After World War II, the United States experienced a chemical revolution. Stockpiles of chemicals developed to fight the war made their way into everyday commerce. Pesticides radically altered age-old agricultural and pest-control practices. Plastics brought modern conveniences into every kitchen. Synthetic chemicals made their way into our everyday products--from BPA in our food can linings to phthalates in our shampoo to flame retardants in our mattresses. It was better living through chemistry.
