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Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health
Funny, thought-provoking, and incredibly disturbing, Slow Death by Rubber Duck reveals that just the living of daily life creates a chemical soup inside each of us.
Pollution is no longer just about belching smokestacks and ugly sewer pipes - now, it's personal.
The most dangerous pollution has always come from commonplace items in our homes and workplaces. Smith and Lourie ingested and inhaled a host of things that surround all of us all the time. This book exposes the extent to which we are poisoned every day of our lives. For this book, over the period of a week - the kind of week that would be familiar to most people - the authors use their own bodies as the reference point and tell the story of pollution in our modern world, the miscreant corporate giants who manufacture the toxins, the weak-kneed government officials who let it happen, and the effects on people and families across the globe. Parents and concerned citizens will have to read this book.
Key concerns raised in Slow Death by Rubber Duck :
• Flame-retardant chemicals from electronics and household dust polluting our blood.
• Toxins in our urine caused by leaching from plastics and run-of-the-mill shampoos, toothpastes and deodorant.
• Mercury in our blood from eating tuna.
• The chemicals that build up in our body when carpets and upholstery off-gas.
Ultimately hopeful, the book empowers readers with some simple ideas for protecting themselves and their families, and changing things for the better.
From the Hardcover edition.
Pollution is no longer just about belching smokestacks and ugly sewer pipes - now, it's personal.
The most dangerous pollution has always come from commonplace items in our homes and workplaces. Smith and Lourie ingested and inhaled a host of things that surround all of us all the time. This book exposes the extent to which we are poisoned every day of our lives. For this book, over the period of a week - the kind of week that would be familiar to most people - the authors use their own bodies as the reference point and tell the story of pollution in our modern world, the miscreant corporate giants who manufacture the toxins, the weak-kneed government officials who let it happen, and the effects on people and families across the globe. Parents and concerned citizens will have to read this book.
Key concerns raised in Slow Death by Rubber Duck :
• Flame-retardant chemicals from electronics and household dust polluting our blood.
• Toxins in our urine caused by leaching from plastics and run-of-the-mill shampoos, toothpastes and deodorant.
• Mercury in our blood from eating tuna.
• The chemicals that build up in our body when carpets and upholstery off-gas.
Ultimately hopeful, the book empowers readers with some simple ideas for protecting themselves and their families, and changing things for the better.
From the Hardcover edition.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
196 people are currently reading
3274 people want to read
About the author
Rick Smith
57 books13 followersRick Smith is a prominent Canadian author and environmentalist and Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada (since 2003).
A biologist by training, Rick completed his doctoral research on an endangered subspecies of freshwater harbour seal in arctic Quebec with a nearby community of Cree hunters. From 1997 to 2002 Rick was Executive Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare's Canadian office and acting Director of the Fund's UK office for a year. While at the Fund, Rick created high-profile and successful public efforts to end Ontario's spring bear hunt, won a groundbreaking Supreme Court of Canada ruling striking down the patenting of higher life forms and spurred the adoption of Canada's first federal Species At Risk Act.
As Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada, Rick has established a reputation as one of the country's leading environmental campaigners with efforts such as the high-profile Toxic Nation campaign, which has tested prominent Canadians for measurable levels of pollutants in their blood. Other important new government policies that he has played a leading role in shaping include the Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt, the largest in the world; Ontario's new Endangered Species Act, widely viewed as the most progressive in North America; and Canada's recent decision to become the first jurisdiction in the world to ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A from children's products.
Rick lives in Toronto with his wife Jennifer Story and their two young sons.
A biologist by training, Rick completed his doctoral research on an endangered subspecies of freshwater harbour seal in arctic Quebec with a nearby community of Cree hunters. From 1997 to 2002 Rick was Executive Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare's Canadian office and acting Director of the Fund's UK office for a year. While at the Fund, Rick created high-profile and successful public efforts to end Ontario's spring bear hunt, won a groundbreaking Supreme Court of Canada ruling striking down the patenting of higher life forms and spurred the adoption of Canada's first federal Species At Risk Act.
As Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada, Rick has established a reputation as one of the country's leading environmental campaigners with efforts such as the high-profile Toxic Nation campaign, which has tested prominent Canadians for measurable levels of pollutants in their blood. Other important new government policies that he has played a leading role in shaping include the Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt, the largest in the world; Ontario's new Endangered Species Act, widely viewed as the most progressive in North America; and Canada's recent decision to become the first jurisdiction in the world to ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A from children's products.
Rick lives in Toronto with his wife Jennifer Story and their two young sons.
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April 25, 2012
A few ways to avoid toxins in every-day life:
PHTHALATES:
1. Avoid personal care products that have "fragrance" or "parfum" listed as an ingredient. Choose the product with the simplest ingredient list. (Pangea Organics is one company that has natural care products or find more at safecosmetics.org.)
2. Get a shower curtain made from natural products (cotton, hemp, etc)
3. Make your own natural air fresheners from baking soda and essential oils.
4. Check healthytoys.org for a list of phthalate-free toys.
PERFLUOROCHEMICALS (PFC's)
1. Get rid of nonstick pans and use stainless steel or cast iron instead.
2. Avoid goretex clothes and Stainmaster/Scotchguard.
3. Fast food, pizza boxes, and microwave popcorn packaging may have PFC's.
POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE's)
1. Buy clothes made from natural fibers like wool, cotton and hemp.
2. Before buying furniture or electronics ask if it is PBDE free. (Check the National Geographic Green Guide.)
3. Vacuum and dust regularly.
MERCURY
1. Eat fewer, smaller fish. (www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/p...)
2. Dispose of mercury products responsibly.
TRICLOSAN
1. Avoid "antibacterial" products.
2. Check household cleaners for the ingredient "Microban". Use vinegar and baking soda as cleaners instead.
PESTICIDES
1. Don't use them!
2. Eat local, organic food.
BISPHENOL A (BPA)
1. Plastic containers rule: "4,5,1,2; all the rest are bad for you."
2. Use a BPA free water bottle.
3. Buy BPA free canned foods.
4. Don't microwave plastic containers.
5. Use cloth bags when shopping.
And...advocate for government regulations to label and limit toxic chemicals.
PHTHALATES:
1. Avoid personal care products that have "fragrance" or "parfum" listed as an ingredient. Choose the product with the simplest ingredient list. (Pangea Organics is one company that has natural care products or find more at safecosmetics.org.)
2. Get a shower curtain made from natural products (cotton, hemp, etc)
3. Make your own natural air fresheners from baking soda and essential oils.
4. Check healthytoys.org for a list of phthalate-free toys.
PERFLUOROCHEMICALS (PFC's)
1. Get rid of nonstick pans and use stainless steel or cast iron instead.
2. Avoid goretex clothes and Stainmaster/Scotchguard.
3. Fast food, pizza boxes, and microwave popcorn packaging may have PFC's.
POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE's)
1. Buy clothes made from natural fibers like wool, cotton and hemp.
2. Before buying furniture or electronics ask if it is PBDE free. (Check the National Geographic Green Guide.)
3. Vacuum and dust regularly.
MERCURY
1. Eat fewer, smaller fish. (www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/p...)
2. Dispose of mercury products responsibly.
TRICLOSAN
1. Avoid "antibacterial" products.
2. Check household cleaners for the ingredient "Microban". Use vinegar and baking soda as cleaners instead.
PESTICIDES
1. Don't use them!
2. Eat local, organic food.
BISPHENOL A (BPA)
1. Plastic containers rule: "4,5,1,2; all the rest are bad for you."
2. Use a BPA free water bottle.
3. Buy BPA free canned foods.
4. Don't microwave plastic containers.
5. Use cloth bags when shopping.
And...advocate for government regulations to label and limit toxic chemicals.
April 1, 2010
Eek. Is this why all the little kids I know have asthma or allergies or lots of trouble processing language? I really like their approach, and they do make it a little hopeful in the end (I read ahead to make sure it wasn't too depressing). The experimented with their toxin levels on themselves. The surprising part to me was that it was only for one week, yet they still saw big changes in level.
Here are my notes to myself:
Slow Death By Rubber Duck
Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Ch. 2 – phthalates – evidence that they possibly screw up our children’s testicular function, various deformities, testicular cancer, and various syndromes.
*They break down quickly – only 12 hours in your body.
*listed as Fragrance or Parfum in the ingredients list in products
Ch. 3 – Teflon (PFOA) and PFC (perflourinated compounds)
Considered to cause birth defects (cleft palate, tear duct deformity, other facial defects), developmental problems, hormone disruption and high cholesterol, and is a likely carcinogen. One man who was over exposed had asthma, prostate cancer, heart trouble and a liver condition. Workers at the Dupont plant had 3 times the rate of prostate cancer. Cooking fumes from Teflon has killed pet birds.
