There are currently 3,000 commonly used chemicals under review by Health Canada. These are chemicals that were in use before the current stricter controls came into force (and before our technology could detect traces in our bodies and the environment) and were grandfathered - that is, were allowed because they were already in use by manufacturers. (The government uses the cautionary principle: Be cautious about enraging manufacturers.) These chemicals include flame repellents in computers and mattresses that have been found in most humans tested and have been linked to low sperm counts and various cancers; chemicals used to produce non-stick products like Teflon and Scotchguard, also linked to - guess what? - low sperm counts and cancer; and estrogen-mimicking chemicals used in many plastics that cause male fish to lose their manhood.

The Globe ran a series exposing this last month. I'd provide links, but I don't think it's online. Google a few keywords and you'll be afraid to get up in the morning (or go to sleep at night, for that matter.)



Attack of the Same-Sex Sleeper Cells Retailers:

Toronto:
Pages, 256 Queen Street West (at John). On the graphic novels table.
The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street (near Bloor and Bathurst)
Book City, three locations - 501 Bloor St. West, 348 Danforth Ave., 663 Yonge St.
Hairy Tarantula, 354 Yonge Street (near Dundas).
David Mirvish Books, 596 Markham St.

Guelph:
The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec Street.
Macondo Books, 18 Wilson Street

Waterloo: Words Worth Books, 100 King Street South

Kitchener: KW Bookstore, 308 King Street West

Hamilton: Bryan Prince Bookseller, 1060 King Street West

Ottawa: Collected Works, 1242 Wellington Street West (at Holland)