Pick Your Poison : How Our Mad Dash to Chemical Utopia Is Making Lab Rats of Us All

by Rossol, Monona

• ISBN13: 9780470550915
• ISBN10: 0470550910
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-03-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

How the chemicals in everyday products are killing us--and what the government is not doing about itDid you know that "non-toxic" usually means "never tested"? Or that many green cleaners may be good for the environment, but terrible for you? Chemist and activist Monona Rossol 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. Scientist have started linking our increased rates for cancer, autism, obesity, and asthma (among others) to chemical exposure and Rossol 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. While her tone is wry and entertaining, she's also well informed and her fact-filled treatise makes for absolutely terrifying reading. Includes surprising explanations about the chemicals in furniture, detergents, paints, makeup, toys, spray cleaners, ionic air purifiers, art supplies, and more Reveals how many eco-friendly products are good for the environment but bad for your health 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 Offers practical ways to reduce your exposure and protect yourself and your familyIf you're alarmed by the health risks of the many hazardous chemicals we encounter at home, work, and school, don't get frightened, get informed. Read Pick Your Poison to learn the facts and find out what you can do about the daily onslaught of toxins that are making lab rats of us all.

Author Biography

MONONA ROSSOL, an industrial hygienist, divides her time between inspecting work sites, training workers, and delivering expert testimony in court cases involving chemical exposure. She is the President and founder of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety, Inc., and a regular guest on the Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC. She has lectured and consulted in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Mexico, and Portugal.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Your Body Is a Chemistry Experiment: Have We Given Ourselves Diabetes, Autism, and Cancer?	p. 1
Dying for Your (Child's) Art: Why ôNontoxicö Doesn't Mean Not Toxic	p. 15
Calling a Product Green Doesn't Make It Stop Being Poison: The Chemical Substitution Game	p. 41
ôAll-Naturalö Doesn't Mean Safe, Either: Mother Nature Is Out to Get You	p. 65
Why Not Just Use Soap? You versus the Environment	p. 89
Of Wall Paint and Face Paint: How Labels Can Mislead You	p. 103
You Have the Right to Know: How the MSDS Can Help You Protect Yourself (When No One Else Will)	p. 117
Your Air Filter May Be Polluting Your Air: Understanding Chemical Exposure	p. 131
Silver Socks Rocked by Toxic Shocker!: Our Weak Worker and Consumer Protection Laws	p. 151
Chemicals Known to the State of California: A Political Action Plan	p. 177
Don't Drive Yourself Crazy: Thirteen Reasonable Ways to Change Today	p. 199
Acknowledgments	p. 211
Detergent Additives	p. 213
Evaluating the Material Safety Data Sheet	p. 216
New York Disclosure Amendment	p. 223
Notes	p. 226
Index	p. 234
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