/oss/taxonomy/term/2481/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/titanium-dioxide-food-europe-says-no-way-canada-disagrees <p>It is in paint, paper, sunscreen, cosmetics, toothpaste and food. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists it in its Group 2B, “possibly carcinogenic in humans.” In Europe it is not allowed as a food additive, but in Canada you’ll find it in candies, chewing gum, pastries, cake decorations and coffee creamers. Should you worry about consuming titanium dioxide, TiO<sub>2</sub>?</p> Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9839 at /oss /oss/article/technology-you-asked/what-tritium-paint <p>In 1957, Edward Shapiro filed a patent for a novel type of “self-luminous paint.” The concept was not new, luminous paints based on radioactive emissions from radium striking a phosphor such as zinc sulfide were introduced in 1917. Watch dials and compasses that glow in the dark proved to be very useful on the front during World War I. After the war, watches and clocks that featured “Undark” paint became popular among the public until it was phased out by the 1960s.</p> Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:22:13 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9011 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/you-asked-can-someone-really-suffocate-being-covered-gold-paint-jill-masterson-goldfinger <p>No. We do not breathe through our skin. James Bond seemingly was unaware of this fact given that after discovering the golden corpse he tells M: “She died of skin suffocation, it’s been known to happen to cabaret dancers. It’s all right so long as you leave a small bare patch at the base of the spine to allow the skin to breathe.” That view was shared by the director who made sure that actress Shirley Eaton’s stomach remained unpainted while the scene was being shot.</p> Fri, 28 May 2021 19:56:57 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8748 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-general-science/paintballs <p>Paintball is game in which players shoot opposing players with paint from airguns. These paintballs require special non-toxic, water-soluble and biodegradable paint. It is biodegradable because this water-soluble paint can be easily washed away by rain. In addition, the solubility of this paint allows the paint to be easily washed from clothing, generally leaving behind no stains.  This special paint is made from mineral oils, ethylene glycol, iodine, and food colouring. Once the paint is made it is encapsulated by gelatin.</p> Wed, 31 May 2017 14:44:10 +0000 OSS 2517 at /oss /oss/article/history-you-asked/who-invented-scotch-tape <p>The Scots did not invent Scotch tape. But their reputation for thriftiness did inspire the name of this amazing product. Two-tone cars were the in thing way back in the 1920s and car manufacturers were faced with the problem of how to cut clean, crisp lines between the colours. Before spraying on the paint, they would mask one side of the line with newspaper to create a sharp, straight edge.</p> Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:08:32 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1685 at /oss