Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things |  | Authors: Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie
Publisher: Counterpoint
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
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Seller: sbd-
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 23423
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 336
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 1582435677
Dewey Decimal Number: 615.902
EAN: 9781582435671
ASIN: 1582435677
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Pollution is no longer just about belching smokestacks and ugly sewer pipes—now, it’s personal. The most dangerous pollution, it turns out, comes from commonplace items in our homes and workplaces. To prove this point, for one week authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie ingested and inhaled a host of things that surround all of us. Using their own bodies as the reference point to tell the story of pollution in our modern world, they expose 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. This book—the testimony of their experience—exposes the extent to which we are poisoned every day of our lives, from the simple household dust that is polluting our blood to the toxins in our urine that are created by run-of-the-mill shampoos and toothpaste. Ultimately hopeful, the book empowers readers with some simple ideas for protecting themselves and their families, and changing things for the better.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 19
 A positve, empowering book about toxins February 3, 2010
Peter M. Sullivan (Los Altos, CA USA)
39 out of 40 found this review helpful
Toxins are a common and widespread problem that is even more inconvenient and has even more personal impact than global warming. The topic leaves most people feeling a mix of overwhelm, anger and hopelessness. But as you may have guessed from the title, "Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things" takes a different approach.
What started out as a funny joke and dare between friends actually became an amazing project that will empower consumers. Two Canadian environmentalists exposed themselves to everyday products and watched the toxin levels in their body's skyrocket. Sadly, this experiment is something most of us do unknowingly every day. The authors show how our everyday exposures and product choices impact our toxin levels and health risks. Although I am still shocked by how common the toxins are, I was very encouraged to learn that many of them will leave the body in just a few days after reducing the exposure.
Despite the light title, this book is packed with intelligence insights, is backed by research and is fascinating to read. It will help you take actions that will measurably reduce your exposure to harmful toxins. Congratulations to the authors for turning this heavy topic around and pointing to a more positive and hopeful approach that is within our control.
Eye-Opening January 22, 2010
scientific illustrator (Chicago, IL United States)
63 out of 68 found this review helpful
I always considered myself to be rather savvy when it comes to where I come into contact with carcinogens on a daily basis. I have known about phthalates and BPA and fire-retardants now for many years, but I had no idea the extent to which the chemical companies have infused their questionable chemicals into every crevice of our daily lives. It is shocking and appalling and completely reckless. The only way we can turn this tide around is to arm ourselves with knowledge and demand change. Read this book! If you're not angry after reading it, you weren't paying attention!
Not just the what and the why but also the HOW January 28, 2010
DC Book Angel (Washington DC)
34 out of 35 found this review helpful
The personal touch that Lourie and Smith employ in explaining just how prevalent chemicals are in our everyday lives, and more important, HOW to reduce our exposure to those chemicals by choosing products in an informed way make this book both readable and useful. Every parent and child care provider should read it to see how to reduce the exposure of our vulnerable young. It does leave you wondering why so many toxins are allowed to be used in our food, cleaners, clothes, and furniture.
An eye opener! A Must Read! May 29, 2010
Eclectic Booklover (US)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Toxic chemicals are everywhere, but just how harmful are some of the products many of us use on a daily basis? Not sure you want to know?? You might want to skip this book and this review. The book is filled with interesting and easy to understand facts; it is addictive reading.
Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, environmental activists from Canada, deliberately exposed themselves to some of the chemicals many of us use. For one week, they inhaled, absorbed or ingested a variety of products, and closely monitored their exposure levels using blood and urine analysis; the results made me gasp! Some chemicals showed heavy exposure after just 2 days.
The authors point out that ther are roughly 82,000 chemicals in use in the United States, and each year some 700 new ones are added to the mix. Of these, only 650 are monitored, and even more shocking only (5) have been banned! Even asbestos, a known cancer causing agent, is not banned. Many cancers have been linked to chemical exposure. In 2009 there were 1.5 million new cancer cases expected, and because our bodies "absorb like sponges", this all seems to make perfect sense. It is also believed that many childhood epidemics are due to chemical exposure: asthma, ADHD, autism, and reproductive disorders. It is further believed that certain childhood exposures can lead to adult onset of neurological diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinson's Disease.
The author's chose (7) chemicals that most of us might likely be exposed to for their hands on research:
* radium - x-ray exposure
* mercury - certain seafoods
* PFCs - Teflon, key ingredient in coating some fry pans, some cosmetics, some clothing
* phthalates and triclosans - smelly scents added to certain shampoos and conditioners, antibacterials soaps as well as other personal care products, have been linked to birth defects, reproductive issues and cancer. some of the brand names mentioned shocked me)
* PCBs - flame retardants (Tris-Bp) used to treat some kids pajamas (thyroid issues)
* BPAs (plastics, perfluorochemicals) - dump those plastics and especially those plastic baby bottles
* DDT - pesticides (infants can be exposed through breast milk). Autism, ADHD, motor development impairment, reproductive defects and cancers
While it is not possible to completely avoid exposure to all chemicals, all the time, this book will help you to become better informed about the chemical dangers lurking close by. Many of the products, would be easy to eliminate. The book also includes a quick reference type list of things individuals can do remove hazardous products from your lives. In case you'd like to become more of an environmental activist, there is other info about how to get involved. I highly recommend this book. If not for you, for the health of your children and grandchildren and the environment.
READ this BOOK - 5/5 Stars
Painstakingly researched AND a good read. Glad I did April 19, 2010
G. Parson (Utah)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I've always been a bit of a skeptic about wild claims regarding the danger posed by items we handle, wear, and put our food in. I started reading this, expecting to see more anecdotes written by zealots with little in the way of facts. Maybe I was hoping that would be the case.
Instead, each assertion is backed up by thorough research and analysis. I'm a doubter no more. 20 years from now, or maybe less, we'll all be dealing with health problems clearly understood to be caused by the very products that make our lives so convenient today.
I've stopped complaining about my wife's suggestions to use glass whenever possible, just to name one example.
If you don't want to be aware of the risks, don't read this. Ignorance is bliss....in the short run.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 19
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