Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the publication of my new
book, titled
Class cancrogne. Enqute sur un processus entrav (provisional English
title: Classified Carcinogen: Investigation into a Hindered Process), released
by the French publisher Les Presses de Sciences Po. This work focuses on
global carcinogen regulation and the role of the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC).
Back cover blurb :
As of 2025, tens of thousands of synthetic substances are used across the
European Union. Many of them are part of our daily lives, yet only a very
small fraction has undergone thorough evaluation regarding their carcinogenic
potential. In practice, public health policies tend to operate under a
principle of innocent until proven guilty. Dedicated to research, the
International Agency for Research on Cancer seeks to establish evidence of
carcinogenicity. Though the agency holds no formal political power, its
scientific credibility gives weight to its classifications, often compelling
other institutions around the world to consider them seriously. Based on a
multi-year investigation, this book demonstrates that expert groups at the
IARC and related organizations face significant structural constraints: they
cannot realistically assess the sheer volume of substances in use; their
methodologies overlook large categories of toxic agents; and their work
unfolds in an environment shaped by competing scientific, political, and
economic interests that fosters persistent controversy.
How can we aspire to prevent cancer if we lack the means to uncover its
causes?
Kind regards,
Valentin Thomas
Valentin THOMAS
Social scientist
French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
Researchgate -
Orcid
Last publications :
- Valentin Thomas, "PFAS lments d'analyse sur une longue indiffrence
rglementaire", Energie - Environnement - Infrastructures, n6- juin 2025, pp.
24-28
- Valentin Thomas, "Defects in Doubt Manufacturing: The Trajectory of a
Pro-industrial Argument in the Struggle for the Definition of Carcinogenic
Substances", Science, Technology & Human Values, Vol. 46 (5), 2021, pp.
998-1020.
- E. Henry, V. Thomas, S. Angeli Aguiton; M.-O. Dplaude, N. Jas,
"Introduction: Beyond the Production of Ignorance: The Pervasveness of
Industry Influence through the Tools of Chemical Regulation", Science,
Technology & Human Values, Vol. 46 (5), 2021, pp. 911-924
- J-B Devaux, M. Lang, A. Lvque, C. Parnet, V. Thomas, "Les lieux de
l'engagement. Luttes socio-spatiales dans le mouvement des gilets jaunes de
l'agglomration lyonnaise", Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, n252
(2), 2024, pp. 26-47
- Valentin Thomas, "Embrasser la cause des cancers professionnels. Bifurcation
d'un service de l'OMS et de son createur", Sociologie du travail, [En ligne],
Vol. 65 - n 2 | Avril-Juin 2023
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