/oss/taxonomy/term/2152/all en /oss/article/general-science/not-advertised-case-against-flushable-wipes <p>Are flushable wipes flushable? You may be retorting, “Is the sky blue?”, but there is reason to be skeptical. On-going<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=flushable+wipes&rlz=1C5CHFA_enCA787CA787&sxsrf=ALeKk00MJ2RZv1VjkgZVwd5KeK8ICNnFcw:1592425163793&source=lnms&tbm=nws&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj0l-CB1onqAhXFRDABHTaZAR4Q_AUoA3oECA4QBQ&biw=1273&bih=1127"> media coverage</a> tells us that so-called flushable wipes should not be disposed of down the toilet.</p> Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:00:00 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8298 at /oss /oss/article/technology/microfiber-may-not-be-microproblem <p>The advertisement for the jacket was particularly seductive because of the claim that it was made from recycled plastic bottles. I have long criticized the excessive use of such bottles, especially when it comes to selling water that is freely and safely available from the tap. But at least the type of polyester used to make these bottles is quite easily recycled, although people are pretty callous about discarding their bottles with only about 25% ending up in the recycling bin. </p> Tue, 04 Apr 2017 18:13:22 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 2386 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-health-history-household-products-toxicity/antimony <p>Picture this. You swallow a little pill, wait until it irritates your intestines enough to expel its contents and then hunt through the expelled excrement to retrieve the pill. Why? So you can use it next time to get rid of the bad humours in your body that are making you sick. How can a pill survive passage through the digestive tract? It can, if it is made of metal, in this case, antimony. Now, don’t go asking the pharmacist for antimony pills.</p> Mon, 18 Apr 2016 19:27:19 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2333 at /oss