Funny, thought-provoking, and incredibly disturbing, Slow Death by Rubber Duck reveals that just the living of daily life creates a chemical...
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Jan 11, 2012
Bluegirl
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Slow Death by Rubber Duck focuses on the 'hidden pollution' of our bodies which caused as a result of chemicals used in a variety of every day products.
I already knew a bit about the sort of chemicals which are in products but I'm always open to learning more, particularly if it's written a way that's accessable to someone like me, who is not a scientist. I found that the authors did, in some places, get a bit bogged down by the science but for the most part this is a good book for so More...
I already knew a bit about the sort of chemicals which are in products but I'm always open to learning more, particularly if it's written a way that's accessable to someone like me, who is not a scientist. I found that the authors did, in some places, get a bit bogged down by the science but for the most part this is a good book for so More...
Jul 30, 2011
I recommend this book very highly, and consider it to be the second most important book I’ve read this year. The most important was “Sea Sick: The Hidden Crisis of Global Ocean Change”. “Slow Death by Rubber Duck”, however, is more personal and more entertaining to read, and while it contains very disturbing data, it ends with a hopeful message and action items to improve our lives and those of our families. Written by a couple of Canadians out of Toronto, it is well written, with plenty of ref
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Aug 03, 2010
Aileen
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I'm recommending this book to just about everyone... if you've ever wondered if those pesticides on your neighbour's lawn might cause you problems, or assumed that rubber ball in your son's mouth was no problem, or noticed how fast polycarbonate baby bottles disappeared from the shelves in spring 2008 when the previous December they were about the only choice available, then this book will open your eyes. Not to be doomsday or anything, but it turns out... it is true... that a dozen substances
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May 11, 2010
Barbara
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What intrigued me about this book was that the two authors, both environmentalists, Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, decided on a whim to expose themselves with a variety of chemicals and see what kind of test results might be produced. They wanted to know what kind of chemical toxins their children were exposed to. These chemicals are ones that everyone is exposed to on a daily basis and all of them are toxic to the human body. It made me aware that toxins in the products available to consumers hav
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Apr 20, 2011
Kristine
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Personal pollution. This Silent Spring style book focuses, not on environmental threats to the natural world, but to pollution that is more personal in nature which is occurring in our bodies and homes.
Two curious Canadian scientists decide to experiment upon themselves to understand the impact of individual actions and ordinary lifestyle choices upon the toxin levels in their bodies.
As parents, they were particularly concerned about understanding better the problem More...
Two curious Canadian scientists decide to experiment upon themselves to understand the impact of individual actions and ordinary lifestyle choices upon the toxin levels in their bodies.
As parents, they were particularly concerned about understanding better the problem More...
Oct 26, 2009
Jane
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Being informed about the chemicals that are so ubiquitous in our environment today, such as phthalates, PFCs (Teflon, etc.), flame retardants, mercury, Triclosan (Microban and other antibacterial potions), pesticides, and Bisphenol A (BPA), is important to me.
Certainly, I learned many things while reading this book (I had a cursory understanding of many of the issues), however, most surprising to me was the following passage, as I have never heard any information about it anywhere el More...
Certainly, I learned many things while reading this book (I had a cursory understanding of many of the issues), however, most surprising to me was the following passage, as I have never heard any information about it anywhere el More...
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Jan 25, 2012
Charlotte
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I enjoyed this book, although I felt bogged down by some details and sections (e.g., the background of the Canadian BPA ban in chapter 8 "Mothers Know Best").
If you have done prior research on the dangers of everyday products, much of the information in this book will not be new or earth shattering. However, this book provided good reminders and additional useful information. I also found it interesting to read about the authors' experiments on how each of the chemicals (p More...
If you have done prior research on the dangers of everyday products, much of the information in this book will not be new or earth shattering. However, this book provided good reminders and additional useful information. I also found it interesting to read about the authors' experiments on how each of the chemicals (p More...
Mar 31, 2010
Amy
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Eek. Is this why all the little kids I know have asthma or allergies or lots of trouble processing language? I really like their approach, and they do make it a little hopeful in the end (I read ahead to make sure it wasn't too depressing). The experimented with their toxin levels on themselves. The surprising part to me was that it was only for one week, yet they still saw big changes in level.
Here are my notes to myself:
Slow Death By Rubber Duck
Rick Smith and Bruce Lour More...
Here are my notes to myself:
Slow Death By Rubber Duck
Rick Smith and Bruce Lour More...
Apr 10, 2010
Sueij
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The information in this book is fantastic. The authors look at some of the most common toxins that we absorb into our (and send into our childrens') bodies, how they get there (flame retardant pajamas, anti-microbial toothbrushes, tuna, plastic sippy cups!), what they do to us (and especially to our young children's developing bodies), and simple things we can do to reduce our exposure.
There was a good mix of validated scientific research, investigative reporting about the companies More...
