Books
If you want to find out for yourself what chemicals are, and where they are found, the following books are useful:
C for Chemicals by Michael Birkin and Brian Price (1989) concentrates on issues of toxicity and the impact of chemicals on the environment, rather than on sensitivity and allergy, but it is very informative on the nature of common chemicals and where they are found. It is factual, accessible and readable.
Contact Dermatitis by Alexander A. Fisher (Editor, 1986) is a massive tome, a medical reference work for doctors, but it is a useful source-book for the lay-person, whether or not you have contact dermatitis. It is clear, readable and a sound source of information on where many chemicals are to be found, often giving brand and product names. It has an American bias, but is helpful for the UK. Any public library can order it for you.
For a basic dictionary of chemical terms, use The Penguin Dictionary of Chemistry by D. W. A. Sharp (Editor, 1983).
Two other books that are useful for information on where chemicals are found in everyday life are: Chemical Victims by Dr Richard Mackarness (1980) and Chemical Children by Dr Peter Mansfield and Dr Jean Monro (1987).
Manufacturers
If you contact manufacturers directly to find out the contents of any product you want to buy, they are usually very helpful if you explain your reasons, and will often supply full contents lists. Write to them directly or telephone. For building and decorating materials, ask for Technical Data Sheets, which are usually accessible to the lay-person.
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