Use this tag for questions regarding physical, chemical and biological factors that may affect human health.
Questions tagged [environmental-health]
225 questions
19
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1 answer
Does a cell phone emit 1000 times more radiation when its battery is low?
Found this gem on G+:
The rest seems all extremely circumstantial except the very last item. The 'radiation' they're talking about, I'm assuming, is electromagnetic radiation - which would be weaker by a low battery, not stronger.
Any evidence…
Christopher
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2 answers
Can a pair of rats multiply to 200 within a year?
A story on the BBC News website makes the following claim:
Brown rats are one of the planet's most serious mammalian pests, ruining crops and harbouring disease. Expert jumpers, climbers and swimmers, a single pair can multiply to 200 within a…
Tom77
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18
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1 answer
Is it possible to get a sunburn if you're behind a (glass) window?
Someone recently told me that windows act as a kind of "magnifying glass". That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Here's an example of someone with that belief (in the comments):
Can a baby get sunburned while laying in the sun through a window…
Olivier Bruchez
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18
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Did nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands cause increased cancer rates?
The Marshall Island have been the site for many nuclear tests by the United States. While it has a small population of around 69,000, they have benefitted by receiving around $759 million dollars in compensation over the years for those nuclear…
Brian M. Hunt
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18
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Are US sunscreens less effective due to FDA regulations?
A recent answer to the question Best sun protection for swimming on a sister site makes the claim "The US market version is hamstrung in order to pass FDA regulations" and expands with the following:
US market sunscreens lack options for…
James Jenkins
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18
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1 answer
Does breathing Beijing's air for one hour reduce life expectancy by 20 minutes?
I've just listened to this claim by a BBC journalist in Beijing:
A recent study showed that even breathing this kind of air for an hour can reduce a person's life expectancy by 20 minutes.
This seems almost absurd. Is it based on evidence?
Sklivvz
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18
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Can WiFi waves cause headaches?
I saw there was a question about the harmfulness of WiFi waves, but i'd like to focus on the claims that they can cause headaches specifically; not the cancer-claims.
Numerous people come up with anecdotes about how they, or someone they know, get…
Wouter
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17
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Is Vatican Radio causing childhood leukaemia?
It an ugly, long standing story in Italy: Vatican radio has huge antennas, not subject to Italian law, and the people living in the surroundings lament severe ailments such as leukaemia.
The Santa Maria di Galeria transmitter site is the subject of…
Sklivvz
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Does a dairy-free diet reduce autistic behaviour?
PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) suggest the existence of a link between milk consumption and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (see here on the PETA website).
More research is needed, but scientific studies have shown that many…
Remi.b
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Do desktop computers catch fire (often)?
My housemates don't want me setting up a home server because of fire hazard, I've seen very little, if anything, pointing to desktops causing fires, just laptop batteries (Can overheating laptops cause fire?). I've got this system all set up with…
Piper McCorkle
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Is storing food in opened tin cans dangerous?
The UK National Health Service advises:
never put open cans in the fridge, as the metal may transfer to the
can's contents – place the contents in a storage container or covered
bowl instead.
Is there any evidence supporting the assertion…
Paul Cager
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16
votes
1 answer
Does 528 Hz "facilitate DNA repair"?
There is a somewhat common belief that playing a tone at 528Hz can help to facilitate DNA repair.
Examples:
The frequency of 528 Hz supposedly has healing effects on DNA. The
frequency seems to influence the water molecules that surround the DNA
…
aaaidan
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16
votes
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Do fluorescent lights cause stress?
I have heard that fluorescent lights are generally bad for you. The explanations range from the light being in the blue area of the spectrum:
The signature "glow" of fluorescent lighting is created by sending an electrical charge through a special…
Beofett
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Does consuming fluoridated water reduce IQ?
Related:
Is fluoride in water an industry waste product?
Is water fluoridation harmful?
Dr. Mercola is at it again with a new article: 25 Studies Prove This Reduces Your IQ.
The Fluoride Action Network is also urging communities to pressure…
Hendy
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16
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Do beeswax candles "purify" the air?
It's a common claim on sites promoting beeswax candles over paraffin or soy candles that they "purify" the air and reduce allergies and asthma (Cleanup Expert,Ebeehoney, Pathways Arts, WarmCandle).
There does seem to be clear evidence that beeswax…
Cecilia
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