Like a series of bad sequels, the media is back with yet another terribly botched story. This time, the claim is that using household cleaning sprays is like smoking 20 cigarettes per day. Wrong again.
Chemicals & Chemistry
Romanian researcher Istvan Mathe has answered that burning question — "Is it safe to eat snow?" — with a nuanced answer. Yes, it's safe, but only for half a day. That is if you're talking about freshly fallen snow in Transylvania--it may not apply to Central Park.
A California judge is going to determine whether or not coffee causes cancer. Think about that. We live in a society where judges and lawyers – not medical doctors or scientists – get to determine the credibility of biomedical research. And guess who paid in the process?
How did the honeybee go, in one year, from poster insect for environmental concerns to invasive species? It's because environmental groups change the story as they are debunked.
In Japan, there's a good example of natural not equaling safe. Right now officials are dealing with a butt-kicking marine neurotoxin that you want no part of. Although no one's been harmed, they are warning consumers about dangerous fugu – Japanese for blowfish – that did not have its livers removed before packaging.
It's unlikely that when you first wake up the word "vanadium" comes to mind. In fact, you probably haven't even heard of it. But it is real – a metal – and named after a Northern-Germanic tribe goddess. The word means "beauty," so all in all vanadium does not disappoint.
It's no secret that air pollution is bad news (but no longer in the U.S.). It's also no secret that people write sensationalized junk that poses as science to drive home a point or support an agenda. Today we're having a two-for-one special. You get both. And no – small particulate matter does not affect IQ. This is beyond ridiculous.
This team leader at The Paris Natural History Museum holds a Ph.D. in endocrinology and physiology. That means Demeneix really ought to know not to publish something so stupid. Fireworks cause autism? Seriously? If that's the case, I'm free to argue that TD's cause autism.
Gasoline additives ensure that a car's engine runs properly. Otherwise, the engine will knock – and you'll be knocking on your mechanic's door holding a whole bunch of your favorite dollars. But researchers have figured out how to make isobutanol, an excellent gas additive, from beer. Here's the heady chemistry – and it goes down smooth.
French President Emmanuel Macron has declared he will ban the American herbicide glyphosate within three years, and sooner if a replacement is ready. Italy has vowed to do the same. Activists have said the replacement is already available, and it has been used in France since 1863 - a fatty acid called pelargonic (a.k.a. nonanoic, because of the nine carbon atoms) acid. Chemically, it's pretty close to a soap. Does this make any sense toxicologically? Is this another case of "natural = safe?" Or is something else going on?
As a result of using fertilizer to increase production, cranberry farmers in southeastern Massachusetts ended up with too much phosphorus in water run-off that created potentially-harmful algae growth downstream. Observing this, a researcher from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came up with a sensible and straightforward solution.
If marijuana is now a "recreational drug" then what about its second-hand smoke? Does it get ignored? Is there some science to apply in making an informed decision?