Our Daily Poison : From Pesticides to Packaging, How Chemicals Have Contaminated the Food Chain and Are Making Us Sick

Over the last thirty years, we have seen an increase in rates of cancer, neurodegenerative disease, reproductive disorders, and diabetes, particularly in developed countries. At the same time, since the end of World War II approximately 100,000 synthetic chemical molecules have invaded our environment—and our food chain. In __Our Daily Poison__, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin investigates the links between these two concerning trends, revealing how corporate interests and our ignorance about these invisible poisons may be costing us our lives.The result of a rigorous two-year-long investigation that took Robin across three continents (North America, Europe, and Asia), __Our Daily Poison__ documents the many ways in which we encounter a shocking array of chemicals in our everyday lives—from the pesticides that blanket our crops to the additives and plastics that contaminate our food—and their effects on our bodies over time. Gathering as evidence scientific studies, testimonies of international regulatory agencies, and interviews with farm workers suffering from acute chronic poisoning, Robin makes a compelling case for outrage and action. Over The Last Thirty Years, We Have Seen An Increase In Rates Of Cancer, Neurodegenerative Disease, Reproductive Disorders, And Diabetes, Particularly In Developed Countries. At The Same Time, Since The End Of World War Ii Approximately 100,000 Synthetic Chemical Molecules Have Invaded Our Environment--and Our Food Chain. In Our Daily Poison, Award-winning Journalist And Documentary Filmmaker Marie-monique Robin Investigates The Links Between These Two Concerning Trends, Revealing How Corporate Interests And Our Ignorance About These Invisible Poisons May Be Costing Us Our Lives. The Result Of A Rigorous Two-year-long Investigation That Took Robin Across Three Continents (north America, Europe, And Asia), Our Daily Poison Documents The Many Ways In Which We Encounter A Shocking Array Of Chemicals In Our Everyday Lives--from The Pesticides That Blanket Our Crops To The Additives And Plastics That Contaminate Our Food--and Their Effects On Our Bodies Over Time. Gathering As Evidence Scientific Studies, Testimonies Of International Regulatory Agencies, And Interviews With Farm Workers Suffering From Acute Chronic Poisoning, Robin Makes A Compelling Case For Outrage And Action. Part I: Pesticides Are Poisons. The Ruffec Appeal And The Battle Of Paul François ; Chemical Weapons Recycled For Agriculture ; Elixirs Of Death ; Ill From Pesticides -- Pesticides And Cancer: Consistent Studies -- The Unstoppable Rise Of Pesticides And Neurodegenerative Diseases -- Part Ii: Science And Industry: Manufacturing Doubt. The Sinister Side Of Progress ; Industry Lays Down The Law ; Mercenaries Of Science ; Institutional Lies ; An Epidemic Of Chronic Diseases -- Part Iii: Regulation At Industry's Beck And Call. The Colossal Scientific Masquerade Behind Poisons' Acceptable Daily Intakes ; The Unsolvable Conundrum Of Maximum Reside Limits ; Aspartame And Regulation: How Industry Is Pulling The Strings ; The Dangers Of Aspartame And The Silence Of Public Authorities -- Part Iv: The Shocking Scandal Of Endocrine Disruptors. Men In Peril: Is The Human Species In Danger? ; Distilbene: The Perfect Model? ; The Case Of Bisphenol A: A Pandora's Box ; The Cocktail Effect --conclusion : A Paradigm Shift. Marie-monique Robin ; Translated By Allison Schein And Lara Vergnaud. Originally Published In French As: Notre Poison Quotidien (paris : Découverte, 2011). Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From The French. The past thirty years have seen a dramatic increase in cancer rates, neurodegenerative and reproductive disorders, and diabetes, particularly in developed countries. Since the end of World War II, approximately one hundred thousand synthetic chemical molecules have invaded our environment--and our food chain. In Our Daily Poison, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin investigates the links between these two trends, revealing how a toxic mix of corporate interests and public ignorance about invisible poisons may be costing us our lives. The result of a rigorous two-year-long investigation that took Robin across three continents, Our Daily Poison documents the shocking array of chemicals in our every-day lives and their effects on our bodies over time. Moving beyond the substances, Robin also dissects the byzantine, entirely inadequate evaluation and approval systems for chemical products, highlighting the fallacy of the acceptable daily intake and other regulatory standards for harmful substances. Our Daily Poison also exposes the chemical industry's lobbying efforts to keep highly toxic products on the market. Drawing on scientific studies, the testimony of international regulatory agencies, and a range of in-depth interviews--from farm workers suffering from acute chronic poisoning to FDA and WHO representatives and to the scientists who develop these compounds--Robin makes a gripping and compelling case for outrage and action “An enlightening and deeply disturbing account” of the dangerous chemicals that have infiltrated our food, by the Rachel Carson Prize–winning journalist (Booklist). Our Daily Poison is “a gripping and urgent book” for anyone concerned about democracy, corporate power, or public health (Raj Patel, author of Stuffed and Starved). In it, award-winning journalist and filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin travels across North America, Europe, and Asia to document the shocking array of chemicals we encounter in our daily lives—from the pesticides that blanket our crops to the additives and plastics that contaminate our food—and their effects on our health over time. Following the trail of the synthetic molecules in our environment and our food, Robin traces the ugly history of industrial chemical production, as well as the shoddy regulatory system for chemical products that still operates today. Using scientific studies, expert testimony, and interviews with farmworkers suffering from acute chronic poisoning, Robin demonstrates how corporate interests—and our own ignorance—may be costing us our lives. “What Rachel Carson's groundbreaking Silent Spring did for the environmental movement, Robin is doing for awareness of toxins in the food chain.” —Publishers Weekly “This may be one of the most important books of the year.” —Kirkus Reviews “Full of facts, stories, and wisdom.” —The Huffington Post