Crossing Paths: Science and the Working Class

Abstract

My first meeting with Barry Commoner developed out of my interest in nuclear weapons testing, an issue that had engrossed Commoner and the Committee for Nuclear Information (CNI) for some time. Then, our union local worked collaboratively with the scientists on the Baby Tooth Survey which showed an association between nuclear fallout and the level of strontium-90 in children's teeth. Linking the CNI scientists and the working class in this way produced results and Commoner and his colleagues made themselves available to respond to corporate scientists on issues such as toxic workplaces exposures. We were successful in raising occupational health and safety questions because we had credible scientists on our side. Through the association with Barry, we changed the face of the workplace and thousands of people are alive today because we helped pass the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. A whole cadre of health and safety specialists came out of those efforts.