Available to Be Poisoned: Toxicity as a Form of Life

Dipali Mathur argues that the saturation of the planet with toxic chemicals is not the inevitable price of progress but marks a deliberate, violent relationship with the Earth and its others, born of colonialism and capitalism. She offers the concept of toxicity as a form of life to signpost the normalization of toxic exposure and analyzes how states use toxicity to control populations on the fringes of the global political economy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In her book "Available to be Poisoned: Toxicity as a Form of Life," Dipali Mathur makes a compelling argument that the widespread saturation of the planet with toxic chemicals is not an inevitable consequence of progress but rather a deliberate and violent relationship with the Earth and its inhabitants. This relationship, rooted in the intertwined histories of colonialism and capitalism, has resulted in the normalization of toxic exposure.

Mathur introduces the innovative concept of toxicity as a form of life to highlight this troubling trend. By examining how states utilize toxicity to control populations on the margins of our global political economy, she sheds light on the ways in which exposure to harmful substances is weaponized to make certain groups vulnerable to poisoning.

Through three case studies from India, Mathur demonstrates how exposure to toxicity is used to marginalize and oppress certain communities. She shows how toxic chemicals are dumped in areas inhabited by marginalized populations, leading to severe health consequences and environmental degradation. These case studies serve as powerful examples of the ways in which toxicity is used as a tool of control and exploitation.

Mathur's book offers a critical analysis of the ways in which toxic chemicals have permeated our lives and the structures that perpetuate their use. She challenges the notion that progress is always accompanied by the exploitation and poisoning of the environment and people. Instead, she advocates for a more sustainable and equitable approach to development that prioritizes the health and well-being of all individuals and the planet.

"Available to be Poisoned" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the hidden costs of progress and the urgent need for a more sustainable and just world. It is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental justice, public health, and the politics of toxic exposure.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666919813