1001 Chemicals in Everyday Products

What everyone should know about hundreds of chemicals used in today's products. Olestra(r) in fat-free snacks, aldicarb on potatoes, PCBs in electrical components. There is a virtual laboratory of chemicals in the food we eat and the products we encounter every day-at home, at school, and at work. What are these substances and how are they used? How are they helpful? Can they be harmful? Here are fast, hands-on answers to these and other crucial questions about hundreds of chemical substances we come into contact with on a regular basis. From MSG in food to perchloroethylene in dry cleaning, this A-Z guide provides clear, no-nonsense information on the use and health effects of hundreds of chemicals found in food, medicines, cosmetics, cleaning solutions, lawn and garden products, and more. Well-organized and easy-to-use, it gives you the help you need to make smarter choices about the products you choose-for yourself and your family. Inside you'll find: * Entries listing products, uses, precautions, and synonyms * Direct answers to over 250 frequently asked questions on everyday chemicals * Handy product and chemical synonym indexes * A nationwide listing of Poison Control Centers