ContamiNation: My Quest to Survive in a Toxic World

by McKay Jenkins

An investigation into the dangers of the chemicals present in our daily lives, along with practical advice for reducing these toxins in our bodies and homes, from acclaimed journalist McKay Jenkins.
 
A few years ago, journalism professor McKay Jenkins went in for a routine medical exam. What doctors found was not routine at a tumor, the size of a navel orange, was lurking in his abdomen. When Jenkins returned to the hospital to have the tumor removed, he was visited by a couple of researchers with clipboards. They had some questions for him. Odd questions. How much exposure had he had to toxic chemicals and other contaminants? Asbestos dust? Vinyl chlorine? Pesticides? A million questions, all about seemingly obscure chemicals. Jenkins, an exercise nut and an enviro-conscious, organic-garden kind of guy, suddenly realized he’d spent his life marinating in toxic stuff, from his wall-to-wall carpeting, to his dryer sheets, to his drinking water. And from the moment he left the hospital, he resolved to discover the truth about chemicals and the “healthy” levels of exposure we encounter each day as Americans.
 
Jenkins spent the next two years digging, exploring five frontiers of toxic exposure—the body, the home, the drinking water, the lawn, and the local box store—and asking how we allowed ourselves to get to this point. He soon learned that the giants of the chemical industry operate virtually unchecked, and a parent has almost no way of finding out what the toy her child is putting in his or her mouth is made of. Most important, though, Jenkins wanted to know what we can do to turn things around. Though toxins may be present in products we all use every day—from ant spray, perfume, and grass seed to shower curtains and, yes, baby shampoo—there are ways to lessen our exposure. ContamiNation is an eye-opening report from the front lines of consumer advocacy.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2016

Reviews

[Ja · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exploration into the everyday lives of the toxins that surround us.

Just how healthy are we trying to live? We can make small adjustments in our lives. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Use more organic materials in our cleaning supplies, our children's toys, and even our furniture. Exercise more. But what good does that do us when, no matter what we do, toxins permeate nearly everything in our lives?

McKay Jenkins offers an exploratory look at just what exactly it is that lives among us. His list…is exhausting. From the stuff in our tap water to the nauseating smells of the big box store, it's incredible how much we have come to rely on synthetic plastics and flame retardants. Is it really saving us? Or are we just making ourselves sicker? It's important to note that the complexities are much more deeper than what Jenkins presents in the book, but at the same time it's a step forward in acknowledging what is happening in our society and steps one person can take to make a change. It's not easy. But if you want an eye opening experience that will, at the very least, make you question your next purchase, then take a look at this.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written and researched and important book about the toxins in our environment. From plastics, medications, pesticides and herbicides to toothpaste and shampoo, we are stewing in a chemical soup. The author not only tells us about the various chemicals found in our homes, drinking water, lawns, the products we buy and how they wind up in our bodies. The book has a helpful appendix with resources to help find better products to use and groups to contact. Most importantly, we need to demand legislation that will protect our environments and ourselves. I highly recommend this book.

[Graham Whittington · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Good intentions and good review of how the everyday goods on which we rely have toxins and other contaminants (lead, PFAS, etc.) that might be causing what feel like spiking cancer rates and other serious issues (climate/environmental). This author did a good job of presenting the issue and providing examples, although what I’m betting is a lack of bandwidth and funding may have left some blindspots unaddressed (e.g., would love to have more data on cancer rates). And some parts, like the properly intentioned but overly dramatic appraisal of toxins found in nearly all items of a big box store, held this back a bit. The last part re effects of lawn care and pesticides on the environment and specific tips on how to combat these issues was the most helpful imo.

Overall good stuff, hopefully opens people’s eyes to these serious issues that don’t get enough attention and that get covered up (or not adequately researched) companies, which begets lax or nonexistent regulation given our sorry regulatory scheme for these issues.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is simultaneously fascinating and horrifying. After reading it, I felt like I walked away with an infinite amount of new information. I’m just not certain I like knowing what I know. This book made me rethink so many things. Every time I walk into a store with scented candles or body products, I breathe in deeply and take in the aromas. After learning more about the chemicals contained within these products, I had to shudder. When I feel my plushy carpet under my toes,I feel comfort but now knowing what resides within it, I’m not so sure. This book explores so many types of contaminations that most people are unaware of in their daily lives. It’ll give you pause for sure.

[Ashton E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye opening look into the chemicals polluting our waters, homes, children’s toys, neighborhoods and honestly the little it seems we can do to counteract it. The list is exhaustive and exhausting to read with not much focus on what the individual can do, but definitely some helpful ideas to start with.

