Canary in the Courtroom: How Pesticide Poisoning Changed a Woman's Life and Forced Her into Civil Action

by Jessie MacLeod

Canary in the Courtroom is the compelling true story of a woman poisoned in her own home by a pesticide and her resultant civil action against the pesticide company that applied it. It raises questions and encourages awareness about the toxins in our environment.Christine Rankine, then a 54-year-old teacher, was living a normal, busy life when she hired Vermini Termite and Pesticide Company to kill termites in her home. Vermini assured her that the chemical applied was a safe and natural product. After the pesticide application, Christine became very ill, with a burning sensation in her throat and lungs, as well as the inability to breath normally.This courtroom drama and the story that parallels it provide insight into what can happen to an individual after becoming chemically injured. In this powerful biography, author Jessie MacLeod examines the influence of the chemical industry and illustrates how labels and manufacturers' claims are often deceptive. She exposes legal loopholes that allow toxic ingredients in commonly used products and discloses weakness in federal laws and regulations that are meant to protect the consumer. Ms. MacLeod skillfully weaves credible research, colorful characters, and entertaining courtroom drama into this riveting story.What happened to Christine Rankine could happen to anyone. Reading her story will enlighten you and perhaps give you the knowledge necessary to save you or a family member from possible chemical injury. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about product safety and for anyone in the mood for a good courtroom drama.

322 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2006

Reviews

[Gwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine having your home sprayed with a supposedly "Safe" pesticide spray and having it chemically damage you to the point of becoming so ill you can no longer live in your home. Imagine becoming so ill you can no longer work. Imagine being so ill you bring a law suit against the chemical company that disabled you. Imagine being ill and having to do much of the research for your lawsuit for your lawyer. Imagine going up against a huge chemical company that has lots of money to hire expensive lawyers to represent them. The author lived through this nightmare.

Canary in the Courtroom is a must read for anyone who wants to know what it is like to go up against chemical companies who first victimize the victim by poisoning them then victimize them again when they get into the courtroom. It is an eye opening read about how government protects huge companies and ties the hands of government offices like the EPA.

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to provide healthy homes for their family and pets. If you do not yet know how dangerous some of the chemicals are in your home, then it is time to open your eyes to potential dangerous chemicals in your home and the relationship these chemicals have to chronic illnesses.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie MacLeod is one strong and courageous woman. To have been dealt such a blow to her health and way of life and still manage to fight for what is right shows her strength. Quoting from her book: "A grim specter has crept upon us almost unnoticed, and this imagined tragedy may easily become a stark reality we all shall know." Ms. MacLeod is definitely a canary and what she has exposed about pesticides and chemicals is a must read for all.

As a mold survivor and fellow chemical sensitivity sufferer, I applaud her for her actions.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting book about what happens to those who are exposed to chemicals and how it affected this one woman. She took them to court!