In the early twentieth century, the average American medicine cabinet was a would-be poisoner's treasure chest. There was radioactive radium in health tonics, thallium in depilatory creams, and morphine in teething medicine and potassium cyanide in cleaning supplies. While the tools of the murderer's trade multiplied as the pace of industrial innovation increased, the scientific knowledge (and the political will) to detect and prevent the crimes lagged...

Looks at dioxin, the deadly contaminant of the defoliant code-named Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War. Focuses on the devastating effects of this chemical on American soldiers and the Vietnamese populace, and interviews impaired Vietnam veterans who feel they should be fully compensated.

About a celebrated war photographer W. Eugene Smith in a real life David vs Goliath story, pitting Smith against a powerful corporation responsible for poisoning the people of Minamata, Japan in 1971. With the glory days of World War II far behind him, Smith has become a recluse. Between an impassioned Japanese translator called Aileen urging him to go and a much-needed commission from "Life" Magazine editor Ralph Graves, Smith is finally convinced...

"Explores research that counters vitamin advocate Linus Pauling's theories, suggesting that high doses of some vitamins may actually harm the human body. An alarming association with increased osteoporosis and cancer rates is one of several medical findings discussed"--container.