Elements: Saviors or Destroyers, Depending on Human Values

Kim Myung-hee's book, "Elements," offers a unique lens on society by exploring the human stories behind 18 chemical elements. Inspired by Primo Levi's "The Periodic Table," Kim shifts the focus from personal introspection to social medicine and contemporary issues.

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The author argues that the value society places on elements determines whether they become tools for salvation or destruction, reflecting on modern human isolation and social responsibility.

The book delves into tragic historical events, such as the mercury poisoning of a 15-year-old student worker in 1988, who died after working with mercury for only two months. The company initially denied responsibility, and the labor ministry rejected the claim because the hospital was not state-designated. It took media attention for the claim to be approved, but the student died shortly after. The author points out that systemic failures, including a lack of worker protections and delayed regulatory changes, were the true culprits, not just the element itself.

Another case detailed involves young workers in a mobile phone parts factory who suffered blindness due to methanol exposure in 2016. These workers, often temporary and unaware of the chemicals they handled, were disconnected from each other and lacked proper safety training. The author criticizes the system of illegal subcontracting that facilitated such exploitation, emphasizing that the "real culprits" were not the chemicals but the exploitative labor practices.

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The real culprits were not the chemicals but the exploitative labor practices.

Beyond occupational hazards, "Elements" also touches upon broader societal themes. For instance, the inert gas argon prompts reflections on the atomization and isolation of modern individuals, and how social isolation can lead to physical ailments. The book also confronts the use of white phosphorus in warfare, citing its deployment in civilian areas. Ultimately, Kim argues that elements can be either saviors or destroyers, depending entirely on what humanity values. The book demonstrates how scientific narratives can either alienate humans or bring them back into focus, a message she believes Primo Levi would have appreciated.

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Depending on what humanity values, any element can be a savior or a destroyer.