The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement

“Tells the story of anger, disillusionment, and determination of Americans to develop a political movement to fight chemical pollution . . . timely.” —The Huffington Post

This book, named one of Booklist’s Top 10 books on sustainability in 2014, is the first to offer a comprehensive examination of the environmental health movement, which unlike many parts of the environmental movement, focuses on ways toxic chemicals and other hazardous agents in the environment effect human health and well-being. Born in 1978 when Lois Gibbs organized her neighbors to protest the health effects of a toxic waste dump in Love Canal, New York, the movement has spread across the United States and throughout the world. By placing human health at the center of its environmental argument, this movement has achieved many victories in community mobilization and legislative reform. In The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement, environmental health expert Kate Davies describes the movement’s historical, ideological, and cultural roots and analyzes its strategies and successes.

“Kate Davies’ excellent book focuses on the role of health in the environmental health movement and encourages us to consider its origins and accomplishments . . . The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement looks both back and forward to challenge us to consider our current direction. In the future this book will provide readers with an important perspective on how the environmental health movement shaped our society.” —Toxipedia

“A well-done history of America’s environmental health movement . . . offers readers valuable information on how grassroots organizing prevents harm from toxic exposures and leads to safe and healthy communities.” —Lois Marie Gibbs, Executive Director, Center for Health, Environment & Justice