Cooking pans, Goretex, Stainmaster and Scotchgard
*use cast iron, oil and a metal spatula
*hardwood floors
*furniture without flame retardants (IKEA)
Ch. 4 – Flame Retardant – the new PCBs
Bromine – brominated flame retardants are:
1. stable (persistent)
2. Lipophilic (stored in fat) – and so they biomagnify – stack up at the end of the food chain
3. can be endocrine disruptors
It breaks down and is in house dust from furniture and carpet. It is woven into polyester pajamas, TVs Stainmaster, halogenated flame retardants,. IKEA avoids them, hardwood floors help etc.
Ch. 5 – Mercury – tuna
Is still in old switches, thermometers, thermostats, fillings, light bulbs, waste incineration, coal burning is a big source still
*flaked or chunk light tuna is smaller fish, so less mercury bioaccumlates
*sushi – bad
*lake fish – bad – especially big ones – walleye, pickerel
*don’t vacuum it!
Causes brain damage, kidney, nervous system, liver, shaking, endocrine disruptor
It is stored in protein.
ZERO mercury is ok – very important for babies.
Ch. 6 – Triclosan – antibacterial – listed as Microban etc.,
1. Infectious microbes adapt – we are helping the rise of “superbugs”
2. In many products, it works no better than without the triclosan
3. Higher levels of triclosan in people and the environment are now linked to health problems.
Nano technology may even be worse and more toxic – not yet fully understood, but already fully used.
Avoid “antibacterial” , Microban, etc.
Dr. Chuck Gerba (Dr. Germ) – We need to reinvent hygiene. New pieces of electronic equipment are germ transfer points. Nobody ever cleans the pen on the credit card try in a restaurant, the TV remote in a hotel, the cell phone – don’t share.
Ch. 7 – lawn herbicides
2-4-D is a hormone herbicide – causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, asthma, neurological impairment, immune suppression, reproductive problems, birth defects
like mercury – ZERO is the only safe level
*Ban cosmetic use of pesticides
Ch. 8 BPA
BPA in baby bottles etc. – the history behind changing that in Canada
Cans are lined with them – food cans, pop cans,
They leach out of plastic into food – especially when heated
Even food boxes are often lined with plastic
The smallest amount was an endocrine disruptor in mice.
Ch. 9
two conclusions –
1. Our choices as consumer really do have an effect on the pollution levels in our bodies.
2. No matter how hard you try you can’t succeed completely in elimination of toxic chemicals from your body.
Their recommendations:
Phalates –
1. Avoid personal care products with heavy artificial fragrances, especially those with “Fragrance” or “Parfum” listed as an ingredient.
2. Replace your PVC shower curtain with one from recycled polyester, organic cotton or natural fibers.
3. Opt for fresh air, not air fresheners.
4. Use healthytoys.org to check products that have been tested
5. Reduce your fat intake
PFC’s - perflourochemicals – non-stickies
1. Dump your old non-stick frying pan – especially if it is scratched. Also avoid Gore-tex and Scotchgard.
2. Avoid too much fast food – the packaging may be covered in PFCs.
3. Read the labels and avoid consumer products with PFCs.
4. Remind politicians that chemicals should be proved safe before they’re made commercially available.
5. Encourage politicians to introduce legislation to phase out PFCs from food wrappers and other consumer products.
Flame Retardants – PBDEs – polybrominated diphenyl ethers
1. Use naturally fibred products – like wool, hemp and cotton. They are chemical free and naturally fire resistant.
2. Buy newer, PBCE-free furniture or replace old upholstery with proper ventilation.
3. Dust and vacuum often to keep the dust and PBDEs away.
4. Buy electronics that are PBDE free
5. Find a local organization that will accept and reuse your old computers and other electronic equipment.
6. Write letters to politicians telling them to enact legislation to protect our homes and communities from PBDEs. There are groups all over North America working to ban PBDEs and to institute e-waste legislation.
Mercury –
1. Eat fewer big fish, and avoid larger predatory fish. Eat more small fish.
2. Return used or discarded mercury-containing products to the store where you bought them or to hazardous waste depot. Don’t throw them in the garbage.
3. Check out eh US Natural Resources Defense Council tuna calculator to see the extent to which the fish you’re consuming are cranking up your mercury levels.
4. White albacore tuna should always be avoided. Try canned light (skipjack) tuna instead.
5. Wild fish – especially salmon, are often eco-responsible options.
6. Ask your grocery store to post government advisories about safe fish.
7. Support legislators who are pushing for emissions reductions from products and industrial process.
Triclosan
1. Avoid products labeled “antibacterial” that contain triclosan, and be wary of brand names such as Microban, Biofresth, Irgasan DP 300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, or Cloxifermolum. It is sometimes labeled by its chemical name 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol.
2. Wash your hands the “old fashioned” way – with a good 30 second lather of soap and water.
3. Check out cosmeticsdatabase.com to find out what’s in your cosmetic products.
4. Check the Lesstoxicguide.ca and read labels to avoid hazardous household cleaners.
5. Use baking soda, borax or other natural household cleaners to clean the bathroom or kitchen.
6. Avoid products containing nanosilver and be wary of other nanoparticles, such as nanozinc (in sunscreens). Demand that these chemicals undergo safety testing prior to being used in products.
7. Press your elected officials to legislate for better control of triclosan and nanotechnology.
Pesticides
1. Use environmentally friendly lawn care.
2. Go with a chemical free lawn.
3. Replace your lawn with a native plant garden.
4. Support local efforts to ban cosmetic use of pesticides.
5. Put a pesticide free sign on your lawn or in your garden.
6. Eat local and or organic. Avoid pesticides and chemical additives in your food.
7. Wash produce well to help remove pesticide residues.
8. Clip the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list and put it in your wallet, so you can avoid foods that likely contain more pesticides than others. (see http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php)
9. Shop at a local farmers’ market and ask about pesticide use.
Bisphenol A
1. When puzzling over the small recycling numbers on the bottom of plastic containers, remember this mantra: 4-5, 1 and 2; all the rest are bad for you.
2. Hang the Handy Plastics Guide on your fridge.
3. Use glass baby bottles.
4. Download a copy of the Zrecs shoppers guide for your purse of wallet or text message Zrecs to find out about the product you’re looking at in the store.
5. Check the Environmental Working Group guide to infant formula and baby bottles.
6. Organize your child’s daycare to go BPS free and sign on at the Toxic Nation website (www.toxicnation.ca)
7. Eat fresh or frozen food or food stored in glass bottles instead of canned foods.
8. Avoid putting plastic containers in the microwave.
9. Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping.
10. Contact your local representative to encourage your city to ban disposable plastic water bottles.
More tips and info at: www.SlowDeathByRubberDuck.com
toxicnation.ca
lesstoxicguide.ca
greenpeace.org/international/campaign...
thegreenguide.com
nrdc.org
simplesteps.org
World Wildlife Fund’s Detox Campaign
www.cdc.gov/exposurereport
database.healthandenvironment.org
environmentalhealthnews.org
eu-humanbiomonitoring.org
chemicalsubstances.gc.ca
Canadian Health Measures Survey
toxipedia.org
Here are my notes to myself:
Slow Death By Rubber Duck
Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Ch. 2 – phthalates – evidence that they possibly screw up our children’s testicular function, various deformities, testicular cancer, and various syndromes.
*They break down quickly – only 12 hours in your body.
*listed as Fragrance or Parfum in the ingredients list in products
Ch. 3 – Teflon (PFOA) and PFC (perflourinated compounds)
Considered to cause birth defects (cleft palate, tear duct deformity, other facial defects), developmental problems, hormone disruption and high cholesterol, and is a likely carcinogen. One man who was over exposed had asthma, prostate cancer, heart trouble and a liver condition. Workers at the Dupont plant had 3 times the rate of prostate cancer. Cooking fumes from Teflon has killed pet birds.
Cooking pans, Goretex, Stainmaster and Scotchgard
*use cast iron, oil and a metal spatula
*hardwood floors
*furniture without flame retardants (IKEA)
Ch. 4 – Flame Retardant – the new PCBs
Bromine – brominated flame retardants are:
1. stable (persistent)
2. Lipophilic (stored in fat) – and so they biomagnify – stack up at the end of the food chain
3. can be endocrine disruptors
It breaks down and is in house dust from furniture and carpet. It is woven into polyester pajamas, TVs Stainmaster, halogenated flame retardants,. IKEA avoids them, hardwood floors help etc.
Ch. 5 – Mercury – tuna
Is still in old switches, thermometers, thermostats, fillings, light bulbs, waste incineration, coal burning is a big source still
*flaked or chunk light tuna is smaller fish, so less mercury bioaccumlates
*sushi – bad
*lake fish – bad – especially big ones – walleye, pickerel
*don’t vacuum it!
Causes brain damage, kidney, nervous system, liver, shaking, endocrine disruptor
It is stored in protein.
ZERO mercury is ok – very important for babies.
Ch. 6 – Triclosan – antibacterial – listed as Microban etc.,
1. Infectious microbes adapt – we are helping the rise of “superbugs”
2. In many products, it works no better than without the triclosan
3. Higher levels of triclosan in people and the environment are now linked to health problems.
Nano technology may even be worse and more toxic – not yet fully understood, but already fully used.
