/oss/taxonomy/term/7553/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/processing-information-about-processed-meat <p>The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization lists processed meats in its “Category 1,” reserved for substances known to cause cancer in humans. There is really nothing all that noteworthy here except for the official classification. Unofficial advice about minimizing processed meat has been dispensed by nutritional scientists for a long time. And for good reason.</p> Tue, 08 Oct 2024 22:06:53 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 10104 at /oss /oss/article/medical-general-science/methylene-chloride-can-strip-paint-can-also-strip-years-your-life <p>The culprit in this heinous crime was methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane, a liquid that easily evaporates and can be readily inhaled. Even minimal inhalation can cause light-headedness and nausea, but more extensive exposure can cause respiratory depression and possibly fatal cardiac arrhythmia. The unfortunate victim had been refinishing the bathtub, a task that involves stripping off the old coating, a task at which methylene chloride is particularly adept.</p> Wed, 15 May 2024 04:03:26 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9946 at /oss /oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition-pseudoscience/no-eating-french-fries-not-same-smoking-cigarettes <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-no-eating-french-fries-is-not-the-same-as-smoking-cigarettes">The Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> Fri, 10 May 2024 15:46:56 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9944 at /oss