Chemicals & Chemistry

A recent New York Times article described how Mexican drug cartels were recruiting college students (actually posing as real recruiters) to make fentanyl. Why?

Mixtures of vinegar and baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, are often promoted as a "green," chemical-free cleaning solution. While this combination may be environmentally friendly, it is not effective as many DIY sources claim.

A lot has been written about why onions make you cry, but some of it is incorrect. Discovering the truth might be more entertaining than the fact itself.

Thought experiment: Imagine you’re waiting in the exam room for your annual physical to begin when your doctor walks in with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

Cilantro is one of those restaurant-type things – a substance that we could easily survive without but has nonetheless carved out an oversized place on US menus since the late 20th century. 

Have you ever been to a snooty cocktail party (1) and ordered a Diet Coke from the bar only to get the look?

"Forever chemicals"– good, bad, or otherwise? 

Join Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein on Episode 81 of the Science Dispatch podcast as they discuss: