Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Violet Vapors
2. A Molecule of Mystery
3. Thyroids in a Chemical Soup
4. Losing it: Undoing Brain Evolution
5. The Alarming Increase in Autism
6. From DNA to Epigenetics
7. Counting the Costs
8. Who Really Picks Up the Bill?
9. Time to Act. How to Act
Glossary
Index
Barbara Demeneix is an internationally recognized expert on thyroid
function and brain development. She acts as an expert for the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Devlopment (OECD) in the
field of endocrine disruption, notably for chemicals affecting
thyroid hormone function. The author of over 150 scientific
publications and patents, she trained and worked in the United
Kingdom, France, Canada, and Germany. In 2014, she was promoted to
'Officer' of the
French Legion d'Honneur by the French government for her scientific
achievements, having been appointed 'Chevalier' in 2004.
"The book should be of interest to anyone who would like to be
aware of the threat of
endocrine-disrupting chemicals to our children's development. The
basic science material addressing thyroid function and dysfunction
is presented clearly and with good documentation...Toxic Cocktail
is informative in its description of the scientific, political, and
economic dimensions of governmental regulation."
-- PsycCRITIQUES
"In a complex and changing world, it is not surprising that humans
ignore subtle warning signs that predict danger. Psychological
science has much to offer in explaining why people are often
incapable of acting in their own self-interest, particularly in
regard to life sustaining policies that concern global warming,
environmental protection, and public health." -- PsycCRITIQUES
"The thyroid system has several qualities that make it an excellent
choice for coverage. Toxic Cocktail beautifully illustrates the
Goldilocks principle of endocrinology: the amount of hormone made
by the gland must be just right for the body to function properly."
--The Lancet
"Demeneix, a world-renowned expert on thyroid function and brain
development, shares historical and current information about the
effects of the human-made toxic mix on the thyroid, a
hormone-producing gland involved with proper development and
maintenance of the brain. Throughout the narrative, the author
weaves the story of discovery of thyroid hormone importance, its
disruption by toxic substances, and the impact of disruption on
human health and behavior.
She connects this to economic and emotional drains on health care,
and concludes with a call to action. For those in search of real
facts about the disregard of this endocrine disruption, this book
will
be an excellent place to start." --CHOICE
"Chemicals . . . either too little of one or too much of another .
. . cause our kids' brains to be less than they can be. Sometimes
way less. In a world in which cognitive ability is at the heart of
economic competitiveness, among individuals, regions, and nations,
this is a big deal. Many mistakes have been made in the past.
Barbara Demeneix's brilliant new book lays out the science on why
that does not have to be. Drink it deeply. Your kids, your
communities, and your nations will be smarter, healthier, and
wealthier if you act on her advice." --John Peterson Myers, PhD,
CEO/Chief Scientist, Environmental Health Sciences
"This book by Professor Barbara Demeneix got me hooked immediately.
Engaging descriptions of discoveries that led to the prevention of
cretinism set the scene for understanding the role of today's
chemical pollution in affecting brain development. Of concern are
the rise in autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder. Professor Demeneix argues persuasively that
chemicals capable of disrupting thyroid hormone action may play a
role in
the increased incidence of these disorders. I would like to thank
Professor Demeneix for writing a book that can be readily
understood by interested lay people as well as a good source of
references
for scientists like myself. This book deserves a wide audience and
I enthusiastically recommend it." -Andreas Kortenkamp, PhD,
Professor of Toxicology, Brunel University London, London, UK
"Barbara Demeneix forewarns of the crucial decisions before us that
could well predict whether we lose the phenomenal progress made in
advancing our children's health over the past two generations. She
explains that thyroid hormone is vital for a child's brain
development and how chemicals slowly and insidiously assault
thyroid signaling during the prenatal period, reducing levels
slightly and within the normal range, but enough to have lifelong
consequences
for learning and development. Demeneix skillfully describes the
huge costs and consequences of this tragic error, which continues
at the expense of our children and the profit of companies that
choose
not to manufacture safer alternatives." --Leonardo Trasande, MD,
MPP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine, and
Health Policy, New York University
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