We are running a collective chemical fever that we cannot break. Everyone everywhere now carries a dizzying array of chemical contaminants, the... read full description
reviews
Aug 23, 2008
Mira
rated it: 
This is one of the few books I want everyone to read - in part because I believe that the more people become interested in the potential dangers of endocrine disruptors, the more non-industry-funded research will be done to tell us how concerned we really need to be (my preliminary guess is "deeply, deeply concerned" but I would love to be proven wrong).
Baker does an excellent job explaining many environmental and health concerns associated with common chemicals, such as p More...
Baker does an excellent job explaining many environmental and health concerns associated with common chemicals, such as p More...
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Apr 17, 2009
sleeps9hours
rated it: 
Scary and infuriating to read, but important info. Focuses on endocrine disruptors.
My notes:
p. 83 If I have a religion it is faith in science and academia. I believe that a few of us are given a gift. Trained to develop our intellect, to accumulate knowledge. With this gift, we have the responsibility to deliver truth. Our citizenship demands that we use this gift to teach and train others in our methodology and to pursue truth. Our stewardship demands that when given the More...
My notes:
p. 83 If I have a religion it is faith in science and academia. I believe that a few of us are given a gift. Trained to develop our intellect, to accumulate knowledge. With this gift, we have the responsibility to deliver truth. Our citizenship demands that we use this gift to teach and train others in our methodology and to pursue truth. Our stewardship demands that when given the More...
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Apr 17, 2009
Gail
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Very scary...it's disheartening to be told that no matter how hard you try to eat right, exercise, avoid toxins like tobacco, drugs, your body is still full of toxic chemicals that now permeate our environment. I agree, that if you read the epilogue first, it embues you with some hope that our actions can make a difference. No more plastics!!! No more microwaved popcorn! More diligent dusting and vacuuming (my husband will love that). This is a must read for all, but especially for moms--I have
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Dec 04, 2010
Angelique
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I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the diseases/health afflictions of our times and what scientists/doctors will come to realize sometime in the future as to what is causing them. Be in the know, read this book - it's really an eye-opener. Ms. Baker, an Oregon journalist decides to study in-depth some typical chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Atrazine, an herbicide that has caused frogs to be hermaphroditic with exposure is the one that sticks out most in m
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Jan 18, 2009
Shelly
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I'm scared. I feel like I never want to buy anything ever again. While I'm at it, I'll try to stop eating and breathing and doing all the other mundane things I do every day that invite toxins into my body.
<deep breath>
I don't mean to imply that Baker was inciting people to panic or that her writing was unduly alarmist. She was just absolutely thorough and detailed. She pulled no punches and airbrushed nothing. In the end, the picture was devastatingly clear.
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<deep breath>
I don't mean to imply that Baker was inciting people to panic or that her writing was unduly alarmist. She was just absolutely thorough and detailed. She pulled no punches and airbrushed nothing. In the end, the picture was devastatingly clear.
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May 22, 2011
Anne
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Following the Longevity Project book with this one, as the careful, responsible types might do. Probably have accumulated so many toxins that the barn door is long off the hinges.
I must be really nuts to read this while trying to replace my deck with a plastic product-- although treated wood is no health-picnic either-- Onwards anyway.
Now I've finished, I'm more positive. I learned some alternatives. Throwing out the plastic food containers I haven't used in a while. Still doing my More...
I must be really nuts to read this while trying to replace my deck with a plastic product-- although treated wood is no health-picnic either-- Onwards anyway.
Now I've finished, I'm more positive. I learned some alternatives. Throwing out the plastic food containers I haven't used in a while. Still doing my More...
Dec 26, 2009
Sophia
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In 2005, I tried to find information about the topics covered in this book on my own and found it very challenging. Nena Baker does a great job of thoroughly covering atrazine, phthalates, PBDEs, BPA, and perflourinated chemicals in one fairly quick 230-page read. I appreciate her focus on policy change and details about the failures of our 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act and how the EU is now regulating chemicals. I also love the great information shared in the appendices. The chapter on atra
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Jun 03, 2009
Amy
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The author is an "investigative journalist," who tends to sensationalize. She gets into a lot of "he said this and then she said this" stories...most of them designed to illustrate how evil corporations are, how inept government is, and how maverick-cool renegade scientists are. BUT, her point was still well made. The US has not and is not erring on the side of public safety in its policy-making and enforcement. This is very troublesome. We await full-blown proof that a toxin
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Jan 24, 2009
Brenda
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If you've wondered why those clear, plastic Nalgene bottles are going out of style, this book will explain it. I appreciated the information on Atrazine since I have recently moved next to a cornfield and wondered about the affect of pesticides and herbicide on my kids. The book could seem a bit alarmist, but it appears to be very thorough. To keep from being overwhelmed, however, I would recommend starting with the Epilogue (page 212)--especially if you haven't heard about any of these chemi
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May 05, 2009
Bells
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Honestly, this book is worthy of 5 stars, I give it 4 only because it did not tell me anything I was not already somewhat aware of. Okay, that’s not 100% correct; there are great resources listed and I learned about phthalate/paraben free health and beauty items, which I am switching to STAT. (Avalon and Alba Organics and Dr. Hauschka make-up.) This would be a great “starter” book for someone who is interested in the chemical stew in which we live.
