1001 Chemicals in Everyday Products, 2nd Edition

What everyone should know about hundreds of chemicals used in today's products . . .

Olestra 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