Teflon is pretty fancy chemistry. Coat a regular old pan with the stuff and, just like that, eggs slide right onto plates. There's no stuck-on mess to clean up (I'm told humans hate stuck on messes). Unfortunately, the perfluorinated chemicals that make Teflon so miraculous are also toxic. Read full post.

Ever since I found out about the chemicals the scientists found in me, I've been doing my homework. I want to know where those chemicals come from, what they are, and how I can avoid them. I've always loved digging – the only difference is now it's for information instead of buried bones.

Anyway, since I know all this useful stuff now, I thought I'd pass it on to you! Let’s take it one chemical family at a time, starting with. . .

Non-stick chemicals (PFCs)

These chemicals are used to make things nonstick (like Teflon pans), stain-proof (like carpets), and grease-proof (like the inner lining of dry pet food bags). Read full post.