Many of the world's societies face an unprecedented demographic challenge. They are aging at such a rapid rate that it threatens to overwhelm their resources, economies, and political landscape. Although aging is not a disease, its manifestations are extensively treated, often at staggering costs. Any strategy that reduces these costs would pay immense dividends. One such strategy emerges from how the environment shapes the aging process. Aging and Vulnerability to Environmental Chemicals addresses one largely overlooked aspect of our environment. It is focused on how chemical agents affect the health of aging populations. Like early development, aging is a life stage during which vulnerability to toxic chemicals is intensified and in many ways duplicates the imperfect defences deployed by the immature organism. One feature common to both early and late phases is a reduced capacity to compensate for damage. In the first case, the functional mechanisms have yet to evolve. In the second, the compensatory mechanisms have weakened progressively. The chemical revolution has flooded the world with new chemicals that permeate every aspect of our lives. Although they bring significant benefits, they exact a heavy price. We are now exposed to thousands of chemicals whose toxic properties still elude us and whose chemical signatures can be found in our tissues. By improving our knowledge of how our contaminated environment contributes to declining health, we can act to avert further strains on our beleaguered societies. Written by experts on the environmental exposures that jeopardize optimal aging, this book serves as an excellent foundation for policy decisions. It will be read primarily by those engaged in environmental or aging research. More general readers will benefit from learning about the chemicals to avoid.