Every day we're exposed to a multitude of man-made chemicals in the food we eat, the air we breathe and the products we clean our homes and wash our bodies with. For some people, like journalist Jane Little, the burden can be almost too much to bear. Certain chemicals trigger extreme physical reactions, leaving her ill and exhausted for days at a time. It's a debilitating condition for her and many thousands of fellow sufferers. Some estimates suggest that 15% of the American population believe they experience ill effects from domestic chemicals.
Last Word on BBC Radio 4
Fang Lizhi, Ferdinand Porsche, Miss Read, Bingu wa Mutharika, Derick Thomson
Jane Little with the religious and ethical news of the week. Moral arguments and perspectives on stories familiar and unfamiliar.
Bill Wedderburn, Adrienne Rich, Tom Lodge, Howard Anderson, Cecil Sharpley
This year the Hayne Barton Jazz Festival is celebrating British Woman, and Jane Little finds out about the role that women are playing in the jazz scene with singer Barb Jungr, and singer and pianist Liane Carroll.
Jane chats to her about what it means to her to have recorded a song which has inspired so many women. Gloria also talks about being a Queen of Disco, how she overcame her dark days by turning to Christianity and about her latest album and her current UK concert tour.
She talks to Jane about her eminent career in radio, television and the theatre – a career which has spanned over 60 years.