There was a good mix of validated scientific research, investigative reporting about the companies More...
Jun 30, 2011
Dwhren
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Smith and his "partner in crime" subject themselves to situations in which they are exposed to certain chemicals and then test their blood to show how every day things that we do are exposing us to toxic substances. I can't even remember all the things they talked about because well most of them have long chemical names. They do talk about mercury, BPA, and fire retardants, and some chemical that is used to create fragrances which I do remember. This book pretty much made me think I ne
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May 02, 2010
Barky
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Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie have written a book about the dangers of some of the chemicals found in common household products, their effects on our bodies and the environment, and what we can do about them. They examine the history and effects of phthalates, PFCs (Perfluorochemicals), PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), mercury, Triclosan, pesticides, and Bisphenol A. They have taken a unique approach, in that in addition to giving readers the facts, they have also experimented on themselv
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May 24, 2011
Rev.
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I think this is an important read for a lot of people. It would have been pretty important for me a while ago, but as it stands, I've already gotten as much away from most of these chemicals as I'll be able unless they are banned. I didn't give it a very high rating because the log of court battles and the litany of scientific research on the chemicals in questions gets rather long and boring, especially when it could be summed up fairly quickly. The only thing that kept me with this was the bra
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Apr 22, 2010
I read an article about this book in this morning's newspaper. It focuses on the many toxins in our homes. Scary! I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem before even reading the book. But evidently it has helpful steps people can take to reduce some of our daily exposure to harmful chemicals.
I also read a review yesterday of a documentary called Food Inc. that aired on KUED last night. It's an expose of what goes on behind the scenes in the food industry--pesticides More...
I also read a review yesterday of a documentary called Food Inc. that aired on KUED last night. It's an expose of what goes on behind the scenes in the food industry--pesticides More...
Jun 21, 2010
Marya
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Do you buy the organic ketchup in the plastic bottle, the local non-organic ketchup in the plastic bottle, or the non-organic, non-local ketchup in the glass bottle? The authors contend that we shouldn't have to make these choices (we want local, organic ketchup in a glass bottle), and government regulation is the only way to go about it.
The historical perspective is well written, the personal anecdotes overdone, and the science narrative passable, but not as accessible/engaging as other More...
The historical perspective is well written, the personal anecdotes overdone, and the science narrative passable, but not as accessible/engaging as other More...
Dec 19, 2011
Caitlin
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I was a bit disappointed by this book. Somewhere in between his use of a dictionary to give a definition of the word "adapt" and his hypocritical contempt for fearmongering in the antibacterial end of the Paranoid American spectrum, the author mongered his own fear about chemicals without giving any real action items until the very end about what to do about it. It left me feeling a bit helpless and generally depressed about the world rather than better-informed. Everything is poiso
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Nov 08, 2011
Anna
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Wow. WOW. That booked really changed my life.
I thought I knew my priorities and I considered myself to be quite well-educated when it comes to the dangers of the present-day world. I try to buy as much organic food and cosmetics (and local produce) as my purse would allow me, I recycle everything I can and opt for used things when I need to get something for the house, I dumped everything that could be tested on animals and/or manufactured by the "great evil" of the Monsant More...
I thought I knew my priorities and I considered myself to be quite well-educated when it comes to the dangers of the present-day world. I try to buy as much organic food and cosmetics (and local produce) as my purse would allow me, I recycle everything I can and opt for used things when I need to get something for the house, I dumped everything that could be tested on animals and/or manufactured by the "great evil" of the Monsant More...
May 25, 2010
Andrealitchfield
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Anyone who is interested in how the myriad chemicals we use and are surrounded by affect our health should read this book. Interesting, funny, and a bit disturbing. Disturbing, you say? Read how the US government is ages behind in recognizing the toxic effects of many everyday products we use, compared to Europe and Canada. For instance, did you know that Canada has banned the sale of plastic baby bottles, because of the toxic chemicals they contain that mimic sex hormones in babies? I would rec
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May 09, 2011
Krista
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This book is a great first-time-I've-paid-attention-to-pervasive-chemicals-in-my-midst primer. It is not a good book for someone who is already well-aware of the chemicals and wants to find complete and helpful advice on how to better avoid them.
Well, if cheekily, written, this book gives a sketched history of how some of these chemicals came to be so omnipotent, as well as the history of how people have begun, and continue to, fight them.
The final chapter, entitled De More...
Well, if cheekily, written, this book gives a sketched history of how some of these chemicals came to be so omnipotent, as well as the history of how people have begun, and continue to, fight them.
The final chapter, entitled De More...
