約翰·亭布瑞，倫敦國王學院藥學係的生化毒物學教授。擁有30多年的毒物學教學經驗，發錶過130餘篇文章及研究論文；著作包括《毒物學入門》及《生化毒物學原理》，這兩本專業用書已普及各個國傢，廣為世界各地的院校使用。

Every day we are surrounded by chemicals that are potentially harmful. Some of these we take intentionally in the form of drugs; some we take unknowingly through the food we eat, and the environment around us. John Timbrell explores what makes particular chemicals harmful, what their effects are, and how we can test for them. He examines drugs such as Paracetamol and what it does to the body; Ricin, the most toxic substance known to man; Paraquat, a widely available weedkiller; and how the puffer fish, eaten as a delicacy in Japan, can kill. Using case studies from all around the world, such as the Spanish Oil syndrome which made over 20,000 people ill in Madrid, Timbrell uncovers the facts behind chemical scares. He shows how, with a rational, scientific, and balanced approach, risks can be assessed and managed safely.