A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets ...
#208
Melissa and Jam dive deep into the topic of FDA regulations, particularly focusing on food additives like red food dye. They discuss the complexities of the FDA's approval process, the Delaney Clause, and recent changes in the regulation of red dye number 3, which has been banned in response to cancer risks found in rats. They also delve into how other countries like the UK and Canada are ahead of the U.S. in reevaluating approved substances. The episode includes personal anecdotes and a discussion on the role of public awareness in influencing FDA policies. They wrap up with a lighthearted conversation about sprinkles and favorite dyed foods.
00:00 Introduction and FDA Discussion
00:36 Podcast Banter and Hat Story
02:42 FDA's Role and Food Additives
04:48 Red Food Dye Controversy
11:33 FDA Trustworthiness and Public Perception
18:29 Comparing Food Regulations: US vs. Canada
18:50 Trusting the FDA: A Personal Take
20:02 Challenges Faced by the FDA
20:56 Rebranding the FDA: A Fun Idea
22:16 Sprinkles and Donuts: A Sweet Debate
26:51 Favorite Dyed Foods
30:44 Podcast Wrap-Up and Community Shoutouts
References from this episode:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531
https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/
https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01
https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/
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33:49
Chemistry Support: Where does a fart go? (and other questions)
Question and Response 65
Melissa and Jam delve into a variety of interesting chemistry-related questions sourced from Reddit. They explore why farts stop smelling over time, the non-oily nature of Castile soap, why cookies and candies remain safe to eat at room temperature, and the mechanics behind rice cookers. They also discuss how opening a bottle can freeze its contents and offer reassurance to a chemistry Ph.D. student worried about forgetting basic chemistry knowledge. The episode is filled with insightful explanations, humor, and chemistry support, answering the everyday scientific queries of curious Reddit users.
00:00 Introduction and Reddit Questions Overview
01:44 Where Does a Fart Go?
04:01 Why Cookies and Candy Don't Spoil Quickly
07:31 How Do Rice Cookers Work?
10:52 Why Does Opening a Bottle Freeze the Contents?
15:16 How is Castile Soap Not Oily?
17:18 Forgetting Basic Chemistry as a PhD Student
24:35 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
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J0HNTR0Y
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Elizabeth P
Sarah M
Rachel R
Letila
Katrina B
Suzanne P
Venus R
Lyn S
Jacob T
Brian K
Emerson W
Kristina G
Timothy P
Steven B
Chris and Claire S
Chelsea B
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★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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27:03
Can gasoline freeze?
#207
Melissa and Jam explore why gasoline doesn't freeze in extremely low temperatures while water and other substances do. They delve into the concepts of intermolecular forces, polarity, and how impurities can affect the freezing and melting points of substances. The discussion includes a comparison of the behavior of different substances at varying temperatures, and a light-hearted conversation on favorite liquids that can exist in both liquid and solid states. They also hint at upcoming merchandise related to the topic.
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:43 Why Gasoline Doesn't Freeze
03:10 Chemistry Behind Freezing and Melting
06:43 Intermolecular Forces Explained
15:44 Practical Implications and Fun Facts
20:46 Listener Questions and Closing Remarks
References from this episode:
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Julie S
Heather R
Autoclave
Chelsea M
Dorien V
Scott B
Jessie R
Ciara L
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette N
Cullyn R
Erica B
Elizabeth P
Sarah M
Rachel R
Letila
Katrina B
Suzanne P
Venus R
Lyn S
Jacob T
Brian K
Emerson W
Kristina G
Timothy P
Steven B
Chris and Claire S
Chelsea B
Avishai B
Hunter R
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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--------
31:05
What's the chemistry of sticky stuff?
#011 Rebroadcast
Why is honey sticky but salt isn’t? What’s the difference between things that stick and things that just feel sticky? In this episode, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind adhesion, cohesion, and the forces that make substances cling to surfaces (and to our fingers). They explore intermolecular forces, viscosity, and why some things are nearly impossible to separate once they’re bonded. Plus, Jam shares a hilarious mix-up of words, and Melissa breaks down why this topic turned out to be trickier than expected!
Topics Covered:
• The difference between adhesion and cohesion
• Intermolecular forces: the unseen power behind stickiness
• Why some things feel sticky while others are just stuck
• How temperature and viscosity affect our experience of stickiness
• Why hydrogen bonding plays a key role in making substances cling
• Listener-submitted answers on the “scientific word for sticky”
Thanks to our monthly supporters
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Autoclave
Chelsea M
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Scott B
Jessie R
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J0HNTR0Y
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Cullyn R
Erica B
Elizabeth P
Sarah M
Rachel R
Letila
Katrina B
Suzanne P
Venus R
Lyn S
Jacob T
Brian K
Emerson W
Kristina G
Timothy P
Steven B
Chris and Claire S
Chelsea B
Avishai B
Hunter R
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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--------
33:14
Can I trust the FDA? (from thalidomide to cough medicine)
#206
Melissa and Jam address a listener's question about the FDA's reliability in approving products. They discuss the intersection of chemistry, government, and society, focusing on FDA's role in regulating food and drugs. The episode includes a deep dive into the historical thalidomide tragedy, the improvements in the FDA's approval process since then, and the nuances of trusting FDA-approved products. Through personal insights, they emphasize the complexities and challenges faced by the FDA in ensuring public safety.
00:00 Introduction: What is the FDA Up To?
00:18 Listener's Question: Trusting FDA Approvals
01:11 Deep Dive: FDA's Role and Responsibilities
03:35 Case Study: Cold Medicine and Phenylephrine
04:18 Thalidomide: A Historical Lesson
10:11 The Role of Frances Kelsey
13:44 FDA's Evolution and Current Challenges
23:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
References from this episode:
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/biological-sciences-articles/courageous-physician-scientist-saved-the-us-from-a-birth-defects-catastrophe
https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Julie S
Heather R
Autoclave
Chelsea M
Dorien V
Scott B
Jessie R
Ciara L
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette N
Cullyn R
Erica B
Elizabeth P
Sarah M
Rachel R
Letila
Katrina B
Suzanne P
Venus R
Lyn S
Jacob T
Brian K
Emerson W
Kristina G
Timothy P
Steven B
Chris and Claire S
Chelsea B
Avishai B
Hunter R
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.