The Toxic Consumer: Living Healthy in a Hazardous World

By: Karen Ashton and Elizabeth Salter Green

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Synopsis: Be scared, be very scared: toxic chemicals are in thousands of everyday products…and then they become part of our blood, our fat, our bodies. The chemicals that make things non-stick, flexible, flame-retardant, or stain-resistant are implicated in a staggering range of health issues, from birth defects to the rising rates of certain cancers. More than ever, we want to know how to make informed, responsible choices about what we buy, for our own good and for the good of our planet. The Toxic Consumer provides the answers, precisely and accessibly. And you don’t need to be a scientist to understand the information. One by one, the guide breaks down such noxious substances as PFCs, phthalates, perchloroethylene, and formaldehyde and explains what each one is and what threats it poses, what items contain these poisons, and how they interact with our bodies and well-being. Then it outlines healthier options for bedding, flooring, cosmetics, clothing, food and drink, and everything else we need, making positive recommendations that will help us to reduce our exposure to proven harmful toxic chemicals in our daily lives.