1,001 Chemicals in Everyday Products (Paperback)

by Grace Ross Lewis (Author) "1. What are chemicals used for in food?..." (more)
Key Phrases: human mutagen, use within limitations, possible skin irritant, Everyday Products, Evervdav Products, Everydav Products (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This informative and easy-to-use guidebook covers a wide range of chemicals in common household products, from food, cosmetics, and cleaning products to gardening and car care products. Here is detailed information on uses, product/chemical synonyms, and important safety precautions. Designed for speedy reference to vital facts, the book makes extensive use of graphs to depict products and uses. Illustrated. 7 3/8 x 9 1/4.

From the Back Cover
What everyone should know about hundreds of chemicals used in today's products . . .

Olestra(r) in fat-free snacks, aldicarb on potatoes, PCBs in electrical components . . .

There is a virtual laboratory of chemicals in the food we eat and the products we encounter every day—at home, at school, and at work. What are these substances and how are they used? How are they helpful? Can they be harmful?

Here are fast, hands-on answers to these and other crucial questions about hundreds of chemical substances we come into contact with on a regular basis. From MSG in food to perchloroethylene in dry cleaning, this A—Z guide provides clear, no-nonsense information on the use and health effects of hundreds of chemicals found in food, medicines, cosmetics, cleaning solutions, lawn and garden products, and more. Well-organized and easy-to-use, it gives you the help you need to make smarter choices about the products you choose—for yourself and your family.

Inside you'll find:

• Entries listing products, uses, precautions, and synonyms
• Direct answers to over 250 frequently asked questions on everyday chemicals
• Handy product and chemical synonym indexes
• A nationwide listing of Poison Control Centers

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0442014589
• ISBN-13: 978-0442014582
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,777,312 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top quality, easy-to-use, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1001 Chemicals in Everyday Products, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Very understandable book. As an M.D., I often deal with patients with Asthma, allergies, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and other health problems caused by the vast amount of chemicals we touch each day. I found this book to be valuable and interesting. Hot current topics such as the safety of antibacterial chemicals, plants that can harm your pets, and dangerous chemical additives and colorings are talked about. Olestra, melatonin and DHEA are discussed, along with fun topics like the chemical components of chocolate.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting!, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1001 Chemicals in Everyday Products, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

A very interesting book. Health and nutrition questions are answered, like when does a soap become a drug, what U.S. states are better than others when it comes to 'labeling laws', and what is the most dangerous chemical around the house? What does 'fat free' really mean? Are poisons like sulfur dioxide used on our grapes? What useful chemicals are in garlic? These questions are answered in a very accessable manner. The author did a good job making this important subject accessable to everyone.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good and highly accurate, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1001 Chemicals in Everyday Products, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

This seems like a book that should be in every grocery store - we are exposed to so very many chemicals in our modern day lives, it's crucial we know what these are doing to us. I was horrified to read a list of common household plants that can harm pets, and realized I had some of those in my home! I use this to look up info on the drugs and things always in the news, like antioxidants, glucosamine, chondroitin, Olestra, and MSG. I also read about the chemicals recommended by physicians for skin rejuvenation!