Dry Cleaning: Not Really Dry(!) | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

In Silent Spring, biologist Rachel Carson condemns the widespread use of pesticides in the 20th century, arguing that these chemicals threaten to devastate the natural environment and poison animals and humans alike. Carson advocates stricter regulation of pesticides by the US government, limited spraying, and the use of biological (rather than chemical) controls. Though Carson’s book was controversial and widely condemned by chemical companies, it’s been credited as an inspiration for the environmentalist movement of the 1970s, the formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the banning of the pesticide DDT.

This guide will explore Carson’s criticisms of pesticides and proposals for change, including discussions of what pesticides do, how they’re used, and what alternatives exist for pest control. We’ll also discuss evolutions in science since the book was published in 1962, backlash to and criticism of Carson’s findings, and the book’s influence on American environmental policy.

Nobody wants to use moisturizer or shampoo that will compromise their health. But many personal care products on your local drugstore’s shelves contain ingredients that experts say are unsafe—including some labeled “clean” and “non-toxic.”

Dive into the curious world of bygone beliefs with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast, as they unravel the wisdom and whimsy of ancient scientific theories. From the four humors that once sketched out human health to celestial spheres that carried the heavens, this episode elegantly stitches together a tapestry of ideas that paved the way for modern science. The hosts thoughtfully explore medical misconceptions, stellar hypotheses held before Copernicus and Kepler realigned our cosmic perspective, and the elemental theories that attempted to explain the universe’s fundamental building blocks.

Alongside the philosophical musings of history's great thinkers, discover how the seeds of truth found in Democritus's ancient atoms blossomed into the atomic theory that underpins today's physics. Josh and Chuck also dissect myths like spontaneous generation and celebrate the milestones of scientific discovery that corrected these misunderstandings. With their characteristic blend of respect and humor, they examine the intricate interplay between science and society, past and present, inviting listeners to not only learn but participate in the ongoing dialogue at the heart of "Stuff You Should Know."

A new Environmental Protection Agency plan to rid US drinking water of “forever chemicals” (PFAS) could cost local utilities millions of dollars and send the financial pain downstream to customers. The agency says the proposal will prevent thousands of deaths related to the chemicals. Experts say the multibillion-dollar price tag to develop the infrastructure required to execute the EPA’s plan could compromise states’ ability to comply, and that utility customers may be left to foot the bill.

In Silent Spring, biologist Rachel Carson condemns the widespread use of pesticides in the 20th century, arguing that these chemicals threaten to devastate the natural environment and poison animals and humans alike. Carson advocates stricter regulation of pesticides by the US government, limited spraying, and the use of biological (rather than chemical) controls. Though Carson’s book was controversial and widely condemned by chemical companies, it’s been credited as an inspiration for the environmentalist movement of the 1970s, the formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the banning of the pesticide DDT.

This guide will explore Carson’s criticisms of pesticides and proposals for change, including discussions of what pesticides do, how they’re used, and what alternatives exist for pest control. We’ll also discuss evolutions in science since the book was published in 1962, backlash to and criticism of Carson’s findings, and the book’s influence on American environmental policy.

Saving the planet won’t be as easy as replacing fossil fuels with renewables or recycling more products, as each of these solutions brings with it problems as serious as what they're intended to solve. Renewable technologies generate trash, particularly spent solar panels and discarded wind turbines. And recycling programs can sometimes use more resources than manufacturing from virgin materials.