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Summary: Interesting!
Review: 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.
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Summary: What everyone should know about chemicals.
Review: From MSG in food to perchlorethylene 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, meds, cosmetics, cleaning solutions, lawn and garden products and more. Well-organinzed 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.
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Summary: Liked it
Review: Hi, I don't know much of anything about Chemistry, but I could still understand this book. I liked it.
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Summary: Easy to understand, important to know!
Review: I really find this book valuable. The first part of the book has a large number of questions and answers about the chemicals in our lives and what effect they have on us. This section discusses the latest studies concerning what might be a cancer preventative, what chemicals found on and in fruits and other foods are harmful or beneficial, and much more. Really interesting questions are answered, like when does a soap become a drug, what 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. 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. The second section of the book lists from A to Z the chemicals you find in your makeup, deodorants, foods, cleansers, and places you'd never suspect chemicals to be! The book talks about how these chemicals may irritate your skin, be poison, toxic, or if the chemical is safe and healthy to use. 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
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Summary: Amazing - An Easy to Understand Chemistry reference!
Review: I thought this book was so interesting. Fun and unusual facts fill the first part of the book, and a comprehensive list of chemicals and their healthful or toxic properties fill the latter part. It sure is interesting looking up the chemicals that are in things like the lipstick, soap, toothpaste, and deodorant we use, not to mention the FOOD and food additives!
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Summary: This is not your father's chemistry book!
Review: If you still have that bad taste in your mouth from chemistry class, this book will change that. It is full of interesting,fun to read and know about, chemistry information. I've always been curious about those unpronounceable words on the food jars and shampoo bottles. This book told me about those things, what they do and why they're there. It also has a really up-to-date section with questions and answers explaining the things you read about such as.....nutraceutical, isoflavones, and kombucha tea. Try it, you'll like it!
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Summary: class room help
Review: Sometimes it has been difficult inspiring my students to be interested in science topics. This book was one of the most often borrowed in our classroom library. The kids seem to find it a quick and easy reference and it spurs them to seek out additional data on the subjects they are researching. Thanks for the chance to recommend this book.
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Summary: Essential information for modern living in a chemical-filled
Review: This book blew me away! Every day we are exposed to so many difference chemicals, and we never even realize it. What do the ingredients in your makeup do to you? What chemicals in your soap, toothpaste, foods, and household cleansers can cause your allergies, medical problems, cancer? This book lists these chemicals you (may) see listed on the products you come in contact with hourly, and tells you if they are toxic, harmful, or SAFE to use. Wow - who would have thought that things like the colorings in foods we eat, or the inks, dyes, flavorings, preservatives, perfumes, etc. can cause us so many health problems? This book lets you take CONTROL of the chemicals you allow yourself to be exposed to daily. Highly recommended! - Joh
Rating: 
Summary: Isolated descriptions with no context
Review: This is a dictionary of chemical compounds for people who know nothing about chemistry. No worry here about chemical or structural formulas. Nevertheless, the toxicity descriptions would be useful to anyone concerned about accidental consumption by humans or animals. Unfortunately, the book does not give any classifications for which to understand the compendium of isolated facts. There is no attempt to relate one molecule type to another, or to distinguish artificial chemicals from naturally occurring ones. For example, glucose is listed in the same way as any artificially synthesized chemical, such as a food coloring or flavoring. This is done without pointing out that glucose is one of the most common biologically produced molecules naturally found as a food substance. Some information here is either misleading or incorrect. The book tells us that the caffeine in 40 cups of coffee would be fatal (as though 2.5 gallons of anything wouldnt put you in the hospital anyway). Worse, under hallucinogen are listed LSD, marijuana and opiate derivatives, all of which are grouped as addictive. In fact, these are different classes of molecules with vastly different effects on the brain and body. Marijuana isnt hallucinogenic in the same sense as LSD, and neither LSD nor marijuana are addictive in the same sense as heroin, an opiate. I had hoped to recommend this for the college-level biology students to whom I teach beginning biochemistry and neurobiology: after all, these students crave to know about the ingredients in the products that they eat, information not readily available in the texts. For this purpose I was disappointed, as would any inquisitive reader with even an high school background in chemistry.
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Summary: Really good and highly accurate
Review: 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!
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