Grandjean, P: Only One Chance

Introduction: Brain Matters: Only One Chance to Develop a Brain ; 1. Sensitive Development: Complexity Creates Vulnerability ; 2. Toxic Invasion: The Placenta Is Not a Protective Armor ; 3. Invisible Lead: Health Hazards from Demanding Scientific Proof ; 4. Poisoned Science: Mercury Damaged the Child's Brain but Did Not Harm the Mother ; 5. Substituted Milk: Poisoning During Infancy Causes Permanent Brain Damage ; 6. Persistent Problems: Chemicals Resistant to Break-Down Can Break Brain Cells ; 7. Unusual Suspects: Chemicals That Protect the Lawn May Damage the Brain ; 8. Mindless Costs: Losses Suffered by Victims and Society from Chemical Brain Drain ; 9. Inconvenient Truths: Vested Interests Can Endanger Brain Development ; 10. Brainy Choices: How to Secure Optimal Brain Development for the Next Generation ; Appendix: Chemicals Known to Be Brain Drainers ; Acknowledgments ; Endnotes ; Bibliography

Philippe Grandjean is Professor and Chair of Environmental Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark and Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard School of Public Health. He has devoted his career to studying how environmental chemicals affect children and their brain development. His studies on mercury triggered an international response that led to a United Nations agreement to control mercury pollution. Hehas studied children in the U.S. and Denmark, in the Faroe Islands, and countries in South America and Asia, and he has published about 500 scientific papers on his findings.

"Only One Chance shaves off layer after layer of ignorance, naivete, and corruption as it exposes the hidden dangers from industrial chemicals. Grandjean's book reads like a thriller and gives us a unique chance to decide that the next generation's brains must be protected against toxic brain drainers."--Devra Lee Davis, author of The Secret History of the War on Cancer and National Book Award finalist"This is an exceptionally interesting book. Grandjean presents and interprets extensive research on the impact of common chemicals present in the environment on human neurodevelopment using an original and holistic point of view and introducing the concept of 'chemical brain drain'. This is an innovative approach underlining the cumulated and long term impact on the brain of different chemical exposures. Grandjean argues that brain drain hampers the very capacity of human society to progress if its most precious resource, the brain, is not adequately protected. The accuracy of the review, the analysis of the interaction between brain development and society, the approaches to dealing with uncertainties and action, make this book fundamental reading for medical and public health professionals, students, and policy makers. I am convinced it will set a new standard for public health action and research for the coming years."--Roberto Bertollini, Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to the EU"This book is a huge gift to humankind from an eminent scientist. Grandjean tells the truth about how we have been ruining the brain power of each new generation and asks if there are still enough intelligent people in the world today to reverse the problem. I cannot rid myself of the idea that too many brains have been drained and society is beyond the point of no return. We must learn from the follies and scandals that Grandjean reveals and stop the chemical brain drain before it is too late."--Theo Colborn, President, TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange)