Chemicals & Chemistry

If elements could be diagnosed using the DSM-V, zinc would be a textbook case:Code F31.9 — Bipolar I Disorder, current or recent episode unspecified.

We at ACSH are not big on horoscopes, homeopathy, or Reiki, but we are into crystals. Not the kind where holding a crystal is supposed to shrink the bunions you developed in a past life.

Our story starts with “surfactants,” a term derived from “surface active agents.” These are molecules with one end being “hydrophilic”, meaning it is attracted to water, while the other “hydrophobic” end is attracted to oily substances or to air.

Our team spent some time discussing-- and laughing uncontrollably at times, what they wish the general public would understand about terms that irk them, like: natural, synthetic, microbiome, and healthcare journey, to name a few. Take a look.

Given sufficient time, Lucy will mistime yanking the football away, and Charlie Brown will finally kick the damn thing. A gerbil will eventually write Beethoven's Tenth Symphony.

Louis Pasteur is buried in an elaborate mausoleum at the Institute Pasteur in Paris where mosaic tiles on the tomb commemorate various aspects of the great man's scientific life.

From deadly plants and toxic foods to popular supplements, many natural substances contain powerful toxins. The truth is: safety isn’t about where something comes from — it’s about dose, preparation, and how it’s used.

Q: What do wood and Tylenol have in common? A: Two things.

As we celebrate World Bee Day, medical toxicologist Dr. Liza Lockwood joins us to discuss the lesser-known environmental and public health benefits of modern chemistry.

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