Carbon nanotubes, or CNT, are being used to make products stronger, lighter, faster, and more efficient. But are they safe? A growing body of research is raising concerns over the hazards presented by some forms of the material. As ever though, the risk to health depends on who is exposed to what
Carbon dioxide is a product of one of the most important chemical reactions in the world: combustion. Like water, the bonds in carbon dioxide are POLAR COVALENT, making the carbon atom delta positive and the oxygens delta negative. Although, unlike water, carbon dioxide is not a polar molecule ov
If you're breathing radioactive radon gas, how dangerous is it?, and what's the likelihood of you getting lung cancer? Risk Bites looks at radon safety, and the potential harm that being exposed to this radioactive gas can cause . #radon #risk #safety #exposure USEFUL LINKS US Environmental P
Is using a phone while driving dangerous? In the second of a two-parter, Risk Bites looks at cell phone use and distracted driving. This week's Risk Bites team: David Faulkner (Script, post-production) Ray Bingham (Technical Advice) Andrew Maynard (all the other stuff) Additional information:
We'll be tackling the risks of nanoparticles and other particles more fully when Risk Bites launches formally in November. But until then, here's a roller-coaster ride of a video on what might be important when thinking about the risks and benefits or nanoparticles - or any other particles for that
Learn the basics about carbon neutral and biofuels, as a part of environmental chemistry. Coal, oil, natural gas, shale gas and gas from fracking are fossil fuels formed hundreds of millions of years ago from living things that got trapped by layers of sediment before they had time to decompose. H
In this video segment adapted from NOVA, hear physicist and energy expert Amory Lovins explain how to make more efficient cars by making them lighter and more aerodynamic. Explore how the use of carbon fiber can reduce weight without reducing size or durability, and learn about some manufacturing ch
A California judge is requiring cancer warning labels on coffee. So we thought we’d take look at some of the other highly improbable risks associated with your cup of joe. We love a good cup of coffee at Risk Bites. So we were rather dismayed to discover that California judge William le Jeunesse ha
Watch part 2 of the videos on the Carbon Cycle, as a part of environmental chemistry. Mankind has had an influence on the carbon cycle. The carbon dioxide released during respiration is cycled naturally. Same is the case if we burn wood and agricultural waste – even biogas given off from food we t
Watch the first part of our Carbon Cycle videos, as part of environmental chemistry. Photosynthesis and respiration help carbon to be cycled in nature by using energy from the sun. As living things grow, they have to build up large polymer molecules from small molecules. Protein comes from joinin
What are the hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries, and how can these turn into safety risks? Last week Risk Bites looked at the bottom-line risk challenges of lithium-ion batteries. This week we take a closer look at the technology behind the batteries used in cell phones, laptops and the
Acetaminophen -- the active ingredient in Tylenol -- is bad news for your liver if you take too much of it. The same is true for alcohol. So should you avoid popping Tylenol to take the edge off the morning-after hangover? Probably yes -- although the biology behind how the two substances interac
