Environmental Chemicals
Nowhere is the proliferation of harmful chemicals more obvious than in consumer products. The mistaken belief that all germs are harmful leads us to try to sanitize our living spaces and our bodies, inside and out. Most people will be surprised to learn that their body normally contains more bacteria than human body cells. These bacteria are overwhemingly beneficial, and indeed necessary to sustain your life. When these germs are destroyed, either intentionally or by a side effect of drugs or chemicals ingested, your health suffers.
The quest for more useful and convenient products leads to the development of chemical substances can be major breakthroughs that save time, money, and convenience. But unfortunately, new chemical additives are generally not subject to rigorous testing before being allowed on the market.
The way it works is that a product goes to market and consumers use it for a period of time before the harmful effects are noticed. Then, the item is gradually replace with a slightly different version which has not been specifically tested yet. But if it performs the same function, chances are it is every bit as toxic as its predecessor. This leads to a never-ending game of substitutions known as Chemical Whac-A-Mole.