--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a…" description: "\"Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a degree of humility. When yesterday's \"triumph of modern chemistry\" turns out instead to be today's deadly thre..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/denis-hayes-16094_asbestos_asbestos-emfs-and-cfcs-have-given-us-a-d_289412.jpg" --- # Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a degree of… ![“Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a degree of humility. When yesterday's "triumph of modern chemistry" turns out instead to be today's deadly threat to the global environment, it is legitimate to ask what else we don't know.” quote by Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/denis-hayes-16094_asbestos_asbestos-emfs-and-cfcs-have-given-us-a-d_289412.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/denis-hayes-16094_asbestos_asbestos-emfs-and-cfcs-have-given-us-a-d_289412.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/denis-hayes-16094_asbestos_asbestos-emfs-and-cfcs-have-given-us-a-d_289412.jpg) > “Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a degree of humility. When yesterday's "triumph of modern chemistry" turns out instead to be today's deadly threat to the global environment, it is legitimate to ask what else we don't know.” [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Past scientific triumphs can become environmental hazards, reminding us of our limited knowledge and humility. **In simple terms:** Science can become harmful; stay humble. Key Takeaway Question assumptions and monitor impacts. Themes environment humility science risk Mood cautious thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - research - public awareness Key Concepts sustainability precautionary principle Questions to Reflect On - What current technologies might pose hidden risks? - How can we better anticipate unintended consequences? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asbestos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asbestos/) [Chemistry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemistry/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Pollution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pollution/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) [Yesterday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday/) ## Related quotes > [It is beyond a doubt that during the sixteenth century, and the years immediately preceding and following it, poisoning had been brought to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-beyond-a-doubt-that-during-the-sixteenth-century-and-the-years/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [God deliver me from the dread asbestos of “other things.” Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-elliot/god-deliver-me-from-the-dread-asbestos-of-other-things-saturate-me/) [Jim Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-elliot/) > [Warm-hearted! I should think he has to wear asbestos vests!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/warm-hearted-i-should-think-he-has-to-wear-asbestos-vests/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Despite my asbestos gloves, the cough is filling me with black, and a red powder seeps through my veins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/despite-my-asbestos-gloves-the-cough-is-filling-me-with-black-and-a/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [...The asbestos industry...has for decades successfully suppressed and manipulated information on the carcinogenicity and other hazards of asbestos. Involved in this conspiracy network were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-epstein/the-asbestos-industry-has-for-decades-successfully-suppressed-and/) [Samuel Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-epstein/) > [“You have built a human relationship on the foundation of asbestos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-sestero/you-have-built-a-human-relationship-on-the-foundation-of-asbestos/) [Greg Sestero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-sestero/) > [We are very encouraged that the results from our monitoring of air quality and drinking water conditions in both New York and near the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-todd-whitman/we-are-very-encouraged-that-the-results-from-our-monitoring-of-air/) [Christine Todd Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-todd-whitman/) > [In the late '50s, homes had a lot of asbestos in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-baeumler/in-the-late-50s-homes-had-a-lot-of-asbestos-in-them/) [Bryan Baeumler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-baeumler/) > [Im the bestest/on a bad day I spit asbestos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/im-the-bestest-on-a-bad-day-i-spit-asbestos/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [I'm the bestest/on a bad day I spit asbestos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/i-m-the-bestest-on-a-bad-day-i-spit-asbestos/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [As a career, the business of an orthodox preacher is about as successful as that of a celluloid dog chasing an asbestos cat through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/as-a-career-the-business-of-an-orthodox-preacher-is-about-as/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [When thou diest, thy soul will be tormented alone; that will be a hell for it, but at the day of judgment they body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/when-thou-diest-thy-soul-will-be-tormented-alone-that-will-be-a-hell/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [The asbestos problem impacts everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-engler/the-asbestos-problem-impacts-everyone/) [John Engler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-engler/) > [The psyche is highly flammable material. So we are always wrapping things in asbestos, keeping our images and fantasies at arm's length because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hillman/the-psyche-is-highly-flammable-material-so-we-are-always-wrapping/) [James Hillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hillman/) > [He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitible? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-elliot/he-makes-his-ministers-a-flame-of-fire-am-i-ignitible-god-deliver-me/) [Jim Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-elliot/) ## More by Denis Hayes > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Environmentally, business in America in 1970 was very similar to business in China today. Even if a CEO wanted to be a responsible corporate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/environmentally-business-in-america-in-1970-was-very-similar-to/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [When we held the first Earth Day, everyone said it was a success because of the huge turnout. It was probably the largest planned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/when-we-held-the-first-earth-day-everyone-said-it-was-a-success/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Zeroes are important. A million seconds ago was last week. A billion seconds ago, Richard Nixon resigned the presidency. A trillion seconds ago was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/zeroes-are-important-a-million-seconds-ago-was-last-week-a-billion/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Make Earth Day Every Day.” While we might not always live up to