The Poison Paradox: Chemicals As Friends and Foes

Every day we are surrounded by chemicals that are potentially harmful. Some of these we take intentionally in the form of drugs; some we take unknowingly through the food we eat, and the environment around us.brJohn Timbrell explores what makes particular chemicals harmful, what their effects are, and how we can test for them. He examines drugs such as Paracetamol and what it does to the body; Ricin, the most toxic substance known to man; Paraquat, a widely available weedkiller; and how the puffer fish, eaten as a delicacy in Japan, can kill. Using case studies from all around the world, such as the Spanish Oil syndrome which made over 20,000 people ill in Madrid, Timbrell uncovers the facts behind chemical scares. He shows how, with a rational, scientific, and balanced approach, risks can be assessed and managed safely.brbrJohn Timbrell is Professor of Biochemical Toxicology in the Department of Pharmacy, King's College, London. He is the author of two successful toxicology textbooks (Taylor and Francis) and the editor of a major journal. This will be his first publication for a general audience.brbr1. Old art, new science: Introduction to toxicologybr/brbr2. What chemicals do to us and what our bodies do to them: The principles of toxicologybr/brbr3. Keep taking the medicine, But is it safe Doctor?: chemicals we deliberately swallowbr/brbr4. Blood, sweat, and tears: Pesticides, poisons man has designedbr/brbr5. First the cats died: Environmental contaminantsbr/brbr6. Natural born killers: Chemicals nature designs to be poisonousbr/brbr7. The Mad Hatter and a bad case of acne: Industrial chemicalsbr/brbr8. Under the sink and in the shed: Household poisonsbr/brbr9. Rasputin's revenge: Chemicals used to killbr/brbr10. Ginger Jake and Spanish oil: Food contaminants and additivesbr/brbr11. A risky business: The assessment of risk from chemicalsbr/brbrGlossarybr/brbrBibliographybr/br