Polluters

The chemical pollution that irrevocably damages today's environment is although many would like us to believe otherwise the legacy of conscious choices made long ago. During the years before and just after World War II discoveries like leaded gasoline and DDT came to market creating new hazards even as the expansion and mechanization of industry exacerbated old ones. Dangers still felt today--smog pesticides lead chromium chlorinated solvents asbestos even global warming--were already recognized by chemists engineers doctors and business managers of that era. A few courageous individuals spoke out without compromise but still more ignored scientific truth in pursuit of money and prestige.