/oss/taxonomy/term/1631/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/facial-creams-and-lotions-offer-hope-jar <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-facial-creams-and-lotions-offer-hope-in-a-jar-and-profits-naturally">The Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> <hr /> <p>It used to be that cosmetics were sold for what was in them. Creams and lotions would hype their copper peptides, antioxidants, collagen, bull semen, ambergris (whale regurgitation), caviar, placenta extract, crushed pearl, snake venom or nightingale poop. Yes, snake venom and nightingale poop!</p> Fri, 14 Jun 2024 20:05:38 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9978 at /oss /oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/dirty-dozen-good-movie-name-gets-thumbs-down-list-pesticide-residue <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-dirty-dozen-a-good-movie-name-but-gets-thumbs-down-as-list-of-pesticide-residue">The Montreal Gazette</a>.</em></p> Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:20:03 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9909 at /oss /oss/article/nutrition-environment/clean-ideas-about-dirty-dozen <p>It’s springtime which means it is time for the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to send the media into a frenzy with its annual release of the “dirty dozen” conventionally produced fruits or vegetables that contain the greatest variety of pesticide residues. The implication is that these should be shunned in favour of  their organic versions. </p> Thu, 19 Apr 2018 15:55:49 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7024 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-food-health-news/apple-day-dont-let-environmental-working-group-scare-you <p>There are many environmental groups that raise legitimate and thoughtful questions about chemical issue. The Environmental Working Group is not one of them. This organization is dedicated to raising money through fear-mongering. Every year they come out with their nonsensical Dirty Dozen, usually with apples somewhere near the top as a fruit that should only be consumed if it is organic. They actually scare people away from eating fruits and vegetables. They mindlessly over hype chemical risks.</p> Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:55:46 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2134 at /oss