"The histories of fourteen well-known hazards and their harm, which include some chemicals: tributyl tin(TBT), benzene, polychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs), chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs), methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE),sulphur dioxide, (SO2) and Great Lakes pollution; two pharmaceuticals (diethylstilboestrol (DES) and beef hormones); two physical agents (asbestos and medical X-rays); one pathogen (BSE); and fisheries, have been reviewed by the European Environment Agency. The purpose of the review was to see how societies had used, or not, the available scientific information in order to avoid or reduce hazards and risks, and at what overall cost. /

Twelve "Late Lessons" were drawn which attempted to synthesise the very different experiences from the case studies into generic knowledge that can help inform decision making on potential hazards from, for example, GMOS, nanotechnologies, mobile phones, and such endocrine disrupting substances as phthalates, atrazine and bisphenol A. These emerging issues are all cases for which the luxuries of hindsight are not yet available but where there is some plausible evidence of harm, and where exposures are widespread and generally rising. The purpose of the twelve late lessons is to help societies to make the most of both past experience and current knowedge in order to anticipate and reduce the impact of future "surprises" from technologies,without stifling innovation . . . "