Aerosol Facts

A child’s interest in the environment should be fostered through the books they love so much (“Kids Books Enlist in Eco-War,” Sept. 9). But, unfortunately, some publishers have taken advantage of children’s interest in our environment without any regard to scientific fact.

Take the ozone depletion issue as an example. In 1978, the U.S. EPA banned the use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from virtually all American-made aerosols. Today, less than 2% of American-made aerosols use CFCs, and those are mostly for medical uses, like asthma inhalers. A Roper Organization survey found that 86% of Americans are unaware of these facts. Further, in an informal survey of science educators at the National Science Teachers Assn. annual meeting this year, many science teachers stated that books, cartoons and comic strips are one reason why Americans, and their students in particular, are confused about the environment.

The aerosol industry is one of many who contacted the publishers of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ “ABCs for a Better Planet,” not because the book is “noxious to industry,” but because it is wrong . Under “O” for ozone depletion, the Turtles toss aerosols in the trash saying, “CFCs are gasses used to push the stuff out of aerosol cans.” And children’s books aren’t the only culprit in spreading environmental misinformation.

Children look to the books they read and the cartoon heroes for information about their world. It’s cruel to prey on their trust and their environmental concerns.

DAN MINOGUE, Chairman

Consumer Aerosol Products Council

Washington