There are things happening to our More...
There are things happening to our More...
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Oct 28, 2009
Alina
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This was an extraordinarily well-researched book. Each chapter read like a mini journalistic investigation into the history, science, cultural context, and politics of each toxin.
Unfortunately, I wanted a little more about how it actually affects the consumer, me, of course, being a consumer of these toxins. What's it actually going to do to me? What can I do to avoid it?
Unfortunately, I wanted a little more about how it actually affects the consumer, me, of course, being a consumer of these toxins. What's it actually going to do to me? What can I do to avoid it?
Jul 10, 2009
Ann
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The author is an investigative journalist and this book, while well researched tends to be a bit sensationalist and doomsday. It is important information, however. We are all carrying a body burden of chemicals that humans did not evolve to handle. If you find the contents of the book too depressing and scary, skip to the first appendix, which outlines each of the chemicals reviewed in the text, with a brief description of what it does, how it affects humans, and how you can avoid/minimize your
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Nov 28, 2009
Jennifer
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A huge eye opener and filled with great case studies on how toxic substances exist in everything from carpet, to paint, to our offices, to basic food and hygiene products. A worthy, educational read that will leave you cleaning and dusting your house twice a week at least. Excellent insight!
Apr 15, 2009
Heidi
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This was a good book. Well-written and easy to follow. I was hoping for some more new info., but it probably is new info. for most people, since most people don't spend their time studying things like this. A little bit more political and a lot less biological than the title suggests, but still a good read.
Sep 24, 2009
Kristi
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I will start out that I thought the information from this book was a must read for everyone. However, the Epilogue and Appendix 1 gave me 98% of it in a freiendly Reader's Digest edition. I honestly had to force myself continue reading after the first chapter. It does get much better after that, but I found myself yawning and getting lost in parts. It is probably my ignorance in this area, but I think the author missed her audience a little bit. It would have like to see more information ab
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Feb 20, 2009
Shelby
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I had to read this book for my Environmental Health class at school, and I have to say that I was 1) bored by the statistics that the author filled it with and 2) didn't like the way the author made me feel like we're doomed.
It was basically an entire book devoted to the ills of the American government and how it doesn't measure up to the European Union. I really tired quickly of her scare tactics.
I wouldn't recomment this book to anyone. I'm also sorry that I was force More...
It was basically an entire book devoted to the ills of the American government and how it doesn't measure up to the European Union. I really tired quickly of her scare tactics.
I wouldn't recomment this book to anyone. I'm also sorry that I was force More...
Jun 14, 2010
Sherril
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Good book but I'm not all that into science and that's all this book is. I like some stories even in my non-fiction. Well really I like my non-fiction to read like fiction. ESPECIALLY science!
Jan 02, 2009
Very good but alarming book. I took most (but not all) of what she said to heart. This book could make the sane person insane. It is an informative book though and I recommend it.
Dec 14, 2009
Don't read this if you're easily worried! I'm familiar with the jist of this book - that we live in a sea of chemicals that are under-studied, over-trusted and hardly regulated. Just emerging is the scientific understanding that small amount of chemicals, especially when mixed with the myriad other chemicals we are exposed to daily, in our homes, through our food, and all around, have just as serious of an impact on our health as do large doses. I'm interested in understanding more of the par
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Mar 26, 2011
Cassandra
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My body is likely a disgustsing wasteland. Happy birthday to me. It may be my last. Did anyone else's mom go heavy on the Scotchguard?
Mar 08, 2011
Lisamarie
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not as useful of a resource as i'd hoped it would be.
there is one little section at the end that's helpful though.
there is one little section at the end that's helpful though.
Dec 27, 2008
Sara
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To all those mom's out there, you should read this but only when you're ready.
Sep 08, 2009
Jaime
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I love hearing that the water-repellant fabrics I work with have chemicals that may be carcinogenic. Great, lol.
Couldn't finish this book. I already have enough to worry about and be paranoid about than adding all the chemicals this book discusses. This book was a stress-creater, so I stopped reading it.
Couldn't finish this book. I already have enough to worry about and be paranoid about than adding all the chemicals this book discusses. This book was a stress-creater, so I stopped reading it.
Nov 10, 2008
Jennifer
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This is a great book - very similar to Fast Food Nation in that it covers a wide topic with broad brush strokes, but somehow manages to go deep into a few specific areas of chemical toxins (they're everywhere, man!) and give some very practical suggestions for what the average man or woman can do to reduce his/her exposure. Yikers!!!
Feb 17, 2010
Mugsymkelly
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Really technical and pretty boring, except for the stories at the beginning of the chapter. Not that I disagree with the author's premise.
Oct 28, 2008
Alicia
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I think the title says it all! This book only covers some of the "bigger" issues, but definitely worth a peek. I think everyone should read at least one book on this subject.
