"The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being" by Nena Baker

(I watched this program and felt this was worth sharing. There are some very credible scientific sources that are used. The following are excerpts from her presentation about the material contained in her book & on her web site. Although I am not necessarily advocating this, I felt it was worth posting).


Nena Baker contends that the chemical make-up of several of the products that make contemporary life easier and more convenient may be responsible for serious health problems. Ms. Baker argues that the Toxic Substances and Control Act of 1976 was ineffectual in regulating potential industrial contaminants and presents her research on products that she deems of possible danger, which range from the non-stick coating on cookware to several different types of plastics. This event was hosted by Google at their headquarters in Mountain View, California.


About the Author: Nena Baker has been a reporter for United Press International, The Arizona Republic, and The Oregonian.


From End Of The Program:

“I’m often asked what changes I’ve made in my life based on what I’ve learned, and why I’ve made them. I don’t obsess about chemical pollutants. I make informed decisions based on my understanding of the hazards of pesticides, plasticizers, flame retardants, and stain protectors.
When I know something contains suspect substances, I ask myself ‘can I find an alternative?’. The answer is usually ‘yes’ but sometimes I decide that the benefit of using a certain product outweighs the risk.


I would be more careful if I were at a younger age & considering having children, or if I had children in my home.


Regarding individual choices, & what each of us can do to make a difference in our own lives, she states: “It would be easy to [just resign yourself to the fact that there’s nothing you can really do to make a difference] & continue to buy & use the same things. But small adjustments in your own life can lessen your exposures and risks.”

“I’m frequently asked what I do to reduce my exposure to the types of chemicals that I write about, so I wanted to share my own list. Here, in no particular order, is what I’ve done to lighten my chemical load:”

“I buy organic foods whenever possible because they’re pesticide free;

I gave up microwave popcorn because of chemicals (fluorotelemers) contained in the packaging [that shield the paper from the grease but also get into the popcorn];
I got rid of my plastic food containers because they leech hazardous substances into the food when heated in the microwave; better to use glass or ceramic containers instead;


I canceled my monthly pesticide service for both inside & outside of the home. I use non-toxic ways to control pests, rather than potentially hazardous chemicals used by pest control services [see her book for detail];

I decline all optional stain resistant coatings for furniture upholstery or floor coverings;
I use no or low DFC paint for home improvement projects;
I don’t use [hard plastic bottles] for water or other beverages; I use an (aluminum bottle);
I vacuum home & office at least once/week because dust contains many hazardous chemical pollutants (PVDE’s) that are of concern;

I’ve replaced my old Teflon cookware with hard anodized aluminum cookware;

I ask retailers questions about things I buy, and if they don’t know the answers, I call manufacturers;

I read labels about products I’m considering purchasing;

I share the changes I’m making and why I’m making them with friends & family.”

“You can find information about non-toxic products in online resources such as “The Green Guide” http://www.thegreenguide.com & “the environmental working group” http://www.ewg.org ;”

For more information: www.thebodytoxic.com