asked in 2005,
answered by Jim Duehring

1. Mr. Duehring, your late wife founded EARN of which she also was Director. Who continues her work now?

Cynthia Wilson of Chemical Injury Information Network (CIIN) continues the work of informing and networking scientists, doctors, attorneys, victims of chemical poisonings and other interested people. Go to her website, www.ciin.org, for more information. Many of Cindy’s writings are available there including a link to contribute money for the research of chemical injury.


2. Whom do you blame for what happened to your wife? Is it the industrial sector, the government, or is it the fault of the whole society?

There are several levels of blame – although I don’t usually use that term. The pesticide applicators did apply the chemicals in an illegal manner. DOW chemical did manufacture dursban, which is no longer produced for this type of indoor use. They could have voluntarily banned this pesticide earlier. In some ways we are all to blame because we want quick solutions to pest problems without considering all the possible ramifications


3. Why is there so much more attention towards nuclear dangers than towards chemical pollution?

Chemicals are so much a part of the modern technological society. They in some ways make life easier and even in some cases safer, but we don’t readily want to acknowledge possible short term or long term effects. Chemicals are seen as an essential part of life.
Nuclear energy is seen as an option, not so much a danger in the USA. Nuclear danger is however immediate and drastic. We have seen film clips of the explosion of the atom bomb. We have seen and heard of Chernobyl. Such drastic images more clearly evoke feelings of fear.


4. Why didn’t you sue – take legal action against someone?

At first, 23 year old Cindy, did not think her condition would last the rest of her life. At times she would show some improvement, then she would be exposed to even small levels of chemicals, and her condition would worsen. By the time she fully understood the extent and cause of her condition a legal statute of limitations (a 5 years period of time after the initial [health problems] during which she could have sued) had expired. In any case, it would have been difficult legally to sue either the applicator or DOW Chemical and prove a specific incident resulted in her health problems.


5. How can we live more safely in our world of chemicals?

Consider alternative personal care products that don’t have harmful chemicals. Educate yourself and others. Use Integrated Pest management techniques. Ask yourself: “What things that seem to be necessities, could I live without?”


6. What effect has the RLA had on your work?

I personally do not work daily on the issues my wife studied. The award did bring validation and recognition of Cindy’s work. That work does continue especially with such people as Cynthia Wilson of CIIN.