History shows popular beliefs about environmental hazards and health risks-whether alarmist or dismissive-are often wrong. Leaded paint never protected human health. Acid mine drainage never protected us against Typhoid fever. Sulfur dioxide never prevented blindness or cleansed lungs. Banning straws won't alleviate oceanic plastic pollution. Government programs for re-powering with alternative energy won't arrest global climate change.

This thought-provoking book argues that we should "Hold It" long enough to follow facts and science before accepting environmental misconceptions.