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Silent Spring Abstract

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INTRODUCTION

Silent Spring is a science book written by Rachel Carson an eminent nature author and published by Houghton Mifflin on September 27, 1962, touching the topics related to Ecology, Pesticides and Environmentalism. The book is a detailed discussion on the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and the related health issues faced by the human beings on being exposed to this polluted environment. The author has supported her views with appropriate scientific evidences and researches. In her book Carson directly accuses the chemical industry for manufacturing such chemical poison for their economic interests, which are harmful to the whole environment and brings about an imbalance among the elements of nature.

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The 1957 Fire ant eradication programme involving aerial spraying of DDT and other pesticides mixed with fuel oil encouraged Carson to dedicate her research and next book to pesticides and chemical poisons. The inspiration for writing ‘Silent Spring’ came from a letter written by Carson’s friend in January, 1958 to ‘The Boston Herald’ describing the death of birds around her place as a result of aerial spraying of DDT to kill mosquitoes. Carson now began the project of ‘Silent Spring’ by gathering examples of environmental damage that had occurred due to DDT. Many government scientists, whom she knew, provided her with confidential information on the subject. Research at the Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health brought Carson into contact with medical researchers investigating on various cancer causing chemicals. The work of National Cancer Institute researcher was of particular significance as he confirmed many pesticides as carcinogens. She even investigated individual incidents of pesticides exposure and human sickness and ecological damage due to the overuse of pesticides. Having found evidence supporting the pesticide – cancer connection and enough research material supporting her cause, Carson began writing the book. After much discussion ‘Silent Spring’ was decided as an apt title for the book suggesting a bleak future for the natural

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