Pick your poison : how our mad dash to chemical utopia is making lab rats of us all /
Rossol, Monona,1936-
Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley,
c2011.
This book explains how the chemicals in everyday products are killing us, and what the government is not doing about it. Did you know that "non-toxic" usually means "never tested"? Or that many green cleaners may be good for the environment, but terrible for you? The author, a chemist and activist goes from under your sink into the halls of the powerful, tracing America's love affair with chemicals that kill, explaining how much worse the problem has gotten in the last decade. Shocking and appalling and completely reckless, that's how she describes the current prevalence of harmful chemicals in our everyday lives. Scientists have started linking our increased rates for cancer, autism, obesity, and asthma (among others) to chemical exposure and she points the finger directly at the companies and executives making millions of dollars by polluting our environment and introducing toxic chemicals to our bodies. She chronicles how everyday toxins get into our bodies and accumulate over time and provides us with inspiration to make changes at the checkout lines. She also explains that Americans are not nearly as well protected by our government as we might think we are. Unlike the European Union, the United States allows chemical companies to produce toxins for use in U.S. consumer products with little to no oversight. The book includes surprising explanations about the chemicals in furniture, detergents, paints, makeup, toys, spray cleaners, ionic air purifiers, art supplies, and more. It reveals how many eco-friendly products are good for the environment but bad for your health. It exposes the truth about government regulations, product testing, and labeling, including why terms such as "non-toxic" (which often means "never tested"), "hypoallergenic", and "FDA-approved" can be misleading. It also offers practical ways to reduce exposure and protect yourself and your family. The author advises consumers that If they are alarmed by the health risks of the many hazardous chemicals encountered at home, work, and school, they should get informed and learn the facts and find out what can be done about the daily onslaught of toxins that are making lab rats of us all. -- Provided by publisher.
Preface -- Your body is a chemistry experiment: have we given ourselves diabetes, autism, and cancer? -- Dying for your (child's) art: why "nontoxic" doesn't mean not toxic -- Calling a product green doesn't make it stop being poison: the chemical substitution game -- "All natural" doesn't mean safe, either: Mother Nature is out to get you -- Why not just use soap? : you versus the environment -- Of wall paint and face paint: how labels can mislead you --You have the right to know: how MSDS can help you protect yourself (when no one else will) -- Your air filter may be polluting your air: understanding chemical exposure -- Silver socks rocked by toxic shocker! : our weak worker and consumer protection laws -- Chemicals known to the state of California: a political action plan -- Don't drive yourself crazy: thirteen reasonable ways to change today -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix A: Detergent additives -- Appendix B: Evaluating the material safety data sheet -- Appendix : New York disclosure amendment -- Notes -- Index.
This book explains how the chemicals in everyday products are killing us, and what the government is not doing about it. Did you know that "non-toxic" usually means "never tested"? Or that many green cleaners may be good for the environment, but terrible for you? The author, a chemist and activist goes from under your sink into the halls of the powerful, tracing America's love affair with chemicals that kill, explaining how much worse the problem has gotten in the last decade. Shocking and appalling and completely reckless, that's how she describes the current prevalence of harmful chemicals in our everyday lives. Scientists have started linking our increased rates for cancer, autism, obesity, and asthma (among others) to chemical exposure and she points the finger directly at the companies and executives making millions of dollars by polluting our environment and introducing toxic chemicals to our bodies. She chronicles how everyday toxins get into our bodies and accumulate over time and provides us with inspiration to make changes at the checkout lines. She also explains that Americans are not nearly as well protected by our government as we might think we are. Unlike the European Union, the United States allows chemical companies to produce toxins for use in U.S. consumer products with little to no oversight. The book includes surprising explanations about the chemicals in furniture, detergents, paints, makeup, toys, spray cleaners, ionic air purifiers, art supplies, and more. It reveals how many eco-friendly products are good for the environment but bad for your health. It exposes the truth about government regulations, product testing, and labeling, including why terms such as "non-toxic" (which often means "never tested"), "hypoallergenic", and "FDA-approved" can be misleading. It also offers practical ways to reduce exposure and protect yourself and your family. The author advises consumers that If they are alarmed by the health risks of the many hazardous chemicals encountered at home, work, and school, they should get informed and learn the facts and find out what can be done about the daily onslaught of toxins that are making lab rats of us all. -- Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Environmental toxicology.