One thing I've realized while reading this book is that despite the technological advancements we've made as a society, in some ways we are further behind than ever. Most of the chemicals and products mentioned as hazards are due to the introduction of plastics and other synthetic materials to our daily lives. Maybe the good old days were just that. Who would have thought that the products from our past - glass bottles, paper grocery bags, clothes made of cotton, and cast-iron frying pans, to name a few - were the best choices for use in our households. These are all included in the authors' suggestions to improve our health and get rid of the nasty chemicals and toxins surrounding us.
The final chapter, fittingly entitled "Detox", ends with a list of "action items" and websites for consumer research. Here are some highlights from these lists:
• avoid products with "Fragrance" or "Parfum" as an ingredient
• remove your plastic PVC shower curtain and use one made of recycled polyester or natural fibres
• unplug air fresheners
• research chemicals in toys at www.healthytoys.org
• avoid fast food especially the packaging
• use cloth or paper shopping bags
• buy produce grown locally or from a farmer's market (ask about pesticide use)
• eat smaller fish and avoid predatory fish to reduce mercury consumption (avoid white albacore tuna in favour of canned light, skipjack tuna)
• buy clothing or products made of wool, hemp or cotton as it is naturally fire resistant
• replace older furniture and electronics with PBDE-free versions (IKEA, Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are now PBDE free)
• use natural products for cleaning (check out ENJO cloths which use only water but work like a dream!)
• when buying plastics, check the recycling numbers - 4, 5, 1 and 2, all the rest are bad for you!
• don't reheat food using plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave
• eat more fresh or frozen food and food stored in glass bottles
• avoid products containing triclosan (Microban, Biofresh, Irgasan DP300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, or Cloxifermolum are other names for this chemical)
Also the following websites serve as a handy reference:
www.toxicnation.ca
www.lesstoxicguide.ca
www.ewg.org
www.thegreenguide.com
www.simplesteps.org
http://toxipedia.org
www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php
www.cosmeticdatabase.com
http://pureandgreen.blogspot.com
When my husband was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, I remember my first trip to the grocery store to buy food low in salt. I spent three hours and bought only a few items because I stopped to read every label and to compare brands to find the lowest sodium levels possible. I wonder what will happen now that I have read Slow Death by Rubber Duck next time I go shopping? A little knowledge may be a dangerous thing!
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