Avoid “antibacterial” , Microban, etc.
Dr. Chuck Gerba (Dr. Germ) – We need to reinvent hygiene. New pieces of electronic equipment are germ transfer points. Nobody ever cleans the pen on the credit card try in a restaurant, the TV remote in a hotel, the cell phone – don’t share.
Ch. 7 – lawn herbicides
2-4-D is a hormone herbicide – causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, asthma, neurological impairment, immune suppression, reproductive problems, birth defects
like mercury – ZERO is the only safe level
*Ban cosmetic use of pesticides
Ch. 8 BPA
BPA in baby bottles etc. – the history behind changing that in Canada
Cans are lined with them – food cans, pop cans,
They leach out of plastic into food – especially when heated
Even food boxes are often lined with plastic
The smallest amount was an endocrine disruptor in mice.
Ch. 9
two conclusions –
1. Our choices as consumer really do have an effect on the pollution levels in our bodies.
2. No matter how hard you try you can’t succeed completely in elimination of toxic chemicals from your body.
Their recommendations:
Phalates –
1. Avoid personal care products with heavy artificial fragrances, especially those with “Fragrance” or “Parfum” listed as an ingredient.
2. Replace your PVC shower curtain with one from recycled polyester, organic cotton or natural fibers.
3. Opt for fresh air, not air fresheners.
4. Use healthytoys.org to check products that have been tested
5. Reduce your fat intake
PFC’s - perflourochemicals – non-stickies
1. Dump your old non-stick frying pan – especially if it is scratched. Also avoid Gore-tex and Scotchgard.
2. Avoid too much fast food – the packaging may be covered in PFCs.
3. Read the labels and avoid consumer products with PFCs.
4. Remind politicians that chemicals should be proved safe before they’re made commercially available.
5. Encourage politicians to introduce legislation to phase out PFCs from food wrappers and other consumer products.
Flame Retardants – PBDEs – polybrominated diphenyl ethers
1. Use naturally fibred products – like wool, hemp and cotton. They are chemical free and naturally fire resistant.
2. Buy newer, PBCE-free furniture or replace old upholstery with proper ventilation.
3. Dust and vacuum often to keep the dust and PBDEs away.
4. Buy electronics that are PBDE free
5. Find a local organization that will accept and reuse your old computers and other electronic equipment.
6. Write letters to politicians telling them to enact legislation to protect our homes and communities from PBDEs. There are groups all over North America working to ban PBDEs and to institute e-waste legislation.
Mercury –
1. Eat fewer big fish, and avoid larger predatory fish. Eat more small fish.
2. Return used or discarded mercury-containing products to the store where you bought them or to hazardous waste depot. Don’t throw them in the garbage.
3. Check out eh US Natural Resources Defense Council tuna calculator to see the extent to which the fish you’re consuming are cranking up your mercury levels.
4. White albacore tuna should always be avoided. Try canned light (skipjack) tuna instead.
5. Wild fish – especially salmon, are often eco-responsible options.
6. Ask your grocery store to post government advisories about safe fish.
7. Support legislators who are pushing for emissions reductions from products and industrial process.
Triclosan
1. Avoid products labeled “antibacterial” that contain triclosan, and be wary of brand names such as Microban, Biofresth, Irgasan DP 300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, or Cloxifermolum. It is sometimes labeled by its chemical name 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol.
2. Wash your hands the “old fashioned” way – with a good 30 second lather of soap and water.
3. Check out cosmeticsdatabase.com to find out what’s in your cosmetic products.
4. Check the Lesstoxicguide.ca and read labels to avoid hazardous household cleaners.
5. Use baking soda, borax or other natural household cleaners to clean the bathroom or kitchen.
6. Avoid products containing nanosilver and be wary of other nanoparticles, such as nanozinc (in sunscreens). Demand that these chemicals undergo safety testing prior to being used in products.
7. Press your elected officials to legislate for better control of triclosan and nanotechnology.
Pesticides
1. Use environmentally friendly lawn care.
2. Go with a chemical free lawn.
3. Replace your lawn with a native plant garden.
4. Support local efforts to ban cosmetic use of pesticides.
5. Put a pesticide free sign on your lawn or in your garden.
6. Eat local and or organic. Avoid pesticides and chemical additives in your food.
7. Wash produce well to help remove pesticide residues.
8. Clip the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list and put it in your wallet, so you can avoid foods that likely contain more pesticides than others. (see http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php)
9. Shop at a local farmers’ market and ask about pesticide use.
Bisphenol A
1. When puzzling over the small recycling numbers on the bottom of plastic containers, remember this mantra: 4-5, 1 and 2; all the rest are bad for you.
2. Hang the Handy Plastics Guide on your fridge.
3. Use glass baby bottles.
4. Download a copy of the Zrecs shoppers guide for your purse of wallet or text message Zrecs to find out about the product you’re looking at in the store.
5. Check the Environmental Working Group guide to infant formula and baby bottles.
6. Organize your child’s daycare to go BPS free and sign on at the Toxic Nation website (www.toxicnation.ca)
7. Eat fresh or frozen food or food stored in glass bottles instead of canned foods.
8. Avoid putting plastic containers in the microwave.
9. Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping.
10. Contact your local representative to encourage your city to ban disposable plastic water bottles.
More tips and info at: www.SlowDeathByRubberDuck.com
toxicnation.ca
lesstoxicguide.ca
greenpeace.org/international/campaign...
thegreenguide.com
nrdc.org
simplesteps.org
World Wildlife Fund’s Detox Campaign
www.cdc.gov/exposurereport
database.healthandenvironment.org
environmentalhealthnews.org
eu-humanbiomonitoring.org
chemicalsubstances.gc.ca
Canadian Health Measures Survey
toxipedia.org
February 6, 2017
This book is full of junk science. Had a hard time following it, because it was so bogged down with sensational hand-wringing and hair pulling over dangers in our own home. My thoughts? Don't agree with flame retardant material? Then don't buy it. As usual mini-statists don't agree with something then it should be banned for all. There is no definitive correlation between chemicals used on clothing, plastics and cleaning products that lead to death or cancer. This book shows no 'proof' other than that people have evidence of chemical levels in their blood. Experiments on lab rodents use amounts that have no correlation to human experience with substances. Experiments on rodents control variables in such a way that is not possible to find correlation in humans.
Big chapter on BPA plastics, which are purported to have estrogenic properties. No mention that more than half the food products commercially packaged and processed contain soybean derivatives, which are also estrogenic. I didn't attend the journalistic school of scientific method, but I would guess that consuming estrogenic products on a daily basis would cause more damage than touching a plastic CD case in your house, or consuming water contained in a plastic bottle, but I could be wrong. Of course, water comes from a tap, you could always bypass the poisoning that comes from drinking bottled water. I hear it's bad for landfills, too. I don't see any mothers with strollers demanding that mayonnaise, taco shells, spices mixes, cake mixes, cake frostings, gravies, salad dressings, soy milk be removed from store shelves. Any product that contains TVP is textured vegetable protein, or soybean derivative. And no mention of the most prevalent endocrine disrupter: hormonal birth control. Also I'm not sure of the percentage, but most big pharma drugs are endocrine disrupters.
Therein lies the hypocrisy or possibly just ignorance. Again, if a product does not meet your consumer needs, don't buy it.
I particularly like the references to "organic" foods. As someone who lives in an agricultural area I can tell you most of the "organic" food is pesticide laden because there are no buffer zones between non and organic growers, and the three year no pesticide rule is generally ignored because no one enforces it. Organics use livestock fertilizer as their main component which do NOT come from organic sources, negating the entire purpose of being meeting "organic" standards: no pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, or prophalactic antibiotic feeding routines. Organic is a marketing ploy. Organic standards are changed regularly on the whims of those controlling the purse strings. If you are concerned about your food, then become self sufficient.
Never mind that studies have just come out stating that "certified organic" foods are not superior in nutrition. to "non-organic". And organic uses more fuel, labor and land to produce less product at significantly higher cost. My point? When "scientific data" is presented, follow the money trail and find out who is funding it.
"In farming families in North America, for instance,there is a higher incidence of miscarriages and birth defects than in the general population." (in the chapter about fertilizers.) Citation? None.
Many quotes and works of those who work in the environmental field, not due to any concern for truly environmental reasons, but for anti-capitalism. Moveon.org? really? Rachel Carson? It's come out that she falsified her "data" and was suffering from cancer when she wrote the book. And she never intended for DDT to be banned outright. Millions of people would be alive today if it were used for malaria and other mosquito borne fatal illnesses. The stats she used about the raptor and eagle egg shells, the population numbers were increasing before DDT was banned. It's a cycle in nature to control population numbers through disease.
I'm amazed by the amount of great reviews of this book. It was poorly written, based on non-scientific facts and I'm thinking a lot of the "studies" were politically motivated and data skewed, due to their origin. The part where the writer decides to eat only tuna fish to measure his mercury blood content and it's effects was appalling. Classic example of psychosomatic (hysterial) state. Not saying there might be some relevance to info presented (mercury in modern products), but as someone who does not think everything should be regulated by government, I can't recommend this book, except as an example of "junk science".
