Yes well most of those fears were based in a distinct lack of application of the precautionary principle in the way the industry was being run and regulated, as well as misdirection when representing the methods being used. So there was no way for citizens to know whether things were safe or not, other than an appeal to authority, but driven by shareholder interests.

So I don’t blame people for worrying, though I was always more concerned about the biopiracy and other corporate shenanigans.