Toms river a story of science and salvation is a 2013 non fiction book by the american author dan fagin it is about the dumping of industrial pollution by chemical companies including ciba geigy in toms river new jersey beginning in 1952 through the 1980s 2 and the epidemiological investigations of a cancer cluster that subsequently emerged there. His new book toms river a story of science and salvation was awarded the 2014 pulitzer prize for general nonfiction it has been described as a new classic of science reporting the new york times a gripping environmental thriller kirkus reviews starred r a science journalism professor at new york university dan fagin is a nationally prominent journalist on environmental health topics. He tells the stories of the pioneering scientists and physicians who first identified pollutants as a cause of cancer and brings to life the everyday heroes in toms river who struggled for. Toms river a story of science and salvation by dan fagin the riveting true story of sixty years in the life of a small town ravaged by industrial pollution toms river melds hard hitting investigative reporting a fascinating scientific detective story deep historical research and an unforgettable cast of characters into a sweeping narrative that leaves us asking could it happen in my town too