May 22, 2010
Beth
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Who knew a book with a rubber duck on it could be so depressing. Discusses how ubiquitous toxins have become in the environment and our homes, and focuses especially on mercury and chemicals found in flame retardants, pesticides and antibacterial products. The authors are Canadian but the content is intended for an American audience as well. The book tries to end on optimistic note by suggesting ways to reduce toxins at home and the environment. Overall a well written book, but be prepared to wa
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Dec 22, 2010
Shirley
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This might be the most relevant book for my day-to-day life that I've read in years (up there with Omnivore's Dilemma). There is a lot to digest here (while reading, I kept posting stickies on one page, then the next page, then the next page...), but briefly... This book is about all the chemicals that we're exposed to (unwittingly) daily. This includes especially babies and children. Everyone is polluted. Pollution used to be this localized, visible, acute issue (cholera outbreaks). Now it's wi
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May 20, 2010
Heather
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Reading this book has caused me to make some definite lifestyle changes. I wish everyone would read it--especially every parent. The authors examine seven types of toxic chemicals (Phthalates, Mercury, non-stick chemicals like Teflon, bromine-based fire retardants, triclosan, pesticides, and BPA), give the histories of these chemicals, their effects, and suggestions for decreasing exposure and absorption. I've tried to be careful to avoid these chemicals by only buying soap without triclosan; on
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Aug 12, 2011
Maureen
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My family is better off for me reading this, but I had nightmares while reading the book as I realized the horrors of household contaminants. And I thought I had already banned phlatlates, bpas, etc...come to find they are in recycled products (bye-bye reclycled tp), cd's, cd cases, eye glasses. Add the ubiquity of pvc and triclosan and I had to stop myself from throwing furniture and socks (yes, socks) out the window.
A must read for anyone with kids or just really anyone. Well written More...
A must read for anyone with kids or just really anyone. Well written More...
Jan 23, 2012
Melissa
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This is one of those books that is so hard to rate because I just don't know what would be appropriate. The writing itself was very conversational for such a hard topic as chemical awareness. The book could have easily been an essay in a medical journal filled with terms only a trained professional could understand, but instead as it followed the experiments and work of the authors it read more like a diary or a letter to a friend. The amount of toxins in everyday items is actually shocking when
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Apr 07, 2011
Sally
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Utterly depressing.I learned that if something smells bad, it probably is bad. A must read for all prospective parents, this book has been written for the non-scientific community, but still I became muddled by the various chemcials. If you care for the lives of those around you, the Earth and the coming generations, this book is essential reading. Afterwards you will banish all teflon and half contents of the bathroom and kitchen cabinets. The trouble is where to send them?
Feb 21, 2011
Laura
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Very insightful look into the items we use everyday and the chemicals and toxins involved in their creation. There are lots of great suggestions on how you can avoid certain dangerous substances in your everyday life as well and ideas for getting involved in helping make this a greener world. Some things in the book are definitely scary and especially so if you're pregnant or have kids.
May 08, 2010
Nicole
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This didn't provide a lot of new information for me (although it was interesting - and kind of scary - to note that recycled paper is high in BPA), but it was very readable and would make a great introduction to the subject. I liked how the authors provided practical ways for people to reduce their exposure to the toxins discussed as well as encouraging support for changing regulations.
Aug 09, 2010
Marvel
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Food for thought. These two men use themselves as human specimens in trying out several "chemicals" on their bodies. They take urine and blood samples before and after exposure to common, everyday things we are surrounded by - like carpeting, plastics (like rubber ducks...hence the name of the book), canned tuna, deodorants, shampoos, soaps, etc. They seem to have scientific backing for most of their theories about how our environment affects our health. Could many of these substan
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Aug 25, 2009
Jen
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I liked that this book came from a Canadian angle, with Canadian stats & information. I guess my thing is, yeah, this stuff is in the blood stream, but most people aren't feeling any effects, so I, for one, do need a book to tell me how steeped in toxins my person probably (definitely) is. Otherwise I wouldn't know or care until I was on my deathbed from some unknown illness.
Jun 02, 2010
Kate
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This is the serious but not overwhelming assessment of household/everyday toxins you'd be best to avoid. The guys get into detail about policy work in Canada and the US primarily, help us understand why certain things are dangerous (with mini-chemistry lessons), and conduct legit experimentation using themselves as subjects.
This book was totally eye-opening in some areas, like with phthalates or helped me understand exactly why I'm justified in my anti-non-stick campaign. All in all More...
This book was totally eye-opening in some areas, like with phthalates or helped me understand exactly why I'm justified in my anti-non-stick campaign. All in all More...
Feb 14, 2011
Marisa
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Two environmentalists experiment to see if they can increase and decrease the chemical load in their body simply by using and exposing themselves to everyday objects (plastic containers, deodorant, stain repellent, etc).
The results aren't surprising - we're marinating in chemicals and it shows in our urine and blood. They do a really good job of explaining the history of how these dangerous chemicals have made their way into everyday life, and how the Big Chemical Companies are able More...
The results aren't surprising - we're marinating in chemicals and it shows in our urine and blood. They do a really good job of explaining the history of how these dangerous chemicals have made their way into everyday life, and how the Big Chemical Companies are able More...