Big chapter on BPA plastics, which are purported to have estrogenic properties. No mention that more than half the food products commercially packaged and processed contain soybean derivatives, which are also estrogenic. I didn't attend the journalistic school of scientific method, but I would guess that consuming estrogenic products on a daily basis would cause more damage than touching a plastic CD case in your house, or consuming water contained in a plastic bottle, but I could be wrong. Of course, water comes from a tap, you could always bypass the poisoning that comes from drinking bottled water. I hear it's bad for landfills, too. I don't see any mothers with strollers demanding that mayonnaise, taco shells, spices mixes, cake mixes, cake frostings, gravies, salad dressings, soy milk be removed from store shelves. Any product that contains TVP is textured vegetable protein, or soybean derivative. And no mention of the most prevalent endocrine disrupter: hormonal birth control. Also I'm not sure of the percentage, but most big pharma drugs are endocrine disrupters.
Therein lies the hypocrisy or possibly just ignorance. Again, if a product does not meet your consumer needs, don't buy it.
I particularly like the references to "organic" foods. As someone who lives in an agricultural area I can tell you most of the "organic" food is pesticide laden because there are no buffer zones between non and organic growers, and the three year no pesticide rule is generally ignored because no one enforces it. Organics use livestock fertilizer as their main component which do NOT come from organic sources, negating the entire purpose of being meeting "organic" standards: no pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, or prophalactic antibiotic feeding routines. Organic is a marketing ploy. Organic standards are changed regularly on the whims of those controlling the purse strings. If you are concerned about your food, then become self sufficient.
Never mind that studies have just come out stating that "certified organic" foods are not superior in nutrition. to "non-organic". And organic uses more fuel, labor and land to produce less product at significantly higher cost. My point? When "scientific data" is presented, follow the money trail and find out who is funding it.
"In farming families in North America, for instance,there is a higher incidence of miscarriages and birth defects than in the general population." (in the chapter about fertilizers.) Citation? None.
Many quotes and works of those who work in the environmental field, not due to any concern for truly environmental reasons, but for anti-capitalism. Moveon.org? really? Rachel Carson? It's come out that she falsified her "data" and was suffering from cancer when she wrote the book. And she never intended for DDT to be banned outright. Millions of people would be alive today if it were used for malaria and other mosquito borne fatal illnesses. The stats she used about the raptor and eagle egg shells, the population numbers were increasing before DDT was banned. It's a cycle in nature to control population numbers through disease.
I'm amazed by the amount of great reviews of this book. It was poorly written, based on non-scientific facts and I'm thinking a lot of the "studies" were politically motivated and data skewed, due to their origin. The part where the writer decides to eat only tuna fish to measure his mercury blood content and it's effects was appalling. Classic example of psychosomatic (hysterial) state. Not saying there might be some relevance to info presented (mercury in modern products), but as someone who does not think everything should be regulated by government, I can't recommend this book, except as an example of "junk science".
Read
July 31, 2011I recommend this book very highly, and consider it to be the second most important book I’ve read this year. The most important was “Sea Sick: The Hidden Crisis of Global Ocean Change”. “Slow Death by Rubber Duck”, however, is more personal and more entertaining to read, and while it contains very disturbing data, it ends with a hopeful message and action items to improve our lives and those of our families. Written by a couple of Canadians out of Toronto, it is well written, with plenty of references, a good index, and some referrals to online websites for more information or to take action.
This book gave a good example of how to conceptualize concentrations of toxins as low as one part per billion. If a drop of water were to contain a toxin, such as BPA at a concentration of one part per billion, that drop of water would contain over 100 billion molecules of the toxin. Animal studies have indicated BPA can act at concentrations in the low trillions of a part. These sorts of results point to there being no ‘safe’ level of these compounds, and we need to lobby to have this substance banned outright.
As a result of reading this book, I finally got around to turfing my non-stick pans, which I had used very seldom in the past year or so. Links to a higher incidence of prostate cancer was the final straw. I will also be returning a pair of pants I just bought last week from Costco, because of the lycra in them – I did not realize that Lycra is a compound including polyurethane and poly-urea molecules, (which I checked out online), both of which are carcinogenic and highly flammable. The pants, made in Pakistan, probably have a flame retardant in the material, which in turn is likely made of some sort of bromelated molecule, which are also implicated in health issues ranging from cancers to neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s). Who needs it? I choose to vote with my dollars for simpler materials that have no built-in health risks associated with them.
This book gave a good example of how to conceptualize concentrations of toxins as low as one part per billion. If a drop of water were to contain a toxin, such as BPA at a concentration of one part per billion, that drop of water would contain over 100 billion molecules of the toxin. Animal studies have indicated BPA can act at concentrations in the low trillions of a part. These sorts of results point to there being no ‘safe’ level of these compounds, and we need to lobby to have this substance banned outright.
As a result of reading this book, I finally got around to turfing my non-stick pans, which I had used very seldom in the past year or so. Links to a higher incidence of prostate cancer was the final straw. I will also be returning a pair of pants I just bought last week from Costco, because of the lycra in them – I did not realize that Lycra is a compound including polyurethane and poly-urea molecules, (which I checked out online), both of which are carcinogenic and highly flammable. The pants, made in Pakistan, probably have a flame retardant in the material, which in turn is likely made of some sort of bromelated molecule, which are also implicated in health issues ranging from cancers to neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s). Who needs it? I choose to vote with my dollars for simpler materials that have no built-in health risks associated with them.
May 11, 2010
What intrigued me about this book was that the two authors, both environmentalists, Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, decided on a whim to expose themselves with a variety of chemicals and see what kind of test results might be produced. They wanted to know what kind of chemical toxins their children were exposed to. These chemicals are ones that everyone is exposed to on a daily basis and all of them are toxic to the human body. It made me aware that toxins in the products available to consumers have more impact on a personal level than other environmental concerns such as global warming and oil spills. And it is very, very scary that corporations care more about their profit margin than the current health and future health of the consumers that purchase their products. It’s appalling.
Although I had already changed some brands of my daily toiletries and cosmetics to ones that have less toxic substances in them, this book provided a real eye opener to others. For example, “flame-retardant chemicals from electronics and household dust polluting our blood; toxins in our urine caused by leaching from plastics, run-of-the-mill shampoos, toothpastes and deodorants; mercury in our blood from eating tuna; and the chemicals that build up in our body when carpets and upholstery off-gas.”
When did this start? When companies brainwashed consumers through advertisements that they needed these products to have a cleaner, safer home and neighbourhood environment. Early ads for DDT told families it was safe to use, and later it was discovered not to be safe at all. Use Teflon so your eggs don’t stick! Use flame retardant clothing on your children in case they play with matches!
The topic seems to be overwhelming, but the light approach taken by the authors provides information and a variety of avenues the consumer can make to change their choice of products in order to limit their exposure and that of their children. They explain about their research into several of the more toxic products on the market: Teflon coated frying pans; triclosan in toothpaste, cosmetics and a variety of other household products, toys, water; PCBs, PBDEs, phthalates in food, food processing, household products, toys and other products. There is medical research outlining triclosan’s “interference on thyroid activity”. Further, “In Scandinavia, government officials have discouraged the use of triclosan as a result of possible endocrine disruption as well as potential bacterial resistance.”
Many chemical manufacturers continue to produce substances which are considered by the Environmental Protection Act [EPA:][U.S.:] to be hazardous waste materials. These substances are used in food, clothing, cosmetics, fragrances, household items, toys and other products.
People need knowledge of the information that is provided by this book to help provide change in the products consumers purchase. There are various websites listed and intelligent insights about the research conducted on the various products within the book. The authors have provided a positive approach for others to take control of reducing their exposure to harmful toxins.
To assist in remembering which plastic containers are safe to use, the authors made a mantra of “5, 4, 2, 1: all the rest are bad for you.” They also provide a “handy plastics guide” containing the recycling symbol, plastic type and description.
It is important for consumers to be aware of any possible health risks in the use of certain products by providing full disclosure on the package about the ingredients/chemicals within before they are purchased. Consumers have the right to make a well informed decision about any product available especially when there is the possibility of exposing young vulnerable children to it.
This book is a MUST READ for all parents, prospective parents and care givers. Please enlighten yourself about the products you use.
Although I had already changed some brands of my daily toiletries and cosmetics to ones that have less toxic substances in them, this book provided a real eye opener to others. For example, “flame-retardant chemicals from electronics and household dust polluting our blood; toxins in our urine caused by leaching from plastics, run-of-the-mill shampoos, toothpastes and deodorants; mercury in our blood from eating tuna; and the chemicals that build up in our body when carpets and upholstery off-gas.”
When did this start? When companies brainwashed consumers through advertisements that they needed these products to have a cleaner, safer home and neighbourhood environment. Early ads for DDT told families it was safe to use, and later it was discovered not to be safe at all. Use Teflon so your eggs don’t stick! Use flame retardant clothing on your children in case they play with matches!
