I just finished reading the article "Regulating toxic chemicals: Do we know enough about chemical risks?” and I believe I have an answer to this question...NO! "We" as consumers are guided by marketing schemes that steer us into purchasing a product. Very rarely, if ever, do we research products to find out what they are made of, or what chemicals were involved in the process of making that product. It is truly frightening to think that the products that I am using in my every day life may be contributing to the demise of my health and I may not even know it! What does the future hold for me, and how could a potential illness be prevented?? If I had a better idea of what was in the products that I am cleaning my house with, or really knew what poisons are leaching into my food and water supplies from their containers, maybe I would assess my purchases a little more deeply.

While it seems that green chemistry is on an uptrend, I am still skeptical because every time we think we have a solution to a problem, another problem is presented. I suppose though that innovation is always surrounded by controversy.

The topic that scares me the most are food additives...what are these chemicals that are being put into our food, and what are the pesticides really doing to us?  We as American's are so obsessed with the "quick fix", we tent to disregard things that are really important to our health. For example, what is really IN that diet food that you ate for dinner? Are sugar substitutes really good for you...and why do people continue to use the pink packet when it states right on the package that it is "known to cause cancer in labartory animals"??

Now a days, there are plenty of "green" options available, it is up to us to educate ourselves on the pros and cons of each product and to know what we are consuming.

For a little more information on food additives, check out the FDA's webpage at:
http://www.fda.gov/food/foodingredientspackaging/foodadditives/

Or, the Center for Science in the Public Interest's site at:
http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm