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Category: Safety

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

Can Green Algae Harm You? Understanding the Real Risks

4 min read
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), harmful algal blooms (HABs) can produce toxins that make people and animals sick, and these are most often caused by cyanobacteria, which are not true algae. This distinction is critical because while many green algae species are benign, it is the bacteria known as "blue-green algae" that poses the primary threat, and it can be difficult to tell them apart visually.

How Does Chlorine Enter the Body? Understanding Exposure Routes

6 min read
According to the CDC, most exposures to chlorine occur by inhalation. This highly reactive chemical can also enter the body through skin absorption and accidental ingestion, with routes and health effects varying based on the concentration and form. Understanding how does chlorine enter the body is essential for preventing both minor irritations and severe chemical poisoning incidents.

Is Red Iron Oxide Healthy? Understanding Its Safety in Different Forms

4 min read
Iron oxide is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, but its health implications depend heavily on its form, size, and application. This makes it crucial to ask, "is red iron oxide healthy?" when evaluating its use in products ranging from makeup to supplements, as its synthetic purity and particle size determine its safety profile.

Should I Avoid Silica? Understanding the Risks and Benefits

2 min read
According to the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization, occupational exposure to silica resulted in an estimated 42,258 global deaths in 2016. This highlights the critical distinction between hazardous, inhaled crystalline silica and generally safe, ingested amorphous silica. So, should I avoid silica? The answer depends entirely on the form and context.

How long to wait after 2 units of alcohol?

5 min read
According to medical experts, the average person's body takes roughly one hour to process a single unit of alcohol. This means that after consuming 2 units of alcohol, you should, on average, wait at least two hours for your body to metabolize the substance sufficiently before engaging in activities like driving.

Is it possible to eat too much vanilla extract?

4 min read
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pure vanilla extract must contain a minimum of 35% alcohol by volume, making it comparable in potency to hard liquor. Given this surprisingly high alcohol content, it is absolutely possible to eat too much vanilla extract, with potentially serious consequences.

Is Sage Poisonous to Humans? Understanding the Risk of Thujone

3 min read
While sage is a staple culinary herb, some species, particularly common sage, contain a compound called thujone that can be toxic if consumed in high amounts. For most people, consuming culinary amounts of sage is considered safe. However, high doses, prolonged use, or ingesting concentrated forms like essential oils pose a significant health risk.

Is pure tung oil edible for humans?

3 min read
According to toxicology reports, ingesting pure tung oil can cause acute poisoning due to its toxic tung acids, which have a strong irritant effect on the gastrointestinal tract. This makes understanding the crucial difference between a cured 'food-safe' finish and an edible product vital before using pure tung oil on food-contact items.