[Julia Van Etten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowledge is power and everyone should read this book. It is extremely well-written and it isn't designed to scare people to the point where they have an aggressive reaction to the information but just enough to motivate changes to a bunch of little things in their day to day lives. We are all entitled to know which chemicals we come in contact with and this book does a good job of categorizing different aspects of our life where we encounter germs in an easy-to-read format.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, I knew we were subjected to toxins and chemicals in our daily environment, but I had no clue just how badly exposed we are. The chapters that deal with plastics, primarily phthalates and BP-A are scary as hell. At the end of the book there are some suggestions for reducing your risk, but absolutely nothing in regards to detoxing and trying to rid your bodily tissues of toxic residue. I think the author could have done a better job here.

I am left wondering what I should do now. My wife and I would love to have a new car. But that new car smell is all the synthetic materials "out gassing" chemicals that could be carcinogenic to the human body. While exposure to said "smells" may not be dangerous by themselves they have a cumulative effect within the human body when added in with other exposures. Some common things that all add up over time: Every piece of furniture including your mattress and many of your clothes are covered in flame retardants; most are carcinogenic. Opened paint cans, turpentine, cleaning solvents, glues, resins all sitting in your basement or garage are all "out gassing." Oh, lets not forget pesticide and herbicide residues on our produce. Over years, these things all accumulate.

About the only way to know how "contaminated" you are is to undergo what is called a body burden study where your blood and tissues are tested for a variety of toxins and toxic accumulations. However this costs thousands of dollars. Definitely not a blip on my radar screen anytime soon. So, where does that leave us? Let's assume we are contaminated. There are some useful tips on reducing your exposure in your home by changing your buying habits and going to more "natural" in your home with your furniture as well as other changes. But the burning question: is there any way to purge myself of the most onerous toxins such as BP-A and phthalates? This is the biggest failure of this book. I feel like we are all on the road to a cancerous end. If I do make all the suggested changes how much of a difference will it really make? How much is enough? I feel like if I constantly live my life in fear of say formaldehyde or plastics exposure, I will only be attracting more of what I don't want into my life.

I look forward to hearing others' take on this book. PLEASE leave me a comment if you have anything meaningful to add to the discussion or ideas on ridding my tissues of plastic residues.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is categorized under science, medicine and environmental studies, but I think a “horror” categorization would be just as apt. Seriously—it reveals the type of disturbing things that will make you want to curl up under your bed and hide.

Jenkins refers to actual product ingredient lists, scientific studies and experts to paint a picture of how overwhelmingly toxic our world has become. Even the most innocuous things, from face lotion to baby pajamas to foam seating, contain toxins that our bodies are absorbing and accumulating, leading to cancer, neurological issues and birth defects. Even worse, no one can escape contamination. “Body burden” studies have shown that people who purposefully lead healthy, organic lifestyles, and people who live in remote areas that you wouldn’t expect to be tainted by chemicals, still have alarmingly high levels of toxins in their bodies.

So what can we do? This books provides a starting point for figuring out what harmful products to get rid of, what safe products to buy, and how to lessen exposure. On a bigger scale, the public needs to push the government to impose more stringent regulations on the industry, and push it to support efforts to find safe alternatives to toxic chemicals.

Would definitely recommend reading this book. Toxins are a problem that affects everyone. The world won’t be fixed overnight, but you can become knowledgeable and start taking control of your own health today.

[Ellen Christian]

ContamiNation opened my eyes and made me think. Just buying organic food at the grocery store isn’t going to eliminate our exposure and probably won’t even make a significant change in our exposure. I had never given a lot of thought to things like what my neighbor uses on his lawn, the exhaust from the cars that drive by my home when my windows or open or the chemicals I’m exposed to when I walk through my local mass retailer.

ContamiNation takes a look at where we’re exposed to toxic chemicals and some things that we can do to reduce our exposure. It also gives a section of resources at the back of the book that will give you ideas of where to go for more information. If you’re dealing with chemical sensitivity or you’re concerned about your exposure, I highly recommend you read ContamiNation.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for my receiving this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a science type book, but don't let that scare you away. You will be scared, and mortified, though. I've long thought that the increase in our illnesses, cancers, etc are likely related to the chemicals, etc now in our products. We clamor for cheaper prices, but we're paying the price in our health. The book is easy to read, and understand, and I highly recommend it.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! The statistics are astounding. My take away: We all need to be aware and start asking questions.