this ideal, I try to keep this quote from Denis Hayes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/make-earth-day-every-day-while-we-might-not-always-live-up-to-this/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [America has the technology and resources to meet all its energy needs while safeguarding the earth's climate. The urgent question now is, 'Do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/america-has-the-technology-and-resources-to-meet-all-its-energy-needs/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [I suppose I'd characterize myself as having a faith-based optimism. My faith is parental and Darwinian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/i-suppose-i-d-characterize-myself-as-having-a-faith-based-optimism-my/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [We need a firm cap on carbon emissions from fossil fuels. No coal, oil, or gas could enter the economy until the buyer had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/we-need-a-firm-cap-on-carbon-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-no-coal-oil/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [We got everyone's attention, but we didn't solve any environmental problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/we-got-everyone-s-attention-but-we-didn-t-solve-any-environmental/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [We've made some heroic efforts, but the Earth as a whole is in worse shape today than 30 years ago, ... There's been 30…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/we-ve-made-some-heroic-efforts-but-the-earth-as-a-whole-is-in-worse/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [There are a few obvious consequences and perhaps one subtle possibility. One obvious thing is that, to stimulate the economy, President Obama has committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/there-are-a-few-obvious-consequences-and-perhaps-one-subtle/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Sustainability requires that we demand enduring quality. Steve Strong has a slide presentation pointing out that much of Oxford was built 800 years ago.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/sustainability-requires-that-we-demand-enduring-quality-steve-strong/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [f the government is going to put money into the automobile sector, it should break up GM and Chrysler as a condition of financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/f-the-government-is-going-to-put-money-into-the-automobile-sector-it/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [The sunshine that strikes American roads each year contains more energy than all the fossil fuels used by the entire world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/the-sunshine-that-strikes-american-roads-each-year-contains-more/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [With time environmental issues got much more complicated. It is pretty easy, if you know what you are doing, to stop a company from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/with-time-environmental-issues-got-much-more-complicated-it-is-pretty/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) [Explore all 41 Denis Hayes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) ## More Asbestos quotes > [In the late '50s, homes had a lot of asbestos in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-baeumler/in-the-late-50s-homes-had-a-lot-of-asbestos-in-them/) [Bryan Baeumler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-baeumler/) > [The psyche is highly flammable material. So we are always wrapping things in asbestos, keeping our images and fantasies at arm's length because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hillman/the-psyche-is-highly-flammable-material-so-we-are-always-wrapping/) [James Hillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hillman/) > [The asbestos problem impacts everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-engler/the-asbestos-problem-impacts-everyone/) [John Engler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-engler/) > [When thou diest, thy soul will be tormented alone; that will be a hell for it, but at the day of judgment they body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/when-thou-diest-thy-soul-will-be-tormented-alone-that-will-be-a-hell/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [As a career, the business of an orthodox preacher is about as successful as that of a celluloid dog chasing an asbestos cat through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/as-a-career-the-business-of-an-orthodox-preacher-is-about-as/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [I'm the bestest/on a bad day I spit asbestos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/i-m-the-bestest-on-a-bad-day-i-spit-asbestos/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [Im the bestest/on a bad day I spit asbestos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/im-the-bestest-on-a-bad-day-i-spit-asbestos/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [We are very encouraged that the results from our monitoring of air quality and drinking water conditions in both New York and near the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-todd-whitman/we-are-very-encouraged-that-the-results-from-our-monitoring-of-air/) [Christine Todd Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-todd-whitman/) > [“You have built a human relationship on the foundation of asbestos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-sestero/you-have-built-a-human-relationship-on-the-foundation-of-asbestos/) [Greg Sestero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-sestero/) > [...The asbestos industry...has for decades successfully suppressed and manipulated information on the carcinogenicity and other hazards of asbestos. Involved in this conspiracy network were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-epstein/the-asbestos-industry-has-for-decades-successfully-suppressed-and/) [Samuel Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-epstein/) > [Despite my asbestos gloves, the cough is filling me with black, and a red powder seeps through my veins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/despite-my-asbestos-gloves-the-cough-is-filling-me-with-black-and-a/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [Warm-hearted! I should think he has to wear asbestos vests!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/warm-hearted-i-should-think-he-has-to-wear-asbestos-vests/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God deliver me from the dread asbestos of “other things.” Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-elliot/god-deliver-me-from-the-dread-asbestos-of-other-things-saturate-me/) [Jim Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-elliot/) > [He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitible? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-elliot/he-makes-his-ministers-a-flame-of-fire-am-i-ignitible-god-deliver-me/) [Jim Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-elliot/) > [There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/there-s-only-one-thing-different-about-barack-obama-when-it-comes-to/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) [Browse all 18 Asbestos quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asbestos/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Asbestos, EMFs, and CFCs have given us a degree of humility. 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