In 1962, world attention became focused on the environmental issues surrounding pesticide usage when Rachel Carson published her third book, 'Silent Spring'. Citing one case report after another, she documented how the indiscriminate use of pesticides was profoundly affecting the balance of nature and pleaded for a more prudent national policy governing such use. 'I contend furthermore,' she said, 'that we have allowed these chemicals to be used with little or no advanced investigation of their effect on soil, water, wildlife and man himself.' To some extent, 'Silent Spring' ushered in the period of environmental concern which culminated in the early 1970's. The nationwide turn-out for the first 'Earth Day' in April of 1970 showed unmistakably the nation's new environmental awareness. Since that time, we have witnessed the passage of major legislation designed to preserve or enhance environmental quality. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency which now manages the Clean Air Act, 1970; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 1972; the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act, 1972; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1948, amended in 1972; the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, 1976; and the Toxic Substances Control Act, 1976.