Living Healthy in a Toxic World: Simple Steps to P

""We now use more than 50,000 chemicals in daily living,"" state the authors in the introduction to this ill-prepared call to arms. Steinman (Diet for a Poisoned Planet) and Wisner, described as a detoxification expert, proceed to discuss ways to reduce dependency on potentially harmful chemicals, but they fail to distinguish between those that are beneficial and those that are damaging. The good tips here, such as the ""Grandma's Pantry"" concoctions that can substitute for commercial cleaners, are diminished by a wiseacre tone and alarmist statements: the authors equate gassing one's home for termites with ""letting Saddam Hussein loose in the kid's playroom with a 55-gallon chemical drum."" Chapters relate the dangers present around the home and in the workplace. Suggested alternatives are listed in sections called ""Simple Things to Do,"" e.g., ""Get yourself and your kids on a healthy diet"" and ""Make sure your child's school is tested for lead."" The authors adopt points of view associated with Scientology and list L. Ron Hubbard's Bridge Publications as the first resource for drug detoxification. While there are some sound, specific tips here for less-toxic living, the authors' tone and consistent hammering at government and industry deception devalue this effort. (Aug.)