Book excerpt: This new and expanded Fourth Edition of Dr. Benarde's myth-defying book uses an evidence-based approach to refute today's pervasive, environmental doomsday hype. With up-to-date information consolidated from authoritative scientific journals and presented in highly readable form, Our Precarious Habitat . . . It's In Your Hands: covers hot-button issues like global warming, nuclear energy, electromagnetic fields, alternative health practices, and more; covers illnesses such as SARS, avian flu, West Nile virus, and prion diseases like mad cow; and includes facts, figures, tables, and charts derived from respected scientific sources and presented in easy-to-understand terms. New to this edition are sections on alternative energy sources, climate change, and creationism vs. evolution, plus expanded information on food safety that covers genetically modified foods, organic foods, free-radicals and antioxidants, and dietary supplements. This book is a great resource for environmental science professionals and a thought-provoking textbook for students in medicine and public health, the social sciences, earth science, and other areas. Most of all, it's an eye-opening reference for concerned officials and citizens who want a clear, unbiased perspective on environmental issues in order to separate scientific fact from alarmist propaganda.