy to suggest a whole series of alternative, and often unlikely, explanations of the causes and consequences of acid deposition.” I suggest that if it is
(continued on p . 13) 4
Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 19, No. 1, 1985
