24 Items Tagged

Chemicals

Biologists Relocated 30,000 Animals to Make Room for a Natural Gas Plant

It took seven years to evacuate all the goannas, echidnas, and venomous snakes.

Sabrina Imbler August 15, 2019

Why a South African Petrochemical Plant Is Like Catnip to Servals

The wildcats are an example of resilience and adaptation.

Sabrina Imbler August 2, 2019

Brooks, Kentucky

Valley of the Drums

This calm grassy field was once a Superfund site full of thousands of nasty chemicals.

Frankfurt, Germany

IG Farben Haus

From Nazi chemicals to the CIA, this architectural marvel has played a fascinating role in German history.

Why Fire Retardant Is Colored Bright Red

A California fire has closed down Yosemite National Park.

Sarah Laskow July 26, 2018

Frederick, Maryland

One-Million-Liter Test Sphere

This four-story steel sphere in Maryland was used to test biological weapons.

Beautiful Chemistry, Viewed at High Speed

Watch as chemical reactions become works of art.

Ashawnta Jackson December 1, 2017

When Gas Masks Were an Inescapable Part of Everyday Life

“It may be a little irksome at first, but you’ll soon get used to it.”

Anika Burgess November 15, 2017

San Bernardino County, California

Searles Lake

This sun-scorched lakebed contains samples of half the natural elements known to humankind.

Scientists Have Figured Out What Makes Wagyu Beef Smell So Delicious

One of the key molecules smells like egg whites.

Kelsey Kennedy October 12, 2017

The Mysterious Coastal Cloud That Made Dozens Sick

Toxic haze on the British coast may have come from a passing ship.

Natasha Frost August 29, 2017

Scientists Now Know Exactly Why Onions Make You Cry

They've unlocked the chemical secrets of an irritating molecule.

Kelsey Kennedy August 2, 2017

Just a Beautiful and Dangerous Sulfur Fire

It's pretty, but looks like hell.

Erik Shilling July 11, 2017

Boron, California

Borax Visitor Center

Everything you always wanted to know about borates is here.

Leninskiy rayon, Russia

The Kamera (The Chamber)

The laboratory where the Soviet secret police invented exotic poisons used to kill dissidents in hideous and (mostly) untraceable ways.

How Alchemy Has Been Depicted in Art Through the Ages

Secret symbols aplenty.

Anika Burgess November 18, 2016

Food Testing in 1902 Featured a Bow Tie-Clad 'Poison Squad' Eating Plates of Acid

Why the FDA owes its existence to 12 men eating poisoned meals.

Natalie Zarrelli August 30, 2016

San Francisco BART Tackles Urine Problem With Bacteria-Eating Mist

They're spraying it in elevator shafts once per hour.

Cara Giaimo August 24, 2016