/oss/taxonomy/term/1849/all en /oss/article/history-general-science/its-chemical-world <p>It’s a chemical world out there! We are awash in some fifty million known chemicals, the majority of which are created by nature, a minority by chemists. They’re not good or bad, not safe or dangerous. It all depends on how they are used, and what our exposure is. There is much debate about the effect of some chemicals on our lives, but about one issue there should be no debate. Chemicals are interesting! So, here’s a little quiz. Where would you encounter each of the following: para-dichlorobenzene, piperine, acetone peroxide.</p> Wed, 06 Mar 2024 20:13:26 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9856 at /oss /oss/article/health-technology/why-mosquitos-bite-you-and-how-make-them-stop <p>Summertime means hammocks, BBQs, fireworks, and mosquito bites.</p> <p>At least it does for me. Those rotten little suckers seem to just love me. They’ll flock to me even when there are three other people sitting in my backyard. What is it about my blood that they seem to enjoy so much?!</p> <p>Let’s take a look at the science behind mosquitos and try to answer two questions: Why do mosquitos bite certain people, and what should we do to make them stop?</p> Fri, 05 Jul 2019 17:56:40 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7820 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-drugs-environment-health-news-toxicity-you-asked/you-asked-why-canada-banning-citronella-based-insect-repellants <p>Health Canada is set to ban topical mosquito repellants that contain oil of citronella. The oil contains methyleugenol, a compound that has caused liver tumours in rats fed in large doses, but this really has no relevance to topical application by humans While there is no evidence of harm from any topical application, other than the rare allergic reaction, no formal studies of safety have been carried out. In this case Health Canada seems to be applying the letter of the law.</p> Thu, 04 Sep 2014 01:43:36 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2191 at /oss /oss/article/environment/ants-our-homes <p>There are various insecticides that will eliminate ants. Chlorpyrifos is probably the most effective and is available in a number of commercial versions containing 0.5% of the active ingredient. It is also commonly used by professional exterminators who may have to drill holes in walls and spray in a mixture of chlorpyrifos and boric acid. Diazinon, another insecticide, when used as a spray at a concentration of around 12.5%, can also work well. And if the infestation is localized, ant traps with 0.125% chlordecone will work. Faced with an anthill? The answer is hot vinegar!</p> Mon, 19 Nov 2012 01:37:41 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1818 at /oss