Silent Spring

Carson develops a new extension of her argument in Chapter 11, positing that humans are exposed to a huge number of chemicals on a daily basis, not simply those associated with agricultural practices. Over time, these “innumerable small-scale exposures” to chemicals makes it so that “probably no person is immune to contact with this spreading contamination” (173). Carson suggests that the widespread use of chemicals has infiltrated food and household products in addition to the insecticides and pesticides she has documented in early sections of the book. Carson cites a study by the United States Public Health Service where every meal that was tested “contained DDT” (178).

While many people argue that the government should limit exposure to harmful chemicals, Carson describes how difficult it is to effectively regulate the use of these chemicals. She cautions that a “zero tolerance on paper is of little value” (183). Carson argues for a “large-scale conversion” (184) to alternative methods if humans want to avoid deathly consequences from chemical exposure.

Carson articulates more clearly the impacts of humans’ long-term exposure to chemicals by demonstrating that there are numerous concerning health effects related to chemicals in the environment. This “never-ending stream of chemicals” (188) can cause delayed effects through absorption over a lifetime.