The topic seems to be overwhelming, but the light approach taken by the authors provides information and a variety of avenues the consumer can make to change their choice of products in order to limit their exposure and that of their children. They explain about their research into several of the more toxic products on the market: Teflon coated frying pans; triclosan in toothpaste, cosmetics and a variety of other household products, toys, water; PCBs, PBDEs, phthalates in food, food processing, household products, toys and other products. There is medical research outlining triclosan’s “interference on thyroid activity”. Further, “In Scandinavia, government officials have discouraged the use of triclosan as a result of possible endocrine disruption as well as potential bacterial resistance.”
Many chemical manufacturers continue to produce substances which are considered by the Environmental Protection Act [EPA:][U.S.:] to be hazardous waste materials. These substances are used in food, clothing, cosmetics, fragrances, household items, toys and other products.
People need knowledge of the information that is provided by this book to help provide change in the products consumers purchase. There are various websites listed and intelligent insights about the research conducted on the various products within the book. The authors have provided a positive approach for others to take control of reducing their exposure to harmful toxins.
To assist in remembering which plastic containers are safe to use, the authors made a mantra of “5, 4, 2, 1: all the rest are bad for you.” They also provide a “handy plastics guide” containing the recycling symbol, plastic type and description.
It is important for consumers to be aware of any possible health risks in the use of certain products by providing full disclosure on the package about the ingredients/chemicals within before they are purchased. Consumers have the right to make a well informed decision about any product available especially when there is the possibility of exposing young vulnerable children to it.
This book is a MUST READ for all parents, prospective parents and care givers. Please enlighten yourself about the products you use.
August 4, 2010
I'm recommending this book to just about everyone... if you've ever wondered if those pesticides on your neighbour's lawn might cause you problems, or assumed that rubber ball in your son's mouth was no problem, or noticed how fast polycarbonate baby bottles disappeared from the shelves in spring 2008 when the previous December they were about the only choice available, then this book will open your eyes. Not to be doomsday or anything, but it turns out... it is true... that a dozen substances we use everyday, slathering on our bodies, eating out of, and breathing in, that we believe are safe, are actually made of chemicals already proven to be toxic to our health. These chemicals are a factor responsible for the recent increase of a dozen diseases that are plaguing modern day society -- including ADHD, autism, Type II diabetes, infertility, cancer, and Parkinson's Disease. These chemicals are a great, invisible pollution now found permeating everyone's bodies, all over the world. This book explains how life has gotten to this state and how you can make changes in your family's life immediately for quick improvements, and how to get involved for long-term environmental benefit.
Seven classes of chemicals are covered. I like that most of the science is there, but it is intentionally written for the lay person to understand and know and remember the best changes to make. I won't change everything in my life now that I know more of the "Secret Dangers of Everyday Objects" (as the copy I read was subtitled), but I appreciate being enlightened as to certain choices where the negative aspects are no longer completely hidden (let's avoid air fresheners and bathing in antibacterial soap! And be glad I don't use a dozen beauty products everyday). To a certain extent, there's no point crying over spilt chemicals. But we can each now change some of the products we use and demand manufacturers to provide safer alternatives.
This book was written by Canadians and goes into some Canadian politics, but necessarily gives much focus to American culture and politics since most of the chemical companies originated in the US.
Seven classes of chemicals are covered. I like that most of the science is there, but it is intentionally written for the lay person to understand and know and remember the best changes to make. I won't change everything in my life now that I know more of the "Secret Dangers of Everyday Objects" (as the copy I read was subtitled), but I appreciate being enlightened as to certain choices where the negative aspects are no longer completely hidden (let's avoid air fresheners and bathing in antibacterial soap! And be glad I don't use a dozen beauty products everyday). To a certain extent, there's no point crying over spilt chemicals. But we can each now change some of the products we use and demand manufacturers to provide safer alternatives.
This book was written by Canadians and goes into some Canadian politics, but necessarily gives much focus to American culture and politics since most of the chemical companies originated in the US.
November 8, 2011
Wow. WOW. That booked really changed my life.
I thought I knew my priorities and I considered myself to be quite well-educated when it comes to the dangers of the present-day world. I try to buy as much organic food and cosmetics (and local produce) as my purse would allow me, I recycle everything I can and opt for used things when I need to get something for the house, I dumped everything that could be tested on animals and/or manufactured by the "great evil" of the Monsanto/Nestle/P&G kind. I never pick up items in the supermarket without first checking what they are made of and where they come from. Ha, I thought I was safe and I knew all there is to know! And that just shows how little I knew...
But now I know more, and it's all thanks to this great, eye-opening book. Some of the things I suspected, some I heard of, while others were completely new to me. Those are the facts that most companies would rather we didn't know, and don't they do their best to pretend that everything is safe unless many, many people die - and even then they will argue it had nothing to do with the chemicals they produce. It reminded me of a very exciting book, "Thank You For Smoking" by Christopher Buckley, which I considered to be pure fiction - but that was until I read actual statements from real companies. They are not very far from "So you smoke and have lung cancer, but what does that have to do with smoking?". This is exactly the kind of logic chemical corporations still use. And that's just appalling...
What I really liked about this book was:
1. Factual information backed up by facts, investigations, scientific tests and interviews with the experts.
2. Personal touch - the authors subjected themselves to the chemical substances most of us encounter on a daily basis to see if it enters their body (yes, you guessed right - they did affect the blood in the most drastic ways!)
3. A chapter on each of the commonly used chemicals - PFOA, bisphenol A, phtalates, mercury, 2,4D, PCBs, triclosan - that get into our bodies via teflon pans, plastic baby bottles, heavily perfumed cosmetics, fish, anti pest treatments, food and even clothing....
4. Engaging style, excellent writing - easy to read (although less easy to digest and imagine the scale of the chemical sea we're all swimming in)
Now that I realize what really IS inside that plastic bottle, I will do my best to make better choices and avoid things that are harmful and toxic. And I'm going to buy several copies of the book to give as presents and raise awareness.
Thank you Rick and Bruce for that amazing book!
I thought I knew my priorities and I considered myself to be quite well-educated when it comes to the dangers of the present-day world. I try to buy as much organic food and cosmetics (and local produce) as my purse would allow me, I recycle everything I can and opt for used things when I need to get something for the house, I dumped everything that could be tested on animals and/or manufactured by the "great evil" of the Monsanto/Nestle/P&G kind. I never pick up items in the supermarket without first checking what they are made of and where they come from. Ha, I thought I was safe and I knew all there is to know! And that just shows how little I knew...
But now I know more, and it's all thanks to this great, eye-opening book. Some of the things I suspected, some I heard of, while others were completely new to me. Those are the facts that most companies would rather we didn't know, and don't they do their best to pretend that everything is safe unless many, many people die - and even then they will argue it had nothing to do with the chemicals they produce. It reminded me of a very exciting book, "Thank You For Smoking" by Christopher Buckley, which I considered to be pure fiction - but that was until I read actual statements from real companies. They are not very far from "So you smoke and have lung cancer, but what does that have to do with smoking?". This is exactly the kind of logic chemical corporations still use. And that's just appalling...
What I really liked about this book was:
1. Factual information backed up by facts, investigations, scientific tests and interviews with the experts.
2. Personal touch - the authors subjected themselves to the chemical substances most of us encounter on a daily basis to see if it enters their body (yes, you guessed right - they did affect the blood in the most drastic ways!)
3. A chapter on each of the commonly used chemicals - PFOA, bisphenol A, phtalates, mercury, 2,4D, PCBs, triclosan - that get into our bodies via teflon pans, plastic baby bottles, heavily perfumed cosmetics, fish, anti pest treatments, food and even clothing....
4. Engaging style, excellent writing - easy to read (although less easy to digest and imagine the scale of the chemical sea we're all swimming in)
Now that I realize what really IS inside that plastic bottle, I will do my best to make better choices and avoid things that are harmful and toxic. And I'm going to buy several copies of the book to give as presents and raise awareness.
Thank you Rick and Bruce for that amazing book!
December 21, 2017
"Slow Death by Rubber Duck" is a entertaining take on why we need to care about the chemicals that we use and are around on a day in, day out basis. In plain language, the authors showcase information in an easy to understand way that is accessible to all. The book covers everything from plastics to antibiotics (the antibiotic and germ chapter was my personal favorite).
The writing of the book was good. I think that many readers fear picking up books like this if they don't feel well-versed in science but this book is accessible to those without science backgrounds. Throughout the book, the authors conduct experiments to show how all of these toxic chemicals that we may not even think about can affect us (and most striking for me: how QUICKLY they can affect us) were really well explained and really interesting.
This book depressed me, like really depressed me. It's a great book but it makes me feel the way that watching old "West Wing" episodes makes me feel. This book was written almost 10 years ago and there is still so much in this book that we haven't fixed or that we've fixed and now it seems like we're rolling things back under the new presidential administration. I hate that we're dealing with the same problems that we were dealing with almost a decade ago but here we are. The fact that we are still dealing with the same problems shows why books like this are still relevant almost a decade after having been written.
