/oss/taxonomy/term/2641/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/quirky-science/these-cakes-are-not-eating <p>They may be a mystery to the ladies, but they’re very familiar to gentlemen. They’re called “urinal cakes” and are commonly seen at the bottom of urinals. Their purpose?</p> Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:51:31 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1838 at /oss