Why There's Antifreeze In Your Toothpaste: The Chemistry of Household Ingredients

Science News,  Nov 24, 2007  

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WHY THERE'S ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR TOOTHPASTE: The Chemistry of Household Ingredients SIMON QUELLEN FIELD

Ever scan the ingredients listed on a product label and wonder what those chemicals are and what they do? While reading his shampoo bottle one morning, chemist Simon Quellen Field discovered a seemingly inappropriate ingredient: salt. Turns out that this common substance isn't just a table seasoning: It's a shampoo thickener too. In this in-depth reference, Field explains the purposes of some of the thousands of chemicals in products we use every day. Each entry provides the chemical formula of the ingredient and a drawing of its molecular structure. Capsaicin, the chemical that makes chili peppers hot, also dilates blood vessels and relieves pain from arthritis, muscle aches, and sprains. Xanthan gum, a slimy gel produced by a particular species of bacteria, thickens many sauces, prevents ice crystals from forming in ice cream, and provides the "mouth feel" of fat without the calories. Learn about the surprising, and sometimes alarming, chemicals used in household products. You'll be amazed at what's in hairspray! Chicago Review Press, 2007, 240 p., paperback, $16.95.

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