Overall, this is a good book about why we need to be more aware of chemicals. As one author says at the end of the book, the book is not anti-chemical (some chemicals are necessary and needed) but awareness is key and inclusion in various products we use should be well thought out.
The writing of the book was good. I think that many readers fear picking up books like this if they don't feel well-versed in science but this book is accessible to those without science backgrounds. Throughout the book, the authors conduct experiments to show how all of these toxic chemicals that we may not even think about can affect us (and most striking for me: how QUICKLY they can affect us) were really well explained and really interesting.
This book depressed me, like really depressed me. It's a great book but it makes me feel the way that watching old "West Wing" episodes makes me feel. This book was written almost 10 years ago and there is still so much in this book that we haven't fixed or that we've fixed and now it seems like we're rolling things back under the new presidential administration. I hate that we're dealing with the same problems that we were dealing with almost a decade ago but here we are. The fact that we are still dealing with the same problems shows why books like this are still relevant almost a decade after having been written.
Overall, this is a good book about why we need to be more aware of chemicals. As one author says at the end of the book, the book is not anti-chemical (some chemicals are necessary and needed) but awareness is key and inclusion in various products we use should be well thought out.
August 27, 2010
Not only is it cleverly written by two of my fellow Canadians, it has amazing information about the ways in which our society has blithely created myriad chemicals which poison us daily. Yeah, yeah, we've all heard it before. But when you actually read some of the scientific evidence about such things as phthlalates (pronounced tha-lates) that are hormone disrupters which cause little boy babies not to develop proper equipment (shall we say) - and the fact that these chemicals are in virtually all our personal care products...well, it has an impact. At least it has on me. And don't you love the title?
Highly recommended to anyone who has little kids or is planning to in future.
Highly recommended to anyone who has little kids or is planning to in future.
July 28, 2011
Good book.
Things to remember:
- avoid personal care products with "Fragrance" or "Parfum"
- avoid vinyl - replace the shower curtain liner with one that's made from recycled polyester or natural fibers
- buy PBDE-free furniture
- avoid eating tuna and other big/predatory fish, avoid white albacore tuna, eat light skipjack tuna instead
- avoid antibactierial products with triclosan, Microban, Biofresh, Iragasan DP 300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, Cloxifermolum, or 5-choro-2-(2.4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol
- check out this website: lesstoxicguide.ca
- "4, 5, 1 and 2 - all the rest are bad for you" (plastics)
Things to remember:
- avoid personal care products with "Fragrance" or "Parfum"
- avoid vinyl - replace the shower curtain liner with one that's made from recycled polyester or natural fibers
- buy PBDE-free furniture
- avoid eating tuna and other big/predatory fish, avoid white albacore tuna, eat light skipjack tuna instead
- avoid antibactierial products with triclosan, Microban, Biofresh, Iragasan DP 300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, Cloxifermolum, or 5-choro-2-(2.4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol
- check out this website: lesstoxicguide.ca
- "4, 5, 1 and 2 - all the rest are bad for you" (plastics)
Read
September 1, 2013I thought this book might be boring or dense, but it's actually very readable and conversational, integrating personal experiences and case sutdies, and I sped through in no time. While parts of it can be scary, the authors focus on the possibility of change, and the lists of action items at the end are very helpful. This book has already affected one of my purchases: dryer balls, which would be an "eco-friendly" fabric softening device, but they were made with PVC, which are serious off-gassers. Enviro quandary! But after Rubber Duck I left them behind.
August 20, 2021
I was really hoping this book would be kind of an extension of Silent Spring, but it isn't. I was reading Silent Spring when my friend lent this book to me. Silent Spring is an eye-opening, powerful abundance of evidence that humans have been almost indiscriminately poisoning ourselves and fellow creatures, irreparably damaging ecosystems, species, the beauty and wonder of Earth, and our own livelihoods. This book, on the other hand, tried to make a warning that the obvious poisons of the past have been replaced with new, insidious poisons that seem harmless at first but accumulate in our bodies over time to cause problems. The only chemical they talk about that does not follow this pattern of a new poison that bioaccumulates is mercury, and I wish they'd left it out of this book since it detracts from their point and it has been covered by many books before, including Silent Spring.
This book, by its nature, could not have such dramatic and far-reaching examples as were used in Silent Spring, so it is a lot less obvious what the actual problems are and what possible solutions there might be. The authors don't really discuss possible solutions besides protesting and making regulations. Further, I think it leads the reader to be generally fearful of "chemicals," which most people don't really understand, and an almost defeatist show of how we cannot avoid any of these substances no matter where or how we live.
I am sorry that in Canada they have to rely on changes made in the US or Europe before regulations change there since they are a smaller market, but I don't think changing the regulations in Canada would help anyway if these chemicals persist worldwide once they're created. I think we would need to stop making anything like these chemicals forever starting as soon as possible for any improvements to occur, but we also need to figure out how to degrade these chemicals into safer molecules.
This book, by its nature, could not have such dramatic and far-reaching examples as were used in Silent Spring, so it is a lot less obvious what the actual problems are and what possible solutions there might be. The authors don't really discuss possible solutions besides protesting and making regulations. Further, I think it leads the reader to be generally fearful of "chemicals," which most people don't really understand, and an almost defeatist show of how we cannot avoid any of these substances no matter where or how we live.
I am sorry that in Canada they have to rely on changes made in the US or Europe before regulations change there since they are a smaller market, but I don't think changing the regulations in Canada would help anyway if these chemicals persist worldwide once they're created. I think we would need to stop making anything like these chemicals forever starting as soon as possible for any improvements to occur, but we also need to figure out how to degrade these chemicals into safer molecules.
October 27, 2009
Being informed about the chemicals that are so ubiquitous in our environment today, such as phthalates, PFCs (Teflon, etc.), flame retardants, mercury, Triclosan (Microban and other antibacterial potions), pesticides, and Bisphenol A (BPA), is important to me.
Certainly, I learned many things while reading this book (I had a cursory understanding of many of the issues), however, most surprising to me was the following passage, as I have never heard any information about it anywhere else before, "So-called 'carbonless' paper - the very white, glossy, coated paper that most cash register receipts are printed on these days - has very high levels of BPA. High enough levels that absorption of BPA through the skin on the fingers is likely an increasing source in daily life. Printers ink used in newspapers also contains BPA. Because these high-BPA-content papers end up in the recycling bin in many places, levels of BPA in recycled paper are generally extremely high." So recycled paper could be a significant source of BPA exposure. Coke cans are (or has this changed?) lined with BPA apparently, too.
Certainly, I learned many things while reading this book (I had a cursory understanding of many of the issues), however, most surprising to me was the following passage, as I have never heard any information about it anywhere else before, "So-called 'carbonless' paper - the very white, glossy, coated paper that most cash register receipts are printed on these days - has very high levels of BPA. High enough levels that absorption of BPA through the skin on the fingers is likely an increasing source in daily life. Printers ink used in newspapers also contains BPA. Because these high-BPA-content papers end up in the recycling bin in many places, levels of BPA in recycled paper are generally extremely high." So recycled paper could be a significant source of BPA exposure. Coke cans are (or has this changed?) lined with BPA apparently, too.
January 17, 2023
Easy to read and understand, written in a non-patronising way to explain the science of environmental chemical pollution. I’ve learned a lot and will be inspired to alter my consumer habits and to do my bit in helping rid the U.K. of toxic chemicals and waste.
Definitely want to read some of the books mentioned in the further reading section at the back, I’ve never been motivated to do that before!
I picked this book for my “To Read” shelf after watching the Mark Ruffalo movie Dark Water, about how DuPont has been poisoning the town of Parkersburg for decades.
I think the end of the acknowledgments says it all, although the odds are terrible going up against Big Chemistry, together we are winning. Emphasis on together - I’ve been thinking of a phrase I saw last year during the Black Lives Matter movement, ‘Your dollar is also your vote.’ I’ve been trying to focus my attention on the types of products and companies my dollar supports and this book has made me even more aware of this power I have as a consumer.
Definitely want to read some of the books mentioned in the further reading section at the back, I’ve never been motivated to do that before!
I picked this book for my “To Read” shelf after watching the Mark Ruffalo movie Dark Water, about how DuPont has been poisoning the town of Parkersburg for decades.
I think the end of the acknowledgments says it all, although the odds are terrible going up against Big Chemistry, together we are winning. Emphasis on together - I’ve been thinking of a phrase I saw last year during the Black Lives Matter movement, ‘Your dollar is also your vote.’ I’ve been trying to focus my attention on the types of products and companies my dollar supports and this book has made me even more aware of this power I have as a consumer.
November 26, 2019
I read this book mostly to help myself for my term paper but it was very insightful for a lot of environment and health issues. It informed me a lot more than my term paper topic (BPA) For example, eating too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning. Truly makes me a wary consumer but also makes me glad that there are always solutions to these issues that were pointed out in the book. Also, the internet makes it very easy to look information up but this is definitely a good read to learn about other forms of pollutions that are less obvious.
