In public health, the core concept is to evaluate the chances of a harmful effect to people from human activities. The use of chemicals for scientific applications has the potential to increase the risk of death or sickness. That is why the United States government has established bodies that regulate safety by risk assessment. These bodies include the food and drug administration authority, which regulates food safety, consumer protection, nuclear safety, regulation of therapeutic goods and regulation of science among others.
I agree that the public is uncomfortable with uncertainties. Too often we think in terms of absolutes and demand that scientists and decision makers be held accountable for their risk decisions. It is clear that with the increased pace in chemical research and the application of these scientific technologies, policy makers and scientists should be held accountable for the risks arising. Again, it is very clear that the application of scientific knowledge on chemicals is beneficial to humankind in industrial applications and the production of health products used in prevention and treatment of illnesses. Chemicals are also useful in the production of agricultural pesticides, fertilizers, acaricides and other chemical products. However, the application of chemicals should be controlled to ensure that the public is not exposed to unnecessary risks. Policy makers in particular, must ensure that there are regulations that govern how chemicals are used and how they should be disposed.
This can be achieved through regulation of science. Policy makers and scientists should work closely to implement laws that restrict some scientific research. In addition, scientists need to take responsibility for the risk that they expose to the general public. There is enough scientific information that the exposure of some chemicals predisposes the public to diseases like cancer and malignancies. Moreover, the exposure to some chemical substances is known to cause birth defects in animals and humans (Heymann and David 2008).
In my own experience, I used a new pesticide product on my pet dog to protect it from flees. The product did not only cause the dog to lose most of its hair but also developed rashes over its body. I followed the prescription details fully but this vital information on the potential side effects was not included as a warning to users. From this experience, I realized that this chemical product was hazardous to me as well as to my pet dog. The question is who should take this responsibility Who should protect the public from this exposure to harmful chemical substances In my opinion, policy makers have a primary responsibility to protect the public against hazardous chemical exposures. This includes the formulation of an effective and ethical regulatory framework for the research, use and application of scientific knowledge. Scientists on the other hand, have to bear the responsibility of any harmful effects arising from the application of chemical substances. Industrial manufacturers and packagers should also play an active role in enhancing public safety in the use of chemical substances. This is especially important because the user mainly does the disposal of chemicals, and therefore manufacturers should provide adequate information on safety and disposal of chemical products.
Based on the above analysis, it is very clear that the use of chemicals and chemical technologies is a very vital public health interventions tool in the United States. However, it is emerging that the applications of chemical substances should be controlled and regulated to avoid exposing the public to chemical hazards and their harmful side effects. According to my perspective, this responsibility lies with the policy makers and scientists who should focus on safety and ethical considerations.
I agree that the public is uncomfortable with uncertainties. Too often we think in terms of absolutes and demand that scientists and decision makers be held accountable for their risk decisions. It is clear that with the increased pace in chemical research and the application of these scientific technologies, policy makers and scientists should be held accountable for the risks arising. Again, it is very clear that the application of scientific knowledge on chemicals is beneficial to humankind in industrial applications and the production of health products used in prevention and treatment of illnesses. Chemicals are also useful in the production of agricultural pesticides, fertilizers, acaricides and other chemical products. However, the application of chemicals should be controlled to ensure that the public is not exposed to unnecessary risks. Policy makers in particular, must ensure that there are regulations that govern how chemicals are used and how they should be disposed.
This can be achieved through regulation of science. Policy makers and scientists should work closely to implement laws that restrict some scientific research. In addition, scientists need to take responsibility for the risk that they expose to the general public. There is enough scientific information that the exposure of some chemicals predisposes the public to diseases like cancer and malignancies. Moreover, the exposure to some chemical substances is known to cause birth defects in animals and humans (Heymann and David 2008).
In my own experience, I used a new pesticide product on my pet dog to protect it from flees. The product did not only cause the dog to lose most of its hair but also developed rashes over its body. I followed the prescription details fully but this vital information on the potential side effects was not included as a warning to users. From this experience, I realized that this chemical product was hazardous to me as well as to my pet dog. The question is who should take this responsibility Who should protect the public from this exposure to harmful chemical substances In my opinion, policy makers have a primary responsibility to protect the public against hazardous chemical exposures. This includes the formulation of an effective and ethical regulatory framework for the research, use and application of scientific knowledge. Scientists on the other hand, have to bear the responsibility of any harmful effects arising from the application of chemical substances. Industrial manufacturers and packagers should also play an active role in enhancing public safety in the use of chemical substances. This is especially important because the user mainly does the disposal of chemicals, and therefore manufacturers should provide adequate information on safety and disposal of chemical products.
Based on the above analysis, it is very clear that the use of chemicals and chemical technologies is a very vital public health interventions tool in the United States. However, it is emerging that the applications of chemical substances should be controlled and regulated to avoid exposing the public to chemical hazards and their harmful side effects. According to my perspective, this responsibility lies with the policy makers and scientists who should focus on safety and ethical considerations.
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