Fake Silk: The Lethal History of Viscose Rayon

This is a revealing history on the damage caused to people and communities by the production of viscose rayon.Dr. Blanc documents stories of suffering, and stories of the corporation politics and lobbying which has allowed voices on this topic to be silenced for the sake of more sales.For anyone seeking more eco-friendly purchases of textiles - whether clothing, rugs, or carpets - this book is a must read for anyone considering a viscose purchase, as well as the other fiber names used (bamboo silk, banana silk, modal, rayon, manmade silk).The history and flow of the stories, with the science to back it up, makes it accessible to general audiences - I read the book in a few days time.

This is an accessible, well-written book that deftly mixes cultural history, scientific treatise, reportage, and the narratives of illness and the cost of innovation. It should appeal to a wide cross-section of readers, from public health policy makers to medical practitioners and anyone interested in the practical and ethical considerations of technology and innovation. So, look beyond its intimidating title, and give this one a try. You'll not only learn a lot, but you might just really enjoy it too!

Fake Silk is an utterly compelling story that needed to be told. How fortunate we are that Dr. Blanc was the one to do it! A renowned physician and occupational medicine expert, Dr. Blanc skillfully takes the reader on a tremendous journey, delving into not just health and exposure, but economics, politics, the rise of multinational corporations, and much more. As I learned about how, over decades, worker health problems were repeatedly ignored and minimized by those in positions of power, I found myself reflecting on the clear analogies to modern day. I can't wait to see the movie!

This book is a tour de force - a meticulously researched story of how the health hazards of carbon disulfide have been discovered and covered up. It includes aspects of the story related to chemistry, medicine, industry, politics, economics, culture and fashion, while sketching colorful characters and digging up fascinating side facts. It's a real eye-opener; read it and you'll understand SO much more about the processes that shape consumer products and the lives of the workers who manufacture them.

This historical account of chemicals used to process rayon is an eye-opener and quite shocking. The book is well-written with many references.

Incredibly well written account of a historically important toxic compound- Blanc fills the pages with a riveting account of workers exposed to this extruded nightmare of a product...

Super informative Eye opener

A comprehensive historical overview of the Viscose Rayon industry, this book is very well written and a must read for anyone interested in occupational health!

This is an exceptionally well written history of a world changing material. The many loops and twists of the Rayon industry's evolution, the bigger than life characters that drove its growth and the fascinating medical consequences of their explorations make for very interesting reading.Well done to the Author Paul David Blanc for a meticulously researched and fascinating book.

Great and very well researched book on a little known story on viscose production related health issues.

Excellent scholarly work documenting the incredible harm the workers who produce rayon have and are suffering. We, the consumer, are fine but the workers are paying an incredible price for us to wear and use "fake silk."