February 20, 2019
It's always good to be aware and to 'take things with a grain of salt', so to speak. Check your facts, do your research and check your sources. Always do your research. This book mentions many products and materials to be aware of. Honestly, everything in moderation and be conscious of your choices as a consumer. It's important to be aware of your impact on the planet, and what products you're exposing yourself/your family/others to.
December 14, 2023
I was pre-reading this for a living books high school chemistry program...it was interesting
and informative but more focused on regulatory changes than personal ones and I would not recommend it for anxiety prone or perfectionist tendency teens.
and informative but more focused on regulatory changes than personal ones and I would not recommend it for anxiety prone or perfectionist tendency teens.
October 16, 2017
Very informative; took me months to finish as I found it quite depressing.
November 17, 2021
An updated edition. A reminder of all the chemicals out there assaulting our world and how to reduce the risk of exposure. A relatively easy read for a complex topic.
November 16, 2016
This riveting report by Canadian environmentalists Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie is a wake-up call for all Americans, no matter where in North America you live, and for that matter, the world. It does and should leave you stunned. The premise of the book is self-experimentation, as Mr. Smith and Mr. Lourie offer themselves up as guinea pigs by exposing themselves to a host of common household products, everything from dish soap to personal care products to tuna fish, measuring blood and urine samples before, during and after exposure. Scary results are revealed.
The human body is a magnificent machine, one which we unwittingly mistreat with the tens of thousands of chemicals commonly in use at present. The body is forgiving to a certain degree. For example, a group of chemicals called phthalates is flushed from the system fairly quickly when exposure is reduced or eliminated. But what happens when exposure to a great multitude of chemicals is chronic and long term? What happens when our environment is saturated with them? Well, we know a lot, but new information is revealing an even more disturbing picture.
Pollution isn't just billowing from smokestacks anymore. It is in your home, in your house dust and your kids' toys, lining your canned goods and your popcorn bag, sprayed on your lawn, sofa and carpet, in your baby's plastic bottle. We are exposed to and bathing in this "toxic soup" everyday - we inhale it, we sit on it, we sleep with it, we cook with it, eat it and drink it. Everyday products expose us to chemicals that not only cause cancer, but are also suspected and in some cases proven to disrupt hormones, lead to insulin resistance, cause high cholesterol, neurological and reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and even obesity. In some cases, especially with reproductive abnormalities, damage is seen across multiple generations.
Authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie have brought us an enlightening report that can help us rid ourselves of at least some of the toxins in our everyday environment. For example, we no longer apply weed-and-feed to our lawn, cook with Teflon, or use disposable plastic water bottles. We have switched from a vinyl shower curtain to cloth and avoid air fresheners. We pop our own popcorn, try to buy clothing made of natural fiber, and use scentless laundry detergent. The authors give many suggestions for making simple changes that can help rid your home of unnecessary chemicals.
Still, scariest of all, the authors expose in detail the inescapable saturation of the environment with persistant chemicals such as mercury, PCBs, and DDT. This book will open your eyes to what is in your environment, both at home and in the world. As scientists are becoming even more aware of the dangers of environmental toxins, new regulation has been successfully demanded, but with the strong resistance of big industry and slow government response, we still have a long way to go. This book will give you a place to start.
The human body is a magnificent machine, one which we unwittingly mistreat with the tens of thousands of chemicals commonly in use at present. The body is forgiving to a certain degree. For example, a group of chemicals called phthalates is flushed from the system fairly quickly when exposure is reduced or eliminated. But what happens when exposure to a great multitude of chemicals is chronic and long term? What happens when our environment is saturated with them? Well, we know a lot, but new information is revealing an even more disturbing picture.
Pollution isn't just billowing from smokestacks anymore. It is in your home, in your house dust and your kids' toys, lining your canned goods and your popcorn bag, sprayed on your lawn, sofa and carpet, in your baby's plastic bottle. We are exposed to and bathing in this "toxic soup" everyday - we inhale it, we sit on it, we sleep with it, we cook with it, eat it and drink it. Everyday products expose us to chemicals that not only cause cancer, but are also suspected and in some cases proven to disrupt hormones, lead to insulin resistance, cause high cholesterol, neurological and reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and even obesity. In some cases, especially with reproductive abnormalities, damage is seen across multiple generations.
Authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie have brought us an enlightening report that can help us rid ourselves of at least some of the toxins in our everyday environment. For example, we no longer apply weed-and-feed to our lawn, cook with Teflon, or use disposable plastic water bottles. We have switched from a vinyl shower curtain to cloth and avoid air fresheners. We pop our own popcorn, try to buy clothing made of natural fiber, and use scentless laundry detergent. The authors give many suggestions for making simple changes that can help rid your home of unnecessary chemicals.
Still, scariest of all, the authors expose in detail the inescapable saturation of the environment with persistant chemicals such as mercury, PCBs, and DDT. This book will open your eyes to what is in your environment, both at home and in the world. As scientists are becoming even more aware of the dangers of environmental toxins, new regulation has been successfully demanded, but with the strong resistance of big industry and slow government response, we still have a long way to go. This book will give you a place to start.
October 31, 2018
Slow Death by Rubber Duck is the kind of book you want to love, and yet, who enjoys reading about how we poison our bodies with unwitting chemicals?
Normally, I avoid these types of books as I feel anxious, frustrated, and hopeless after reading them. The fellow Canadian authors of Slow Death by Rubber Duck, however, have done their due dilligence and given readers a full chapter summarizing their decade-long findings. More importantly, they give concrete advice on what you can do to minimize your toxic load.
Calling Slow Death by Rubber Duck the, "definitive volume on toxic pollution," using themselves as guinea pigs, I feel, is accurate. Not the sexiest of explanations though. Frankly, if someone tried to sell me on the book using that description, I'd pass.
So instead, let me drop one stat from the book - from thousands you could choose from - to explain how fantastic yet disturing this book is: "In one study, 83% of tap water in seven countries was found to contain plastic micro-fibers".
Not enough for you? Here's one more: "... EWG found 232 toxic chemicals in the umbillical cord blood of ten babies..."
These, and all of the other stats and facts mentioned in the book, are all noted at the end. So many that almost a quarter of the book houses the appendix and notes.
I found the writing lighthearted, informative, and clear. Not once did I feel like I was being talked down to, ostracized for my choices, or otherwise put into a category of judgement or 'not-knowingness'. Many books along this vein, I find, force me to go elsewhere to educate myself to understand the contents. Slow Death by Rubber Duck assumes I don't know anything about toxic chemicals in our everyday lives, and shares it with me as if I had a university statistics professor as my neighbor, chatting over our morning coffee about our morning coffee.
The best part of this 10-year anniversary edition? The authors don't leave you in tears, shaking with the thought of how you're killing yourself with your Teflon pan. (Honestly, I did cry a few times reading the book). Not only do they give you the information you need to make 'better' choices, you also get suggestions on how to lower your toxicity levels. The last chapter then sums up an interesting question: what do I do with all these toxic things, now? Do I throw them out, or....? Is there a better way?
I wholeheartedly recommend Slow Death by Rubber Duck for anyone wanting to increase their health in fairly simple ways, all while learning about the products we use on a daily basis, and how they affect us cellularly. I will likely purchase this book for friends and family, so that they can learn it, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for offering me an advance copy of this book prior to the release of updated version's publication.
Normally, I avoid these types of books as I feel anxious, frustrated, and hopeless after reading them. The fellow Canadian authors of Slow Death by Rubber Duck, however, have done their due dilligence and given readers a full chapter summarizing their decade-long findings. More importantly, they give concrete advice on what you can do to minimize your toxic load.
Calling Slow Death by Rubber Duck the, "definitive volume on toxic pollution," using themselves as guinea pigs, I feel, is accurate. Not the sexiest of explanations though. Frankly, if someone tried to sell me on the book using that description, I'd pass.
So instead, let me drop one stat from the book - from thousands you could choose from - to explain how fantastic yet disturing this book is: "In one study, 83% of tap water in seven countries was found to contain plastic micro-fibers".
Not enough for you? Here's one more: "... EWG found 232 toxic chemicals in the umbillical cord blood of ten babies..."
These, and all of the other stats and facts mentioned in the book, are all noted at the end. So many that almost a quarter of the book houses the appendix and notes.
I found the writing lighthearted, informative, and clear. Not once did I feel like I was being talked down to, ostracized for my choices, or otherwise put into a category of judgement or 'not-knowingness'. Many books along this vein, I find, force me to go elsewhere to educate myself to understand the contents. Slow Death by Rubber Duck assumes I don't know anything about toxic chemicals in our everyday lives, and shares it with me as if I had a university statistics professor as my neighbor, chatting over our morning coffee about our morning coffee.
The best part of this 10-year anniversary edition? The authors don't leave you in tears, shaking with the thought of how you're killing yourself with your Teflon pan. (Honestly, I did cry a few times reading the book). Not only do they give you the information you need to make 'better' choices, you also get suggestions on how to lower your toxicity levels. The last chapter then sums up an interesting question: what do I do with all these toxic things, now? Do I throw them out, or....? Is there a better way?
