3 Kitchen Tips From a Chemist: What to Use and Avoid

Melissa and Jam discuss the top three kitchen products and habits Melissa avoids and loves based on her expertise in chemistry. She advises against using Teflon or non-stick cookware, vintage plastics, and recycling dirty materials. Instead, she encourages using cast iron pans, glass storage containers, and proper recycling practices. Melissa also shares her fondness for composting and its benefits. The episode wraps up with a hint at future editions focused on other household products and cosmetics. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Concerns 01:06 Chemist's Top Three Avoidances 02:49 Avoiding Teflon and Non-Stick 03:34 Avoiding Vintage Plastic 05:14 Avoiding Dirty Recycling 07:33 Chemist's Top Three Favorites 08:31 Bonus: The Joy of Composting 13:11 Wrapping Up and Listener Engagement 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 Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily Morrison Kyle McCray Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam discuss the chemistry behind Poopourri Toilet Spray. Melissa explains how the spray works by forming a non-polar oil layer on top of water, preventing smelly polar molecules like skatole and sulfur compounds from escaping into the air. They also touch upon the practical applications and personal experiences of using the product, making everyday bathroom visits more pleasant. Throughout the episode, the hosts delve into the chemistry of solubility and intermolecular forces, providing an engaging and informative lesson on an often-overlooked subject. 00:00 Introduction to Poopourri Toilet Spray 00:30 Personal Experiences with Bathroom Sprays 01:05 Chemistry Behind Poopourri 06:37 The Science of Smelly Molecules 11:10 How Poopourri Works 17:31 Exploring Gas Density and Surface Tension 18:44 Summarizing the Chemistry Lesson 18:49 Understanding Smelly Compounds 20:49 The Role of Polar and Non-Polar Molecules 22:54 Effectiveness of Odor-Blocking Sprays 24:26 Discussing Memorable Smells 31:26 Wrapping Up and Community Shoutouts 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 Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily Morrison Kyle McCray Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#072 Rebroadcast You know what they say, everyone's experienced odors, and 99.99% of all odors smell. We have room sprays, candles, air fresheners, etc. But how can we absorb or eliminate bad smells? Can chemistry do it? How? Let's find out! ★ 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 References from this episode  https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/outreach/celebrating-chemistry/2016-cced-celebrating-chemistry-english.pdf Structure-Scavenging Abilities of Cyclodextrin-Based Polyurethanes by Sandra K. Young, Peter L. Vajda, Eugene Napadensky, Dawn M. Crawford, James M. Sloan, and Samuel F. Trevino ACS - reactions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNIIxzR-d_Q&feature=youtu.be https://helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2015/06/take-whiff-chemistry#:~:text=Febreze%2C%20along%20with%20many%20other,cyclodextrin%20(%CE%B2%2Dcyclodextrin).&text=The%20cyclodextrin%20molecule%20can%20be,oily%E2%80%9D%20and%20immiscible%20with%20water Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily Morrison Kyle McCray Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ 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   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind lip balm, investigating whether products like Chapstick and Burt's Bees are beneficial or if they could be causing more harm. They explore the ingredients commonly found in these products, discuss what to avoid for chapped lips, and share dermatologist-recommended alternatives for effective lip care. 00:00 Introduction to the Lip Balm Scam 00:44 Meet the Hosts and Podcast Introduction 01:37 Community Shoutout and Announcements 04:07 The Chapstick Scam Inquiry 08:17 Understanding Chapped Lips 09:50 Ingredients in Lip Balms 16:42 Burt's Bees and Other Lip Balm Brands 23:31 The Irritation Dilemma 23:49 Ingredients to Look For 24:23 Chapstick vs. Burt's Bees 26:31 Petroleum Jelly Insights 29:36 Dermatologist Recommendations 32:01 Personal Lip Care Tips 38:14 Cosmetic Preferences and Hair Care 43:57 Supporting the Show ★ 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 References from this episode: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/allergens-cosmetics#common https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/heal-dry-chapped-lips https://www.burtsbees.com/product/beeswax-lip-balm/ (in the stick form) https://www.burtsbees.com/product/moisturizing-retro-lip-balm-tin/#792850651531-Beeswax (in the tin form)  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3120007/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8060673/ https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/sial/p5566?srsltid=AfmBOorfW5-Pot-l-yKCmfHp7Nco5xawnc8sXApICL2UfdR-Q6h9wQYb https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/aldrich/w266507?userType=undefined https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AC119111000&countryCode=US&language=en https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34561893/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3120007/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15569527.2023.2275022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/521353_5?form=fpf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27090066/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.12583 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cod.13131 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15569527.2023.2275022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6064031/ https://www.chapstick.com/products/chapstick-classic-lip-moisturizer Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily Morrison Kyle McCray Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam tackle a range of fascinating chemistry questions from their audience in this episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life'. They discuss why glass is transparent, how some foods make our mouth feel hot or cold, and the science behind decaffeinating coffee. Along the way, they share insights about their popular 'ghost holding an Erlenmeyer Flask' merch and highlight the importance of ad placements and community support for the podcast. Tune in to learn all about the chemistry behind these everyday phenomena! 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:11 Chemistry Questions and Topics 01:27 Merchandise and Halloween Special 03:05 Community Questions and Answers 03:42 Glass Transparency Explained 04:50 Chemistry in Everyday Life 06:56 Spicy and Cool Sensations 09:38 Moisturizers and Healing Ointments 16:19 Understanding Poisons 17:29 Understanding Defense Systems and Poison Dosage 18:32 The Fascinating Effects of Poisons 20:19 Decaffeination Methods Explained 22:43 Exploring Hot Tub Chemicals and pH Indicators 27:33 Addressing Ad Placement Feedback 32:59 Supporting the Podcast and Community ★ 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 References from this episode: https://courses.ems.psu.edu/matse81/node/2154 Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily Morrison Kyle McCray Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam discuss the science behind moisturizers and how they help with dry skin. The conversation covers the role of occlusives like petroleum jelly, humectants such as glycerin, and emollients in skincare. They also explore the importance of staying hydrated and the effect of environmental factors on skin moisture. Listeners can learn about the distinct mechanisms that moisturizers use to keep skin hydrated and healthy. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences with Dry Skin 01:23 Understanding Moisturizers: What Do They Really Do? 01:56 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life 02:07 Shoutout to Our Newest Community Member 03:37 Transitioning from Summer to Winter: The Importance of Moisturizers 04:27 The Science Behind Moisturizers: Intermolecular Forces 08:20 How Moisturizers Work: Trapping Moisture and Skin Oils 11:23 The Role of Water and Oils in Skin Hydration 21:22 Understanding Humectants 23:06 The Role of Occlusives in Skincare 24:03 Exploring Emollients 26:34 The Importance of Moisturizing 27:14 Chemistry Behind Moisturizers 28:50 Personal Experiences and Tips 44:41 Final Thoughts and Community Shoutouts ★ 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 References from this episode: https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/07/21/moisturisers/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29319217/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jocd.12490#accessDenialLayout https://illumin.usc.edu/the-chemistry-behind-moisturizers/ https://research-ebsco-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/c/id67n2/viewer/pdf/2oe2i2o6qn?route=details https://www.acs.org/pressroom/reactions/library/moisturizer.html Thanks to our monthly supporters Kyle McCray Justine Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam explore the science behind shooting stars, unraveling the chemistry that turns space rocks into brilliant streaks of light in our night sky. They discuss how meteors heat up and glow as they enter Earth’s atmosphere, the difference between meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites, and share fun facts about colorful meteors and the surprising role of amino acids from space. The episode is filled with personal stories, space trivia, and thoughtful tangents about the ethics of asteroid mining and the wonder of the universe. 00:00 Stargazing and Summer Memories 03:20 Meet the Hosts 05:00 Chemistry for Your Life Merch 07:00 Camping Stories & Inspiration 10:00 Chemistry of Gases and Atmosphere 13:00 What Are Shooting Stars? 