The science of matter and the changes it can undergo.
Questions tagged [chemistry]
151 questions
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Is water with extra oxygen tastier, healthier, or otherwise desirable for humans?
In Japan, it is apparently common to add oxygen to bottled water.
But this isn't standard H20. It's a new mix containing 12 to 15 times as much oxygen as regular water.
(...)
"It's totally different. It's delicious!" says Ms. Nagisa, a…
gerrit
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Is Paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil) in cosmetics dangerous?
Paraffinum liquidum can be found in a lot of cosmetic products.
Some articles say it is harmless but the other half said it causes harmful effects such as the premature aging of the skin.
Examples of negative reports:
Innocent Oils
However, it…
Adam Arold
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Are all Oreo-cookie ingredients listed in accordance with EU ingredient labelling regulations?
I have read in several places about the claim that Oreo cookies may be using titanium dioxide in their preparation. This additive, although widely used, has been recently under the suspicion of provoking cancer (still low level of risk and not…
Hvjurthuk
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5
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Windex > Vinegar + Water
Are Windex and other commercial window cleaners better at cleaning windows than vinegar and water (and other household chemicals)?
For example care2.com suggests the following is the best window cleaner:
Make a great all-purpose window cleaner by…
Brian M. Hunt
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Does detergent help clean clothes in washing machines?
The Telegraph reported in 2008 that British historian Ruth Goodman:
stopped using soap in her washing machine and says the clothes come
out just as clean. "We're all victims of 150 years of hype by the
detergent industry," she says. "We don't…
bdsl
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5
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Does consuming foods rich in phytic acid prevent mineral absorption?
I've seen a lot of articles warning that consuming phytic acid can prevent the body from absorbing minerals. They recommend soaking beans, chickpeas, lentils and other phytic acid foods before cooking them.
The Nourishing Home: How to soak grains…
Looft
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5
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Does fluoridation and chlorination in the US cause thyroid issues?
From an answer in Travel.SE with a net score of 10:
Mains water is typically laced with chlorine and fluoride by law, to the point that you step out of the shower smelling [like] you just stepped out of a swimming pool. So you will meet many…
Andrew Grimm
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Is it almost impossible to find animals that are not contaminated by chemicals?
From Chapter 3 of Rachel Carson's seminal book, Silent Spring (1962):
FOR THE FIRST TIME in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death. In the less…
user7920
5
votes
1 answer
Do styrofoam cups cause health issues?
A friend of mine posted a link on Facebook to a Change.org petition to stop using styrofoam cups at Dunkin Donuts. Amongst their complaints was that styrofoam cups caused health issues for the staff and customers:
The effects are usually irritated…
user19505
5
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1 answer
Are harmful chemicals leached from ordinary Ziploc bags when used for sous vide cooking?
Sous vide cooking is a style of cooking where you seal meat in bags and soak it in water at a specific temperature for a very long time, sometimes days. Some worry that in this process, harmful chemicals can be leached from the bags.
In the…
Kevin Burke
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Do pain killers "target" pain?
Everyday I hear advertisements that some painkiller directly targets the pain.
e.g. Nurofen's UK web-site
Targets pain fast.
[...]
Targets pain twice as fast as standard ibuprofen tablets.
Is it possible? How does body know where the pain is and…
Krzysztof Wende
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4
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Does the caramel colouring previously used in Coke and Pepsi in California cause Cancer?
California has recently made legislative changes that required Coke and Pepsi to affix cancer warning labels to their soda products. From the news story:
A representative for Coca-Cola, Diana Garza-Ciarlante, said the
company directed its caramel…
Sonny Ordell
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Long term effects of sucralose
I can't find any information about long-term negative effects of
Sucralose consumption other than a very high toxicity level claimed by several studies.
There is lots of speculation online about how healthy Splenda is, but are there any good…
Alan Turing
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4
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Make fire with a potato, salt, and toothpaste?
I saw a video recently that seemed to show a fire being started from a potato, salt, toothpaste, a couple of wires, and what appears to be cotton.
A video showing this is HERE. To summarize, it looks like they:
cut a potato in half
cut a rounded…
Denys P.
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Is biochemical transmutations of elements possible?
According to a recent press conference Russian scientists have made a breakthrough so astounding it could change the universe as we know it in fundamental ways.
The essence of this discovery and the technology is that, we have
developed an…
Andy Gee
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