Friday 29 September 2006

Co-authored by Elizabeth Salter Green, head of WWF-UK's Toxics Programme and freelance writer Karen Ashton, The Toxic Consumer provides a down-to-earth explanation of where we come into contact with toxic man-made chemicals, what consequences they can have on our health and well-being and how to minimise out exposure to them in our non-stick, easy-clean, fire-retardant, disposable lifestyles.

The Toxic Consumer - published by Impact Publishing - is a fascinating, scary and sometimes funny book, that makes the intimidating issue of toxic chemicals accessible and easy to grasp.

Elizabeth Salter Green said: "Ordinary people can end up feeling like science-class dunces as soon as the subject of parabens, phthalates and perfluorinated chemicals gets brought up in the media.

"We wanted to make the issue straightforward and easy to understand, in the same way that Eats, Shoots and Leaves demystified grammar and punctuation, so that people can start making informed decisions about whether they allow their bodies - and the planet - to be polluted by these chemicals or not."

Elizabeth, who will also be appearing on this evening's 'Tonight with Trevor McDonald - Toxic Kids' show at 8pm on ITV1, has already received praise for the book from some of the country's leading environmentalists.

Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future and Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission has written a foreword for the book. He said: "This highly engaging book should be read by everyone who cares about their own health and the health of the environment in general. It is especially relevant right now, as the European Parliament is about to vote on some of the most important legislation in the history of the EU that will decide whether future generations will continue to be exposed to these potentially harmful chemicals."