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The Poison Paradox: Chemicals As Friends and Foes
Every day we are surrounded by chemicals that are potentially harmful. Some of these we take intentionally in the form of drugs; some we take unknowingly through the food we eat, and the environment around us.
John Timbrell explores what makes particular chemicals harmful, what their effects are, and how we can test for them. He examines drugs such as Paracetamol and what it does to the body; Ricin, the most toxic substance known to man; Paraquat, a widely available weedkiller; and how the puffer fish, eaten as a delicacy in Japan, can kill.
Using case studies from all around the world, such as the Spanish Oil syndrome which made over 20,000 people ill in Madrid, Timbrell uncovers the facts behind chemical scares. He shows how, with a rational, scientific, and balanced approach, risks can be assessed and managed safely.
John Timbrell explores what makes particular chemicals harmful, what their effects are, and how we can test for them. He examines drugs such as Paracetamol and what it does to the body; Ricin, the most toxic substance known to man; Paraquat, a widely available weedkiller; and how the puffer fish, eaten as a delicacy in Japan, can kill.
Using case studies from all around the world, such as the Spanish Oil syndrome which made over 20,000 people ill in Madrid, Timbrell uncovers the facts behind chemical scares. He shows how, with a rational, scientific, and balanced approach, risks can be assessed and managed safely.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 18, 2025
Absolutely brilliant- one of the few popular science books that I have enjoyed in such a scale. Excellent work, captivating examples and great learning. Highly recommended!
February 16, 2017
Loved it. The author explained that he tried to keep the scientific terms to a minimum . . . and he did. Includes pictures, and he wrote about mundane topics that would interest anyone.
I started to lose interest when I began to find errors:
~~ Error: ~~
Page 12: he says battery acid is "hydrochloric acid,"
and a little lower (same page) he calls it "sulfuric acid".
First one is wrong.
Page 13: he spells jewellery instead of jewelry.
I started to lose interest when I began to find errors:
~~ Error: ~~
Page 12: he says battery acid is "hydrochloric acid,"
and a little lower (same page) he calls it "sulfuric acid".
First one is wrong.
Page 13: he spells jewellery instead of jewelry.
June 2, 2008
okay so what is this book really about? well the title really actually gives the reader everything already becasue what cold get more simpler than "chemcials as friends and foes"? seriously,the book was kind of similar to "the hundred year lie" writeen by Randall Fitzgerald, however i think this book goes into detail just a little more. even more than the stuff in the "hundred year lie", the poison paradox is like all the foods that people eat and the itty bitty stuff people never knew about them before stuff. its pretty amazing. some things i did know before, but like theres a greater thing that is added to the book that makes it more like interesting and kind of more dificult to read.
February 18, 2016
Hmmm. Hmmmm. Paracelsuksen periaate "annos tekee myrkyn" tuli tutuksi viimeistään 10. kerralla kun se mainitaan. Toisin sanoen seuraavat 30 kertaa olisi varmaankin voinut jättää poiskin.
Tämä oli kuuntelemistani äänikirjoista kaikin puolin surkein kuunneltava. Jotkut kirjat eivät vain sovellu äänikirjoiksi. Ei ole kovin mielekästä kun joka sivulla on jotain lisätietolaatikoita ja graafeja ja muuta sälää. Eli ehkä kirja ei ihan niin tylsä ja huono ollut kuin miltä vaikutti. Mutta kun vaikutti.
Tämä oli kuuntelemistani äänikirjoista kaikin puolin surkein kuunneltava. Jotkut kirjat eivät vain sovellu äänikirjoiksi. Ei ole kovin mielekästä kun joka sivulla on jotain lisätietolaatikoita ja graafeja ja muuta sälää. Eli ehkä kirja ei ihan niin tylsä ja huono ollut kuin miltä vaikutti. Mutta kun vaikutti.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews