Earlier this month I blogged on a column by Nicholas Kristof on the dangers of chemical compound found in many household products — bisphenol A. “The stuff may indeed be dangerous,” I wrote the time, although I noted that I was not quite   prepared to throw out all the plastic cups and bottles in my kitchen.

Now, Harper’s Magazine, in its December issue, (in a piece that may be available only to subscribers, for the moment) has dredged up a memo from the BPA Joint Trade Association — BPA being an abbreviation for bisphenol A. The material comes from minutes of  an association meeting in May. A summary notes that member firms “need to be more proactive in communications to media, legislators, and the general public to protect industries that use BPA” and “put risks from chemicals in proper perspective.” It was noted that attendees “suggested using fear tactics” (”Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?” or “You have a choice: the more expensive product that is frozen or fresh, or foods packaged in cans”).

It’s the sort of thing with which our whole system is shot through. Pundits like George Will, who come down on the side of absolutely unlimited corporate prerogative, do everything they can do to enable it. I recall running across an article by somebody who put it this way; If the epidemiologists discover dangers insecondhand smoke, they belittle the epidemiologists; if the climatologists detect climate change, they slander the climatologists.

I have in my possession a consumer-protection newsletter, unavailable on the Internet, which in its most recent issue mentions that cell phones have been determined to be safe — according to studies “funded by the telecommunications industry.” The author, a PhD in environmental studies, warned nevertheless against holding the things against your cranium for very long.

Think carefully, gentle reader, before you acquiesce in allowing the foxes to guard the chicken coop….