Use this tag for questions regarding physical, chemical and biological factors that may affect human health.
Questions tagged [environmental-health]
225 questions
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Do solar eclipses cause harm to pregnant women?
There are so many articles in the internet that say going out during a solar eclipse causes harm to pregnant women. Is this claim true? Why did this myth come in the first place?
This is from a BBC article.
One has it that if a pregnant woman goes…
Vinoth Kumar C M
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Is suicide caused by or correlated with living at high altitude?
According to the article There's a Suicide Epidemic in Utah — And One Neuroscientist Thinks He Knows Why:
... Despite ranking as America's happiest state, Utah has disproportionately high rates of suicide and associated mood disorders compared to…
Brian M. Hunt
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Do Sugar-Free Gummy Bears cause gastrointestinal distress?
I stumbled across the Amazon page for Haribo Sugar-Free Gummi Bears
The Reviews and Questions posted there were extremely entertaining, however I have my doubts as to if they are true or just some internet hoax. After all, why would Hairbo sell…
Rachel
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Should we prefer organic lemon and orange peels?
In many recipes, when it comes to add some lemon (or orange) zests, the authors advise to choose an organic fruit, because of the pesticides.
I know there is no proof that non-organic fruits and vegetables are more dangerous than organic ones, but I…
Einenlum
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Are earth-grounding mats (designed for connecting humans to earth-ground) effective and safe?
The website Earthing [Warning: auto-playing video] sells earthing mats. The site states:
Throughout history, humans walked barefoot and slept on the ground. But modern lifestyle [(shoes, beds, and living indoors)] has disconnected us from the…
etherice
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Is Coca Cola harmful for one's health?
There's a huge array of stories relating to Coca Cola (and other similar soft drinks) stating its nefarious properties and health risks.
This is just one example: http://killercoke.org/health_issues.php
Many of these stories look to me like ranting…
Cristian Diaconescu
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Is washing fruits/vegetables with water useful?
People tend to recommend washing (even just with water) fruits/vegetables before eating them for health reasons.
Do we have evidence that washing fruits/vegetables with water reduce potential health risks?
Uwat
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Does organic food have less heavy metal contamination than non-organic food?
Watching CBS morning news on December 6, 2011, it was claimed a way to reduce heavy metal consumption (especially inorganic arsenic) was to buy organic food. the CBS website has the clip here, the claim is made at 2:30.
Is there any proof organic…
erdiede
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Does the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) meaningfully increase the risk of water contamination?
There are many environmental problems with fossil fuels (climate change being the most obvious), but specifically regarding water pollution, how big of a threat to local water supplies is the Dakota Access Pipeline?
From what I've found online, most…
csstudent
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Does sharing earphones increase the risk of middle ear infections?
A Google search reveals many claims that sharing earphones is unhealthy.
Marie Claire magazine provides an example:
Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental health at the University of Arizona also told Buzzfeed US that 'studies…
Git Gud
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Does taking a bath at night have any bad effects on health?
People in Indonesia and Malaysia claim that taking a bath or a shower at night (probably after 8.p.m.) could cause illness. A few mentioned effects are rheumatism and wet lungs.
Is there any truth to it?
topher
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Does the DVORAK keyboard layout reduce the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
I am a programmer and have been for over 20 years and I am starting to feel the effects of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I have always used the QWERTY style keyboard though I have often heard that the DVORAK style was better and more ergonomic. In doing…
Chad
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Are laundry detergent and fabric softener fumes dangerous to human health?
One of my neighbors raised the topic of toxins in the dryer effluence from our buildings' laundry rooms. That's not particularly surprising, but she claimed there was evidence that the trace toxins in the air are dangerous. It sounded just…
dtanders
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Does sun screen cause cancer?
I been recently informed by my little sister who is in high risk for skin cancer and uses sun screen frequently that certain sun screens contain chemicals which are known carcinogens. I wonder if this is at all true and if so to what extent the…
Xitcod13
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Do Himalayan Salt Lamps remove airborne contaminates?
While indirectly related to Himalayan salt caves due to their sourcing, Himalayan Salt Lamps are not quite the same. These lamps are sold for the dual purposes of mood lighting and supposed health benefits due to the generation of negative ions…
rjzii
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