The Perils of Progress The Health & Environment Hazards of Modern Technology and What You Can Do About Them

About this book

This work offers a challenge to our society's largely unquestioning commitment to new technologies, and practical advice on how to deal with their adverse effects. While modern technologies have no doubt brought many benefits, the authors argue that our confidence in them is seriously misplaced. They consider an array of health and environmental issues including: the damaging effects on human health of certain microwaves, including those from mobile phones and television transmission towers; the effects of aluminium in food and other consumer products; and the evidence that the acids in margarines may be more detrimental to health than butter. While revealing that much is disagreeable about modern technology, each chapter ends with a positive and empowering "What You Can Do" section. In these, readers are offered practical help on the steps they can take to protect both their health and the condition of the environment.

Contents

Part 1 Technology and the quest for utopia: the paradox of progress - is the price we pay for technology too high? Part 2 Electrical technology: the new electrical environment - the shocking truth; mobile phones and UHF TV microwaves - how to minimize the risk; microwave ovens and your health - you have to know the problems to overcome them; computer VDUs and television - watching for the health hazards; electricity in the home - should you be plugged in? Part 3 Food technology: food processing - to eat or not to eat? That is the question; aluminium in food - is it a factor in Alzheimer's Disease?; food irradiation - towards health or hazard in the 21st century; cadmium - the newest toxic link in the food chain; pesticides - what you need to know to keep your family safe. Part 4 Water technology: water chlorination and your health - a second opinion; the fluoridation debate - can fluoride be damaging to your health? Part 5 Environmental toxicology: air conditioning - finding healthier ways to "stay cool"; artificial light - shedding some light on a dark problem; the sounds of technology - listening for clues to stay healthy. Part 6 Surviving technology: finding the way back to good health.

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