18:00 The Science of Meteor Glow 23:00 Fun Facts: Colors, Metals, and Amino Acids 30:00 Asteroid Mining & Space Ethics 36:00 Favorite Space Stories 43:00 Listener Shoutouts & Support 47:00 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up ★ 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 References from this episode: Thanks to our monthly supporters Kyle McCray Justine Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#067 Rebroadcast (Originally Aired October 2020) Guess what time of year it is. It's spooky time! One thing we see a lot of during this time of year, is things that glow. And you better believe that's chemistry. So how do glowsticks glow? How does bending the glowsticks start that process? What's mixing with what, and seriously how the heck does it glow? Let's find out. ★ 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 References from this episode Organic Chemistry, Solomons 11e Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Daniel C. Harris Simple Glowmatography: Chromatographic Separation of GlowStick Dyes Using Chalk - Thomas S. Kuntzleman,* Kasey R. Bunker, and Ashlee A. Bartlett https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/fluorescence https://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/chemistry/demonstrations/videos/anatomy-of-a-glowstick/glowstick.pdf Glowmatography - Thomas S. Kuntzleman,* Anna E. Comfort, and Bruce W. Baldwin   Thanks to our monthly supporters Kyle McCray Justine Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon   ★ 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   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind fireflies' bioluminescence. They explore how fireflies produce light through a complex series of chemical reactions involving specific molecules like luciferin and enzymes like luciferase. The discussion extends to how these mechanisms find applications in scientific research, such as identifying tumors in mice. The episode is interspersed with nostalgic summer stories, making it a blend of chemistry education and personal anecdotes. 00:00 Nostalgic Summer Evenings 00:33 Fireflies and Childhood Wonder 01:04 Introduction to Firefly Chemistry 02:22 Shoutout to Ash and Podcast Tips 03:58 Diving into Bioluminescence 04:52 The Chemistry Behind Firefly Light 11:17 Understanding Acid-Base Reactions 16:13 The Role of Luciferase 18:43 The Unstable Four-Membered Ring 28:39 Understanding Molecular Structures 29:33 The Instability of Molecular Rings 33:39 Fireflies and Bioluminescence 40:53 Applications in Medical Science 45:37 Nostalgic Summer Memories 52:48 Supporting the Show and Final Thoughts ★ 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 References from this episode: https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/luciferin/3005839.article https://www.science.org/content/article/watch-chemistry-behind-how-fireflies-glow https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.258103 https://youtu.be/pTPMwZK2-yM https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.5b03820 https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/jp301910p https://chemistry-europe-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/cphc.201300330 https://chemistry-europe-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/cphc.201200195 https://iubmb-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/iub.134 https://chemistry-europe-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1002/cbic.200500443 https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/rainbow-makers/3003381.article https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/f/firefly-luciferin.html Thanks to our monthly supporters Kyle McCray Justine Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Jam dive into a variety of listener-submitted questions. They discuss the science behind fluffy shave ice versus mainland shaved ice, the effectiveness and safety of ozone treatments for smoke smells, and the potential impact of glyphosate on human health. They also explore the chemistry of everyday items like rinse aid in dishwashers, different types of soap, and even hypothetical scenarios involving bleach and gasoline. Melissa provides insights based on her knowledge as a chemist, offering a fascinating look into the chemistry of our everyday life. 00:00 Introduction and Listener Questions 00:29 Chemistry of Shave Ice 06:58 Ozone Treatment for Cigarette Smell 12:15 Glyphosate and Its Effects 21:32 Rinse Aid in Dishwashers 24:02 Concerns About Rinse Safety 24:24 Exploring Cleaning Products 26:26 Differences in Soaps and Shampoos 27:27 Chemistry of Hair and Skin Products 32:59 Hypothetical: Bleach vs. Gasoline 37:17 Listener Shoutouts and Anniversary 42:27 Chemistry of Erasable and Invisible Inks 45:22 Supporting the Podcast ★ 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 Thanks to our monthly supporters Vince W Julie S. Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien VD 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.