I wholeheartedly recommend Slow Death by Rubber Duck for anyone wanting to increase their health in fairly simple ways, all while learning about the products we use on a daily basis, and how they affect us cellularly. I will likely purchase this book for friends and family, so that they can learn it, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for offering me an advance copy of this book prior to the release of updated version's publication.
May 3, 2010
Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie have written a book about the dangers of some of the chemicals found in common household products, their effects on our bodies and the environment, and what we can do about them. They examine the history and effects of phthalates, PFCs (Perfluorochemicals), PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), mercury, Triclosan, pesticides, and Bisphenol A. They have taken a unique approach, in that in addition to giving readers the facts, they have also experimented on themselves to see how quickly these chemicals can show up in our bodies after being exposed, and how much the levels increase after only a brief exposure to them. There’s also information about legislation and regulation with regard to these substances.
Pollution is now a world-wide problem. Some of these super chemicals that we’ve created/refined are incredibly potent, their use is widespread (they’re in everything!), and they’re nearly impossible to get rid of. This book will SCARE you if you’re not already aware of all of the chemical additives in otherwise apparently innocuous objects (like baby bottles). Although you can have some influence over the market by making responsible purchasing decisions, it’s not enough. The companies that produce these hazardous products (particularly the chemical companies) need to shoulder responsibility, and Smith and Lourie suggest that stronger government regulation is necessary (in addition to requiring extensive testing for any chemicals before they are released into our products and into our environment).
Not only did I finish this book scared, but I was also angry. It seems backward to me to have to fight corporations in order to protect our health, but apparently turning a profit is much more important than people’s health, or the pollution of the world. I guess long-term planning/goals don’t fit in with their business plans. I don’t know if more government regulation will help in the long run (I hope it does), but I certainly think that businesses need to be more responsible/respectful/environmentally conscious – especially since their poor decisions directly affect me whether or not I choose to buy their products (I can’t get away from them once they’ve leached their poisons into my air, my water, and OUR world).
Pollution is now a world-wide problem. Some of these super chemicals that we’ve created/refined are incredibly potent, their use is widespread (they’re in everything!), and they’re nearly impossible to get rid of. This book will SCARE you if you’re not already aware of all of the chemical additives in otherwise apparently innocuous objects (like baby bottles). Although you can have some influence over the market by making responsible purchasing decisions, it’s not enough. The companies that produce these hazardous products (particularly the chemical companies) need to shoulder responsibility, and Smith and Lourie suggest that stronger government regulation is necessary (in addition to requiring extensive testing for any chemicals before they are released into our products and into our environment).
Not only did I finish this book scared, but I was also angry. It seems backward to me to have to fight corporations in order to protect our health, but apparently turning a profit is much more important than people’s health, or the pollution of the world. I guess long-term planning/goals don’t fit in with their business plans. I don’t know if more government regulation will help in the long run (I hope it does), but I certainly think that businesses need to be more responsible/respectful/environmentally conscious – especially since their poor decisions directly affect me whether or not I choose to buy their products (I can’t get away from them once they’ve leached their poisons into my air, my water, and OUR world).
June 15, 2013
Very thought-provoking. As a reader, you do need to understand that the authors are active environmentalists (Canadian). They (rightfully, I thought) pointed out that over the last several decades, much progress has been made in reducing what could be termed "overt" pollution - what is easily seen in water (scummy or floating trash) or air (smog). But there are many chemicals to which we - and our children, whose bodies are smaller and less able to process and protect themselves - are exposed on a daily basis, often hidden and surprisingly, without much prior testing nor oversight. (The modus operandi thus far has been, unless it shows to be unsafe, it is fine.) And as ever, often the reasons for introducing a particular chemical for a particular use into the marketplace has not been because a researcher was looking for a great, safe product to fulfill a particular need - it has been that companies, in their need to expand a market (or find a market because the old market is obsolete) have a product and need to find some use for it, and voila! a researcher finds that their product can do X. I understand that companies exist to make money, but as a typical not-always-paying-attention-to-every-little-detail consumer (she raises her hand, guilty as charged)consumer, it's a little dismaying and also horrifying.
The authors experiment on themselves, deliberately exposing themselves to various normal household foods and products, testing their levels of various chemicals both before and after exposure, and then reporting the results. They don't do anything that a normal consumer wouldn't do, eating and using personal care products, except maybe a bit more extreme than normal (eating fish every meal for 3 days, for example). But the book is very readable, and by their actions and their writing give many ideas on how you as a consumer can make choices and selections of products that minimize your and your loved ones' exposure to chemicals as much as you deem possible or prudent.
You just might be inspired to become a little more pro-active in your environmental choices.
The authors experiment on themselves, deliberately exposing themselves to various normal household foods and products, testing their levels of various chemicals both before and after exposure, and then reporting the results. They don't do anything that a normal consumer wouldn't do, eating and using personal care products, except maybe a bit more extreme than normal (eating fish every meal for 3 days, for example). But the book is very readable, and by their actions and their writing give many ideas on how you as a consumer can make choices and selections of products that minimize your and your loved ones' exposure to chemicals as much as you deem possible or prudent.
You just might be inspired to become a little more pro-active in your environmental choices.
May 20, 2010
Reading this book has caused me to make some definite lifestyle changes. I wish everyone would read it--especially every parent. The authors examine seven types of toxic chemicals (Phthalates, Mercury, non-stick chemicals like Teflon, bromine-based fire retardants, triclosan, pesticides, and BPA), give the histories of these chemicals, their effects, and suggestions for decreasing exposure and absorption. I've tried to be careful to avoid these chemicals by only buying soap without triclosan; only buying toys, bottles, utensils, etc. for our daughter that are BPA, phthalate, and PVC-free; by avoiding polycarbonate plastics; by avoiding air fresheners and artificial fragrances; and by buying organic and natural products. After reading this book, we've decided to be even more cautious: we discarded all of our daughter's flame-retardant pajamas and purchased 100% cotton pajamas without flame retardants; checked all of our personal care products on the Environmental Working Group's database (called Skin Deep), and started using some different products; have decided to NEVER microwave anything in plastic, seriously avoid canned food (lined with BPA), buy the dirty dozen (a group of produce items that are high in pesticide residues) organic, be careful in handling receipts (also BPA-laden); and have also decided to be more active in the fight against toxic chemicals by supporting organizations like the Environmental Working Group and writing our representatives to encourage them to ban phthalates, PBDEs, cosmetic pesticides, and BPA. I liked this book's approach and the quality of the research that supports the authors' conclusions. I really think this is a must-read.
November 3, 2014
Rick Smith's Slow Death by Rubber Duck" is a very compelling read. Each chapter offers the history, impact/effects, and possible future of an assortment of ubiquitous chemicals that have been introduced to an unwitting public - not only in the U.S./Canada, but throughout the world. This information is delivered in a factual, yet personal manner - making it a riveting read. Smith and his co-author Bruce Lourie have used themselves as test subjects, and the reader realizes the personal investment and beliefs (backed by science) that they put forth in this cautionary story. With the memory of recent environmental disasters, the reader realizes that individuals must become informed and are responsible for the protection of themselves and their families. Smith and Lourie repeatedly indicate that the public cannot depend upon regulatory agencies to measure and monitor the long-term effects of most chemicals introduced into the environment on an annual basis. The public must demand their own protection, and some informed Canadians and Americans have done just that.
September 20, 2021
DNF Interesting idea but it's extremely labour intensive to read, it's like a university paper or something, very scholarly and dry,I just couldn't wade through anymore after the first few chapters. Even to skim a page anywhere within your eyes are bombarded with abbreviations for organizations and chemicals,the rest is full of research,studies,graphs and university results.
And that's okay, I've read many dry, scholarly,well researched books,but this one boasted on the front and back covers as being 'a wildly entertaining and terrifying read' and 'funny'. Some people,like author Mary Roach,can produce science books which do deliver on those promises. This book had nothing entertaining about it.
And that's okay, I've read many dry, scholarly,well researched books,but this one boasted on the front and back covers as being 'a wildly entertaining and terrifying read' and 'funny'. Some people,like author Mary Roach,can produce science books which do deliver on those promises. This book had nothing entertaining about it.
Read
May 17, 2010It took me a while to read this book because it scared me. LOL! It's full of great information and it's not a boring read at all - the narrative voices are really interesting and they present the material in a way that doesn't come off as uber-scientific, on the contrary - it's clear and concise and easy to understand...but it's scary stuff. Scary stuff that is important for us all to read.
Definitely worth a read.
Definitely worth a read.
June 22, 2010
apart from making me hysterical dinner company and scared of my teflon pans.. ;-) Seriously, it was very interesting and gave a lot of food for thought on how many toxins and chemicals to which we expose ourselves on an hourly basis. Frustrating how current laws have a "safe until proven otherwise" outlook.
May 9, 2017
An extraordinary exercise in converting junk science into fear mongering.
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